Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides concluded on Thursday his visit to Washington and departs for Chicago, where today he will address a think tank and hold contacts with members of the Greek American Community.
Earlier yesterday , Kasoulides met for about an hour at the White House with US Vice President Joe Biden`s national security adviser Jake Sullivan. He was also expected to meet with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez and other members of the Committee.
Apart from the overall developments in the Cyprus problem, the main issue of the meeting between the two men was expected to be Vice President Biden`s visit to Cyprus, scheduled for next week.
Assurances have been given that Biden`s meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglou in the Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus will not take place at Eroglou`s office nor will there be any symbols of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime he represents, which no state but Turkey recognises.
Archbishop Demetrios of America has sent a letter to Vice President Biden conveying to him the feelings of Greek Americans with regard to his visit to the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, urging him not to destroy his 40 years of close ties with the Greek-American community.
Meanwhile, according to CNA sources, there are still difference on a joint communique, said to be related to the visit, with the Turkish Cypriot side setting out new conditions. The Turkish Cypriot side wants to agree and ratify the list of experts who will be entering the fenced off area of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha.
The same sources believe that the main purpose of Biden`s visit to Cyprus is reflected in the list of names of people who will accompany him. Energy matters seem to top the bill.
Wednesday the Minister of Foreign Affairs gave a speech, behind closed doors, at the Atlantic Council in Washington, to a small and selected audience. Kasoulides, it is understood, referred to the importance of Cyprus` accession to Euro-Atlantic defense institutions, such as the Partnership for Peace and NATO.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and since then occupies 37% of this EU country`s territory. UN-backed talks are underway with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof. The Republic of Cyprus became a full EU member state in May 2004.