On September 3 2008, Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders met in Nicosia to start a fresh round of reunification talks after a four-year hiatus, world news agencies reported.

Greek Cypriot leader, president Demetris Christofias and his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat started negotiations with a final goal of achieving a federation between the two communities, as agreed on earlier in 2008.

Back in 2004, Greek Cypriots voted down a United Nations-brokered plan, which left the negotiations process in their latest dead end.

"I warmly welcome the formal launch [...] of fully fledged negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. I commend the leaders for their seriousness of purpose, sense of compromise and commitment to seeing the peace process through to a successful conclusion," UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said, defining the move as a "historic step" and once again stressing the parties could count on UN's "unwavering support".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. It is an European Union member state, save for its northern Turkish part. The Cyprus issue is among the main drawbacks in Turkey's negotiations on joining the European bloc, since Ankara continues to back the Cypriot Turk entity.

"Ankara is, you know, supporting a solution. That is why after four years of stalemate we are here - we are in favour of a solution. We are confident that we will succeed in concluding (a) comprehensive agreement," BBC quoted Talat as saying. Christofias added that there was "a common will and a common desire and a common effort to achieve this target."

The next meeting of the Cypriot officials from the two sides of the island is scheduled for September 11.