NICOSIA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders met again on Tuesday for reunification talks in a bid to bridge gap on governance in a future federal state.

    This was the 11th meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat since they relaunched direct negotiations under U.N. auspices in September.

    "The leaders had a good meeting in a friendly atmosphere," said Taye-Brook Zerihoun, U.N. secretary general's special representative in Cyprus.

    "They resumed their discussions on governance, focusing this time on the federal public service, on which they identified a number of convergences, helped by bridging proposals from both sides," Zerihoun told reporter after Tuesday's meeting.

    The two leaders have instructed their senior aides to meet later this week for detailed discussion on the issue of governance.

    Christofias and Talat plan to meet again on Dec.16, when they will take up the issue of external relations, said the U.N. envoy.

    Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when the Turkish military intervened and occupied north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers.

    In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared the establishment of the breakaway "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey.

    After years of deadlock, Christofias and Talat, both considered pro-settlement leaders, have agreed in principle to reunify the island in a bi-zonal, bi-communal, federal structure.

    The two sides have to work hard to find mutually acceptable solutions for many tough issues including power-sharing, property rearrangement and security guarantees.