US President Joe Biden stressed Wednesday that he remains optimistic about the possibility of a reunited Cyprus, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.white
The US President, who received Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides at the White House, said in his introductory remarks before the meeting that “I remain optimistic about the possibility that a reunited Cyprus, a bizonal bicommunal federation is possible.”
“And the United States stands ready to provide any support we can towards that goal” he underlined.
On his part, Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides stressed that he counts on the US support as regards the Cyprus issue.
“Mr President, I count on your support, the support of the US, to resume negotiations and find a solution of the Cyprus problem, a solution in line with the UN Security Council resolutions, a solution that is based on our common values and principles of democracy and respect of human rights” he underlined.
President Christodoulides said that it was a great honour to be at the White House and thanked the US President for the invitation. He talked about the strategic partnership of both countries saying that our relations are at a strategic and historical high. At the regional level, he said, Cyprus ‘is a predictable and reliable partner of the US in a region of great geopolitical importance’.
In his remarks before the meeting, President Joe Biden recalled that it was ten years ago when he last visited Cyprus as Vice President of the United States and that he had said then that “there is no limit to what our nations can achieve when they work together.”
“Today we stood against Russia’s vicious onslaught in Ukraine, we launched a strategic dialogue and increased cooperation in a wide range of issues from energy security to Artificial Intelligence. We served humanitarian aid delivery to 8000 metric tons to Gaza. Mr President, Cyprus made all this possible and I want to thank you for your leadership in making that happen” the US President told Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides.
He also said that “this year also marks the 50th anniversary, the artificial division of the island’ noting that he remembers it well as it was in his first year as US senator, a sad day, but that he remains optimistic.
“But I remain optimistic about the possibility that a reunited Cyprus, a bizonal bicommunal federation is possible. And the United States stands ready to provide any support we can towards that goal. Mr President, thank you again for being here and I look forward to our conversation” the US President said.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus referred to the bilateral relations of the two countries, and said that they are working closely on the sectors of defence and security, energy, law enforcement, technology, innovation, noting that there is a potential and a clear and strong political will on both countries following also the first strategic dialogue between the two countries last week to further enhance this partnership.
At the regional level, he stressed, Cyprus “is a predictable and reliable partner of the US in a region of great geopolitical importance.” He noted that Cyprus is a member state of the EU in the region saying that Nicosia has excellent relations with all its neighbours and is working closely with the US and other partners to face the current challenges, to send much needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza, to evacuate third country nationals from the region.