Turkish Cypriot leader, who is residing in the northern part of the island, Mehmet Ali Talat, noted they aim to achieve substantial progress on a Cyprus settlement during the intensified talks in January, and wished 2010 to become a year of peace, and solution to the Cyprus problem, TRT Russian web-site reported
Talat said they held serious preparations for upcoming negotiations.
"If we achieve our plans, in 2010 we can realize the hopes to resolve the problems, we were talking about in the run up to the New Year," he said.
Cyprus Island is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, 65 km of Turkey. The population consists of Greeks and Turks. The island was a single independent government until 1974. After the Greek Cypriots began to implement Enosis plan to join Cyprus and Greece, the Turkish military intervened and occupied the northern part of the island and established the independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, only the Turkish side recognizes this government. The international scene recognizes the Greek Republic of Cyprus. The UN and the EU could not unite two governments under the solemn leadership, despite of all attempts. Cypriot Annan Plan referendum, 2004 has not been realized due to rejection Greek Cypriots.