UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon said on Wednesday that he is encouraged by the progress in the negotiations on the Cyprus problem, adding that a solution is within reach.

Ban was speaking during his end of the year press conference at the UN Headquarters.

“I am encouraged by progress in the negotiations on Cyprus. A solution to decades of division is within reach,” Ban said.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May this year, with a view to reuniting the island under a federal roof. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.