The ambassador to Cyprus, Julie D. Fisher, toured the closed city of Famagusta today, accompanied by the mayor of Famagusta, Dr. Simos Ioannou and the Turkish Cypriot so-called mayor of the city, Dr. Süleyman Uluçay.
According to the relevant press release, "on March 5, 2024, the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie D. Fisher met with Dr. Simos Ioannou and Dr. Süleyman Uluçay, for a joint tour of the city of Famagusta, where they saw historically significant points and discussed the city's rich cultural heritage and its importance for the island."
Ambassador Julie D. Fisher acknowledged the long history of American support, particularly the contributions of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the restoration and preservation of historic sites such as the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Desdemona Park and the gate of the Sea and towards the development of civil society networks in Famagusta.
It is also noted that the restoration of common heritage sites continues to encourage connections between people and communities.
"Ambassador Fisher expressed her appreciation for the commitment of Dr. Ioannou and Dr. Uluçay for their joint effort to bring together the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities", it is noted subsequently, while it is emphasized that "the United States continues its long-standing commitment to bring Cypriots together, in order to find a way forward for the peace and prosperity of the island".
The Ambassador also visited the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Famagusta.
The Mayor informed the Ambassador about the recent mission of the Municipality to the USA where he met the support of the country's political leadership for the solution of the Bizonal Bicommunal Federation and for the just struggle of the people of Famagusta for return. Dr. Ioannou emphasized that our fight is a fight for the peace, prosperity and security of all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish, and pointed out that Turkey is an obstacle to achieving a solution that will ensure this future. The Mayor emphasized the Municipality's effort to create bridges of peace with the Turkish community in order to defeat Turkey's attempt for a two-state solution.
The US ambassador underlined that exactly the will for peace, prosperity and security is a universal demand for humanity and that this is a priority of American diplomacy. He said that the US's support for an ILO solution and the relevant UN resolutions is non-negotiable. Mrs. Fischer also emphasized that the appointment of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Mrs. Maria Angela Holguin Quellard in Cyprus is an important opportunity and that together with Mrs. Quellard, she shares the view that civil society cooperation between and T/k is a fundamental step for solving the Cyprus problem and he congratulated the Municipality for its work in this direction.
