Cyprus-US talks boost ‘important’ strategic relations
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos heralded on Wednesday what he described “an important day for the bilateral relations with the United States” during 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 told the delegates that the Amalthea humanitarian corridor could resume operations, while expressing hopes for progress on the US visa waiver programme.
Discussions between delegations from the US and Cyprus centred on security, education, investments and technology.
“This is the first step towards deepening the framework of a structured dialogue and discussion,” Kombos 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 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.”
The strategic dialogue between Cyprus and the US was announced in June, in what was heralded as a “historic moment”.