Cyprus should remain a single country, say Obama and Biden

United States Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Democratic Senator, candidate for the Vice-Presidency, Joe Biden “believe strongly that Cyprus should remain a single country in which each of the two communities on the island is able to exercise substantial political authority in its own geographical zone – with a just and mutually agreed settlement of difficult issues like property refugees, land and security”.

This is included in a statement issued Wednesday on Cyprus from the Obama/Biden foreign policy plan, entitled “Barack Obama and Joe Biden: A stronger Partnership with Europe for a safer America”.

According to the statement, “seeking a just and lasting political settlement on Cyprus : Barack Obama and Joe Biden will show U.S. leadership in seeking to negotiate a political settlement on Cyprus”.

Obama and Biden note that “a negotiated political settlement on Cyprus would not only end the island’s tragic division but would pave the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region”.

“It would finally repose to the people of Cyprus after many years of division and uncertainty. It would help foster better Greek-Turkish relations, strengthen Turkish democracy, reduce the risk of military conflict, and remove a major obstacle to Turkish membership in the EU”, the statement concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Efforts are underway between the leaders of the island’s two communities to reunite the country under a bizonal bicommunal federal roof.