US Ambassador talks about bilateral ties with Cyprus at AHEPA Supreme Convention

US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher spoke about the bilateral relations of Cyprus with the United States and the new strategic dialogue that began between the two countries at the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association's (AHEPA) 102nd Annual Supreme Convention.

Fisher participated in the Ambassadors’ Forum that took place in Larnaca on 25 July in the framework of the AHEPA Convention. The Convention was organised  in Cyprus for the first time in a show of solidarity to mark the 50th dark anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. The forum featured US Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher and US Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis.

In statements to journalists before the Forum, which was not open to the public, the US Ambassador to Cyprus said that she was "really delighted to take part in this panel."

"I have participated in other events during this week and I am really excited that this event is hosting for the very first time in Cyprus bringing hundreds of Americans and citizens of other countries here to Cyprus," she added.

"Many of the people, when I met them over the weekend, and in the days since, have told me that this is their first visit to Cyprus, so they are really getting to know this island, the challenges the opportunities, what we're doing in the US Cyprus relationship. So I'm really delighted to be here to have a chance to talk about the full range of issues" she went on to say.

Asked what issues she is going to talk about, she said "I'm going to talk about the growth in the bilateral relationship and what we're doing together to build closer ties, the new strategic dialogue we've launched, what we're doing in terms of cooperation to bring businesses and people closer together, to get more Cypriots into the United States, more Americans studying in Cyprus, military ties, security ties, and a broad range of law enforcement cooperation."

Meanwhile, Savvas Tsivicos AHEPA Supreme President, said that at the forum there would be a thorough discussion on the strategic relations between Cyprus - Greece and the USA. For the first time, he added, in the last 50 years, relations between Cyprus and the USA and between Greece and the USA have reached a level that no one had imagined or predicted.

He noted that through this relationship they can take advantage of the opportunities and new conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean "in order to solve the major problems we have, not only the major claims of Turkey on Greek territory, the daily questioning of the islands, of the Aegean and Thrace, but the biggest thorn is the continued occupation of Cyprus for 50 years."

He expressed conviction that from the meetings he has had with Parliamentarians, Senators and members of governments, "this relationship is very strong indeed" and expressed hope that through the new strategic alliance and relationship that has been created, the US will play a catalytic role.

"The efforts we are making in the USA are many and I see that they have borne fruit to some extent," he pointed out. 

Moreover, Tsivicos stressed that "we are here to support the efforts of the Cypriot and Greek governments. AHEPA, with hundreds of thousands of members from all over the world, can play a catalytic role in the decision-making centers and in the countries where we live."

This is what we hope for, he continued and added that "this is why we came to Cyprus to hold the World Congress for the first time in the 102 years of AHEPA's history, to send the message that we do not forget, we continue the struggle for the final liberation of Cyprus".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. 

(Source: CNA)