NICOSIA, Aug.29 (Xinhua) -- Overseas Greek Cypriot organizations Saturday adopted a series of resolutions in support of negotiations aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island.

    In one of the resolutions, Greek Cypriot representatives welcomed the "sincere effort" made by President and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias in seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem.

    The organizations, after a week-long gathering in Nicosia, urged all parties on the Greek Cypriot side to continue working out "a just, viable and functional solution" through difficult negotiations within the UN framework.

    They also called on the international community to press Turkey to proceed with a constructive spirit during the second phase of the negotiations, which begins Sept. 3.

    Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey, using a coup instigated by the Greek Junta as a pretext, invaded and occupied the north of the island.

    The invasion caused the displacement of thousands of Cypriots. In 1983, Turkish Cypriot authorities declared a breakaway and setup "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," recognized only by Turkey.

    After years of deadlock, Christofias restarted peace talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat last September. The two pro-solution leaders have since met 40 times, roughly on a weekly basis in the UN-controlled buffer zone.

    Turkey still maintains a military presence in northern Cyprus with some 40,000 troops, a key issue at the reunification talks. The Cyprus problem has been a main obstacle to Ankara's ambition to join the European Union.