UN chief tells Cyprus leaders to seize momentum

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged the leaders of ethnically split Cyprus to seize the positive momentum in ongoing reunification talks.

Ban lauded Nicos Anastasiades, the Cyprus Greek Cypriot president, and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on making significant progress in eight months of talks and for demonstrating that they can reach compromises on thorny issues.

But he acknowledged after meeting both men Thursday in Davos that a "number of sensitive and difficult issues" still remain.

The UN chief also urged international actors, especially Cyprus' guarantor powers Greece, Turkey and Britain, to do their utmost to support the leaders in the talks.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup aimed at union with Greece. [AP]