Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, sent on Wednesday from Mont-Pelerin, Switzerland, a congratulatory message to the newly elected USA President Donald Trump, noting that as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, the United States plays a pivotal role is assisting  efforts towards ending Turkey’s military occupation and reunifying Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots.

In his message the President expressed his most sincere congratulations to Trump on his election as US President.

“Under your leadership, the Republic of Cyprus looks forward to deepening its strategic partnership with the United States.  I look forward to working with you to practically enhance our already significant bilateral cooperation from the field of energy, to that of commerce and investments, as well as security, including in the area of counter-terrorism,” he added.

“The Cyprus-led and Cyprus-owned negotiations to reunify Cyprus are taking place in an even more intensified format.  As a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, the United States plays a pivotal role is assisting our efforts towards ending Turkey’s military occupation and reunifying Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots,” he noted.

“Please accept, your Excellency, my wishes for a most successful and productive term in Office, along with the assurances of my highest consideration,” Anastasiades concluded.

Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci began on Monday in Mont-Pelerin intensive negotiations on the territory issue and all other outstanding issues interdependently. The talks in Switzerland are scheduled to conclude on November 11.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led negotiations since May last year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.