Washington: The deepening of the Cyprus-US partnership, developments in the Middle East, and the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU were central topics in Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos' engagements in Washington.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Foreign Minister had meetings with leaders of various US Senate Committees and participated in discussions at the Arab Gulf State Institute and the Delphi Economic Forum. During his visit, Kombos also briefly met with India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, congratulating him on the US-India trade deal and the EU-India FTA, referring to them as "incredible results and effective diplomacy."
In a meeting with Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Jerry Moran, Kombos discussed the deepening Cyprus-US partnership and shared transatlantic priorities. He highlighted the significance of strong bipartisan engagement on Cyprus in the U.S. Congress.
Kombos further explored ways to enhance the Cyprus-US partnership with Senator Roger Wicker, Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. He expressed appreciation for the bipartisan Congressional support for Cyprus as a strategic U.S. partner, emphasizing initiatives that promote security, regional stability, and transatlantic cooperation.
The Foreign Minister also met with Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Ranking Member, Senator Jeanne Shaheen. They reaffirmed the strong bilateral partnership and exchanged views on Middle East developments, aiming to advance the transatlantic relationship during Cyprus' EU Presidency. Kombos expressed gratitude for the ongoing bipartisan support for the Cyprus-US relationship.
Additionally, Kombos met with U.S. Representative Brian Mast, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss Middle East developments, the Cyprus-US strategic partnership, and efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Participating in a session organized by the Arab Gulf State Institute, Kombos focused on Cyprus' relationship with the Middle East, Transatlantic ties, and the Council of the EU's priorities. He also engaged in a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute on bridging the Middle East and Europe during Cyprus' EU Presidency.
At the Delphi Economic Forum Roundtable, Kombos discussed the India Middle East Corridor (IMEC) and the new geo-economic order. He emphasized the timely opportunity to advance connectivity prospects and resilience through strategic partnerships.
Kombos noted that Cyprus' geography and EU Member State status provide a unique vantage point to translate cooperation into tangible results, adding European and transatlantic value to shared prosperity through corridors fostering peace and stability.