Nicosia's U.S. Ambassador Koenig Addresses PSEKA

This was confirmed by U.S. Ambassador John M. Koenig, who is posted in Nicosia. Ambassador Koenig stated at the current 25th conference of the Central Council of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), "relations between the U.S. and Cyprus have never been stronger than they are today and the relationship continues to deepen in a wide variety of ways", as reported by Parikiaki.

The American Ambassador discussed Vice President Joe Biden's recent visit to the nation, "the tip of the iceberg in terms of our intensified relationship with the Republic of Cyprus". He added of the United States Secretary of State, "Secretary of State John Kerry has made it clear that he wants to visit Cyprus at the appropriate time, and I think that will be soon and we look forward to taking advantage of that visit not only to have him engage with the Cypriots but also to advance the agenda for a Cyprus solution and our bilateral relationship".

Ambassador Koenig also referenced travels to the nation's capital by Cypriot Delegates, and Cypriot President Anastasiades' acts towards aligning the nation's foreign policy with the West. He stated of the adjustment, "Without that decision, this new strategic partnership would not be possible".

The United States Diplomat also discussed energy efforts, "we have seen a number of US companies set up shop in Cyprus in the past year, to position themselves to support the growing energy economy on the island and the region while their have been major investments in banking and tourism. These investments are a vote of confidence by American investors in the Cyprus economy and a statement of the clear belief that Cyprus has turned the corner economically and is becoming increasingly important economic partner for the US".

In his conclusion he declared, "the U.S. commitment to help Cypriots find a solution to the Cyprus problem pre-dates by several decades the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean. While it is clearly U.S. policy to promote diverse, secure and affordable sources of energy, those who suggest that this heightened American interest in Cyprus is all about oil and gas misread history and fail to see the larger picture. The U.S. has always sought closer relations with Cyprus and welcomes Cyprus' new openness to working with us".