The European Union, United States and Britain welcomed on Friday the decision by Cyprus' leaders to restart stalled reunification talks.
Cyprus President, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have agreed to set up working groups and technical committees in preparation for full-fledged negotiations which are expected to kick off in three months.
The Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the EU welcomes the successful meeting between the two leaders and their agreement to take full responsibility for the future conduct of the negotiations.
"The EU stands ready to support the negotiations and both parties," Rehn added.
He also congratulated the leaders on the "important symbolic decision" to open the Ledra Street crossing point in the heart of the old walled city of Nicosia, noting that the European Commission has made more than 100,000 euros available to United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to carry out works at the planned crossing point.
The United States said on Friday Washington will continue its full support for this constructive dialogue, and for efforts by the United Nations to forge a just and lasting Cyprus settlement.
"We welcome news of today's positive meeting between Republic of Cyprus President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader Talat," said US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack.
"We congratulate the leaders on their agreement to reopen, as soon as possible, the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia, after over forty years of closure," the spokesman said, adding such steps build requisite confidence between the communities to advance toward a comprehensive settlement.
British High Commissioner in Nicosia Peter Millett said in a statement Britain stands ready to support Cyprus' negotiations, along with the United Nations and together with the other permanent members of the UN Security Council.
"This is an important first step towards negotiations, which we hope, will lead to the reunification of the island," the High Commissioner added.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers who pushed for union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey.
For several decades, the UN has continuously worked to persuade the two communities to find a viable solution to the Cyprus issue but failed so far due to lack of political will on both side.
The election of a moderate and pro-solution Christofias as the new president and Greek Cypriot leader last month has given a big push to revive the stalled talks.
Source: Xinhua
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