US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday evening touching down at Larnaca airport in Air Force 2 around 6.20pm under tight security.
Biden was met by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and US ambassador to Cyprus John Koenig, and his wife Jill was handed a bouquet of flowers by a young girl in traditional Cypriot dress.
In a short statement at the airport before his departure for Limassol where the US delegation is due to spend the night, Biden spoke of peace always being possible. “The story of 20th century Europe is one in which barriers fell,” he said.
“I wanted to come to primarily underscore the value the United States attaches to our growing cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus. This relationship is now a strategic partnership,” said Biden.
He referred to Cyprus’ cooperation in the removal of chemical weapons from Syria and to its role regional energy security. Biden said the situation in Ukraine would also be discussed. “We have to be resolute and united [on this],” he said.
“An important focus of or conversations will be the settlement process. The United States, and I want to be clear on this, recognises only one legitimate and legal government of Cyprus,” he said, adding that his visit would not change that. “This is the position of the entire world,” said Biden.
He said it was “long past time” Cyprus was united in a bicommunal, bizonal federation and he was, he said, encouraged by the steps taken so far in the current round of talks, and the cross visits to Ankara and Athens by the negotiators of the two sides . After so many rounds of talks and so many years of stalemates, it’s legitimate to ask; why should this time be different?”
“Peace is always possible,” he added.
Biden said it would be up to the Cypriots themselves to reach a solution. He said he would also like to put to rest the rumours that he had “a plan for peace in my back pocket’
On Thursday Biden will begin his contacts with the Cyprus government and is also expected to cross to the north for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
Published by: www.cyprus-mail.com
Video from Famagusta Gazette
