U.N. Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus Alexander Downer and the U.N. Secretary-General's special representative in Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, also attended the meeting that took place at the buffer zone in Nicosia.


The leaders continue negotiating administration and power sharing, as well as execution and legislation.



Downer said on Wednesday he believed Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders will broker a reunification deal despite difficult negotiations. Although the process has been criticized as sluggish, Downer said he was satisfied with the pace of talks and the progress made so far.



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.



Under agreements dating back to the late 1970s, the two sides are pledged to reunite in a bizonal, bicommunal federation.



Power sharing disputes remain at the heart of the Cyprus problem. Other thorny issues include security guarantees and property settlement claims.