ATHENS, July 18 - Greece Sunday welcomed steps taken by the Greek Cypriot community to build confidence with the Turkish Cypriot minority, claiming both communities would benefit.
Friday the Greek Cypriots proposed reciprocal military pullbacks from the United Nations-patrolled ceasefire line, return of the abandoned resort of Varosha and joint use of the Turkish-controlled port of Famagusta.
The measures "confirm the determination of the government of Cyprus to take initiatives to create the necessary climate for a reunification of the island," a foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.
"Putting these measures into effect will benefit both communities by helping strengthen the feeling of security and encouraging cooperation in Cyprus."
The Greek Cypriots have said that they expect reciprocal action from the Turkish side but Turkish Cypriot prime minister Mehmet Ali Talat rejected the proposals.
He said they would only get in the way of the revival of a UN reunification plan that was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters in an April referendum at the behest of their leadership.
The European Commission unveiled plans last week to ease the isolation of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus which drew criticism from the Greek and Greek Cypriot governments.
Cyprus has been divided since a Greek-engineered coup sparked the 1974 intervention. Turkey still deploys more than 30,000 troops in the north of the island.
The Greek part of the island joined the European Union on May 1.
Some information for this report provided by AFP.