Positive announcements soon on Cyprus-US bilateral cooperation, President says

President Nikos Christodoulides has highlighted the strengthening of the country’s regional and international footprint, noting that there would soon be positive announcements regarding the bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and the US in various fields.

Asked about reports on his upcoming meeting with the US President, Joe Biden, at the White House, following the latter’s invitation, President Christodoulides on 28 October said that official announcements on the matter were expected within the day.

In statements after the student parade in Nicosia on the 28 October, 1940, anniversary (Ohi Day), in front of the building of the Greek Embassy, where he took the salute, and, asked about his trip to the US and his meeting with the American President, President Christodoulides said “we are expecting the official announcements today.”

“The invitation follows some other important developments that demonstrate the strengthening of our country’s regional and international footprint, something we are working on methodically,” he said, while also referring to the initiatives by the Republic of Cyprus, “which are recognized and welcomed by the international community.”

Beyond that, he added, “there is also the bilateral dimension.”

“From day one we have placed ourselves on the right side of history,” he said. He noted that there are several issues, there have been positive developments, “and soon there will be even more, whether they are in the field of defence and security, or in the field of attracting investments.” He added that in the technology sector, there were several areas on which “we have been working to have and we will have positive announcements very soon.”

“At the same time, you realize that all this strengthening of the political footprint of our country also enhances our efforts to achieve the number one goal of the Republic of Cyprus,” said President Christodoulides, referring to the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

“We daily prove that we are not part of the problem,” he said, adding that the Republic of Cyprus, always within the framework of its capabilities, can offer solutions that concern the international community, and that, within this framework, “we also strengthen our own effort so that we can liberate our country.”

Referring to the 28 October anniversary, President Christodoulides noted that “if we truly want to honour such anniversaries it is through our daily struggle.” “The goal is one and only, the end of the occupation, the liberation, the reunification of our homeland,” he said.

It is precisely within this context, from the first day of assuming the country’s administration, he noted, “that we have been working on the basis of a specific plan, that has started to yield results,” expressing his “satisfaction.” “I will certainly be able to express greater satisfaction, greater joy when substantive talks resume for the settlement of the Cyprus issue, always on the basis of the agreed framework,” he added.

President Christodoulides emphasized that the Greek Cypriot side has proven its readiness  and will continue to do so with actions and not with words. He also expressed satisfaction because, as he said, both the UN Secretary-General and the international community in general - the permanent members of the Security Council and the European Union – recognize and support this effort.

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.   

(Source: CNA)