The State Department recognizes the right of the Republic of Cyprus to explore for natural resources in its exclusive economic zone, including with the assistance of US companies, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has said Monday.

She added that “we look forward to both sides benefiting from shared resources in the context of an overall agreement“.

Speaking at a dinner organized by the American-Turkish Council in Washington, focusing on bilateral relations, Clinton said that all parties agree on the fundamental goal of achieving a lasting settlement on the island that results in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

“The United States supports the UN’s mediation on the Cyprus issue, and we believe that public rhetoric on all sides must be kept to a minimum to give the parties space needed to achieve a solution“, she noted.