On 8 July last year, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders signed a set of principles and decisions, recognizing that the status quo was unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement was both desirable and possible. They agreed to begin immediately a two-track process involving discussions by technical committees of issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people, and concurrently, consideration by working groups of substantive issues, leading to a comprehensive settlement.