The people of both communities in Cyprus want a solution now that will stop the division on the Mediterranean island, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, urging Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to reach a settlement to end the decades of separation.

"As a Korean, I know only too well the pain of a land divided. I also know how difficult reconciliation can be," Mr. Ban wrote in an opinion column published in the Khaleej Times on February 13 2010 following his recent visit to the island. "That is why I went to Cyprus – to show my personal support for the efforts to reunify the island, and to push for further progress."

Ban reiterated that Cyprus is at a critical juncture, the UN News Service said.

Although both the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are working hard to reach an agreement, he said, "it will elude them without a further concentrated push."

Ban said that there are sceptics, critics and those who seek to divert or derail the process in pursuit of their own interests and agendas, and that courage and conviction will be required of leaders to do what they know to be right.

"I had lengthy discussions with both leaders – individually and together – and told them that the destiny of Cyprus is entirely in their hands. I believe that a solution is within reach," Ban said, adding that "building on this momentum is vital."

He said that there is a strong, shared commitment between Christofias and Talat, who have met almost 70 times over the past 16 months, including for two weeks of intensive talks. The pair have chosen to continue talks rather than pause ahead of the elections in the north in April.

Negotiators have found common ground, Ban said, highlighting progress already made on crucial issues such as governance and power-sharing. Furthermore, the two key regional actors of Turkey and Greece support the current talks and are willing to help find a solution, according to Ban.

Ban said that the UN is in Cyprus to help however it can, and that negotiations are facilitated by Alexander Downer, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Cyprus.

"A settlement would also send a message to the world that disputes as long-standing and complex as that in Cyprus can be resolved peacefully," Ban said.