Charalambides in US, meets Speaker Pelosi

Akel MP Irini Charalambides was in the US this week as part of a delegation from the parliamentary assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA), participating in meetings with UN officials on security issues in Europe and the Mediterranean region.

On Monday, as one of OSCE PA’s vice-presidents, Charalambides joined a delegation made up of OSCE PA president Margareta Cederfelt and fellow vice-president Pascal Allizard in meetings with Under- Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary A. DiCarlo and Chef de Cabinet to 76th President of the United Nations General Assembly Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur.

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The Cyprus News Agency reported that meetings covered the humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine and the UN’s efforts to open safe humanitarian corridors that would allow the evacuation of civilians and the relief of those remaining inside war zones.

In turn, the Cypriot MP briefed the officials about Cyprus’ contributions to humanitarian aid for Ukraine and the efforts made to house refugees.

According to a written announcement by the House, Charalambides also expressed gratitude for the constructive role of both Unficyp and the UNSG towards finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, with the UN officials expressing hope that the right conditions will be created to allow the resumption of negotiations as soon as possible.

Charalambides also had a separate meeting with Allizard and permanent representative of France to the UN Nicolas de Rivière, thanking the latter for his “catalytic” influence towards the adoption of the presidential statement condemning the reopening of Varosha in July 2021, which was presented by France.

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On Tuesday, the delegation participated in a roundtable discussion on the Mediterranean, hosted by the French embassy in Washington, where Charalambides spoke on Turkey’s destabilizing role and revisionist views, which she said sow tension in the region.

The delegation also met US Helsinki Commission chair Senator Ben Cardin and attended a session during which they discussed combatting propaganda and misinformation in the context of the crisis in Ukraine.

During a meal with members of the US Congress attended by US Parliament Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Charalambides invited the American delegation to attend a OSCE PA conference on the role of national parliaments in the prevention and combating of corruption, scheduled to take place in Cyprus in May.

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