U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has held a phone call with the EU High Representative and Vice President Federica Mogherini on Cyprus, a White House statement said late Wednesday.

In the call, both officials expressed hope that President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades agreed to a settlement "that would reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation to the benefit of all Cypriots," the statement said.

"The leaders agreed on the importance of the ongoing Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana, Switzerland," the readout added.

"The Vice President and High Representative and Vice President Mogherini also discussed trade and the Vice President's upcoming travel to Estonia, Georgia, and Montenegro."

The latest round of Cyprus talks in Crans-Montana began June 28.

On Monday, the U.N. received proposals from the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, as well as from Turkey, Greece and the U.K.

The U.N. is seeking a peace deal to unite Cyprus under a federal umbrella, which could also define the future of Europe's relations with Turkey, a key player in the reunification dilemma.

The island in the eastern Mediterranean has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-Cypriot coup was followed by violence targeting the island's Turks, resulting in Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.