in-cyprus 31 October 2024 - by Andreas Bimbishis
The Republic of Cyprus and the United States have agreed on a roadmap centred on a stability alliance between the two countries that aims to benefit the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, with the Cyprus issue being a key component of particular interest to the American side.
Following the meeting between Presidents Christodoulides and Biden at the White House yesterday, Nicosia secured several positive outcomes, with defence and security matters taking centre stage.
Diplomatic sources indicated that during their meeting, Christodoulides and Biden extensively discussed bilateral relations and agreed to establish a roadmap for strengthening defence cooperation.
The same sources revealed that discussions included extending the arms embargo waiver from one to three years. This matter is currently being debated in Congress, with specific mention made of President Biden’s historically supportive stance spanning decades.
Both sides agreed to strengthen defence cooperation through Cyprus’s military and equipment upgrades, as well as training National Guard personnel at US military academies. The expansion of CYCLOPS was also addressed. Discussions included the potential transfer of US aircraft, specifically used helicopters, for search and rescue and firefighting operations.
Investment opportunities featured prominently in the talks, with sources indicating particular interest in Larnaca port development. Regarding the visa waiver programme, reports suggest a US delegation will visit Cyprus soon for final evaluations, with aims to complete the process before the end of Biden’s term. Significant discussions also took place regarding Chevron and Exxon’s involvement in Cyprus’s energy programme.
Nicosia particularly valued Biden’s linking of Cyprus’s stabilising regional role with the solution to the Cyprus problem, emphasising the importance of maintaining the country’s independence and decision-making capacity. The Cypriot side also noted Biden’s references to Cyprus’s constructive and stabilising regional role.
Welcoming President Christodoulides to the White House, Biden expressed optimism about achieving a reunified Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. “The United States stands ready to provide any support we can toward this goal”, he emphasised.
The White House statement reaffirmed US support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
The linking of the Cyprus solution with the country’s regional role tops the priority list, coming at a crucial time and sending specific messages to all parties involved in efforts to restart negotiations.
The Cypriot delegation also secured a clear commitment from the Americans for substantive continuation of strategic cooperation between the two countries. The United States and the Republic of Cyprus are proceeding with institutionalising their cooperation, with results expected to become apparent soon.
A third key outcome from Christodoulides’s historic White House visit was the US recognition of Cyprus’s role in regional matters and its contribution to achieving ceasefire and peace efforts.
In post-meeting statements, President Christodoulides highlighted Biden’s connection between Cyprus’s regional role and efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue. He expressed satisfaction with “the US’s firm position” regarding the solution format, “particularly at a time when Turkey is promoting alternative solutions”.
“I want to connect this dimension because it came from the American President himself who, after thanking us for the Republic of Cyprus’s role regarding the Middle East, the humanitarian corridor, and potential population evacuation from the region, emphasised the need that through the Cyprus solution, the Republic of Cyprus should not only continue this specific role but significantly strengthen it”, Christodoulides said.
He appeared satisfied that “our country’s footprint is being recognised and is connected with both the form and content of a potential Cyprus solution”.
