Nicosia: The United Nations is driving efforts towards a breakthrough as Cyprus's rival leaders prepare to meet in New York next week for the latest round of peace talks.

UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin recently met with both Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, traversing the island's UN-patrolled ceasefire line through intense shuttle diplomacy.

Holguin, who assumed her role as the UN envoy to Cyprus earlier this year, expressed hope that these efforts would lead to improved living conditions for all Cypriots.

She reaffirmed the UN's commitment to fostering peace and prosperity on the island.

The upcoming talks in New York, scheduled for July 16-17, will involve a meeting between both leaders and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

This initiative follows a significant gathering in Geneva in March, which marked the first meaningful progress in years.

At that meeting, both sides agreed on several confidence-building measures, including opening more crossing points across the divide, cooperating on solar energy initiatives, and initiating efforts to remove land mines.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 due to a Turkish invasion following a coup backed by Greece's military junta at the time.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, established in 1983, is only recognized by Turkey.

In contrast, the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus, which is part of the European Union, controls the majority Greek Cypriot south.

Previous major peace talks culminated in 2017 during a round in Switzerland, but these efforts ultimately collapsed.