The United States and the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus on Wednesday agreed to boost cooperation, amid a backdrop of increasing turmoil in the neighbouring Middle East.
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides © Mena Today
The United States and the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus on Wednesday agreed to boost cooperation, amid a backdrop of increasing turmoil in the neighbouring Middle East.
A strategic dialogue, which the two countries agreed upon in June, encompasses a range of topics from security and law enforcement to energy cooperation, education and investment.
Officials from the two countries met in Cyprus in the first round of talks on Wednesday to discuss furthering cooperation.
"The Strategic Dialogue reflects the shared resolve of the Republic of Cyprus and the United States to enhance bilateral and regional security, foster economic innovation and prosperity, and uphold shared democratic values and respect for international law," the two countries said in a joint statement.
Relations between the U.S. and Cyprus have become closer in recent years, as the island has firmly pivoted its focus to the west.
Progress on that front is closely followed by Turkey, which in September criticised the signing of a roadmap to boost two-way defence co-operation between the United States and Cyprus, calling it detrimental to the interests of Turkish Cypriots in the breakaway north of the island.
Reporting By Michele Kambas
Switzerland, which also represents U.S. interests in Iran, has reopened its embassy in Tehran after a closure due to the air war between Israel and Iran, the Swiss foreign ministry said on Sunday.
The Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen towards Israel in the early hours of Sunday, with sirens activated in several parts of the country.
Britain said on Saturday it was reestablishing diplomatic relations with Syria, as foreign minister David Lammy visited the Syrian capital Damascus.
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