American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis said on Thursday that the Institute always underlines during his meetings with US officials that their country needs to exert pressure on Turkey for its attitude on the Cyprus problem, pointing out that the biggest problem in efforts to solve the issue of Cyprus is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s behaviour.
Heading an AHI delegation, Larigakis was received today by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, who briefed them on the ongoing UN-led negotiations aiming to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
“We are here in Cyprus to be informed by the President and other people we are going to meet about the current discussions with Mr. Akinci (the Turkish Cypriot leader) and discuss how we can help to achieve a settlement,” Larigakis told the media after the meeting at the Presidential Palace.
Furthermore, he underlined that the Cyprus problem is the primary issue which AHI is putting forward in the US.
Replying to a question about the negotiations on Cyprus, Larigakis said they did not hear anything different from President Anastasiades than what they had heard during a briefing by Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Amanta Sloat, in the State Department, last week.
“Of course there are reservations. We all know that the biggest problem is Erdogan`s behaviour and his attitude towards a settlement. What we have been underlining in the US is that when Erdogan or Turkey act negatively, the US should underline that this is not helpful”, so that discussions move forward and the Cyprus problem is solved, in order for Cyprus to be reunited and secure, he added.
He noted that they also stress to US officials that this is the only way that Cyprus can fully play its important geostrategic role in the broader region, as has been determined by US Vice President Joe Biden during his visit to the island. Furthermore, Larigakis stressed it was unacceptable that in 2016 NATO troops still occupy the territory of an EU member state.
Responding to another question, Larigakis reiterated that the US must exert pressure on Turkey with a view to give an impetus to the discussions underway on the Cyprus problem.
To a question about the presidential elections in the US, Larigakis said that AHI has reached out to candidates Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump asking them to make policy statements on Greek Americans national issues.
“We are in contact with them and we inform them on our national issues, doing our best to promote relations among the US, Cyprus and Greece,” he added.
Furthermore, Larigakis stressed the importance of the alliance among Israel, Cyprus and Greece for the US interests in the broader region.