Britain hails renewed Cyprus settlement talks

Britain on Friday hailed the resumed Cyprus settlement talks between leaders of the southern Greek and the northern Turkish Cypriot communities.

"I warmly welcome the resumption today of the Cyprus settlement talks, facilitated by the UN. It is important to build on the current momentum towards a comprehensive and lasting settlement," British Minister for Europe David Lidington said.

Cyprus settlement talks resumed on Friday between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

"The UK will continue to give its full support to the communities in their efforts towards that aim. We also reiterate our support for Espen Barth Eide, the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General," Lidington added.

"This represents an opportunity to build on the joint declaration made by the leaders of the two communities in 2014," the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said in a statement.

Leaders of the estranged Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities agreed to resume peace negotiations on Friday after a hiatus of almost seven months, the UN announced on Monday.

Cyprus was split in Greek and Turkish regions when Turkey occupied the island's northern part in 1974, reacting to a coup engineered by Greek army officers. Endit