President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met with the religious leaders of Cyprus on Thursday,.

The meeting was attended by heads of Cyprus' Orthodox Christian, Armenian, Maronite and Latin Catholic churches as well as the Turkish Cypriot Grand Muft, Associated Press reported.

The program was sponsored by the Swedish Embassy in Cyprus.

Moderator of the talks  Peter Weiderud said the meeting  gives "great hope" that religion can better contribute to peace.