Nicosia: The excellent level and strategic nature of Cyprus-US relations were reaffirmed during a meeting held in Washington, on Monday, between Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, and his American counterpart, Marco Rubio. The two officials discussed, among others, ways in which the Republic of Cyprus can contribute to the US President’s plan for peace, humanitarian assistance, and reconstruction in Gaza, Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Kombos met Rubio on Monday as part of his working visit to the United States. During the meeting, which lasted approximately 35 to 40 minutes, ‘the excellent level and strategic nature of Cyprus-US relations were confirmed.’ The discussion covered bilateral relations and the further deepening of cooperation in the fields of defense and security, including access for the Republic of Cyprus to US defense programs for the acquisition of military equipment and training, it added. Energy cooperation was also discussed, with a focus on advancing Cyprus’ energy program with the substantial involvement of US energy companies operating in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the press release said.
It noted that the two Ministers exchanged views on the next steps of the 3+1 cooperation scheme (Cyprus, Greece, Israel, United States) in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the recent 3+1 meeting for promoting key economic and energy interconnectivity projects. ‘The need to strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure was highlighted, including the promotion of connectivity projects among like-minded partners in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the goal of enhancing stability and prosperity,’ the press release said.
Kombos, it added, also briefed his US counterpart on the priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2026, while they discussed ways to boost EU-US relations and transatlantic cooperation.
In addition, the Ministers discussed current regional issues, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza via the maritime corridor, and ways in which the Republic of Cyprus can contribute to President Trump’s plan for peace, humanitarian support, and reconstruction in Gaza.
The Cyprus issue was also on the agenda. Kombos reiterated the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to achieving a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. On his part, the US Secretary of State reaffirmed the United States’ support for a solution to the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, the press release concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.