Cypriot FM to meet US Secretary of State on Tuesday
Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides will meet on Tuesday with his US counterpart John Kerry, at the State Department.
Kasoulides arrives in the US on Monday. His meeting with Kerry takes place at 0900 hours local time (1300 GMT).
Diplomatic sources say the two men will discuss current developments in the UN – led process for the reunification of Cyprus, divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, including confidence building measures and the return of the fenced – off part of the occupied city of Famagusta known as Varosha.
Since the Turkish invasion Varosha remains uninhabited. The UN consider Turkey responsible for Varosha and have called for its return to its lawful inhabitants.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, engaged in peace talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, has proposed the return of the city as a confidence building measure to restore trust between the island`s two communities.
Kerry and Kasoulides will also discuss bilateral relations, energy and regional matters, including the situation in the Ukraine.
In the evening of the same day Kasoulides will address an event in the framework of the annual conference of the American Jewish Committee.
Singapore`s Foreign Minister K Hanmugam and Israel`s International Relations and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz will also address the same event.
On Wednesday, Kasoulides will address an Atlantic Council round table meeting.
During his visit in Washington the Cypriot Foreign Minister is expected to meet with Congress officials as well as with the leaders of the Greek American community, while a meeting with the National Security Advisor William Burns.
On Thursday he departs for Chicago where he is scheduled to speak at a think tank.
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