The UN secretary-general has positive expectations regarding the negotiations, Downer said.
The meeting was held right before the first phase of a series of negotiations to find a solution for Cyprus' problems concludes on Aug. 6. United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Mission Chief Taye Brook Zerihoun also attended the meeting.
Recalling United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon's optimistic statement last week, Downer said he is also cautiously optimistic, adding that the leaders are ambitious in nature. He expressed his hope that positive steps will be taken in the second phase of negotiations.
Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias have held about 40 rounds of talks on reunification of the island since last September. After wrapping up the first phase of talks on Aug. 6, they will take a break until September. The Greek Cypriot side says there has been little progress in the talks.
