New York, May 29, SPA --The UN Security Council praised Greek and Turkish Cypriots today for making progress in their negotiations andurged them to move forward to end the division on the Mediterraneanisland, according to dpa. The council extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission untilDecember 15, which is manning a ceasefire line separating TurkishCypriots in the north and Greek Cypriots in the south. UN-led negotiations, conducted by former Australian ForeignMinister Alexander Downer, have made advances in closing decades ofdifferences between the two communities. The talks in Nicosia havebecome full-fledged and the UN said prospects for further progressare expected for a comprehensive solution for a sharing of power bythe two sides. The council urged the two sides "to fully exploit the opportunity,including intensifying the momentum of negotiations, improving thecurrent atmosphere or trust and goodwill, and engaging in the processof a comprehensive and open manner." UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said there is now an "excellentpersonal chemistry" between leaders of the two communities, who havetaken full responsibility over the negotiating process. Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriotleader Mehmed Ali Talat have held face-to-face talks in the past sixmonths to try to overcome major obstacles for a power-sharinggovernment.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/669338