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Landmines and other peace initiatives are being worked on by rival Cypriot parties.

Landmines and other peace initiatives are being worked on by rival Cypriot parties.

Leaders of Greek and Turkish Cyprus agreed to work together on Wednesday in order to remove landmines and take initiatives in the areas of climate change and the environment. This comes weeks after the U.N. announced the first significant progress in the talks about the future on the divided island in many years.

Following a meeting, the United Nations mission to Cyprus released a joint statement by Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot Cypriot leader and Ersin Tatar the Turkish Cypriot Cypriot.

In a statement, it was revealed that the two communities who live on different sides of Cyprus also intend to create a technical committee in order to deal with youth issues. This is part of a package to build confidence between the two parties.

After a short coup inspired by the Greeks, a Turkish invasion split Cyprus in 1974. This was after years of violence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that began almost immediately after Britain's independence in 1960. The island is the main source of disagreements between NATO allies Greece, and Turkey.

In a statement, it was stated that the two sides engaged in a "constructive dialogue" about increasing the number civilian crossing points, and plans to build a solar farm within the buffer zone controlled by the U.N.

In 2017, the reunification process collapsed and since then, efforts to restart a new peace process have been stagnant.

Christodoulides, Tatar and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres met in Geneva for informal discussions two weeks ago. Guterres stated that progress was made for the very first time in many years.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriots are still in disagreement over the details of any settlement, despite agreeing on confidence-building measures.

Greek Cypriots are in favor of a federation as prescribed by U.N. Resolutions. Turkish Cypriots support a two-state settlement, arguing decades of failed talks have proved that a federal system is unworkable. (Reporting and editing by Alex Richardson; Reporting by Michele Kambas)

(source: Reuters)