The problem of the future of Cyprus has remained unresolved for too long, but with "goodwill and determination, we can achieve a solution in the shortest possible time," the two chief negotiators attempting to resolve the dispute over the divided island said during a visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
 
Ban is a on three-day visit to Cyprus to encourage progress in negotiations, against a background of concerns that a change in the Turkish leadership in the northern part of the island could bring any progress grinding to a halt.
 
Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, is partly occupied by Turkey, and in the north there is a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" recognised only by Ankara. The division of the island is a consequence of a Turkish invasion in 1974, which was in turn a response to an attempted coup on the island.
 
Speaking to journalists on February 1 2010, Ban said that as a citizen of Korea, he understood the "emptiness" of a country divided into north and south.
 
Ban reiterated his belief that a solution to Cyprus’ long-running problems is "within reach," and called on the leaders of the two communities on the Mediterranean island to step up their efforts to reach agreement.
 
"No one is under the illusion that any of this is easy. Peace negotiations never are," Ban told reporters after meeting in Nicosia with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the UN News Service said.
 
"But the time is ripe to push ahead. I am convinced these two leaders can achieve a mutually beneficial solution," Ban said.
 
In May 2008, Christofias and Talat committed themselves to working towards "a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions."
 
The partnership will comprise a federal government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot constituent state and a Greek Cypriot constituent state, which will be of equal status.
 
"For decades, the world has heard about the Cyprus problem. Now is the time for the Cyprus solution," Ban said, pledging the UN’s ongoing support in the process.
 
Following their meeting with Ban, the Cypriot leaders voiced "confidence that with goodwill and determination, we can achieve a solution in the shortest possible time."
 
In a statement read out by Ban, they said that the Cyprus problem has remained unresolved for too long.
 
Although "time is not on the side of settlement," they underscored that there is now a window of opportunity to find a solution "which would take into full consideration the legitimate rights and concerns of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots."
 
On February 1 in the capital city Nicosia, Ban welcomed the start of the second phase of stabilization work at Ledra Street/Locmaki crossing, which he said has become "the symbol of the two leaders to heal divisions and to work together towards a common future."
 
The crossing was opened in April 2008 following an agreement by Christofias and Talat, which Ban hailed at the time as "positive step forward."
 
The Voice of America said that so far, modest progress has been made on the issue of governance and power sharing of a future administration.   But viewpoints on most other issues are as far apart as ever.
 
Since their 2008 launch amid much fanfare, the Cyprus peace talks have been widely criticised for being too slow and showing little progress.
 
Any agreement between the two Cypriot community leaders has to be put to a referendum on both sides of the divide.