NICOSIA – After visiting the USS Mount Whitney, the Command Ship of the Sixth Fleet, while it was berthed in Larnaca, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said relations between the countries are “at an all-time high.”

He went on the vessel with the US Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher and later praised their mutual support to strengthen defense, security, political and economic relations, said The Cyprus Mail.

The US earlier ended a long-standing arms embargo that had been in place despite Turkey – with Turkish-Cypriots occupying the northern third of the island after 1974 invasions – long being able to acquire American weapons.

Differences remain over some key issues, especially what plan is best to develop energy resources off the island where an American-led consortium, driven by Chevron, is going to hunt for oil and gas.

“We have a positive response, we have some final details to look into, but we are on the right track to proceed as planned. I welcome the fact that the same intention existed from the beginning of the discussions with Chevron,” he said.

Fisher said that, “We enjoy the incredible cooperation between the groups of people of our countries, who work hard to bring about security and stability, especially for the citizens of the region. This is very important for us.”