Cyprus will use its upcoming European Union presidency to strengthen dialogue between the EU and the United States, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.
The meeting at the State Department marked Kombos’s second visit in 17 months, a frequency the Cypriot side noted with particular satisfaction. Kombos said the relationship between Cyprus and the United States has “stability, consistency and continuity”.
The two ministers covered a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including Gaza and Syria, according to Kombos. On bilateral matters, they discussed progress in the strategic dialogue, the possibility of an interim progress assessment, and technical-level discussions on Middle East issues.
Kombos said they also raised the prospect of a 3+1 leaders’ summit involving Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the US, with Rubio representing the American side.
The ministers discussed energy cooperation, given the presence of US companies in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone and in Greek waters more broadly.
On Gaza, the two foreign ministers discussed how the Republic of Cyprus could contribute to the Trump administration’s plan. Kombos said Cyprus has proven it can complement US efforts in humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
They also discussed Syria, focusing on how to support system stability and the shared interest in protecting minorities, particularly Christians in Syria, according to the Cypriot foreign minister.
Kombos said the relationship with the US is “a compass in our foreign policy”, and both sides share a view on working more intensively to advance and deepen the relationship further.
The ministers also discussed the Cyprus issue. Kombos said Rubio is familiar with the matter from his previous role and reaffirmed the US position on the basis for a solution and the need for progress.
He added that stability in the region is particularly important to the American side, as developments in Cyprus affect broader US planning.
“It’s a particularly encouraging conclusion to our discussion, because the US is a permanent member of the Security Council,” Kombos said.
Washington showed interest in Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency, raising specific questions about issues concerning the US, including investments, defence, and protection of technology giants headquartered in the US.
The Americans also mentioned regulatory frameworks applied by the EU, according to Kombos.
“Cyprus as a small country holding the presidency, sees this as an opportunity to try to strengthen dialogue and discussion between the EU and US, which we believe is not at the level it could be at the moment,” Kombos said.
“From our side, there is this will. It’s particularly important that from the American side too, areas of interest are being identified where US-EU interests can converge, provided there is the possibility for dialogue, negotiation and discussion”.
According to a foreign ministry statement, the 35-40 minute meeting confirmed “the excellent level and strategic nature of Cyprus-US relations”.
The ministers discussed bilateral relations and further deepening cooperation on defence and security matters, including Cyprus’s access to US defence programmes for acquiring military equipment and training.
They also discussed energy cooperation to advance Cyprus’s energy programme with the substantial contribution of US energy companies operating in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone, the statement said.
The ministers exchanged views on next steps for the 3+1 cooperation format in the Eastern Mediterranean, including through the recent 3+1 meeting to advance critical economic and energy connectivity projects for prosperity.
The statement noted the need to strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure, including advancing connectivity projects between like-minded partners in the Eastern Mediterranean to promote stability and prosperity.
On the Cyprus issue, Kombos emphasised his side’s will and commitment to achieving a bizonal, bicommunal federation solution with political equality, as provided for in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Rubio repeated US support for achieving a Cyprus solution within the UN framework, the statement said.
