& nbsp & nbspΑνδρέας Πιμπίσιης & nbsp; & nbsp;
In Nicosia and Athens there is absolute satisfaction for their relations with the United States. The Republic of Cyprus is counting down to the complete lifting of the arms embargo, while Greece sees its relations with the United States constantly improving. The fact that Turkey has regained some of the lost ground in relations with the United States does not seem to particularly affect the bilateral relations of Cyprus and Greece with Washington. & Nbsp;
At a time when Nicosia is watching US-Turkish relations improve rapidly, the message coming from Washington that the clock is ticking back to end the embargo that has been in place for more than four decades is gaining in importance. Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis, during an interview with RIK, revealed that the United States has begun the process of complete lifting of the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus. According to the Secretary of State, from the information received from the US Ambassador, what he estimates is that in nine to twelve months the arms embargo will be lifted. & Nbsp;
This development means that from 2023 any bans that had been imposed on Cyprus for the acquisition of American weapons will end. The embargo was linked to the Turkish invasion of 1974, but was later paid for by Cyprus. It was imposed in 1974 on the occasion of the Turkish invasion against Cyprus. In 1978, following an unnecessary decision by the Carter administration, the embargo against Turkey was lifted completely, while the bans against Cyprus continued. Since 1987, the United States has decided to ban the supply of any military equipment in the Republic of Cyprus. US Mtsotaki sees PTD – Cyprus and Ukraine on the agenda
RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT: Cooperation between the United States and Greece is in one of its best phases. Athens derives special benefits from the defense cooperation with the USA, as in the previous years it was a spectator in front of the American-Turkish military cooperation. Before the Hellenic Parliament is the draft law for amending the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between the governments of Greece and the USA. The protocol to be ratified, as stated in the explanatory memorandum, seeks to reaffirm the commitment to deepen and further expand the strategic partnership and cooperation between the parties and the common commitment to the principles of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights. , Justice and Social Progress.
A letter from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last October stated that the updated agreement “extends the strategic defense partnership between Greece and the United States and clearly demonstrates the firm decision the two countries to safeguard and mutually protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity against actions that threaten peace, including armed attack or threat of attack. “
TRAVEL OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be in Washington on May 16 for talks with US President Joe Biden, while addressing a special session of Congress. The Americans have paid special attention to this visit, showing that they want to send specific messages. After all, the American President's meetings with foreign leaders are always a barometer of bilateral relations. Especially when Mitsotaki's visit is connected with a speech at a solemn session in the Congress.
In view of his visit to Washington, the Prime Minister of Greece had a meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus yesterday. Nikos Anastasiadis was in Athens to address the New Democracy conference. During the meeting, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikos Anastasiadis discussed the full range of issues of concern to both countries at both regional and European level. Welcoming the Cypriot President, the Greek Prime Minister stated that their meeting coincides with a very interesting circumstance, his trip to the USA. & Nbsp;
After the meeting, President Anastasiadis stated that they discussed Mitsotakis's travels to Washington. According to N. Anastasiadis, the dangers of expansionist aspirations and hostile actions are something that will occupy the talks of the Prime Minister of Greece with the American President. He also said that the Cyprus issue will be one of the issues that will be raised by the Greek side during the contacts in the American capital. & Nbsp;
Energy and Ukrainian & nbsp;
< p> Energy, Ukraine and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean were at the center of the discussion between the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis and the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. & nbsp;
Welcoming Mr. Anastasiadis, the Greek Prime Minister stressed that it is an opportunity to discuss issues of coordination between Greece and Cyprus “at a time when, unfortunately, the expansionist revision has appeared on our continent.”
“We will also discuss “Prospects for cooperation in the field of energy as I will have the opportunity to inform you about my upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and the arrival of the successor of Saudi Arabia to Greece in the near future,” he said. “Greece and Cyprus are fully aligned, fighting for peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Mitsotakis concluded.
Nuland is disappointed, says Kasoulidis & nbsp;
In his statements to RIK, the Foreign Minister also referred to Victoria Nuland's recent trip to Cyprus. Ioannis Kasoulidis said he was disappointed with the visit of the US Deputy Secretary of State for the fact that Victoria Nuland unreservedly accepted the Turkish position that nothing would be discussed in the Cyprus issue before the Turkish presidential elections in May 2023. > Foreign Minister I. Kasoulidis, in relation to the Cyprus issue, stressed that he insists on promoting the package of confidence-building measures and that is why he had contacts with Turkish Cypriot politicians. Regarding the MOE, I. Kasoulidis said that the letter of President Anastasiadis to Ersin Tatar is ready but has not been sent yet. & Nbsp; The letter, said Mr. Kasoulidis, will include the position of President Anastasiadis to continue the process in the Cyprus issue from where we stayed in Crans Montana.
