President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu discussed Monday EU matters, in the context of UN-backed talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Speaking after the meeting that lasted over an hour, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenhei said the leaders discussed EU matters and clarified their positions in a sincere manner.

She added that they also exchanged warm holiday wishes and greetings for the New Year.

“I expressed appreciation to the leaders for their efforts in 2011 and that we have a solid basis for the hard work that lies ahead at the start of 2012, leading up to the meeting at GreenTree at the end of January”, she said.

She added that she appreciated the expressions by President Christofias and Mr. Eroglu of their commitment to finding an urgent solution in Cyprus, in the interest of both communities.

The next meeting of the two leaders will be on the 4th of January.

The latest attempt of UN-backed talks for a solution of the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, began in September 2008.