The Cyprus issue, Turkey`s activities in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone and bilateral relations were discussed during a series of meetings the Permanent Secretary of Cyprus` Foreign Ministry Alexandros Zenon had on Thursday at the US State Department.

According to a Foreign Ministry announcement, Zenon met with Thomas Shannon, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and John Heffern, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

The Permanent Secretary continues on Friday his two-day working visit to Washington and is expected to meet today with senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and the National Security Council. Talks are expected to centre on cooperation matters in countering asymmetric threats and terrorism.

On Thursday, Zenon briefed Shannon and Heffern on ongoing settlement talks in Cyprus and Turkey`s actions in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus. They also took stock of Cyprus-US bilateral relations and talked about ways of enhancing cooperation, particularly in areas that promote security in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The Permanent Secretary also met with members of Congress Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – FL), Ted Deutch (D – FL) και Gus Bilirakis (R – FL) and discussed developments in Cyprus and the wider region. US Congress members expressed apprehension over Turkey`s provocative actions, the announcement says.