Cypriot leaders agreed to intensify negotiations for settling the conflict

U.N. mediated talks on reunifying the divided island of Cyprus have ended without agreement in Geneva. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for the third session of Cyprus talks since November.

Mr. Ban says progress in healing the decades-long division of the island is far too slow, but says Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot sides have worked steadily to move ahead, and he expects an agreement by October about the future of the divided island.

He said Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed to intensify their negotiations on the core issues when they return to the island.