New US ambassador to Cyprus vows to work for reunification, engage Turkey

New US Ambassador to Cyprus John Koenig said that if confirmed by the Senate, his top priority will be to support efforts to reunite Cyprus into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
Speaking on Wednesday before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington, Koenig noted that “the longstanding division must come to an end through a just and lasting settlement”.
He added that his foremost priority will be promoting US interests in Cyprus while working to advance a comprehensive settlement.
“The United States stands only to gain from a reunited Cyprus that is peaceful, prosperous, and fully benefits from EU membership,” he said.
The new Ambassador said that the current status quo threatens NATO-EU cooperation and affects regional stability, while it also remains an obstacle to Turkey’s EU accession process, supported by the US.
On bilateral relations, Koenig noted the increased investment by US companies in
Cyprus, especially in the energy sector.
He also referred to the cooperation of the two sides to safeguard Cypriot cultural heritage, prevent pillaging, and stop the illegal trafficking and sale of antiquities.
Moreover, he said that Cyprus has been a generous host for an increasing number of US navy ship visits, which has driven growing cooperation in anti-terrorism and port security.
“We believe that its oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement,” he said.
He added that the discovery of natural gas underscores the urgent need for a settlement, but it need not hinder the talks.
Presiding Chairwoman Senator Jeanne Shaheen said Cyprus was a vital ally and asked Koenig if the US administration is sending similar messages to the Turkish government, with the ones the members of the Senate have highlighted in a letter to President Obama concerning Turkey’s threats against Cyprus’ EEZ activity.
The Ambassador said that this is happening in all levels.
Responding to a series of questions by Senator Robert Menendez, Koenig referred to the unwillingness of the Turkish Cypriot side to continue the inter-communal dialogue and said he saw no obstacle in restarting the talks immediately.
He added that the US does not endorse any arbitrary timetables in the talks, while he said he would seek to get more information on the issue of Anatolian settlers, in order to form an independent opinion.