DIPLOMACY: Trump says Cyprus is a valuable US partner in the Med

US President, Donald Trump, has described Cyprus as a valuable partner of the US in a vulnerable East Med region, according to diplomatic sources.

Trump was speaking at the ceremony during which he received the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Washington, Marios Lyssiotis.

He said the two countries had common interests in promoting stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and underlined that he looks forward to strengthening bilateral relations.

He also expressed hope for a Cyprus settlement, assuring of US support to the reunification of the island in a bizonal, bicommunal federation to the benefit of all Cypriots.

 Lyssiotis referred to the high level of relations and cooperation between Cyprus and the US both at the bilateral and the international level.

He said the aim of Cyprus’ foreign policy is to promote stability in the region and build bridges of cooperation with neighbouring countries.  

Nicosia sees the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus’ EEZ as a tool of cooperation with neighbouring countries and Lyssiotis underlined that US support is necessary so that Cyprus will continue its efforts to explore and exploit its natural resources.

 US energy giant ExxonMobil – with Qatar Petroleum – is scheduled to conduct drilling off Cyprus later this year.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned foreign energy companies not to “overstep the mark” in the Mediterranean after Turkey’s warships blocked an ENI drillship on February 9.

Since that incident both ENI, Total and ExxonMobil have said they are committed to honouring their license agreement with the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. 

Numerous UN-backed negotiations, aiming at reuniting the island under a federal roof, have failed to yield results. The last talks collapse under UN aegis in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.