US, Turkey hopeful about progress in settlement of Cyprus issue

The United States and Turkey on Tuesday voiced hope for progress in peace talks and even a solution to the Cyprus issue this year.

Secretary of State John Kerry, prior to a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the State Department, said both Washington and Ankara are supporting UN-led negotiations toward Cyprus' reunification as a "bi-zonal, bi-communal federation."

The Mediterranean island has been divided into Greek and Turkish Cypriot parts since 1974 after a Turkish intervention which followed a coup by Greek army officers.

"This is a problem that just has gone on for far too long, and it is begging for international efforts to try to help bring about a resolution, a lasting settlement," Kerry told reporters, adding "We believe that the parties can make real and lasting progress in the year 2015."

Greek Cypriots voiced readiness early this month to resume the peace talks that were suspended in October last year. A UN envoy said then that the talks could possibly restart after Turkish Cypriots elect a new leader, but the elections Sunday produced no clear winner, with a runoff set for April 26.

"We want to reach a last solution in Cyprus in this year," Cavusoglu said. "And we are hoping to reach a solution within 2015, and we have the political will."