President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday met with the leadership of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac).

The president is currently in the United States, heading up a high-level Cypriot delegation aiming to attract investment in shipping, technology and energy. The visit includes stops in New York, Texas, and San Francisco.

According to a statement put out by government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, during the meeting with Aipac the participants discussed current regional developments and “the prospects for closer strategic ties” between Cyprus, the United States and Israel.

Also discussed were joint action in defence, energy security and the economy.

“The meeting confirmed the steadfast will for a further deepening of relations with the United States, making the most of Cyprus’ geo-strategic location as well as its active engagement in regional collaboration,” the statement added.

“It also confirmed the key role of mutual respect in developing this multi-layered cooperation, which aims at a safer, prosperous and stable Middle East.”

A pro-Israel lobbying group, Aipac defines itself as a “bipartisan, pro-Israel political action committee.”

It website states that it is “the largest pro-Israel PAC [political action committee] in America and contributed more resources directly to candidates than any other PAC.”

It adds that “98 per cent of Aipac-backed candidates won their general election races in 2022.”