You are here

Cyprus discusses trade, solution with US

20/04/2016 15:36
The UN-led peace talks, bilateral ties and trade relations were the focus of a meeting on Wednesday between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides has said.

In statements to the press after the meeting, Christodoulides said that Nuland expressed the United States' support for the ongoing peace effort and asked to be briefed on the situation as it stands now at the negotiating table, the issues discussed, the areas on which there seems to be a mutual understanding, topics where there seems to be a convergence and where there are still disagreements.

He added that bilateral ties, and in particular economic, trade and energy relations were discussed at length.

The Spokesman said Cyprus` status as a strategic partner for the USA was reconfirmed at the meeting with the President.

Asked why President Obama has not invited the Cypriot President to visit the USA, he said that while this may be the case, which as he pointed out is also the case for all previous Presidents, at the same time for the first time in 52 years a US Vice President has visited Cyprus.

Replying to a question on the meeting which took place yesterday between President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Christodoulides said that it was a very good meeting with satisfactory outcomes.

“Certain matters for which there has been a mutual understanding were turned into convergences”, he said, adding that discussions continue on a technical level, on the Working Groups level.

Replying to another question, he said the convergences reached yesterday had to do with government and property.

Asked whether there was a US commitment to the economic aspect of a solution, he said the economic aspect was discussed, reiterating however that it does not pertain exclusively the property issue.

It was a general discussion on the economic aspect of the solution of the Cyprus problem and the wish by the US to contribute in that direction in the context of the effort as a whole was expressed, he added.

Christodoulides made it clear however that “in order to be more specific we must reach a final result.”

He noted that developments in Cyprus' northern Turkish occupied areas were discussed, and also said that there was a briefing and a discussion on the part of Nuland since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in the US recently.

The role of Turkey in the effort to find a solution in Cyprus was discussed, he said replying to another question, pointing out that everyone understands the role it can play.

Replying to a question on a meeting President Anastasiades had with Madeleine Albright, he said she represents companies interested in investments, which have nothing to do with the 3rd licensing round in Cyprus` EEZ.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks resumed last May aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.