AmCham Cyprus Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Gala Dinner
The American Chamber of Commerce in Cyprus (AmCham Cyprus) hosted its annual Thanksgiving Gala Dinner, uniting distinguished guests, government officials, business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community to celebrate the enduring partnership between Cyprus and the United States.
The event was graced by the presence of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, and representatives from the US Embassy. The evening also celebrated the increasing presence of US companies in Cyprus, with significant investments in energy, technology, healthcare, and transportation.
Special recognition was given to the leadership of US Ambassador Julie Davis and the Embassy team for their role in advancing economic and cultural ties, supporting reforms, and promoting innovation and education.
In his keynote address, Mr. Marios Kapiris, President of AmCham Cyprus, emphasised the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, stating: “The partnership between Cyprus and the United States has grown stronger, deeper, and more dynamic than ever before, elevating Cyprus to a new level of transatlantic strategic importance.”
He noted that President Christodoulides’s recent visit to the United States and the institutionalisation of the Strategic Dialogue were cited as pivotal moments, fostering enhanced security cooperation, investment, and innovation. The President’s efforts to position Cyprus as a gateway for technology, education, and investment were praised, with emphasis on the country’s skilled workforce, robust legal framework, and strategic location connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Representing the US Embassy, Mr. Daniel Mangis, Chargé d’Affaires, conveyed the greetings of Ambassador Julie Davis and expressed optimism for the future of Cyprus–US commercial relations. He thanked President Christodoulides for his pivotal role during a defining period for bilateral ties, noting that the President’s recent visit to the US continues to yield positive results. Mr. Mangis also acknowledged AmCham Cyprus’s contribution to strengthening commercial relations, attracting investment, supporting innovation, and creating new opportunities for cooperation.
Mr. Mangis referenced the long-standing presence of American companies in Cyprus and congratulated both the outgoing and newly elected leadership of AmCham Cyprus, expressing hope for expanded cooperation.
He further noted positive developments such as new legislation to enhance transparency and national security, and the establishment of business support centres, all aimed at making Cyprus even more welcoming to business and responsive to the needs of American companies. Mr. Mangis also expressed optimism for Cyprus’s digital transformation and the renewal of the bilateral Economic Diplomacy Action Plan.
Finally, he reaffirmed the United States’ continued support for efforts under the United Nations to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
President Christodoulides on his remarks powerfully quoted: ‘Cyprus is no longer being discovered — it is being chosen.’
And he continued by stating that this reflects a new reality for our country and the core message shared at the AmCham Cyprus Thanksgiving Gala Dinner. It captures how far Cyprus has come and how confidently we are stepping into a future shaped by partnership, innovation, and strategic relevance, as the Cyprus–US relationship evolves into a model of purposeful cooperation.
He then elaborated how Cyprus–US relations now stand at a historic high, through concrete milestones, such as, amongst others: the first Cyprus–U.S. Strategic Dialogue in Nicosia, the first visit of a Cypriot President to the White House in almost thirty years, strengthened security cooperation through Foreign Military Sales, Excess Defense Articles, and Section 333, the launch of the Cyprus–US Defense and Security Dialogue and enhanced law-enforcement collaboration with the FBI.
Moreover, he stressed that the National Sanctions Implementation Unit has reinforced our capabilities, while the CYCLOPS training center in Larnaca has become a regional reference point, training over 2,000 officials from more than twenty countries. In addition, he commented that our humanitarian cooperation, including Cyprus’ role as a staging point during regional crises and the operation of the Amalthea Maritime Corridor demonstrates the country’s reliability in moments of need., whilst energy collaboration remains central, with Chevron and ExxonMobil active in our Exclusive Economic Zone, with the 3+1 mechanism with Greece, Israel, and the United States continues to strengthen regional stability and connectivity.
Finally, he concluded by stating that these developments show a country moving with confidence into a future defined by strategic relevance, a future where Cyprus is not only participating in regional developments but actively shaping them.