Geneva: A new round of UN-sponsored peace talks between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders has opened in a Swiss Alpine resort, aiming to reunify their Mediterranean island after a decades-long split.

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UN Cyprus adviser Espen Barth Eide on Wednesday is hosting in Crans-Montana the island's Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, along with leading envoys from the European Union and so-called "guarantor" countries Britain, Greece and Turkey.

Officials are hoping for a breakthrough to reunify the island that was divided along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey sent in troops after supporters of union with Greece led a coup.

Turkey today has over 35,000 troops in Cyprus. Sticking points include security guarantees and hopes among Greek Cypriot leaders for the removal of those forces.