The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus are to meet on Friday to hold talks that could ultimately affect not only the chances of unifying the Mediterranean island but also Turkey’s hopes of joining the European Union.

The meeting in Nicosia, between Demetris Christofias, newly elected president of the Greek Cypriots, and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriots, heralds the start of a new attempt to solve one of the world’s toughest and least-noticed problems.