Greek and Turkish Cypriots optimistic about reunification

The leaders of the divided Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities are optimistic they can make progress towards reunification of the island.



President elect of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias said he has asked the UN to arrange a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Al Talat.



Decades of diplomatic efforts have failed to reunite the communities, which are separated by a UN buffer zone.



The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north, after a rebellion by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.



Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan in a referendum in 2004, while Turkish Cypriots accepted it.