NICOSIA - British Minister for Europe Chris Bryant expressed optimism over prospects to solve the Cyprus problem, especially after his meetings with the leaders of the island’s two communities.Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia after a series of contacts on the island, Bryant compared the process for a settlement with a marathon. ''I think that in this process it will be a marathon because it already has been a marathon but it is the energy that is put into the last sprint that I think will be the most important part of it, and that is why the intensification of the talks is very important,'' he said.He assured that the UK would be doing everything possible to help reach a solution and noted that Turkey's EU accession course should not be halted in December so that it can act as a motive to meet its commitments towards Cyprus.''I was anxious and nervous and felt depressed about the prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem. But I have to say that, after a series of meetings on Sunday evening and throughout yesterday, in particular having met with the two leaders and with key figures in the negotiations, now I feel much more optimistic,'' he said.Bryant noted that ''there is a real opportunity now, with four people who are declared as being committed to find a solution in Cyprus, both in Ankara and in Athens, and with the two leaders here in Cyprus, that there is real possibility of reaching a lasting solution.''He said he felt ''optimistic because I think that there will be an intensification of the meetings in the next few weeks, optimistic because I think that in both leaders, from what I have seen personally, you have people who are determined to make this work.''''So, I very much hope that in the next few weeks everybody will see is the opportunity, not find the reasons why things cannot happen, which is always easy to do, but find reasons why things can happen,'' he added.