The growing partnership between Cyprus and the US is a strategic commitment to security, stability and peace in the region, said the US Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for European and Euro-Asian issues, James O’Brien, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, Andreas Kakouris (the speech was read by Thessalia Salina Shambos, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) at the conclusion of the First Strategic Dialogue between Cyprus and the United States, which took place at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.
O’Brien said that the Cyprus-US Strategic Dialogue “really shows how much our relationship has evolved and the foundations we have laid to work together in this region and globally over the next few years”. He pointed out that one of the goals is to build security in the region, noting that this directly benefits the Cypriot people and many American citizens and American interests in the region.
‘We’ve talked about the conflicts in the Middl
e East, and in this regard, we agreed that we’re going to continue to share information and prepare for all eventualities so that people here can know that they’re safe, and Americans across the Middle East can know that they have a strong partner here to help keep them safe if that becomes necessary’, he said.
O’Brien expressed the strong support of US for Cyprus’ role in providing humanitarian assistance, critical food and medicine, winterization materials and other items needed by the people and victims of the war in the Middle East.
On the Cyprus issue, O’Brien said that the US supports the efforts of the President of the Republic to resume talks. “Our position remains a strong commitment of a Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated, bi-zonal, bi-communal federation”, he said.
He further said that in addition to the major security issues, the threats posed by uncontrolled migration, terrorist acts, and cyber-attacks must also be addressed.
Finally, he praised the role of the CYCLOPS Centre and referred to the eco
nomic opportunities created for the two peoples in small and large infrastructure projects such as energy, research and connectivity.
On his part, Kakouris said that the establishment of the Strategic Dialogue is a highly significant development that epitomises the joint commitment of the Cyprus-US partnership, and on common interests in promoting and securing stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. He also said that the growing partnership between Cyprus and the US is a strategic commitment to stability and peace in the region.
Talking about the Cyprus issue, Kakouris said that ‘in standing by Cyprus as we exert all efforts possible for a negotiated solution within the established UN Security Council Resolutions framework, the US stands for international legality’. The continued support of the United States to this end remains instrumental, he added.
Furthermore, he stressed that the Strategic Dialogue also reflects the commitment of Cyprus and the United States to fostering economic growth a
nd promoting investments, deepening our security and defense relationship, including through the expansion of CYCLOPS capabilities, enhancing law enforcement cooperation, expanding educational opportunities, strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties.
He also said that the signing of the Artemis Accords by Cyprus for the peaceful exploration and exploitation of outer space ‘reflects our commitment to a common, peaceful, sustainable and transparent cooperation in space’.
On the sidelines of the margins of the Strategic Dialogue, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, signed, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the Artemis Accords.
Afterwards, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, received in his office O’Brien with whom he discussed issues related to bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United States, regional and international developments and the Cyprus problem.
Source: Cyprus News Agency