Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, has described his contacts with members of the US Congress in Washington as particularly important in the effort to strengthen relations with the US.

In a televised statement on the completion of his visit to Washington, Kombos noted that while in the US capital he had the opportunity to meet with the House leadership. Referring to his meetings with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, he said that this was the second time he has had the opportunity to visit and meet with leading members of Congress “and this is particularly important in the effort to strengthen the relationship with the US”.

The Minister also said that he was a speaker at events organised by various think tanks, including one dealing with issues on cooperation with the Gulf countries. Noting the “very difficult geostrategic and geopolitical situation”, Kombos said that the Republic of Cyprus, “as a reliable partner both in relation to the US and as the presiding country of the Council of the EU, will continue its own effort to assist in resolving different issues, which affect us both directly and significantly”.