President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades Addresses AJC

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Sep 24, 2015, 04:58 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, speaking to senior AJC leaders this morning at the global advocacy organization's headquarters, spoke glowingly of the strong, cooperative relationship between his country and Israel.

"We are grateful for your support," said Anastasiades, commending AJC's "vision" in nurturing the ties. "In Cyprus, you have a reliable, loyal, and unwavering partner."

"We have been writing a new and bold chapter in the history of our relations with Israel," said the president. The bilateral relationship is "based on our mutual understanding that we share a common sphere, both geographically and in terms of common values, such as democracy and freedom."

The president's visit to Israel in June, followed by Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Cyprus in July, was "proof of our joint desire to realize our relationship's full potential," said Anastasiades, who spoke warmly of his relationship with the Israeli leader.

On the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Anastasiades expressed hope that a "mutually agreed two-state solution will be the basis for a more stable and secure future." That goal would "acknowledge Israel's right to exist, within recognized and secure borders, with a demographic composition that does not alter its Jewish democracy."

Anastasiades said that Cyprus is pressing other EU member states to publicly support the negotiated two-state vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace, and, to that end, he has proposed that Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, be invited to address the European Council.

To combat the ever-growing threat of terrorism in the region, Anastasiades said that efforts should be directed towards "the enablers of terrorism," to confront those who are financing or providing military supplies to terrorist groups.

AJC Executive Director David Harris, who has been involved in promoting Cyprus-Israel-Greece-U.S. ties for three decades, praised the Cypriot government for several things, including its "courage" in standing up to Hezbollah. "Were it not for Cyprus and Bulgaria, Hezbollah would not be on the European Union list of terrorist organizations," he said.

Anastasiades also spoke about the longstanding division of the island nation, stemming from Turkey's invasion of Cyprus in 1974. "With the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, we share a common vision to reunify our country and its people in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation," said Anastasiades.

But his cautious optimism is tempered by Turkey's failure "to undertake practical steps" to help resolve the 41-year-old situation. "No concrete solution is possible without the concrete contribution of Turkey," said Anastasiades, who called on the U.S. government to press the Turkish government to change its approach and support efforts to achieve reunification of Cyprus.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee