Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, said on Wednesday that given the situation in the Middle East, there is an opportunity to highlight globally that the Republic of Cyprus is a reliable strategic partner of the USA, and has a role in the region. He was speaking after the opening ceremony at the Presidential Palace of the first Strategic Dialogue between Cyprus and the USA.
The Foreign Minister and US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien made opening remarks, followed by extended talks with their respective delegations on various issues.
In statements to the media, Kombos said that “this is a very important day for the bilateral relation with the United States”, adding that “it is the first step for the deepening (of ties) within the framework of a structured dialogue and discussion”.
The issues they were going to discuss, he added, include security, education, investments and broader issues related to technology. The Minister said that today they were
starting an effort which will further lead to more positive results for both sides.
Today, he said, “we have the opportunity to highlight internationally the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a reliable strategic partner of the United States with a role that is recognized in the region in relation to humanitarian issues and it is an opportunity for us to highlight the role that we want and we can have to act more widely as a point of reference and cooperation on a number of issues.”
Replying to a question, he said that beyond the political and diplomatic field, “today we will have a series of results, which will be of particular importance”. He specifically referred to the issue of combating financial crime and money laundering and said that in addition to the team from the US that is here, the training of our own people on these issues will continue, while a series of scholarships for military personnel will also be given. There may also be a conclusion regarding the deepening of cooperation within the f
ramework the Cyclops (Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas and Port Security) center, while an announcement for the resumption of the Fulbright program for scholarships concerning English language teachers is also expected, as he noted.
Regarding investments, the Minister of Foreign Affairs referred to the creation of an institutional climate which would allow or facilitate or encourage American businesses and investors to come to Cyprus.
“There will be a series of outcomes which will be visible and which now create a process to have very serious developments. But we have to be patient on this,” he pointed out.
Kombos said with regard to the developments in the region and the role of the Republic and its cooperation with other countries, including the United States, that this is something that already exists and will not come up through this dialogue. He added that one could say that the dialogue is partly also the result of these pre-existing synergies.
“The situation is extremely difficult. As we all know,
the United States is in the region and at the diplomatic level. And they are all trying to send the appropriate messages that will lead to de-escalation or to some form of agreement regarding both the ceasefire and the release of the hostages, as well as the situation in Lebanon. The cooperation continues,” he said.
Kombos said that the issue concerning the humanitarian maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza is something that will also be discussed because there is a reactivation of it on our part, in cooperation with the countries involved.
He announced that immediately after that he is leaving for Paris where there will be a conference under the President of the country, Emmanuel Macron, concerning Lebanon.
“So we are also trying, based on our own capabilities, to contribute to this discussion. We are part of the region and we have, we believe, the responsibility and obligation to be present and participate”, he said.
Regarding the inclusion of Cyprus in the US visa waiver program, the Minister of Foreig
n Affairs said that consultations with the American side continue and that they are waiting for the official announcement of the results regarding the application rejection limit, which is one of the basic technical criteria.
We hope for a positive outcome, he said, adding that the ratification of a recently signed agreement, which is also a very important part of the prerequisites, is pending at the parliament.
He expressed hope that the parliament will approve it, adding that afterwards they will wait for the US side to announce the final stage of evaluation. I hope that within the next few months this will bear fruit, he concluded.
Source: Cyprus News Agency