Cyprus reunification talks set

NICOSIA, Cyprus, April 19 (UPI) -- Talks regarding the reunification of the island of Cyprus will take place at the end of June, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said Saturday.

Talat said he and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias decided to renew reunification talks following a March 21 meeting, marking the first positive movement on the matter since negotiations stalled in 2004, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported.

While Turkish Cypriots are primarily in support of such reunification efforts, Talat warned that reunifying the island would not be without difficulties.

"The solution will not be easy. Both parties have indispensable wishes. We will be in an effort to eliminate them and believe that international community should assist on the matter," he said.

Hurriyet said talks of reunification have been supported by the international community, including the U.N. Security Council and the European Union.