Mass demonstrations in Iran, the post-Maduro situation, American anti-drug operations in the Caribbean and joint priorities vis a vis the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union were the main points of a phone conversation between Foreign Minister Constandinos Kombos and his American counterpart Marco Rubio last night.
According to State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigot, the focus of discussions was 'US anti-drug operations in the Caribbean as well as Iran demonstrations', also referring to the joint priorities during the January-June EU Cyprus Presidency.
In a post on X, the foreign ministry further refers to the Kombos-Rubio communication, noting that the issues put forward included the Cyprus Presidency, transatlantic relations, the bilateral strategic partnership and regional cooperation, developments in Iran and Syria, peace efforts in Ukraine and the situation in Venezuela.
'Cyprus and the US reaffirmed their strong commitment in working together to strengthen the transatlantic dialogue and cooperation, supporting peace, stability and security', the Foreign Ministry post said.
Meanwhile and pertinent to this conversation, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas confirmed to the CyBC yesterday that American military experts are expected in Cyprus later this month to discuss next steps over the upgrading of the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos and the naval base at Mari.
A Cyprus delegation will then travel to the US for inspection of military hardware and programmes.
SOURCE-CNA