President Nicos Anastasiades, continued his visit to the United States, where he and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci agreed on Sunday to resume UN-coordinated talks later this month, and met with ExxonMobil’s CEO Darren Woods in Washington DC, with whom he discussed the oil major’s exploration programme within the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone.
Anastasiades, accompanied by Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides, was briefed on the company’s plans, following the announcement by French Total, that it will proceed with exploration in its own offshore gasfields later this year and early in 2018.
Turkey, that has tried to disrupt exploration plans by ExxonMobil, Total, ENI and Qatar Petroleum, has been conducting surveys of its own, as it claims that part of the Cyprus EEZ legitimately falls within Turkish waters.
Anastasiades took advantage of his visit to New York and Washington to meet with UN Secretary General Antonio Gutieres, to drive home the message that Cyprus maintains sovereignty over the EEZ and any exploration, with future earnings prospects, should e discussed with the Turkish Cypriots within a comprehensive solution.
The Cypriot president attended the opening ceremony of the PSEKA Conference in Washington, having earlier met with the Israeli Minister of Public Security Gilard Erdan. Apart from bilateral relations and regional issues, Anastasiades and Erdan also discussed the upcoming tripartite meeting of the leaders of Cyprus, Greece and Israel to be held in Thessaloniki on June 15.
On Wednesday, Anastasiades will visit the German Marshall Fund, where he will speak on "The Eastern Mediterranean: Challenges, Opportunities and the Path ahead".
In the afternoon he will address the PSEKA Conference, during which he will be honoured with the Barbed Wire Award.
Anastasiades will visit the White House on Thursday to meet US Vice President Mike Pence and in the afternoon he will attend a reception hosted by the Embassy of Cyprus in Washington and ExxonMobil. On Friday, prior to his departure, he will receive AIPAC Executive Director Howard Kor.
During a speech he gave at the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Global Forum in Washington, President Anastasiades said that geostrategic cooperation can serve as a perfect incentive for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, 43 years after the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation of 37% of the island’s territory.
At the same time, he expressed the hope that Turkey, a country that aspires to be recognised as a regional leader, will rise to the occasion and contribute tangibly to the Cyprus peace process, saying that this is pivotal if we are to have a successful outcome, especially on the vital chapters of security and guarantees.
“I truly believe that our vision for a reunited Cyprus can be fulfilled, if all stakeholders demonstrate the same degree of commitment”, the President pointed out.
He evoted most of his speech to his vision for cooperation, peace and security in the region, close cooperation between Cyprus and Israel, as well as the trilateral partnerships that promote Cyprus and Greece with neighbouring countries.
He referred to the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism in the region and strongly condemned anti-semitism, attempts to boycott Israel, highlighting the great role that Cyprus could play for Israel and the Middle East as a member of the EU.
He spoke about the close ties of the Republic of Cyprus with Israel in all areas and stressed particularly the sector of energy and the prospects it creates for growth, prosperity, peace and stability in the region.
“We consider that the involvement of American and other energy giants is indicative of the immense potential of our region in the field of energy. It also adds an important parameter to our bilateral relations with the United States. We have in fact actively encouraged cooperation with American companies; Noble Energy has made the first discovery of natural gas in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone and Exxon Mobil (with Qatar Petroleum) now have an exploration license and a production sharing contract” he said.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, the President said that a viable solution to the Cyprus problem would reinforce the island’s bridging capacity and serve as an example of bringing about peace and stability in the region.
“This would certainly serve the interests of our key neighbouring partners such as Israel, as well as Jordan and Egypt. It is for this reason that efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement that will reunify Cyprus and its people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, has been at the top of my agenda”, he added.
“The United States, recognizing the benefits for Cyprus but also for the region of the eastern Mediterranean, and indeed the West, has been an active supporter of our efforts to achieve a reunified, viable state, through a solution that will amplify Cyprus’s role as a strategic partner”, said President Anastasiades, pointing out that he looks to the new US administration and counts on the AJC’s continued support in this regard.
Referring to Sunday’s dinner with Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, he said that he has accepted the invitation of the UN Secretary-General to help overcome the challenges in the reunification negotiations and take the process forward.
“We expect Turkey to deliver on its verbal commitments, and to contribute tangibly to the process – this is key to have a successful outcome, especially on the vital chapters of security and guarantees. I truly believe that our vision for a reunited Cyprus can be fulfilled, if all stakeholders demonstrate the same degree of commitment”, he said.
Also in the US was Averof Neophytou, the President of the ruling Democratic Rally (DISY), who met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury, Clay Berry, and discussed issues related to the economy, banking, the role of US in the World Bank and the IMF.
Neophytou also met with Nick Larigakis, President of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and with the Director of International Relations of the AIPAC Jewish Lobby.
