SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s a great pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Kasoulides here to the State Department – familiar territory. The foreign minister is just recently on the job, but for the third time. I can’t even begin to imagine (inaudible). (Laughter.)
But we’re so, so pleased to have you and especially so pleased by the relationship between the United States and Cyprus. I think the bilateral relationship is stronger than it’s ever been. We’re seeing cooperation in a whole variety of areas, to include security but also to include science and technology. It really runs the gamut. We remain resolutely in support of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, and we will continue to work in that direction. And I have to say we were pleased by the renewal of the mandate at the United Nations just a week ago.
But we have a lot to talk about, and I think it’s really a reflection of the fact that on so many different levels this relationship has gotten broader but also deeper. And it’s wonderful to have you here, Mr. Minister.
FOREIGN MINISTER KASOULIDES: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. And it is my intention to use this meeting to find and explore areas – to find and explore areas where we can make the relationship even stronger and even deeper.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I welcome that. Thank you. Thank you, everyone.