Ban, who met today with Akinci in New York, welcomed the “positive atmosphere” surrounding the ongoing talks, encouraging the leaders “to stay on this path,” according to aread-out provided by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson.

The negotiations resumed on 15 May under the facilitation of the UN Special Adviser, Espen Barth Eide, who recently said that he strongly felt 2015 would be a decisive year.

The Secretary-General assured Akinci of his personal commitment and that of his Special Adviser to continue facilitating the talks.

Ban also welcomed the leaders’ agreement to work on a number of confidence-building measures that would benefit both communities, according to the read-out. Such measures, he noted, could help to increase and sustain the positive environment on the island.

Photo: UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)