Outgoing US President
Barack Obama and Greek Prime Minister
Alexis Tsipras
sounded an optimistic note over resolving the decades-long Cyprus
issue, which could open new energy corridors in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
Obama told a crowed room at the Greek Prime Minister’s Maximos
Mansion on November 15 that he discussed with the Greek premier Cyprus
where the prospects for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement are
the best that they have been for some time.
“It doesn’t mean that success is guaranteed, but the possibility of
resolving a decades-long conflict is there and we urge the parties to
continue their work, the interests of all Cypriots would be advanced by a
bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, we’re hopeful that a solution that’s
durable, which would create new economic opportunities for all people
across Cypriot is within reach. And it would be a powerful example to
the world what’s possible with diplomacy and compromise,” Obama said in
his opening statement.
Asked by reporters about Turkey’s role, Obama said, “This is
ultimately a negotiation between Cypriots – Turkish Cypriots and Greek
Cypriots. And the good news is that you have two leaders who seem
genuinely committed to finding compromises and an approach that would
serve both their people as one. If in fact you can see a meeting of the
minds between them, then the issue will be can we make sure that all of
us, the international community — Turkey, Greece, the United States —
support that agreement in a way that can be ratified by both sides”.
Obama reminded that US Vice President Joe Biden has been actively
involved in resolving the Cyprus issue. “We are encouraged by the
progress that’s been made. I think there’s a window in the next few
weeks, months, where this issue was actually resolved. And I think if we
can find an equitable solution, it won’t provide 100 percent of what
either side wants, there may be some mechanisms for a transition from
the status quo to the future that both sides envision, but I think it’s
achievable. And we’re going to do everything we can to support the
process,” the US President said.
Tsipras said they discussed the need to find a fair and viable
solution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of UN resolutions and
compatible by the fact that Cyprus is an UN member state. “We have
therefore we expressed our support to the very important critical
bicommunal talks which are under way. Tomorrow I will be meeting
President (Nicos) Anastasiades, who will be in Athens… Our aim is to
find a solution that will benefit all of the Cypriots,” Tsipras said.
The Greek premier said they “discussed the possibility of opening new
natural gas corridors in the Eastern Mediterranean, which will play an
important role to peace, and stability in our region”.
Tsipras said important projects underway will upgrade Greece’s in the
energy map”, such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the
Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB), the upgrading of the LNG
(liquefied natural gas) terminal and the Floating Storage Regasification
Unit (FSRU) plant in Alexandroupolis which is now being designed.
“We also discussed the future where Greece, with its important
shipping power, can become an important transit center for trade,
transport and energy, linking Europe to Asia and to North Africa,”
Tsipras said.
Obama said in his opening statement that he discussed with the Greek
premier, who he called by his first name several times, “the pressing
security challenges that we face as NATO allies. I want to take this
opportunity to commend Greece for being one of the five NATO allies that
spends 2 percent of GDP of defense — a goal that we have consistently
set, but not everybody has met. Greece has done this even during
difficult economic times. If Greece can meet this NATO commitment, all
our allies should be able to do so”.
Obama said they also discussed the need to continue sharing
intelligence to help prevent terrorist attacks; the importance of
keeping sanctions, including EU sanctions, in place until Russia is
fully implemented the Minsk agreement, along with Ukraine.
The US President said Greece plays a critical role as a pillar of
peace and security in a region where stabilisation is growing. He said
that Greece, despite its financial difficulties, has offered support to
hundreds of thousands of refugees who arrived on its shores. Obama and
Tsipras also discussed the importance of implementing the EU-Turkey
agreement and continuation of NATO operations in the Aegean.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/greece-obama-sees-prospects-cyprus-settlement/