At the invitation of President Biden, Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides arrived at the White House at 11:15 am local time (17:15 GMT). After about fifteen minutes he entered the Oval Office, where he was received by the US President.
Initially, the two leaders referred to the excellent relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the US. During the meeting, Biden said that the US supports the solution of the Cyprus problem through a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
“There are no limits to what our nations can achieve”
Welcoming President Christodoulides to the Oval Office, US President Joe Biden said “Mr. President, welcome, good to see you. It has been ten years since my last visit to Cyprus as Vice President of the United States. There are no limits to what our nations can achieve together, we have been doing this for a long time.
Today, we stand against Russia’s violent Russian aggression in Ukraine, we have begun our dialogue and cooperation on a wide range of defense and security issues, on intelligence, and we have increased humanitarian assistance by sending eight thousand tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Mr President, Cyprus made all this possible. And I thank you for that.”
“The US stands ready to support”
“This year marks 50 years since the artificial division of Cyprus,” Biden said, noting that he was then a senator for one year already, noting “it was a sad situation.”
He added that “I am optimistic about the possibility of Cyprus being reunited in a bizonal bicommunal federation. The US is ready to support this goal.”
“Our countries have built a strategic partnership”
For his part, President Christodoulides thanked President Biden for the invitation, noting that “our countries have built a real strategic partnership and our relations are at a strategically and historically high level.
At the bilateral level, we cooperate closely in the areas of defence and security, energy, law enforcement, technology, innovation.
There are potentials that can be exploited, there is a clear and strong political will from both countries, following the first strategic dialogue between the two countries that took place in Cyprus last week, to further strengthen our cooperation.”
“Cyprus is a reliable partner for the US”
“Regionally, Cyprus is a predictable and reliable partner for the US in a region of great geopolitical importance, we are an EU member state in the region.
We have excellent relations with all our neighbours and we are working closely with the US and other partners to address the current challenges, to send much needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, and to evacuate third country nationals from the region,” the Cypriot president underlined.
“Cyprus has been under Turkish occupation for the last 50 years”
The Cypriot president stressed: “With regard to Ukraine, Cyprus is standing on the right side of history and it could not be otherwise bearing in mind that my country has been under Turkish occupation for the last 50 years and Mr. President I am counting on your support, on the support of the United States to restart negotiations and find a solution to the Cyprus problem.
A solution that is in line with the UN Security Council resolutions, a solution based on our common principles and values: democracy and respect for human rights.”
The US delegation
According to information from Hellas Journal, the US delegation, in addition to President Biden, includes:
- Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
- Head of the National Security Council Jake Sullivan
- US Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher
- It is noted that the US team is upgraded, as security, energy and defence issues are expected to be discussed
The Cypriot delegation
The Cypriot delegation includes:
- Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos,
- Government Spokesman Constantinos Letibiotis,
- Ms Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs,
- The Ambassador in Washington, Evangelos Savas,
- Doros Venezis Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President and
- Salina Sabou Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
