Press release regarding the conclusion of the Foreign Minister's working visit to the United States
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides, has today concluded his consultations in Washington DC, as part of his working visit in the US capital. During his three-day visit, Minister Kasoulides had the opportunity to meet with high-ranking officials of the US Administration, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, February 1st, the Foreign Minister met at the US State Department with his counterpart Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken while in the afternoon, he met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms. Nancy Pelosi.
On Wednesday, February 2nd, Mr. Kasoulides met with Senior Director for Europe of the National Security Council, Ms. Amanda Sloat. On the same day the Minister met with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Robert Menendez and later with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks. In the afternoon of Wednesday, Minister Kasoulides met with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Ambassador Victoria Nuland. On Thursday, February 3rd, Mr. Kasoulides met with Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Mr. Amos Hochstein.
The meetings of Minister Kasoulides in Washington focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and the United States, which has been elevated recently to a strategic relationship, in a broad range of issues. Practical aspects of further deepening bilateral ties were examined, in particular regarding research and technology, security, logistical support and training.
Furthermore, Mr. Kasoulides had the opportunity to brief his interlocutors on the way Cyprus views the next steps on the Cyprus Problem, and more specifically on creating the necessary conditions to resume the effort for a comprehensive settlement. On this issue, Minister Kasoulides had the opportunity to convey the proposed Confidence Building Measures, as suggested by President Anastasiades, aiming to regain trust between the two sides. The Minister’s interlocutors expressed their firm support for efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus Problem on the agreed framework according to UN Security Council Resolutions.
Mr. Kasoulides exchanged views with the US officials he met on multilateral cooperation mechanisms that Cyprus maintains with other partners in the region of Eastern Mediterranean, specifically the 3+1 format that includes also Greece, Israel and the US. Both sides identified the need to strengthen the political orientation in order to have tangible deliverables. Furthermore Mr. Kasoulides exchanged views on energy issues and determined the significance of promoting projects to ensure sustainable and green potential, like the Eurasia Interconnector and promote the spirit of cooperation with other partners in the region.
Mr. Kasoulides, also discussed with his interlocutors the security situation in Eastern Europe as well as the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East region.
During his stay in Washington, Minister Kasoulides had the opportunity to participate in a dinner hosted by representatives of organizations of expatriates in the US, briefing them on the results of his meetings.
Minister Kasoulides also participated in a working breakfast with representatives of think tanks based in Washington, where he had the chance to present the main foreign policy priorities of Cyprus.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs returns to Cyprus on Friday, February 4, 2022.