Yiannis Ioannou
Cyprus’ growing importance in the Eastern Mediterranean was highlighted by U.S. Ambassador Julie Fisher and the UK’s new High Commissioner Michael Tatham during the 20th Economist magazine conference in Cyprus on Thursday. Both acknowledged the role that Cyprus plays in the region at a time of intense conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine and the role that Cyprus is now claiming in Resevac-type missions to evacuate foreign nationals from areas of crisis and conflict.
Good London-Nicosia relations
Asked about the UK's relations with Cyprus, Mr. Tatham referred to "a very good and productive meeting" with President Nicos Christodoulides last month in London. He noted that the UK "highly values" Cyprus' role in the region. Asked about the UK's role in the Cyprus problem, the High Commissioner said his country "has a role in the Cyprus problem" as a guarantor power, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and as a penholder for Cyprus within the UNSC. He said London's approach to the Cyprus problem is that it is "looking ahead", adding that the problem "remains unresolved for a long time". Mr Tatham said the UK supported UN diplomacy and looked forward to what would follow the New York meeting. It will be recalled that the new UK High Commissioner to Cyprus took office five days ago.
Honors from Fisher
Fisher referred to "a huge positive momentum" in Cyprus-US relations and said she looked forward to this continuing after January 20, in light of the paradigm shift in the US following the election of Donald Trump. The US Ambassador referred to Cyprus' contribution 18 months ago regarding the evacuation of civilians from Sudan through Cyprus and Cyprus-US cooperation on crisis planning. Fisher said the US continues to work every day on the issues facing the region due to the crisis and that "Cyprus is an essential part." She also referred to the "incredible commitment" of President Christodoulides and his team. Referring to President Christodoulides' meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House, and noting that it was the first time a Cypriot President had been in the Oval Office in 28 years, she said that Biden expressed his gratitude to Cyprus for its contribution to sending humanitarian aid to Gaza - through the Amalthea initiative.
Mari is moving forward
In another development, the upgrade of the naval base "Evangelos Florakis" at Mari is moving ahead at a rapid pace with an ongoing helipad construction project by the US Navy's Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 - the well-known "Navy engineer" unit, Seabees. The existence of a heliport at Mari that will serve the NF and forces of friendly countries is purely linked to the role the RS could play in Resevac-type humanitarian operations to evacuate EU and third country nationals from crisis areas in the Middle East.
Amazing progress is underway at the CY Navy Base at Mari on the heliport project. US Seabees - our storied military construction team from @USNavyEurope - are doing critical work with @NationalGuardCY to be prepared to support civilians in crisis. pic.twitter.com/Hb4Aou6afq
— Julie Davis (Fisher) (@USAmbCy) November 20, 2024
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
