US-Cyprus strategic dialogue a ‘historic moment’

 

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos heralded on Wednesday what he described “an important day for the bilateral relations with the United States” during talks for the first strategic dialogue between the Republic of Cyprus and the US.

 

Visiting Cyprus was US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien.

 

Kombos said the day marks a shared commitment to closer and stronger cooperation, enhancing security, stability and prosperity in the region, while O’Brien described it as an important moment in the relationship between the two countries, of which he was excited to be a part.

 

“Being part of this dialogue is like being part of a historic moment,” he said noting that both sides’ commitment to bilateral cooperation will be measured by whether their citizens feel safer and more prosperous.

“Today is the beginning of an even greater journey.”

 

Discussions between delegations from the US and Cyprus centred on security, education, investments, crisis management, imposing the law, energy, culture, commerce and technology.

 

Kombos told the delegates that the Amalthea humanitarian corridor could resume operations, while expressing hopes for progress on the US visa waiver programme.

 

“We believe there are huge opportunities to take our bilateral relations to the next level and it is on us to transform these opportunities to specific achievements. There are many reasons we should seek this out.”

They discussed common values over democracy, rule of law and human rights, during a period which are called into question in the international sphere Kombos said, giving Ukraine as an example “where aggression and revisionism are re-emerging as an option”.

 

“This is the first step towards deepening the framework of a structured dialogue and discussion,” the minister told reporters.

 

“Today we have the opportunity to highlight internationally the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a reliable strategic partner of the US with a role that is recognised in the region in relation to humanitarian issues.

 

“It is an opportunity for us to highlight the role that we want and can play more broadly as a point of reference and cooperation on a number of issues.”

Kombos specified that beyond the political and diplomatic sphere, “today we will have a series of results which will be of particular importance.”

 

This concerns fighting financial crime and money laundering, where in addition to the US FBI team in Cyprus for the matter, Cypriots are being trained and a number of scholarships for military personnel will be awarded.

“There will be a series of results which will be visible and which now create a process for us to have very serious developments. But we have to be patient, which we are not usually in Cyprus,” he warned.

 

“It is a very important moment, it is a moment that for someone to understand its usefulness, one has to consider whether some years ago we would have even been able to imagine something like this happening today.”

There may also be developments on deepening cooperation within the framework of the Cyclops Centre, which is described as a strategic research infrastructure unit for geohazards monitoring in Cyprus and the Southeastern Mediterranean region, he added.

 

Kombos said an announcement was expected over the resumption of the Fulbright programme for scholarships for English language teachers.

On investment issues, the minister referred to the creation of an institutional climate that can allow, facilitate or encourage US businesses and investors to come to Cyprus.

 

Where regional developments are concerned and the role of the Republic as well as its cooperation with other countries including the US, Kombos underlined this is a pre-existing matter and will not be a result of the ongoing strategic dialogue.

 

One could say that the dialogue is partly the result of these pre-existing collaborations, he added.

 

“The situation is extremely difficult. As we all know, the US is in the region at the diplomatic level. And they are all trying to get the right messages across that will lead to a de-escalation or some form of agreement that will lead to both the ceasefire and the release of hostages, and of course the situation as it is unfolding in Lebanon.”

 

Kombos said Cyprus is seeking to reactivate its maritime aid corridor in cooperation with other countries, which is also slated for discussion.

The minister added he would be travelling to Paris for an international conference hosted for Lebanon.

 

“We are trying, based on our own capabilities, to contribute to this discussion. We are part of the region, and we have, we believe, the responsibility and the obligation to be present and to participate.”

 

Regarding Cyprus’ inclusion in the visa waiver programme, Kombos said that consultations with the US side are ongoing, and the government is waiting for the official announcement of the results regarding the threshold for the rejection of applications, which is one of the key technical criteria.

 

“We want to hope that a positive outcome on this issue will be formalised. As you know, the ratification of a recently signed agreement is pending in parliament, which is also a very important part of the preconditions.”

He expressed the hope that this ratification will also come from parliament, and then the US side will announce the results of the final stage of the evaluation.

“Hopefully in the coming months this will be finalised.”

 

O’Brien said after the meeting that the launch of the dialogue “really shows how far our relationship has evolved and the foundations we have laid to work together in this region and globally in the years to come.”

He also made reference to Cyprus’ role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and said he was “particularly pleased” with the cooperation shown between the two countries to “neutralise Russia’s attempts to use Cyprus and other European Union countries as a supply route” for materials to fight their war in Ukraine.

 

The strategic dialogue between Cyprus and the US was announced in June, in what was heralded as a “historic moment”.

 

Following the meeting, the US and Cypriot governments issued a joint declaration, describing the launch of the strategic dialogue as a “milestone” in the relationship between the two countries and a “confirmation of the strengthened strategic partnership” between them.

 

Both countries agreed to continue to cooperate in a number of fields, including the matters of security, education, energy, and trade.