FM discusses bilateral ties, Cyprob with Blinken

Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed bilateral ties during a 25-minute phone call on Tuesday.

According to CNA, security cooperation and the Cyprus problem were among the topics discussed by the two officials.

This was the first conversation between the two ministers since Blinken took office. Christodoulides has met Blinken while the US official was serving in the Obama administration.

According to a diplomatic source Blinken assured Christodoulides of the US desire to further strengthen its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, saying that they acknowledge the country’s important role in the region and follow its actions, especially in the 3 + 1 cooperation with Greece and Israel.

According to the same source, Blinken assured that there was no other solution other than the bi-zonal bi-communal federation, while he stressed that violations and unilateral actions in the Cyprus EEZ and Varosha, cannot be tolerated, something that they conveyed to Turkey at a high level, as he said.

Just last week, the state department updated its report on Cyprus – noting that: “The United States views the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) as an important partner for regional stability, security, and prosperity, and works closely with the ROC to advance shared security priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

“Cooperation between the United States and the ROC is at a historic high,” it added.

The report referenced noteworthy developments, such as the $5m Cyclops regional training centre along with joint military exercises and port visits.