LEFKOSA - Cypriot leaders on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality.
President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias in the buffer zone today.
The two leaders agreed that the partnership should be a federal government that has one international identity formed by Turkish and Greek Cypriot founder states that are in equal status.
Speaking to press after the meeting, the two leaders said they would meet again in the second half of June to review further progress.
Christofias said they had a common position that international identity of Cyprus would be "United Federal Republic of Cyprus".
Responding to a question on opening of Yesilirmak Gate to passages, Talat said they gave directives to representatives to assess works on Yesilirmak Gate, other passages as well as confidence building measures.
Asked when peace talks would start, Talat said, "this is a tough question. We will meet again in the second half of June and assess the matter again. We have different views on this issue and we continue to have those views."
(AY)