NICOSIA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Jane Holl Lute, the United Nations secretary general's Special Envoy to Cyprus, held separate consultations with leading representatives of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides on Tuesday in an attempt to relaunch the long-stalled peace negotiations aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island, spokesmen for the two sides said.

The aim of the meetings was to investigate the prospect of convening an unofficial international conference that would decide the terms of possible new negotiations.

The latest round of talks on Cyprus collapsed during an UN-led conference in Switzerland in 2017. The representatives of the two Cypriot sides, the guarantor powers -- Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom -- and the European Union (EU) disagreed on a peace plan submitted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Lute first met with newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. She then met with Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades, who represents the Greek Cypriot community.

Lute made no statements after her meetings.

Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said that Anastasiades had agreed to convene an international conference under the aegis of the UN, but insisted on continuing the negotiations from where they were cut off more than three years ago.

Anastasiades also said that the aim should be to reach a federal solution.

On Wednesday, Lute is scheduled to travel to Athens for consultations with the Greek government.

Turkey has said it will consult with Lute after a meeting of EU leaders in mid-December. Enditem

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