Turkish, Greek Cypriot leaders hold reunification talks in Nicosia

Leaders of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots met at the UN compound in Nicosia on Tuesday amidst hopes the reunification process might be on track again.Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Erogluy expressed desire to see end to the Mediterranean island's division "as soon as possible," the BBC reported.The last round of reunification negotiations was held in the middle of 2012.Anastasiades and Erogluy said in a joint statement following their one-hour meeting that the status quo of the division of Cyprus was "unacceptable." They said a settlement would have a "positive impact" on the entire region.Cyprus is a member of the European Union (EU), while the northern part of the island, which was effectively partitioned in 1974, is only recognized by Turkey.Resident UN envoy on the island Lisa Buttenheim said "the leaders expressed their determination to resume structured negotiations in a results-oriented manner." Today's meeting was held at a UN Buffer Zone, or the the Green Line, which divides the two sides.