Greek and Turkish top leaders from Cyprus are to hold talks again tomorrow in a key meeting for the reunification of the island. Talks were first held after Demetris Christofias won presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus in February 2008. Negotiations with his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat were aimed at putting an end to the island's 35 year old division and laying the foundations for reunification.

The process, which has proved to be an intricate one, is now entering a critical stage as the land issue gets back on the table. According to SETimes.com, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus admitted its community "may have to give up territory" if a settlement is to be reached. Such acknowledgment was severely criticized by hardliners both in Northern Cyprus and Turkey. Ali Talat, though, is not well-positioned to keep his stance as Turkish nationalists won last parliamentary elections in Northern Cyprus. The new cabinet could making things difficult for Ali Talat; still, government said it would not pull out from the negotiation table.

Pressure on the Greek side is also on the rise. President Christofias has been warned by archbishop Chrysostomos II, who said that the Greek Cypriot president is making "too many concessions".

SETimes.com underlines that the current process bears some resemblance to former Annan Plan, the 2004 diplomatic attempt to solve the Cypriot question. The land issue also became a major obstacle during the talks, and finally the so-called Annan Plan was dropped when Greek Cypriots opposed to it in a referendum held in 2004.

Further information:

• SETimes.com: Cyprus talks at critical stage
• Nationalia:Victory for Turkish nationalists in Northern Cyprus hinders reunification of the island, Turkish Cypriots say reunification could happen as early as 'late 2008 or mid 2009', Turkish Cypriot president announces peace negotiations to end conflict on Cyprus.