The Cyprus issue, the crisis in Ukraine and the situation in Syria have been discussed in a meeting in Nicosia between President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Controls and International Security Rose Gottemoeller.

Speaking after the meeting with President Anastasiades, Gottenmoeller said that she discussed with the President many issues of mutual interest.

“We are of course very interested that good solutions be found here on the basis of the joint statement. I know much work will be done and we are looking forward to the opportunities for finding a solution to the long-running difficulties here in Cyprus. Also I would say that I was very pleased to have the chance to talk about the crisis in Ukraine and the crisis between Russia and Ukraine because here too you see the effect and the necessity of strong international rule of law and strong norms related to sovereignty and territorial integrity so the President and I had a chance to exchange view on that matter as well”, she stated.

Gottenmoeller noted that in another area where norms have played an important role which she discussed with the President is the chemical weapons Convention and the work that is underway in order to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons.

“Here too, Cyprus has played such an important role as a centre for the UN task force that is involved in this work and also for the maritime operation that is protecting the removal process for the chemical weapons from Syria”, she pointed out.