President Christodoulides addresses diplomatic and energy priorities at UN General Assembly

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing on the Cyprus issue, energy security, and bilateral cooperation. During a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the first between the two leaders, Christodoulides discussed regional security, emphasizing that Cyprus is not involved in military operations. He urged the UK to consider the security of Cyprus and its neighbors when making decisions regarding the British bases on the island, particularly as the UK recently agreed to provide support for Saudi Arabia’s conflict with the Houthi movement.

Regarding energy, Christodoulides held talks with Chevron’s executive Javier la Rosa to prioritize the development of the Aphrodite gas field. The President stressed the need to accelerate the transition from planning to implementation and reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) quickly. Egypt has also expressed interest in the rapid integration of the Aphrodite field with its own energy infrastructure, supported by the strategic cooperation between the two nations.

Looking ahead, President Christodoulides is scheduled to address the General Assembly and participate in a climate change summit. High-level bilateral discussions remain central to his agenda, including an upcoming meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to address the long-running deadlock in Cyprus negotiations.