The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he hoped that negotiations to solve the decades-old Cyprus problem can be resumed soon, as he met with visiting Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Ban and Samaras discussed preparations for the resumption of negotiations, "in the fall", to reach a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, according to Ban's spokesperson office.

Cyprus has been divided into Greek and Turkish-Cypriot sections since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and controlled the north of Cyprus following a coup on the island by some Greek army officers. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities set up a breakaway state in the north, which is only recognized by Turkey.

The two leaders also talked about the prospects of solving the name dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, the use of the name Macedonia has become object of a heated argument between Greece and the newly independent republic. Greece opposes its tiny northern neighbor being called Macedonia, arguing that the name Macedonia harbors a territorial claim over a northern Greek province of the same name.

During the talks, Ban said he hoped both issues would be resolved soon.

The UN chief and Samaras also discussed global economic crisis and its impact on Greece, as well as the Syrian crisis, post-2015 development agenda and the threats of international terrorism.