The meeting between Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., on Monday, confirmed the strong, multi-level strategic relationship between the two sides, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday.
He stressed that the strategic relationship between the two countries is at the highest level, with expanded cooperation on issues of defence, security, energy, regional stability and technocratic coordination and there is a prospect of further deepening it, through the Roadmap for Cooperation of the bilateral Strategic Dialogue.
In statements during a press briefing, Letymbiotis noted that the outcome of the meeting confirms that Cyprus has entered a new phase of international presence and political significance with a strong voice, clear targeting and strategic orientation.
He further said that Cyprus continues to act as a reliable, stable and useful European actor with the ability to contribute to transatlantic cooperation, stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the building of regional synergies.
Letymbiotis recalled that this is the second time the two Ministers meet at the State Department in just 17 months, adding that this is a fact that cannot be considered either a given or self-evident.
He pointed out that it takes on even greater significance if we take into account that before that the President of the Republic paid a historic visit to the White House.
Moreover, the Spokesperson noted that the meeting took place after the visits of the Turkish Foreign Minister and the Syrian President to Washington and after the 3 + 1 energy ministerial meeting in Athens.
Letymbiotis said that Kombos and Rubio discussed the energy future of the region and that the US Secretary of State is deeply knowledgeable of the geopolitical data and the perspective created by cooperation and synergies at the regional level, especially the existing trilateral formations with an expansion to the 3 + 1 format.
On the Cyprus problem, the Spokesperson said that the US firm stance of principles was underlined regarding the basis of a solution, with a commitment to the bizonal bicommunal federation, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions of which the United States is a permanent member.
According to Letymbiotis, there was a common analysis of developments in the Middle East, with Cyprus presenting its role as a stable and reliable regional actor and its readiness to make a practical contribution to the peace and humanitarian effort, including the implementation of elements of President Trump’s plan for Gaza and its reconstruction.
He stated that it was agreed to hold a separate political dialogue on the Middle East, as well as deeper coordination on issues of protection and defense of the rights of Christian communities.
Letymbiotis also said that the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union constitutes an additional tool for strengthening the institutional dialogue with the US, adding that we can act as an honest and effective mediator on issues that are pending or require a new approach.
Asked about the issue of Cyprus’ inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program, the Spokesperson said that Cyprus has fulfilled all the obligations, all the technical and political political specifications that had been set for inclusion.
He said that the decision will be taken by the US government according to its planning and it does not refer only to Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.