NICOSIA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Cyprus have agreed to launch demining operations in the buffer zone and move forward with new confidence-building measures, including climate cooperation, environmental projects, and expanding crossing points between the divided communities.

The agreement was announced in a joint statement by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), following a meeting between Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The talks, held at the residence of UN mission chief Colin Stewart in the buffer zone, were built on earlier discussions in Geneva facilitated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Key initiatives include forming a joint youth committee, exploring a joint solar energy project, and restoring cemeteries damaged during the 1974 conflict that divided the island. Christodoulides called the talks productive, while Tatar signaled a follow-up meeting before April 20 to maintain momentum toward resolving the long-standing dispute.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when a Turkish military intervention followed a coup by Greek army officers. Since then, the island has remained partitioned, with Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots living separately. Enditem

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