Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and James Holger, the resident representative here of the UN Secretary General, said on January 12 that the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey will benefit Cyprus.

Speaking after a meeting here, both emphasized the significance of contacts and consultations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Holger said that the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey will, sooner or later, "have for the area a spillover effect in Cyprus."

He reiterated he has found some encouraging signs in the proximity talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, but he alsoadmitted ,"it will be a very long process."

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island after a failed pro-Athenscoup by Greek Cypriots.

The first round of the UN-sponsored proximity talks between the two communities were held last month in New York in an effort to pave the way for a final solution to Cyprus issue.

Papandreou agreed that the Greek-Turkish rapprochement in the recent months "showed that Greeks and Turks not only can live together but can have very positive outcomes when they work together."

"This is a very hopeful sign for Cyprus," Papandreou said.

He noted that it is "very important at this time to support these meetings between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and between Greeks and Turks" because it is part of a very important process which will certainly lead to the solution we need in this region.

Papandreou arrived here Tuesday on a two-day visit. He had been here in late November before the start of the proximity talks.