Washington: US Deputy Secretary of State, Michael Rigas, has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a peaceful reunification of Cyprus, expressing hope that the upcoming UN Secretary-General’s meeting in July will pave the way for a peaceful and prosperous future for all Cypriots. This statement was made during the 40th Annual PSEKA Conference in Washington.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Rigas highlighted the importance of trade and investment as the foundation of the US-Cyprus relationship. He noted the reappointment of Mara ngela Holgun Cu©llar as the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and the appointment of Johannes Hahn as the European Commission’s Special Envoy for Cyprus. Rigas emphasized the presence of American tech companies in Cyprus and their role in modernizing the country’s ICT infrastructure.
Rigas also addressed issues such as digital transformation and cybersecurity, noting the involvement of General Electric Aerospace in developing a regional jet engine repair hub in Cyprus. He called for Cyprus to adopt a foreign direct investment screening mechanism to align investments with national interests, highlighting the involvement of companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil in offshore hydrocarbon development.
The US Deputy Secretary of State underscored the importance of the 3+1 framework, which includes the US, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, in strengthening economic ties, particularly in energy and investment. He reiterated the US’s longstanding position that resource development in the Eastern Mediterranean must promote cooperation and stable energy security.
Rigas highlighted the US-Cyprus cooperation beyond bilateral relations, citing the CYCLOPS Training Center in Larnaca as an example. He also noted that US-Cyprus ties peaked under President Trump with the signing of the Statement of Intent in 2018, leading to further collaboration in areas such as counterterrorism and crisis management.
Speaking on US-Greece relations, Rigas described Greece as an indispensable partner and key NATO ally. He praised the deepening defense cooperation and economic ties between the two countries, which promote peace and stability in the region.
PSEKA President Philip Christopher emphasized the long-standing nature of PSEKA’s work and the progress in diplomatic relations between the US, Cyprus, and Greece. Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki discussed Cyprus’s efforts to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, highlighting recent progress and ongoing political meetings.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Washington, Evangelos Savva, noted Cyprus’s strong position as a full EU member and strategic partner of the US. He acknowledged the contributions of the Cypriot diaspora and highlighted Cyprus’s diplomatic activity and partnerships with international energy companies.
Greek Ambassador to the US, Ekaterini Nasika, praised the significance of the PSEKA Conference and emphasized the commitment to reunifying Cyprus and keeping the issue in the spotlight. She noted Cyprus’s progress since joining the EU and its strategic partnerships with the US.
The division of Cyprus since 1974 remains unresolved, with UN-led peace talks failing to yield results. An informal meeting on Cyprus is scheduled for the end of July, following initiatives to open crossing points and create a Technical Committee on Youth. The UN Secretary-General appointed Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, while the European Commission designated Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus.