The United Nations is encouraged by the commitment to peace talks shown by Cyprus's ethnic communities but a reunification deal will require hard work, a senior envoy said today.
Greek and Turkish Cypriots recently agreed to relaunch talks, hoping to end a three-decade-long stalemate that is an obstacle to Turkey's hopes of joining the European Union and a source of tension with its Nato partner and neighbour Greece.
"The two leaders have set their sights on achieving a fair and lasting solution, and I think Cypriots are right to have high expectations," said B. Lynn Pascoe, the United Nations Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs.
"There is a very positive tone in Cyprus at the moment and a palpable sense of momentum."
Aides to Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, elected president of Cyprus in February, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are conducting preparatory talks, and the two men are set to relaunch negotiations by the end of June.
The east Mediterranean island has been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. The last major UN initiative ended in failure in 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a reunification blueprint accepted by Turkish Cypriots.