President of Cyprus Meets with President Joe Biden

President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, holding discussions last evening in the White House's Oval Office.

Local media reports indicate that during the meeting, President Biden expressed optimism about the prospects of resolving the Cyprus issue, a conflict he described as a "regrettable event" in its 50th year of division. Biden stated, “I remain hopeful about the reunification of Cyprus within a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation framework."

President Christodoulides also emphasized his commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue, noting that he looks to the U.S. for support in restarting negotiations to pursue a federal solution based on bi-zonal and bi-communal principles.

The leaders additionally discussed other pressing matters, including the conflict in Ukraine, defense and security issues, intelligence collaboration, and expanded humanitarian assistance.

During the meeting, President Christodoulides underscored Cyprus’s role as a "truly strategic partner" for the United States, adding that it was a "great honor" to be invited to the White House. He highlighted the strong bilateral ties, describing them as currently at a "historic peak," and pointed to Cyprus-U.S. cooperation in defense and security, energy, law enforcement, technology, and innovation.

Christodoulides also noted Cyprus’s status as a "predictable and reliable partner for the United States" in a region of high geopolitical significance, adding that Cyprus, as an EU member state, maintains strong diplomatic relations with its neighbors.

Accompanying President Christodoulides were Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Director of the Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, and Cyprus’s Ambassador to the U.S., Evangelos Savva.

President Biden’s team included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, European Affairs Advisor John Carpenter, and U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher.

This meeting marks the first time since 1996 that Cypriot and U.S. presidents have met at the White House, the previous instance being a meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and then-President Bill Clinton.