"More than seven years after Cyprus' accession to the European Union a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem is overdue. A mutually agreed settlement will be the basis for the long expected reunification of the country and end one of the oldest conflicts on European soil.

I call on both leaders to intensify the negotiations so as to ensure a successful outcome of this meeting and to rapidly take the next steps towards a settlement. They can count on the strong support of the European Commission.

All the citizens of Cyprus and the European Union as a whole will benefit from a united Cyprus", stated President Barroso on 6 July, ahead of the meeting of UNSG Ban Ki-moon with the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Demitris Christofias and Derviş Eroğlu.