Washington: U.S.-Cyprus relations have ‘stability, consistency, and continuity,’ according to Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, following his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting in Washington was described as constructive, with discussions covering a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including Gaza and Syria.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Kombos emphasized the progress achieved in strategic dialogue and the potential for interim progress reviews. They also discussed specialized discussions at technical levels concerning the Middle East. The idea of a 3+1 leaders’ meeting including Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States was also proposed, with a specific focus on energy cooperation due to U.S. company interests in the Cyprus and Greece Exclusive Economic Zones.
Kombos highlighted Cyprus’s potential contribution to President Trump’s Gaza plan, noting the country’s capability to aid both humanitarian efforts and reconstruction. The stability of Syria’s system and the protection of minorities, particularly Christians, were also key points of discussion.
Kombos underscored the productivity of the dialogue, noting that this was his second visit to the State Department in 17 months. He mentioned previous engagements, such as the Cyprus President’s White House visit and the strategic dialogue agreement, illustrating the relationship’s significance to Cyprus’s foreign policy.
The Cyprus issue was also discussed, with Rubio reaffirming the U.S. position on the need for progress and regional stability. The U.S. interest in Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency was noted, particularly in areas of investment, defense, and technology regulation.
Kombos concluded that Cyprus views its EU presidency as an opportunity to enhance EU-U.S. dialogue, with both sides identifying potential areas for convergence in interests, signaling willingness for further negotiation and discussion.