He described it as a “spring” in American-Cypriot relations Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Konstantinos Kombos its deepening strategic cooperation that has been achieved between her Washington and Nicosia. The head of the Cypriot diplomacy is in the American capital where he participated in the work of the 39th Conference of the World Coordination Committee of the Cyprus Struggle (WCC).

Mr. Kombos attributed the conversion of the US factor to the fact that Cyprus managed to strategically position itself in a way that allows for common interests with the US.

As he explained, “It is extremely important to note that (this shift) did not come about because the US suddenly decided that Cyprus was important, nor because the US was convinced that the Cyprus issue was a huge problem that deserved its attention. It was done because there are common interests. And we have to be realistic. At the end of the day, the Republic of Cyprus offers something to the US. And this is a strategic presence in the region.”

At this point, he pointed out that this is a complex area that is prone to unrest and crises. However, he estimated that it is the first time that Cyprus is actively playing a leading role, which is evaluated as useful both for the USA and for the wider region as a whole.

Continuing, Konstantinos Kombos acknowledged the role that Congress has traditionally played in US-Cyprus relations. However, he emphasized the fact that at the moment a close cooperation has been developed with the American government (White House and State Department) in order to realize the potential of the bilateral relationship.

“This is something that’s relatively new in the sense that we’ve traditionally focused on Congress and the Senate. It is the first time that an American government looks at Cyprus from a different point of view. Now we have friends in the US government and that’s something we have to protect.” he pointed out.

In this light, the Cypriot Foreign Minister praised the Greek diaspora in the USA which he characterized as an important bridge that connects Cyprus with American society but also with the government of “the most powerful country in the world”.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Constantinos Kombos expressed Nicosia’s readiness to participate in meaningful negotiations with the aim of finding a sustainable and lasting solution. He clarified, however, that this solution will be based solely on the agreed framework for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, which is determined by the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

As he noted, “anything else belongs to the realm of illegality and would set a dangerous precedent for the international community as a whole. To this end, we fully support the mission of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy.”

Discussion at the National Security Council on the benefits of the Greece Cyprus-Israel Electrical Interconnection

In the framework of the conference of the Global Coordination Committee of the Cyprus Struggle (GCC), the delegates were briefed by a senior official of the US National Security Council.

During the discussion, the US official categorically rejected the efforts made by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to partition the island, making it clear that the US will never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus.

However, he devoted most of his time to analyzing the positive agenda, acknowledging what he described as impressive progress achieved in the bilateral relationship. At the same time, he expressed the intention of the American government to continue this course and to further deepen the strategic nature of the cooperation.

In fact, reference was also made to the benefits that the project will have for the electrical interconnection of Greece-Cyprus-Israel in the light of energy security. The official was asked about the concern that is said to exist in Cyprus in relation to the financial cost of the project and pledged to investigate the possibilities that exist for possible additional financing from the US Development Bank (DFC).

Homogenia’s “No” to a New Quadripartite Scheme for the Cyprus Problem

According to reports, prominent political analysts from think tanks in Washington have found that Turkey is trying to promote the narrative of the need for a quadrilateral meeting between Greece, Turkey and the two communities of Cyprus. Turkey appears to argue that doing so would allow the deadlock to be broken and the way for the resumption of talks to be re-opened.

Factors of the Greek-American lobby reject the possibility of a new quadripartite scheme in which the two communities will not be under the umbrella of the Republic of Cyprus. The reason is that they consider it to be an attempt to upgrade the pseudo-state and the role of the occupying leader Mr. Ersin Tatar.

The executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) Eddie Zemenidis also mentioned this specific issue during his speech at PSEKA. In particular, Mr. Zemenidis likened the proposal for the new quadripartite scheme to that of the Annan Plan. As he argued, if the approved plan had not been rejected none of the achievements resulting from the US-Cyprus cooperation would have been realized.

“So, as we hear some ideas that may come up as solutions, let’s remember that Cyprus has proven that it stands by the US and the EU. So when some come up with ideas about quadrilaterals or upgrading the status of Tatars let’s remember that we said no twenty years ago (in the Annan Plan) and that we will say no even today because we see the Cyprus of the future being built right now and we will not return to 1974”.

Cross-Party Support for Greek Issues in Congress

The PSEKA conference brings together leading legislators and actors of political life with the aim of keeping the issue of Cyprus on the agenda of American foreign policy.

Among the lawmakers in attendance on the first day of the conference were Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Chris Papas, Nicole Malliotakis, Brad Snyder, John Sarbanes, Nancy Pelosi, as well as House International Affairs Committee Democratic Leader Gregory Meeks.

Mr. Meeks was awarded the James Williams Award, which honors the story of a former African-American slave who successfully escaped and gained his freedom.

During his speech, he broadcast political messages, stressing that support for Greece and Cyprus enjoys bipartisan support in Congress. At the same time, he asserted that he is looking forward to visiting Greece and Cyprus with a cross-party delegation of parliamentarians.

“Fifty years ago Turkey invaded your land which it continues to occupy. However, despite what other actors in the region do or threaten to do, it is your work and our cooperation that makes the Eastern Mediterranean safer and more prosperous. Whether it is energy security, trade issues or the partnership with Israel and other countries in the region, we are united because we share the same and enduring commitment to the core values ​​of democracy.”

Gregory Meeks closed his speech with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., saying that injustice in any part of the world is a threat to justice everywhere. As he said, “when we see what has happened in Cyprus, this injustice, if we remain silent, that will be a danger. And that’s why we have to make sure our voices are heard until justice is finally found.”