Biden letter expresses concern over Varosha opening, Koushos says

US President Joe Biden expressed concerns over the unilateral decision last October by the Turkish side to open part of the fenced area of Famagusta, it was announced on Thursday.

According to government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos, Biden, in a letter to President Nicos Anastasiades, gave reassurances that the US would continue to consider the Republic of Cyprus an important partner for regional stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and of his commitment to work with a view to further deepen the strong ties between US and Cyprus.

Anastasiades received Biden’s letter on Wednesday evening.

Koushos said Biden thanked Anastasiades about the leading role, the friendship and the overall important role which the Republic of Cyprus plays in addressing global challenges and noted that he looked forward to work with him to address issues of common interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

“The US President expresses his appreciation for the fact that the president informed him with his letter of May 14 about the informal meeting in Geneva and expresses the clear position about the reunification of Cyprus, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, according to the UN Security Council resolutions,” Koushos said.

He added that Biden has also reassured Anastasiades that the US administration will continue to encourage a constructive participation of the Turkish side to the next round of talks under the UN auspices.

He also welcomed efforts made by the UN Secretary-General, to find common ground for the resumption of the negotiations, Koushos said.

The US president, Koushos said, has also made “a very important reference” to the issue of Famagusta, noting that the US is concerned over the unilateral decision of the Turkish Cypriots, with the support of Turkey, to open part of Varosha last October.

Biden said that the US has called and will continue to call for the decision of the Turkish side to be reversed and will discourage further provocative actions.

In his letter, Biden recalls his visit to Cyprus in 2014 with his wife, Jill, when he was US Vice President. “I believe that our discussions during my terms in office as Vice President constitute a strong foundation for our continuing cooperation,” he said, according to Koushos. Biden gave reassuarnces of his personal commitment to renew and further enhance his strong ties with Anastasiades, Koushos adds.