Leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus will meet on July 1st to push forward the island's peace process, the UN said today.
But aides to Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat declined at a news conference to say when full, direct negotiations would start.
There must be no doubt in the negotiations of working towards a common objective Greek Cypriot aide, George Iacovou
"The simple answer is, whenever we decide to start the talks," said Greek Cypriot aide George Iacovou.
Turkish Cypriot aide Ozdil Nami added: "We are working very hard to start full-fledged negotiations."
Cyprus has been split since a 1974 Turkish invasion, triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Its division is an obstacle to Turkey joining the EU, and complicates relations between the bloc and NATO, of which Turkey is a member.
Talks were initially expected to start in June, but preparations have highlighted deep-rooted differences between the sides.
In theory, Greek and Turkish Cypriots are in agreement Cyprus should be reunited as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, but they disagree on issues ranging from settlement and property rights to sovereignty. Greek Cypriots say they want "common language" on the outline of a peace deal.
"There must be no doubt in the negotiations of working towards a common objective," said Mr Iacovou.
"I am sorry there seems to be some different opinion on the Turkish Cypriot side but this is why we need to meet and discuss these issues and find a common language."
Experts on both sides have been discussing a range of reunification issues from power-sharing to complex property disputes, preparing the ground for high-level talks.
Mr Nami and Mr Iacovou, who oversee the teams of experts, said agreements had been reached in the areas of road safety, environmental protection, educational programmes related to cultural heritage, and cooperation in medical emergencies requiring crossings from one side of the island to the other.
There are now six designated crossing-points on the island, dotted along a 180 km ceasefire line between Turkish Cypriots in the north and Greek Cypriots in the south.
"This is only the beginning. More measures will be coming," Mr Nami said.