Cypriot leaders have finally agreed to restart peace talks. The consensus came after three days of UN-hosted 'talks about talks' in New York - a final attempt to salvage a peace plan in time for a united Cyprus to join the European Union on May 1. Previous UN-backed talks have failed repeatedly since the 1970s. The last round collapsed nearly a year ago when the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash walked out. The details of the new plan have not been made public but are understood to include a tight timetable for the conclusion of talks. In case of a deadlock, both Turkey and Greece could get involved and, in the final stage, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan himself could step in. He told the UN it was a historic opportunity: "I believe there is now a real chance that before May 1, Cyprus will be reunited." Cyprus has been split along ethnic lines since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the northern part of the island after Greek Cypriot coup backed by Greece. The Turkish north and Greek south will hold separate but simultaneous referenda before May 1 - possibly on April 21. Talks, headed by a UN envoy, will switch to the Cypriot capital Nicosia from February 19. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Turkish Cyprus leader Rauf Denktash (L) and Greek Cyprus leader Tassos Papadopoulos (R) pose with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan before the start of their meeting at the U.N. in New York on February 13, 2004. (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations Handout via Reuters)