President Nikos Christodoulides has said he does not rule out “significant developments” towards the resumption of Cyprus negotiations during his week of high-level contacts in New York, while also signalling forthcoming announcements on new investments in Cyprus by major US companies.
Speaking on the evening of 20 September at a meeting with officials and members of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations in New York, Christodoulides said the Cyprus issue would dominate his meetings during the week.
“Despite the climate, especially in Cyprus, that there will be no developments, I do not rule out developments, and indeed significant ones, towards the resumption of talks,” he said.
Cyprus issue to dominate New York contacts
Christodoulides said a broader assessment of the week’s meetings and developments would be made on Friday.
His comments follow recent statements in which he argued that new ideas submitted by the Greek Cypriot side could generate movement towards renewed negotiations, provided there is sufficient political will.
Christodoulides is in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, on the sidelines of which he is scheduled to hold meetings focused on the Cyprus issue, including with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín.
Major US investment announcements expected
Addressing the Cypriot diaspora, Christodoulides also focused on Cyprus-US relations, the economy and government efforts to attract foreign investment.
He said the past three and a half years had produced results in foreign policy and relations with the United States, highlighting an increase in American investment in Cyprus, particularly in the technology sector.
“You remember that last year I visited three states. We have results, particularly in the technology sector,” he said.
The president said “very significant announcements” concerning new investments by major US corporations would be made in the immediate future.
He did not identify the companies involved or disclose the value of the anticipated investments.
US visit planned for November
Christodoulides also announced that he intends to return to the United States at the end of November to participate in a Financial Times conference on Cyprus in New York.
During the same visit, he said he would travel to Ohio, Boston and Florida for meetings with companies interested in investing in Cyprus.
‘Brain gain’ campaign in New York
The president also referred to government efforts to encourage Cypriots working overseas to return to the island.
He said a campaign promoting so-called brain gain would be held in New York for the first time.
“There was a time when people left Cyprus to come and work in the United States. Today we want to bring people back to Cyprus,” Christodoulides said.
President highlights economic indicators
Turning to the economy, Christodoulides said Cyprus had reached the A category in its credit rating and maintained that the economy continues to grow despite the difficult international environment and two ongoing wars.
According to the president, public debt stood at approximately 80% of GDP when his government took office and has since fallen to 48%, with the downward trajectory continuing.
He put unemployment at approximately 3.6% to 3.7%.
Christodoulides also referred to the 2027 state budget, saying the largest increase in expenditure is directed towards defence.
He said the performance of the economy allows the government to increase investment in defence while also expanding expenditure on education, healthcare and social policy.
Migration figures highlighted
The president also addressed migration, saying arrivals had fallen by more than 90%, while returns had increased by more than 85%.
On relations between Cyprus and the United States, Christodoulides referred to the new US ambassador to Cyprus, expressing confidence that there is scope for bilateral ties to strengthen further.
Speaking to members of the diaspora, he stressed the importance of coordinating efforts and noted that the Cypriot community in the United States has historically played an important role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
Diaspora role discussed
Kyriakos Papastylianou, president of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, said the meeting focused on the Cyprus issue, Cyprus-US relations and the diaspora’s contribution to their further development.
The meeting was followed by a discussion between Christodoulides and members of the Cypriot community, during which the president responded to their questions.
