Cyprus problem among US priorities

The Cyprus question is a priority for the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US President Barack Obama and a priority for the international community, US State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood has told his daily briefing.

Invited to comment on UN Special Envoy for Cyprus Alexander Downer's optimism that ''there is a real possibility of reaching finally a settlement'' in Cyprus, Wood said ''we certainly are hopeful and we hope that there can be an agreement reached between the two parties.''

Asked if the Cyprus issue is among the priorities of the Secretary of State, Wood noted: ''Absolutely. It’s a priority for the Secretary. It’s a priority for President Obama. It’s also a priority for the international community.''

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct talks since September last year, with a view to solve the question of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974.