The United States Government makes a historic decision to fully lift the 1987 arms embargo against the Republic of Cyprus. It is recalled that the first major step in this direction was taken in September 2020, when then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Nikos Christodoulidis to announce the partial lifting of the embargo. This particular event opened the way for the sale of American non-lethal weapons to Cyprus, subject to the partial lifting of the embargo being renewed by executive order on an annual basis.

With today’s decision, the US government is beginning to normalize its defense relationship with the Republic of Cyprus as there will no longer be any restrictions on arms sales. However, the lifting of the embargo will continue to be renewed annually as the Eastern Mediterranean Act of 2019 and the National Defense Appropriations Act of 2020 (NDAA) provide that the President of the United States must confirm to the relevant congressional committees that the Republic of Cyprus continues to cooperate with the US government in a number of critical areas. In particular, it is provided that the Department of State must verify annually that the Government of Cyprus:

· Cooperate in reforming anti-money laundering and financial supervision regulations.

· Continues to take the necessary measures to prevent Russian warships from entering the ports for supply and maintenance.

In any case, however, today’s decision to completely lift the embargo is seen as an additional step, reflecting the growing importance that US foreign policy places on relations with Cyprus, as well as the closer defense cooperation that has been built in recent years. years years based on the “East Med Act”.

Statement by the Department of State on the removal of restrictions on trade in defense goods with the Republic of Cyprus for fiscal year 2023:

“Secretary Anthony Blinken has determined and assured Congress that the Republic of Cyprus has complied with the necessary conditions under applicable law to permit the export, re-export and transfer of defense materials to the Republic of Cyprus for the fiscal year. 2023. Compliance is assessed annually. As a result of this decision and certification, the Minister of Foreign Affairs lifted the Republic of Cyprus arms trade restrictions for the 2023 fiscal year. The International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) will be amended to reflect the new policy effective 1 October 2022.

The Eastern Mediterranean Act of 2019 and the Fiscal Year 2020 Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) require that the policy of not exporting, re-exporting or transferring defense materials to Cyprus remain in place. List of military supplies of the Republic of the United States, unless the President determines and certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress, at least annually, that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus continues to cooperate with the Government of the United States in regulatory reform efforts to combat money laundering and financial supervision, and that the Government Republic of Cyprus The Republic of Cyprus has taken and continues to take the necessary measures to prevent Russian warships from entering the ports for supply and maintenance. Under both laws, the Department of State reviews compliance with the laws annually.”

Source: RES-IPE

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