Rival Cypriot leaders met Monday to discuss opening more crossing points across the divided island, the United Nations said, as part of trust-building efforts to revive stalled peace talks.
President Nikos Christodoulides of the Greek-speaking, internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar met in the buffer zone that has split the Mediterranean island for decades.
The meeting, mediated by UN Special Representative Colin Stewart, followed an October 15 informal dinner hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with both leaders in New York.
Christodoulides said he submitted an eight-point package of proposals to Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
"I referred to crossing points as well as other ideas which we discussed in New York," Christodoulides told reporters, adding that the proposals also include the creation of a truth commission.
"These ideas received a positive response from the secretary-general, but there was no positive reaction from Mr Tatar," Christodoulides said.
The United Nations said the two leaders agreed that opening new crossings could foster people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, build trust and help to create a more positive climate for peace talks.
The Mediterranean island is split between the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Turkey and covers about a third of island including parts of the capital Nicosia.
Turkey has kept troops on the island since its 1974 invasion, triggered by a Greek-backed coup.
There are currently nine crossings along the UN-patrolled Green Line that separates the two sides.
Calls have grown for more crossings along the 180-kilometre (110-mile) buffer zone to ease access for people in remote areas.
Thousands cross daily for work, education, or medical care, using the nine crossings operational since 2003.
Reunification efforts brokered by the United Nations have been frozen since talks collapsed in 2017.