UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke by phone with his Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, about developments on the Cyprus issue, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.
Speaking in Nicosia, President Christodoulides said preparations were continuing with the aim of achieving results during the week of the UN General Assembly that could pave the way for the resumption of negotiations.
He also referred to the renewal of the lifting of the US arms embargo for 2027, saying Cyprus-US cooperation is at its highest level ever.
The President was answering questions from reporters during a visit to Agios Dometios Gymnasium to mark the start of the new school year.
Asked about the US decision to renew the lifting of the arms embargo for 2027, President Christodoulides said it was “a clear message about the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus, which is continuously growing stronger, particularly in the areas of defence and security.”
“Beyond what has been announced by the United States, many other programmes are also underway, including programmes aimed at modernising the infrastructure of the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.
“In particular, I am referring to Andreas Papandreou Air Base. Talks are underway with the United States regarding the purchase of defence equipment from the United States,” he added.
At the same time, he noted that “for the first time, Cypriots are studying at US military academies.”
“Particularly in the areas of defence and security, we have excellent cooperation, cooperation that has never been at such a high level before,” the President stressed.
Asked whether the telephone conversation between UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Maria Angela Holguin had taken place, the President said that “the telephone conversation did take place.”
He said there had been a preliminary briefing, but added that he would not disclose the outcome of the discussion himself.
“What I can tell you is that preparations are continuing, and the negotiators are also meeting today, so that during the week of the UN General Assembly we can achieve results that will lead to the desired goal, which is an announcement on the resumption of negotiations,” he concluded.
