I made US Partnership ‘Core Priority’ from Day One, Christodoulides says

President Christodoulides on Tuesday used a US embassy Independence Day reception to underscore deepening ties between Cyprus and America, outlining concrete progress in bilateral relations while pointing to future opportunities.

Christodoulides made the partnership a personal priority upon taking office. “As of day one in office, I made strengthening this partnership a core priority, focusing on tangible deliverables,” he said. The results, he argued, speak for themselves, though more lies ahead.

“So much remarkable work has been done, and yet I am convinced the best rests ahead of us and awaits to be realised.”

Security cooperation

The past year has brought several breakthrough moments. Cyprus launched its Strategic Dialogue with Washington last October, followed by Christodoulides’ White House visit – the first by a Cypriot president in nearly three decades.

More substantial progress came in January when a US Presidential Determination opened three American security assistance programmes to Cyprus. Christodoulides called this “a major leap for our defence and security cooperation.”

The island nation has also joined the State Partnership Programme with New Jersey’s National Guard, established in 2023. “This is such a valuable partnership and now, at times of crisis management and disaster response, it is clearer than ever,” the president said.

Cyprus has trained over 2,000 officials through its Centre for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security, working with more than 20 regional nations, according to Christodoulides.

Economic ties gain momentum

Beyond security matters, Christodoulides noted that commercial cooperation is central to the relationship’s future. His April trip to America focused specifically on attracting investment and business partnerships.

“I am a strong believer that beyond cooperation at the political, defence, and security level, economic and commercial cooperation lie at the heart of a thriving relationship,” he said. The mission appears to be working – Cyprus has “since welcomed American businesses” to the island.

Regional positioning

Christodoulides positioned Cyprus as America’s reliable partner in a turbulent region. The island serves as “a stable democracy, a predictable ally, a European Union member state” that enables regional stability.

Recent crises have tested this partnership. Following the October 7 attacks, Cyprus opened its ports and airports to help evacuate American citizens while coordinating humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians, the president added.

“Cyprus, as it has done in the past, played its role as a safe harbour assisting with departures of American and other citizens. A bridge to safety,” Christodoulides said.

Looking forward, he stressed Cyprus’s regional commitment: “Cyprus is and will always be part of the solution in this geostrategically important, very complex region. We will continue working with the US to promote stability, peace, and prosperity in the wider Eastern Mediterranean and in Europe, always through dialogue and diplomacy.”

Reunification remains priority

The president used the occasion to reference Cyprus’s division, describing “the over five-decade occupation by Turkey on European territory.” Reunification would transform not just Cyprus but the broader region, he argued.

“Reunification, peace in Cyprus would be nothing short of transformative for the country and its people, for the region, for Europe,” Christodoulides said.

Visa waiver progress

On a practical note affecting ordinary citizens, Christodoulides suggested progress on Cyprus joining America’s Visa Waiver Programme. “This is also an area where positive news is at hand,” he said, noting the program’s importance for citizens, economies and shared security.

“We are working hard together to get it done.”

The president concluded by praising collaborative efforts, specifically crediting Ambassador Davis as “a true driving force” while acknowledging broader support networks. “When it comes to the US-Cyprus relations, the sky is truly the limit,” he said.

Christodoulides ended the evening with a toast “to freedom, to peace, and to the unbreakable bond of friendship and promise between Cyprus and the US.”

Source: In-Cyprus