New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday sent a "warm welcome" to the decision by Cypriot leaders to restart full- fledged peace talks in September for a comprehensive solution to the ethnically divided island.

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to start the peace talks on September 3. They announced the new schedule for the peace talks in Nicosia Friday.

"The secretary general commends the leaders for the progress made so far and takes this occasion to reiterate the full support of the UN for their efforts toward a mutually acceptable solution," UN spokeswoman Michelle Montas said.

Ban's special adviser on Cyprus, former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer, plans to be in Cyprus next week to assist the peace process, Montas said. (dpa)