After two days of discussion on April 6 and 7 2005, the United States and the Republic of Cyprus have successfully concluded negotiations on the text of a bilateral agreement within the framework of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), establishing procedures and safeguards for shipboarding operations on the high-seas aimed at combating the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
A statement from the US Embassy in Nicosia said: “This agreement underscores the shared commitment of our two governments to combating proliferation and global terrorism. We have a common approach to a common goal: making the high seas inhospitable to the transport of weapons of mass destruction.
“We are very pleased with both the outcome of the discussions and the positive and constructive spirit in which they were conducted.
U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Craig Kuehl hailed the agreement in principle reached by the delegations as “an excellent example of a common approach by the two governments resulting in concrete achievement.”
He added that this latest success was another example of “close cooperation between our two governments in the war on terrorism.”
“We are confident that there will be other areas of cooperation as well”, he added.
The Proliferation Security Initiative
The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is a response to the risks of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials worldwide.
The PSI builds on efforts by the international community to prevent proliferation of such items, including existing treaties and regimes.
A UN Security Council Presidential Statement of January 1992, states that the proliferation of all WMD constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and underlines the need for member states of the UN to prevent proliferation.
The PSI is also consistent with recent statements of the G-8 and the European Union, establishing that more coherent and concerted efforts are needed to prevent the proliferation of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials.
