UNITED NATIONS - United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Monday welcomed the outcome of Friday`s meeting between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders.
President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias met at the residence of SG`s Special Representative Michael Moeller in the buffer zone in Cyprus on Friday.
"Mr. Ban warmly welcomed the leaders` decision to set up a number of working groups and technical committees in advance of talks," Ban`s spokesperson Michele Montas said in New York.
Ban also congratulated Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders on their agreement to start full-fledged negotiations within three months on resolving Cyprus problem.
"The United Nations stands ready to lend its full support to the Cypriot people in their efforts to reach a settlement," Montas also said.
Ban said the two leaders` agreement on the opening of a crossing at Ledra Street in Lefkosa as soon as technically possible "was a positive step forward."
According to the spokesperson, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe will go to Cyprus later this month to help the UN determine how it can be as helpful as possible to the success of the process.
(BRC)