The significant geostrategic role of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, in light of developments in the region, was highlighted by US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer during his meeting on Tuesday with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, a written statement by Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.
President Christodoulides met with the American official on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
During the meeting, said Letymbiotis, “the excellent level of cooperation between the Governments of Cyprus and the US was acknowledged, as the relations between the two countries are closer than ever, and the common desire to further deepen the strategic cooperation was confirmed.”
Finer “emphasized the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a reliable partner and ally of the US, while conveying President Biden’s personal thanks for the role the Republic of Cyprus played in implementing the ‘Amalthea’ maritime humanitarian corridor, w
hich greatly contributed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza” the statement said.
Finer, according to Letymbiotis, also noted “the important” geostrategic role of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, in light of developments in the region.
For his part, President Christodoulides, it was noted, “expressed appreciation for the US stance on the Cyprus issue, as well as for the excellent cooperation between Cyprus and the US in the implementation of the ‘Amalthea’ initiative for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
They also discussed developments in the Middle East, the situation in Ukraine, and other international issues.
“The President of the Republic also referred to the readiness of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the first round of the Cyprus-US Strategic Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Nicosia on October 23, 2024”, Letymbiotis said.
The next steps to expedite Cyprus’s inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme by 2025 were also discussed, and the importance of
US involvement in investigating corruption cases was highlighted.
Source: Cyprus News Agency