Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities have welcomed the outcome of their leaders' meeting on Friday, which paved the way for full-fledged negotiations to reunify the divided island.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for Cyprus President and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias announced that advisers to the two leaders will meet Monday to set up working groups and technical committees, as agreed during the leaders' meeting earlier Friday.
In a statement by the spokesman for Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the decision by the two leaders to relaunch the comprehensive settlement negotiations was hailed as "an important milestone" in the efforts to find a solution for the Cyprus problem.
"The Turkish Cypriot side will spend efforts to implement the agreement of the two leaders with determination and good will, and to reach an early comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus problem," the statement concluded.
Christofias and Talat has met in "a very positive and cordial atmosphere," achieving "a great degree of convergence", said Michael Moller, the UN secretary-general's special representative in divided Cyprus.
The two leaders have also agreed to meet three months from now to review the work of the working groups and technical committees. Substantial negotiations may kick off then under the auspices of the UN secretary-general.
According to Moller, the leaders also agreed to open the Ledra Street as soon as possible, a busy commercial street in the heart of the old walled city of Nicosia that has been bisected by the UN monitored Green Line since the 1960s following violence between the two communities.
The Ledra Street may be opened by the end of next week after technical preparations, said local media.
"This is a new era," Talat told reporters after the meeting.
"We are starting for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Our target is to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem as soon as possible," he added.
On behalf of the Greek Cypriot side, Christofias pointed out that the two communities on the island have to be optimistic and work together in good will.
"We shall try our utmost in order to come to an agreed solution to the interests of the Cypriot people of both communities as soon as possible. This is our ambition," he pledged.
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 the establishment of the breakaway "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 sides.
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 reviving the stalled talks.
Source: Xinhua
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