Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in a joint statement on March 30 2010, said that they had made important progress in negotiations on the future of the divided island.
 
"After many meetings that have taken place to date, and our discussion on all aspects of the Cyprus problem we are encouraged by the important progress we have made so far on chapters of Governance and power sharing, EU matters and the economy and we are convinced that with perseverance we shall achieve comprehensive settlement," they said in the joint statement.
 
"We underscore the fact that negotiations are being conducted under the overriding principle of the ‘integrated whole approach’ which means that ‘nothing is agreed unless everything is agreed’," the statement said.
 
"We are convinced that our mutual concern for the common good of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots and our will for a comprehensive solution will soon lead us to an exhaustive discussion of the remaining aspects of the Cyprus problem and the overcoming of the divergent positions soon, so as to achieve a mutually acceptable solution that will be put to separate simultaneous referenda.
 
"Whilst the negotiations remain confidential it is recognised that the leaders may explain to their communities the progress made so far and the differences that still need to be resolved," the two leaders said.
 
European Commission President Jose Barroso welcomed the March 30 statement.
 
"It shows the level of commitment and responsibility that the two leaders are putting in the settlement talks," Barroso said
 
The statement also showed the important progress achieved since fully-fledged negotiations started on September 3 2008, he said.
 
"These achievements clearly demonstrate that a settlement is in reach and that there is a chance to finalise the talks in the next few months," Barroso said.
 
"I would like to reiterate the full support of the European Commission to the efforts of the leaders of the two communities aimed at reaching a settlement soon and our readiness to provide all the necessary support to the process. The Commission follows very closely the development of the talks and hopes that this long standing conflict on European soil will come to an end," Barroso said.
 
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.