21.   U.N.-sponsored peace talks have been deadlocked since August when Cordovez last conferred with the two Cypriot leaders together in Switzerland.

22.   Van den Broek urged the two Cypriot leaders to embark on direct talks for the reunification of the island before the end of the year.

23.   German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Wednesday welcomed direct talks between Cypriot leaders over the future of the divided Mediterranean island.

24.   Annan holds working dinner with Cypriot leaders.

25.   The rival Cypriot leaders concluded a third round of talks Monday with no sign they are any closer to reunifying the divided island by the UN-proposed deadline.

26.   She will then fly onto Ankara late Thursday after meeting Cypriot leaders.

27.   Simitis, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and other government officials, was also to discuss Greek-Cypriot defence cooperation with Cypriot leaders.

28.   The European Commission on Wednesday praised Cypriot leaders for stepping up efforts to find a solution to the decades-old division of the EU candidate island.

29.   The five permanent UN Security Council members on Tuesday expressed support for UN plans for face-to-face talks soon between Cypriot leaders in hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement.