36 - Insert CyprusTitle and Here its Surroundings Its
Appendix Appendix A: Our suggested statement for the Biden Administration regarding the U.S.-Republic of Cyprus strategic partnership, outlining the main contours of the U.S. Cyprus strategy articulated in this report.
Office of the Press Secretary [To be released after or during a senior level (Assistant Secretary or above) meeting between the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Cyprus.] Statement by the President on Encouraging Conflict Resolution in Cyprus The United States supports the return to settlement talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities under the bizonal, bicommunal federal framework. The United States stands ready to assist our Cypriot friends to settle a conflict that has divided both communities for over five decades. We call on the leaders of both communities to de-escalate tensions and return to productive talks. President Biden has long supported settlement talks among the two parties, commending both communities for their historic progress towards settlement on one of his last calls with foreign leaders as Vice President in 2017. We continue to recognize the strategic importance of Cyprus and its many decades as a strong U.S. partner in the region. As the United States seeks to expand cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus on a range of issues including trade, investment, and security cooperation, we are deeply concerned about the malign influence of Russia and other foreign powers in the Eastern Mediterranean region. We are also concerned about intensifying hostilities in the region. The United States strongly condemns Turkey’s provocative behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean. We call on Turkey to respect international norms and laws regarding maritime boundaries and natural resource development. The United States calls on the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to restart talks on a comprehensive and fair settlement for the benefit of all Cypriots and for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
