Leaders of ethnically partitioned Cyprus agreed on Saturday to a framework to allow the resumption of peace talks in a major breakthrough to a process stalled for more than two years.
"This is a very historic occasion," UN under-secretary general Ibrahim Gambari told reporters after hosting a meeting in Cyprus between President Tassos Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. A process should be started by the end of July, Gambari said.
Cyprus was divided in a Turkish invasion in 1974 which followed a brief Greek-inspired coup. Resolution to the conflict is key for Turkey to become a fully fledged member of the European Union, where Cyprus is now represented only by the veto-wielding Greek Cypriots. Gambari said the two leaders had agreed to a set of principles governing a future reunification of Cyprus.
"(There was an) agreement to begin a process immediately, involving bi-communal discussion of issues that affect the day to day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both of which will contribute to a comprehensive settlement," said Gambari after three hours of talks with the two leaders. Flanked by both, he added: "Confidence building measures are essential, both in terms of improving the atmosphere and improving the life of all Turkish and Greek Cypriots.