US, Cyprus embark on strategic dialogue that officials say demonstrates closest-ever ties

By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS
Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus-U.S. relations have reached their highest level yet after the two countries embarked on a strategic dialogue on key issues including defense, security, energy, crisis management and the fight against terrorism, officials say. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the development as a “powerful evidence of the strengthening, deepening (and) broadening of the relationship between our countries acting together in so many areas.” His Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, called the dialogue a hallmark for the east Mediterranean island nation’s closest-ever ties with the U.S. in a tumultuous region where Cyprus can be relied on as a credible partner. “The message is very simple. Cyprus is part of the solution. Cyprus is part of the answer,” Kombos said.