The Cyprus issue, Nicosia’s strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the deepening of defence cooperation and developments in the energy sector, were among the issues discussed during the meeting on Wednesday of President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

Cypriot government sources noted Washington’s willingness to strengthen US – Cyprus cooperation, while CNA has learned from the same sources, that  “the US invitation was not sent only for the Cyprus issue, but for the strategic role of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean region.”

“They thanked us for our contribution to the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza under the maritime humanitarian corridor initiative”, sources said.

The same sources stated that the US side emphasized “Cyprus’ readiness to evacuate people from Lebanon” and thanked the Republic of Cyprus for providing facilities amidst the war in the Middle East with the presence of US troops on Cypriot soil.

The fact that the Republic of Cyprus talks with countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Egypt, acts, for the US,  as a pillar of security and stability in the region.

According to sources, US President Biden was moved during the meeting, during which the long-standing support of the US to Cypriots was stressed, while the US President recalled that the last time he visited Cyprus was as US Vice President ten years ago. The meeting of the President of the Republic with President Biden was the last visit to the White House before the US elections.

Government sources pointed out that the meeting in the Oval Office showed that for the US it is important to stay close to Cyprus, but also to strengthen US-Cyprus cooperation.

As far as the deepening of the US – Cyprus ties is concerned, government sources stated that during the meeting they discussed the possibility for Cyprus being militarily upgraded. This, they added, presupposes the lifting of the arms embargo, an issue which is debated at the US Congress.

The two countries aim to expand the US-Cyprus Defence Cooperation Roadmap so that the National Guard will be upgraded in terms of equipment and operations, with training that will reach NATO standards.

Regarding visas, the process is expected to be accelerated, while an American delegation will travel to Cyprus for contacts before the end of Biden’s term.

In addition, during the meeting the two Presidents discussed energy and the recent contacts of the Cypriot side with the US companies Chevron and Exxon, and the prospects of US investments in Cyprus, such as the privatization of the port of Larnaka.

Moreover, sources said there is an intention on behalf of the US to include the Republic of Cyprus in the Civil Protection Programs, through which helicopters can be granted for Search and Rescue purposes from the surplus of the US military.

Source: Parikiaki.com