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United States |
Cyprus – United States relations are bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United States.
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The United States regards the status quo on Cyprus as unacceptable. Successive administrations have viewed UN-led inter-communal negotiations as the best means to achieve a fair and permanent settlement.
The United States is working closely with Cyprus in the War on Terrorism. A mutual legal assistance treaty, which has been in force since September 18, 2002, facilitates bilateral cooperation. Cyprus also signed a Proliferation Security Initiative Ship Boarding Agreement with the United States on July 25, 2005, which reinforces bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.
The United States has channeled more than $1 million in assistance to the two communities since the mid-1970s, and now provides approximately $24 million annually to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities. In 2004, following the Annan Plan process, the U.S. appropriated an additional $30.5 million to assist economic development in the Turkish Cypriot community, aiming to reduce the economic costs of any future settlement.
Principal U.S. officials include:
The U.S. Embassy in Cyprus is located in Engomi, Nicosia.
Due to the massive flow of Cypriot under-gratuate and post graduate students Cyprus-America Scholarship Program (CASP) offers scholarships for Cypriot students wanting to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in the United States. The CASP competition is open for Bachelor’s Degrees in all fields except Medicine and Dentistry. A Bachelor’s Degree in the United States usually takes four years. The scholarship is for a maximum amount of $25,000 each year, for a maximum total of $100,000.
Relations between USA and Cyprus can be described as being in an excellent mood due to the approach of Cyprus government with the Israeli government over the recent Gaza flotilla raid. Also Cyprus has given the rights to a US oil extracting multinational to extract natural gas in "Cyprus A" sea block. Cyprus is seen as the closest democratic state in the Middle East as a result many times it is asked by the United States the use of military bases, ports or airports such as Larnaca International Airport.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of State (Background Notes).[1]
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cyprus_%E2%80%93_United_States_relations Cyprus – United States relations] at Wikimedia Commons
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