UNITED NATIONS, July 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday welcomed the agreement between Cypriot leaders to start full-fledged talks under UN auspices on September 3.

    "The secretary-general warmly welcomes the agreement today by the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Demetris Christofias, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, to launch full-fledged negotiations on 3 September 2008 aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem," said a statement issued by Ban's press office.

    Ban commended the two leaders for the progress made so far and reiterated the full support of the United Nations for their efforts toward a mutually acceptable solution.

    During his visit to the island next week, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will discuss with the leaders how the United Nations can best assist the process, the statement said.

    Christofias and Talat announced Friday that they would meet for full-fledged talks under United Nations auspices on September 3, in a move aimed at ending the long-running dispute in Cyprus.