Cyprus has a geographic position which allows the Republic to play a very important role in regional cooperation, stated Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides who concluded his visit to the US.
Stylianides was in Washington to take part in the of the 29th Annual three-day Conference, hosted by the International Coordinating Committee "Justice for Cyprus" PSEKA and the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH).
He said that, in spite of the economic crisis, there are opportunities to help avert a deadlock in issues that seemed to be heading in that direction. At the same time, he assured that the government is ready to start a new round of negotiations to solve the Cyprus issue.
In Washington, Stylianides met with Eric Rubin, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Archbishop of America Demetrios and the leadership of the US-Jewish Committee, while in New York he met with the head the UN Political Department for Eastern Europe Elizabeth Spehar.
Before departing for Cyprus, he met with US-based Greek correspondents.
He said he has received a number of important messages and increase the resilience of Cypriots as well as messages of support. “There are specific initiatives and actions which the Cyprus government is promoting and we will do everything possible to see this support take shape”, he said.
Stylianides urged overseas Greeks to see the opportunities Cyprus is offering for investments, adding that perhaps the role of overseas Greeks in the restart of the economy is now more important than ever.
On the sidelines of the conference, said Stylianides, he discussed with members of the Greek American community, the role of overseas Greeks.
“I believe they are all ready to help during this difficult time Cyprus is going through and anything else needed during the new negotiation process that is expected to be launched in the autumn,” he said.
Regarding his meetings in the US, he pointed out his discussion with Rubin, noting that “we have reached a conclusion regarding the role of Cyprus. Cyprus has a geographic position that can play a very important role in a new partnership in the region”.
Noting the government is ready to launch a new negotiating process, Stylianides said “without fanfare and exaggeration, using methodology and analyzing the facts, we have stated to the US Administration that we are ready to start a new negotiation on Cyprus to find a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue”.
The Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and since then occupy 37% of Cyprus` territory, despite numerous resolutions and decisions by the UN, the EU and other international organisations, calling for Turkey`s withdrawal from Cyprus.
