In Washington, U.S. and Cyprus Presidents Meet Today

Today, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House. The meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. local time in Washington (5:30 p.m. Cyprus time).

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on October 30 that President Biden would host the Cypriot President for a bilateral discussion at the White House.

“Building on the successful launch of the first U.S.-Cyprus Strategic Dialogue on October 23, the leaders will address a range of global issues, including energy security and cooperation, recent developments in the Middle East, and strong, ongoing support for Ukraine,” she stated.

Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis added that the agenda will also include the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, and the situation in the Middle East, especially the role Cyprus plays in humanitarian efforts.

During the discussions, President Biden is expected to reaffirm U.S. support for a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality for all Cypriots as a solution to the Cyprus issue, acknowledging the 50-year division of the island.

The upcoming meeting represents “a peak in the strategic strengthening of relations between the two countries and is a concrete signal of Cyprus’s growing diplomatic presence during a critical time, as well as recognition of its key regional role.”

The last time a Cypriot president was invited to the White House was in 1996, when President Glafcos Clerides met with then-U.S. President Bill Clinton.