US President receives Cyprus President at White House, pledges support for reunited Cyprus (video)

US President Joe Biden stressed Wednesday that he remains optimistic about the possibility of a reunited Cyprus, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

The US President, who received President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides at the White House, said in his introductory remarks before the meeting that "I remain optimistic about the possibility that a reunited Cyprus, a bizonal bicommunal federation is possible."

"And the United States stands ready to provide any support we can towards that goal" he underlined.

On his part, President Christodoulides stressed that he counts on the US support as regards the Cyprus issue.

"Mr President I count on your support, the support of the US, to resume negotiations and find a solution of the Cyprus problem, a solution in line with the UN Security Council resolutions, a solution that is based on our common values and principles democracy and respect of human rights" he underlined.

President Christodoulides said that it was a great honor to be at the White House and thanked the US President for the invitation. He talked about the strategic partnership of both countries saying that our relations are at a strategic and historical high.  At the regional level, he said, Cyprus 'is a predictable and reliable partner of the US in a region of great geopolitical importance'.

In his remarks before the meeting, President Joe Biden recalled that  it was ten years ago when he last visited Cyprus as Vice President of the United States and that he had said then that "there is no limit to what our nations can achieve when they work together."

"Today we stood against Russia’s vicious onslaught in Ukraine, we launched a strategic dialogue and increased cooperation in a wide range of issues from energy security to Artificial Intelligence. We served humanitarian aid delivery to 8000 metric tons to Gaza. Mr President, Cyprus made all this possible and I want to thank you for your leadership in making that happen" the US President told President Christodoulides.

He also said that "this year also marks the 50th anniversary, the artificial division of the island' noting that he remembers it well as it was in his first year as US senator, a sad day, but that he remains optimistic.

"But I remain optimistic about the possibility that a reunited Cyprus, a bizonal bicommunal federation is possible. And the United States stands ready to provide any support we can towards that goal. Mr President thank you again for being here and I look forward to our conversation" the US President said.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus referred to the bilateral relations of the two countries, and said that they are working closely on the sectors of defence and security, energy, law enforcement, technology, innovation, noting that there is a potential and a clear and strong political will on both countries following also the first strategic dialogue between the two countries last week to further enhance  this partnership. 

At the regional level, he stressed, Cyprus "is a predictable and reliable partner of the US in a region of great geopolitical importance." He noted that Cyprus is a member state of the EU in the region saying that Nicosia has excellent relations with all its neighbors and is working closely with the US and other partners to face the current challenges, to send much needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza, to evacuate third country nationals from the region.

With regards to Ukraine, he reiterated that Cyprus stands on the right side of history, noting that it could not be different having in mind that Cyprus  is under Turkish occupation in the last 50 years.

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)