Cypriot President Anastasiades Officially Welcomes Biden

The American leader arrived yesterday afternoon. This marks the first time an U.S. Vice President has traveled to the island in 52 years, since Lyndon B. Johnson. Cyprus and the United States view this official trip as significantly important, regarding the nations' growing bilateral ties.

Dialogues between Cypriot leaders and Vice President Biden will focus on energy advancements, island division, Ukrainian turmoil and bilateral issues. During his touchdown at Larnaka Airport yesterday, the U.S. premiere stated: "I wanted to come to primarily underscore the value the U.S. attaches to our growing cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus. This relationship is now a genuine strategic partnership. And it holds even greater promise", as reported by Parikiaki.

Upon Biden's arrival at the Cypriot Presidential Palace, both national anthems played. Vice President Biden placed a wreath at the Statue of the nation's first President Achbishop Makarios III. Currently, the two premiers are holding discussions.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister of Finance Harris Georgiades, Minister of Energy Giorgos Lakkotrypis, Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides, Deputy Minister to the President Konstantinos Petrides, and the Cypriot Ambassador in Washington, D.C. will conduct meetings with the American Vice President.

The U.S. administration that is participating in sessions held by both nations, is made up of Nicosia's U.S. Ambassador, Biden's adviser for National Security Issues Jake Sullivan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State Amos Hochstein, an U.S. President's office official, and an U.S. State Department representative.

An official lunch is scheduled today that includes President Anastasiades, the Cypriot Archbishop, former Cypriot Presidents and House of Representatives members, political party delegates, the island's Attorney General and Cabinet members.