United Nations Radio

The UN Security Council has welcomed the start of talks aimed at reunifying Cyprus.

In a statement on Thursday, Council members said they were encouraged by the launch of expert working groups and technical committees from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island.

The groups are set to begin meeting on Friday, ahead of substantive talks in June.

South African ambassador Dumisani Kumalo (photo) is the Security Council president.

"The Security Council looks forward to the results of this preparatory process which it is hoped will build trust, momentum and a sense of common interest in the search for a just and lasting solution."

Following the meeting, UK ambassador John Sawers told journalists that the Council members are encouraged by the developments in Cyprus.

"A solution to the division of Cyprus has eluded us for four decades. But there is a real opportunity now to take this forward, and we in the UN Security Council and the UN Secretariat, the Secretary-General, will do all we can to take this forward and to seize this particular opportunity."

United Kingdom ambassador John Sawers speaking after the Security Council meeting on Thursday.

For UN Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.

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