President Christodoulides is due to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House just before noon Washington time in what is being described as a historic meeting.
The invitation from Biden and the White House’s announcement, made hours before the meeting, send specific messages regarding both the content of their Oval Office discussions and the Cyprus issue.
The Biden-Christodoulides meeting is scheduled for 11:30 local time (17:30 Cyprus time). The leaders will address a broad agenda covering bilateral relations, regional and international issues.
The Cyprus problem will be central to discussions, with the American side pre-emptively signalling its support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots.
Twelve hours before the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced President Christodoulides’s visit: “On October 30, President Joseph R. Biden will host the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, for a bilateral meeting at the White House.”
“Building on the successful inaugural US-Cyprus Strategic Dialogue launched on October 23, the leaders will discuss various global issues, including energy security and cooperation, developments in the Middle East, and continued strong support for Ukraine defending against Russian aggression. Marking 50 years since the island’s division, President Biden will reaffirm US support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots.”
The announcement’s timing, made on Turkey’s national day, has drawn attention in diplomatic circles.
Before departing, Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the meeting would cover recent developments in the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, and the Middle East situation, “including Cyprus’s role in providing humanitarian aid during the region’s enormous crisis.”
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, responding to critics who attempted to downplay the meeting’s significance, noted this was the first such White House meeting between US and Cypriot presidents since 1996, whilst Turkish President Erdogan has not visited the White House since 2019.
The Cypriot delegation includes Foreign Minister Kombos, Government Spokesman Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Foreign Ministry Political Director Salina Shambos, and Presidential Diplomatic Office Director Doros Venezis, among other officials.
