US Senators praise Cyprus' regional role in a meeting with President at air base (pics)

A delegation of US Senators praised Cyprus' role as a crucial partner for regional security and stability in the Middle East during a visit to the island.

The delegation, consisting of Senators Jerry Moran, Susan Collins, John Boozman, and John Cornyn, on 5 October met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at Andreas Papandreou Air Base, in Paphos. 

According to a Cyprus Presidency announcement, the meeting was part of the Senators' regional tour and highlighted the shared commitment to further developing and strengthening the strategically important bilateral relationship between Cyprus and the United States.

During the meeting, President Christodoulides briefed the Senators on the initiatives undertaken by Cyprus, including dispatching humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and facilitating the safe repatriation of foreign nationals fleeing the region. 

He also emphasized the significance and high level of cooperation between Cyprus and the US, particularly following the agreement reached last June to establish a strategic dialogue between the two countries. 

Following their departure from Cyprus, the US Senators will continue their tour, visiting other countries in the region.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Christodoulides stated that the actions taken by Cyprus to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and evacuate foreign nationals from the region "enhance our country's footprint in the wider Middle East and strengthen the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus."

"Our country, through concrete actions, always within the framework of its capabilities, proves in practice that it is a pillar of security and stability in a region of particular geostrategic importance," President Christodoulides remarked. 

On her part, US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, posted a message on platform 'X', highlighting the importance of the visit by US Senators. According to the Ambassador their visit "provided an opportunity to highlight the shared US-Cyprus commitment to regional stability and security at a critical time and to focus on the importance of this key partnership."

(Source: CNA/ X)