The leaders of the divided island of Cyprus have agreed to launch reunification talks on 3 September, the United Nations has said.
The agreement came after discussions between the leaders of the rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Talks have been stalled since 2004 when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan which was backed by Turkish Cypriots.
The island has been divided for Concerns over foreign transplants ...
Parched Cyprus awaits water ships ...
Boost to Cyprus re-unification prospects ...
Prominent Greek industrialist abducted: police ...
Turkey says over 150 PKK rebels killed ...
Turkish army says air strikes killed over 150 PKK rebels ... 34 years into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south.
The announcement came after Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met for two hours in the UN-controlled buffer zone which divides the island.
"The aim of the fully-fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will safeguard the interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," said Taye-Brook Zerihoun, head of the UN mission on the island.
He said any agreed solution would be voted on by both communities in two separate referendums.
(BBC)
<< Back