A US Congress has called on President Barack Obama to receive Cyprus President Demetris Christofias at the White House to discuss common interests, including progress in the Cyprus issue.

 “President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to achieving a resolution on Cyprus – a fact that, in and of itself, merits a Presidential-level meeting”, Congressman Howard L. Berman, Ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs notes.

In a letter to Thomas E. Donilon, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs at the White House, Berman said that as a committed supporter of efforts to find a just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus question, “I strongly encourage President Barack Obama to invite President Demetris Christofias of the Republic of Cyprus to the White House for purposes of discussing our nations’ common interests, including progress on the Cyprus issue”.

He said achieving a settlement to the Cyprus question would serve important US objectives in the eastern Mediterranean by eliminating a major source of tension both in the region and within NATO.

Noting that Cyprus and the US enjoy a longstanding close friendship, Berman’s letter notes that a “presidential level meeting would send a strong message to Cyprus and the international community that the US affirms that friendship and remains engaged and committed to finding a just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem”.

Additionally, he said, because Cyprus holds the presidency of the EU, a meeting between the two presidents would provide an opportunity to deepen the partnership between the US and Europe on a wide range of economic, diplomatic and security issues, noting that over the years, US Presidents have frequently met with the leaders of EU presidency nations.

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