Joint Statement on the First Strategic Dialogue Between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America Media Note October 23, 2024

Joint Statement on the First Strategic Dialogue Between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America

Media Note

October 23, 2024

The following text was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Cyprus on the occasion of the first Republic of Cyprus – United States Strategic Dialogue: 

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The governments of the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America launched a Strategic Dialogue in Nicosia on October 23, 2024, with the attendance of high-level representatives from both governments.  The launch of this Strategic Dialogue is an important milestone in the relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States and reaffirms their growing strategic partnership and intention to advance shared priorities that build a secure, safe, peaceful, and more prosperous future.  The Strategic Dialogue reflects the shared resolve of the Republic of Cyprus and the United States to enhance bilateral and regional security, foster economic innovation and prosperity, and uphold shared democratic values and respect for international law.  This bilateral mechanism is also a platform to advance practical cooperation in areas including crisis management and law enforcement, energy security, culture, education, innovation and technology, trade and investment, and people-to people ties.

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States reaffirmed their will to continue and enhance cooperation in the following areas:

International and Regional Cooperation

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States renewed their commitment to promoting stability, peace, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and in Europe, particularly in the wake of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

The two governments discussed the importance of continuing support for Ukraine and reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.  They acknowledged the need to continue taking competitive steps to defend an international order that reflects shared American and Cypriot interests and values.  They expressed their full support for ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, and the need to create space for a diplomatic solution along the Israel-Lebanon border, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.  The United States commended the Republic of Cyprus’ leadership for the Cyprus Maritime Corridor (Amalthea Plan) for the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to Gaza.  Furthermore, both countries expressed support, without further delay, for an immediate and durable ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the provision of full, secure, and unimpeded humanitarian aid at scale to Gaza.

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States expressed their commitment to the resumption of Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Question within the agreed UN framework and in full respect of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that call for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by the relevant UNSC Resolutions.

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States unequivocally stand for the maintenance of peace and stability across the Eastern Mediterranean. Both sides believe the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and protected, and encourage all states to resolve maritime delimitation issues peacefully in accordance with international law.

The United States congratulated the Republic of Cyprus for its election to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations for the period 2025-2027 and both sides planned on further enhancement of their cooperation in the UN framework and other multilateral fora.  The two countries underscored the severe environmental consequences posed by the climate crisis and planned to strengthen cooperation in this field.

Security, Crisis Management and Law Enforcement

The two delegations highlighted their growing security cooperation following the signing of the Statement of Intent in 2018.  They recognized the importance of the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS) Training Center in Larnaca, which has trained hundreds of officials from the ROC and over 20 countries in border security, the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cybersecurity, maritime security, and more.  The two sides intend to continue working together for the expansion of the Center’s facilities, activities, and capabilities.

The United States welcomed the Republic of Cyprus’ progress in law enforcement collaboration by announcing several of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) capacity building partnerships, such as the new Nicosia-based Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) program and financial crimes trainings by the Internal Revenue Service.  The United States joined the Republic of Cyprus in celebrating its membership in INL’s International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and committed U.S. funding to support Cypriot participation in the coming year.

The Republic of Cyprus thanked the United States government for the support provided by INL, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024, to counter illicit finance and sanctions evasion.  Both countries plan to continue joint efforts that build capacity to counter money laundering, sanctions evasion, organized crime, narcotics smuggling, and human trafficking.  The two delegations intend to continue working together to implement the bilateral, Automated Targeting System – Global Agreement, signed on June 17, 2024.  The United States also underlined its support to the Republic of Cyprus’ efforts to counter new and emerging cyber and disinformation threats.

Both countries reaffirmed the significance of deepening their security and defense partnership in line with objectives under the Republic of Cyprus-United States Roadmap for Bilateral Defense Cooperation 2024-2029, signed on September 9, 2024, to enhance cooperation on humanitarian disasters, international military education and joint training exercises, exchanges of information, interoperability, joint recovery operations, and enhancing capabilities.

The United States praised the Republic of Cyprus for its important role and continued leadership in crisis management and for supporting citizens in crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean by offering its ports, airports, and facilities for the safe evacuation of civilians via the Republic of Cyprus.  The countries also discussed ways to enhance collaboration related to Cyprus’ national evacuation plan ”Estia” for the reception and repatriation of citizens of third countries during an armed conflict as well as emergency planning for natural and human-made disasters, including wildfire readiness. Both affirmed the need to find sustainable solutions to tackle migration and refugee flows affecting both Europe and the United States.

Education, Culture and People-to-People Ties

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the deep and enduring ties between the people of both nations.  Both sides reiterated the importance of enhancing bilateral tourism flows.  The United States recognized the key importance of tourism for the economy of the Republic of Cyprus.  The United States welcomed the great progress made by the government of the Republic of Cyprus toward eligibility for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and reiterated its strong support for Cyprus fully meeting the requirements for eligibility for the Program the soonest possible, bringing important security and economic benefits to our partnership.  The Republic of Cyprus also underlined the importance of improving air connectivity to maintain and enhance tourism flows, including from the United States.

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States reiterated their shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities and cultural exchanges.  The United States welcomed Cypriots into the Community College Initiative Program, through which students develop technical skills that respond to emerging labor market demands in fields such as applied engineering, information technology, and sustainable agriculture.  The Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus announced readiness to partner with the U.S. government and sign an MoU with the U.S.-based Institute of International Education for the Fulbright Student English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program.  The Republic of Cyprus and the United States reaffirmed commitments to the protection of cultural heritage through the implementation of the bilateral 2022 Agreement Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of the Republic of Cyprus and highlighted opportunities to share best practices in cultural preservation.  The Republic of Cyprus announced endorsement of the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, which aim to provide a measure of justice to Holocaust survivors.

Energy, Trade, Technology, and Space Affairs

On energy, both countries emphasized the shared goal of greater regional interconnectivity and to end the Republic of Cyprus’ energy isolation through the development of natural gas resources and electricity interconnections, such as the Great Sea Interconnector.  The two sides highlighted the presence of U.S. energy companies in the Republic of Cyprus’ energy sector and ongoing efforts, among others, to advance the development of the Aphrodite field.  The Republic of Cyprus and the United States also discussed ways to promote energy cooperation between the two governments.  The two countries intend to continue working steadily together to promote regional cooperation and prosperity, including through the 3+1 format (the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, plus the United States).

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States assessed progress in economic cooperation and highlighted efforts to strengthen commercial ties as well as to attracting private investments.  Both nations acknowledged the importance of the Republic of Cyprus’ efforts to institutionalize a foreign direct investment screening mechanism.  The Republic of Cyprus committed to doing so in compliance with the EU Foreign Direct Investment Regulation (2019/452).

The delegations reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting and deepening cooperation on research, technology, and innovation on the basis of the 2022 Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement.  They discussed an exchange program for capacity building in emerging technologies, opportunities for building AI cloud data centers powered by clean energy, and the establishment of a regional Maritime Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in the Republic of Cyprus.  At the dialogue, the Republic of Cyprus signed onto the Artemis Accords, becoming the 46th country to do so.  Under the Artemis Accords principles, the United States and the Republic of Cyprus affirm their shared commitment to a common vision for the peaceful, sustainable, and transparent exploration and use of space.  Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Dr. Nicodemos Damianou signed the Accords on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus and the United States look forward to charting forward a path together and furthering deepening bilateral cooperation. The Republic of Cyprus and the United States look forward to the next dialogue and follow up sessions to promote progress on specific initiatives.

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