Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated on Friday that the government does not fear a shift in US policy towards Cyprus under Donald Trump, despite Turkey’s strong objections to the recently signed US-Cyprus arms deal.
He also said that Cyprus maintains excellence relations with all major global players, including Russia and China.
President Nikos Christodoulides had already made phone contact with Trump even before his imminent takeover of the US presidency, a tact which had not been customary in the past, Letymbiotis said.
He added that decisions regarding defence and security are taken based on a long term perspective and a “deep level of cooperation.”
Letymbiotis described the strategic dialogue with the United States as a pivotal point in bilateral relations, which are set to strengthen further. “We will need to await the official changeover [to Trump], but Cyprus is now widely recognised as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Recent regional and international developments strongly support this conclusion,” he stated.
As for Turkey’s condemnation of the US-Cyprus arms sales agreement, Letymbiotis said the reaction was “expected and unsubstantiated.” The Republic was focused on reinforcing its defence capabilities as a state with 37 per cent of its territory under occupation as well as on expanding its diplomatic footprint, he added.
The Turkish foreign ministry on Thursday had said it shared the views of the north’s ‘foreign ministry’, which had called the agreement “tragicomic”.
Turkey said the Republic’s actions wouldincrease armament activities on the island and that it expected the Trump administration to “reverse Biden’s mistake.”
Responding to concerns raised by local parties over the country’s swivel away from a Russian-leaning orientation, or the risk of alienating China, Letymbiotis said the Republic maintains its excellent relations with all permanent members of the UN council.
“Our foreign policy is clear and guided by our membership in the European Union,” he said, adding that the government’s current foreign policy momentum is enhancing Cyprus’ international standing.
Click here to change your cookie preferences