Forbes: What Does The U.S. See In Cypriot Natural Gas?
Following a tumultuous few years of political and economic upheaval, the small European nation of Cyprus has suddenly found itself the subject of more official U.S. interest than it has seen in 50 years. In addition to visits from James Townsend, the assistant undersecretary of Defence for Europe and NATO issues and Amanda Sloat, the assistant US Undersecretary of State for European Affairs this month, the capital welcomed Vice President Joe Biden, the highest ranking U.S. official to arrive in five decades.
“I wanted to come to primarily underscore the value the United States attaches to our growing cooperation with the republic of Cyprus,” Biden said shortly after arriving in May, according to a Guardian report. “This relationship is now a genuine strategic partnership which holds great promise.”
Although the visits have focused on everything from security cooperation to reunification with the island’s Turkish held northeast, the diplomatic push appears rooted in the issue of energy security and regional unity – two issues that are increasingly aligned.