United Cyprus organisation sees progress in Cyprus talks

The Bicommunal Peace Initiative ''United Cyprus'' has determined progress in negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus problem, after meetings with the leaders of the two communities.

A delegation of the Initiative was received on Wednesday by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, who informed the members of the delegation about recent developments.

Christos Efthymiou, the Greek Cypriot spokesman of the organisation, said that ''we have formed a good opinion about how things are developing, and we welcome the progress made.''

He added that they met with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat a few days ago.

''We want to encourage the two leaders to continue their efforts,'' he said, adding that ''we will support their efforts for a solution, informing the society, and we will form a better climate for a solution among the people.''

Sener Elci, the Turkish Cypriot spokesman of the organisation, said that from their visits they determined that ''some progress has been made regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem,'' adding that ''we continue to support the efforts of the two leaders.''

Speaking through an interpreter, Elci said that ''we want the solution of the Cyprus problem, a bizonal, bicommunal federation solution, in order to create a state, which will be the united federal Republic of Cyprus, which will have a single sovereignty, a single international identity and a single citizenship.''

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.