“This meeting has clearly placed action aimed at encouraging trust between the two sides on the island on a more solid foundation."

"The announced re-opening of the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia has sparked new hope for reunification of an island divided now for decades. It is an important symbolic step of political significance, and Slovenia encourages both sides to continue down the road of dialogue,” Dr Rupel observed.

Also commenting on the meeting was the Spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Kamynin, who stated on Monday that:

“We positively evaluate the first meeting between President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. We expect that it will constitute a step forward in the quest for a just solution to the Cyprus problem in the interests of the Greek and Turkish communities of the country."

"Hopefully the sides will successfully resume a full-scale negotiation process under the aegis of the UN with a view to achieving a comprehensive and viable settlement in Cyprus – based on the relevant Security Council resolutions and the existing intercommunity agreements, including the understanding reached on July 8, 2006, through the mediation of UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari," the Russian official concluded.