Greek officials applaud talks on Cyprus' division

Greek officials applaud talks on Cyprus' division

Greece welcomed an initiative by leaders of divided Cyprus to restart talks for the first time since a United Nations settlement plan was rejected in a referendum two years ago.

Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos visited Athens Monday after meeting Saturday with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to create technical committees to work toward the island's reunification, the AP reports.

Greek Cypriot voters rejected a U.N. settlement proposal shortly after joining the European Union in 2004. Turkish Cypriots, left out of the EU, endorsed the plan.