US welcomes progress in Cyprus talks

US State Department spokesperson Philip Crowley on Friday hailed progress made in the Cypriot reunification talks and promised Washington’s support for a “just and lasting” settlement. Crowley said the US was “encouraged” by a statement of progress following the latest meeting of Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. The meeting was the last before a break for the April 18th presidential vote in the northern, Turkish-run part of the island.