The two leaders are discussing the executive power mechanism, including the presidency and vice-presidency mechanism, in Wednesday's meeting being held at Nicosia’s disused airport in the buffer zone separating the two communities.

Both say they are committed to ending the island’s decades-old division, despite what U.N. envoy Alexander Downer acknowledges will be difficult and drawn out negotiations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1964 when Turkish Cypriots were forced to withdraw into enclaves.

The launch of negotiations marked the first major push for peace since the failure of a U.N. reunification plan in 2004, which was approved by Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

Power sharing disputes remain at the heart of the Cyprus problem. The Greek Cypriots are seeking a reunification under a strong federal government but the Turkish Cypriots prefer more a devolved union.

Other thorny issues include security guarantees and property settlement claims.












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