President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades expressed complete satisfaction with the result of his meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden in New York on Friday.
The meeting lasted for an hour and began with a twenty-minute tete-a-tete between Anastasiades and Biden and continued with the participation of delegations from the two countries.
On the agenda were the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, Cyprus` enhanced role in the region and the protection of its sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
In statements to the press, the Cypriot President appeared completely satisfied because as he said the uniqueness of Cyprus` traditional relations with other countries, is being recognized.
He said, the Vice President of the US briefed him on the meeting the latter held Thursday with Turkish President Tayip Erdogan with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem. “He (Biden) insists that if things move in the right direction, Turkey should have a principle role” in the Cyprus procedure.
Asked if the US Vice President and the US Secretary of State John Kerry share the same views on the Cyprus issue, Anastasiades said that this is what he established during the separate meetings he held with the two American officials. “Therefore there is no issue of different interpretations or policies”, he remarked.
The Cypriot President told the press that he expects a “more active involvement” from the US and if there are obstacles or interventions from the Turkish side, it will be urged to comply with the Joint Communiqué and the fundamental values and principles of the EU, creating a state that will be equal with the EU and a solution that will address the concerns of both sides.
According to diplomatic sources, Biden conveyed to Anastasiades the Turkish President`s pledge that Ankara wants a solution to the Cyprus problem and will contribute towards this, however Erdogan pointed out that issues concerning the negotiations are being handled by his associates.
The same source said that Biden praised the “substantial and strategic role” of Cyprus, noting it is the “only country” in the region which the US can work with on “vital areas”.