The President of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Dimitrij Rupel, welcomed the first meeting between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, which took place on Friday 21 March 2008. “This meeting has clearly placed action aimed at encouraging trust between the two sides on the island on a more solid foundation. The announced re-opening of the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia has sparked new hope for reunification of an island divided now for decades. It is an important symbolic step of political significance, and Slovenia encourages both sides to continue down the road of dialogue,” said the Slovenian Foreign Minister.
