Sen. Rick Scott visits Cyprus to discuss Mediterranean security, energy ties

U.S. Senator Rick Scott traveled to Cyprus today as part of a diplomatic visit focused on strengthening U.S. interests in the Mediterranean region. Scott, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, met with U.S. Ambassador John Breslow and Cypriot Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister Michael Damianos to discuss expanding energy infrastructure between Europe and the Middle East.

During the visit, Scott toured the United Nations Buffer Zone that divides the island, reaffirming U.S. support for Cypriot sovereignty and calling out Turkish military occupation that has persisted since 1974. "A strong, reunified Cyprus makes it easier to do business in the region and counters the aggression we've seen from thugs like Putin and Erdogan," Scott said in a statement, noting that Turkey remains the principal obstacle to resolving the island's division.

Scott emphasized the strategic importance of a stable Mediterranean as the U.S. energy industry expands its presence in the region and energy flows between the Middle East and Europe increase. He called on Cyprus and other regional allies to strengthen their defenses to reduce reliance on U.S. military involvement overseas.