Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis concludes Wednesday her three – day working visit to Washington.
According to her visit programme, Markoullis is expected to address today the European Institute to talk about «Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean: A Cypriot Perspective».
In the afternoon, she will brief journalists, at the National Press Club, on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, Cyprus` presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2012, as well as on prospects as regards exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Yesterday, Markoullis held a meeting with her US counterpart Hillary Clinton.
The Cyprus problem, Cyprus` EU presidency during the second half of 2012, Turkish threats against the Republic of Cyprus due to explorations for hydrocarbons in its exclusive economic zone, and regional issue, were discussed during the meeting.
Markoullis said she highlighted the strategic role of Cyprus, especially new prospects for exploiting natural gas, towards cooperation with neighbouring countries, to promote peace and prosperity across the whole region.
She also thanked Clinton for the stance of principle the US administration has maintained regarding Cyprus` sovereign rights, in relation to explorations for natural gas in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone.
Regarding the Cyprus problem, Markoullis briefed Clinton on the course of negotiations for a settlement and the difficulties arising due to the Turkish stance, calling on the US to exert influence on Turkey.
According to a US official, Clinton conveyed to the Cypriot Minister “our continued support for the Cypriot-led, Cypriot-owned process, under the auspices of the UN Good Offices mission led by Special Adviser Alexander Downer, to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation.“
The US State Department spokesperson said Clinton “encouraged all parties to intensify their work on behalf of peace and progress.“
“Secretary Clinton also congratulated the Foreign Minister on her appointment, and discussed the important international leadership role Cyprus will assume in 2012 with the European Union Presidency,“ the spokesperson added.
Moreover, yesterday, the Cypriot FM addressed the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars think tank on «Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean: Strategic location, strategic opportunities.”
On Monday, Markoullis held meetings with Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Howard Berman, who is the Ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
She also had a working lunch with leaders of the Greek American community, whom she briefed on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.
Markoullis visited the offices of the Greek American Institute and held a meeting with the leadership of the American Jewish lobby while in the evening she attended a dinner with members of Congress and their associates.
Cyprus, which has been divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974, will assume the six monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2012.
Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.
Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.
The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.
Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.
