The deepening of the Cyprus-US partnership, developments in the Middle East, and the priorities of Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the EU Council dominated meetings held by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos in Washington on Tuesday.
According to posts on X, Kombos met senior members of the US Senate and took part in discussions hosted by the Arab Gulf State Institute and the Delphi Economic Forum.
Meetings with US Senate leaders
Kombos met Senator Jerry Moran, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. He said they discussed strengthening the Cyprus-US partnership, shared transatlantic priorities, and the importance of strong bipartisan engagement on Cyprus within the US Congress.
He also met Senator Roger Wicker, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In a post on X, Kombos expressed appreciation for “the strong bipartisan support of Congress for Cyprus as a strategic partner of the United States”, as well as for initiatives that promote security, regional stability, and transatlantic cooperation.
Focus on Middle East and EU Presidency
During meetings with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, the two sides reaffirmed strong bilateral cooperation. They exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and the wider region and discussed ways to advance transatlantic relations during Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Kombos also met Brian Mast, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with discussions focusing on the Middle East, the strategic Cyprus-US partnership, and efforts to strengthen regional peace and stability.
Talks with India and global forums
The Foreign Minister also held a brief meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. In a post on X, Kombos congratulated him on the US-India trade agreement and the EU-India free trade agreement, describing them as “remarkable achievements and effective diplomacy”.
Kombos took part in a discussion organised by the Arab Gulf State Institute, focusing on Cyprus’s relationship with the Middle East, transatlantic ties, and EU Council priorities. He also participated in a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute on “Bridging the Middle East and Europe during Cyprus’s EU Presidency”, as well as a Delphi Economic Forum roundtable on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the emerging geoeconomic order.
Strengthening ties with Congress
In a statement marking the conclusion of his visit, Kombos described his contacts with members of the US Congress as particularly important in efforts to strengthen relations with the United States.
In a recorded statement, he referred to meetings with the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy. He noted that this was his second visit to Washington to meet congressional leaders, calling it “especially significant for strengthening Cyprus-US relations”.
Kombos added that he spoke at events organised by several think tanks, including those focusing on cooperation with Gulf countries. “We are operating in a very difficult geostrategic and geopolitical environment,” he said, stressing that Cyprus, as a reliable partner of the US and as the upcoming holder of the EU Council Presidency, will continue efforts to contribute to resolving issues that directly and profoundly affect the country.
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