Cyprus - US Relations
President Nicos Christodoulides during his discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House 30 October 2024. Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the division of the island of Cyprus, President Biden reiterated his support for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality for all Cypriots consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
On September 11, 2024, at the third United States-Republic of Cyprus (ROC) Defense and Security Dialogue in Nicosia, Cyprus, the American and Cypriot delegations discussed ways to deepen our security cooperation and enhance regional stability and security.
Principal Director for Europe and NATO Policy Alton Buland led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives from U.S. European Command, U.S. Embassy Nicosia, and the New Jersey National Guard, the Republic of Cyprus’ state partner. Brigadier General Charis Georgiou, head of the ROC’s Minister of Defense’s military staff, led the Cypriot delegation and hosted the dialogue.
The delegations reviewed joint progress in our security cooperation, highlighting growth in international military education and training, joint exercises, and the recent one-year anniversary of the ROC’s joining the State Partnership Program. The delegations also discussed ways to further our security partnership in line with objectives under the U.S.-ROC Roadmap for Bilateral Defense Cooperation Efforts , signed on September 9, 2024.
From 01 October 2020, the US will remove hurdles for one year on the sale or transfer of "non-lethal defence articles and defence services." US Secretary of State Pompeo said "The Republic of Cyprus is a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean. I am pleased to announce that we are deepening our security cooperation. We will waive restrictions on the sale of non-lethal defense articles and services to the Republic of Cyprus for the coming fiscal year." The move by the Trump administration to lift a three-decade-old arms embargo for the Greek Cypriot administration for one year, was condemned by Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for increasing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. The arms embargo was initially lifted by the US Congress in December 2019.
The US said 08 July 2020 it planned to conduct military training with Cyprus for the first time, defying NATO ally Turkey, which warned of destabilization. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the State Department for the first time will fund military training for the Republic of Cyprus as part of "our expanding security relationship." Pompeo told reporters "This is part of our efforts to enhance relationships with key regional partners to promote stability in the Eastern Mediterranean". The cooperation was part of the US International Military Education and Training program, which seeks to train foreign officers and increase friendly nations' interoperability with the US military. Turkey and the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus had warned against the end of the embargo, saying it would upset a balance of power on the island.
In 1987, the US sought to encourage both sides on the island to return to the negotiating table and stop any possible militarisation of the Island. They imposed an arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot administration. Back then, the US sought to mediate between the two sides. But critics said the embargo had been counterproductive by forcing Cyprus to seek other partners while Turkey, a NATO member, had stationed forces in northern Cyprus since its invasion in 1974.
US officials had been concerned that the ban has brought EU member Cyprus closer to Russia. In 1997, for instance, when the Greek Cypriot administration sought to buy S300 missiles from Russia, it only raised tensions in the eastern Meditteranean. After a strong Turkish reaction to the move, Cyprus sent the S300 missiles to Greece in exchange for other weapons. The island in 2015 signed off on an access deal to its ports. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida spearheaded the effort, saying they also wanted to encourage growing cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel. “With Cyprus seeking to deepen its strategic partnership with the United States, it is in our national security and economic interest to lift this outdated decades-long arms restrictions that are no longer helping US security objectives,” Menendez said after initial approval of the lifting of the embargo.
Turkey’s foreign ministry said the decision “disregards the equality and balance” on the island and that Ankara expects its NATO ally to “review” it. “Otherwise, Turkey, as a guarantor country, will take the necessary reciprocal steps in line with its legal and historical responsibility to guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriot people,” it said in a statement.
The Congressional bill named “End the Cyprus Arms Embargo Act” stated as “The inability of the United States to provide defense articles and services to the Republic of Cyprus has forced Cyprus to obtain these items from countries which pose challenges to United States interests around the world.” Cyprus has made attempts to purchase French weaponry, it has signed up to the Chinese Belt and Road initiative and has allowed Russia to cultivate military and political links on the island. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) in 1960 following its independence from the United Kingdom. Shortly after the founding of the Republic, serious differences arose between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities about the implementation and interpretation of the constitution. Subsequent intercommunal violence led to the formation of the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in 1964. Following a coup d’état in 1974 backed by the Greek military junta, Turkey intervened militarily, resulting in the de facto division of the island.
Since 1974, the southern part of Cyprus has been under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part of Cyprus, administered by Turkish Cypriots, proclaimed itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) in 1983. The United States does not recognize the “TRNC,” nor does any country other than Turkey. A substantial number of Turkish troops remain on the island. A buffer zone, or “Green Line,” patrolled by UNFICYP separates the two sides.
The United States regards the status quo on Cyprus as unacceptable and supports efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Successive U.S. administrations have viewed UN-facilitated, Cypriot-led settlement negotiations as the best means to achieve a fair and permanent settlement. The United States urges all parties to implement confidence-building measures and improve bicommunal relations.
The United States works closely with the Republic of Cyprus to advance shared priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cooperation between the United States and the ROC is at a historic high. We have been breaking new ground in our security relationship, beginning with the Statement of Intent on bilateral security cooperation that we signed with Cyprus in late 2018. Since then, our security partnership has continued to deepen, as witnessed by the accreditation of the ROC’s first Defense Attaché at its embassy in Washington, joint military exercises, port visits by U.S. naval vessels to Cyprus, and senior-level visits to the ROC by U.S. military leadership, including U.S. European Command Deputy Commander Stephen Twitty in January 2020. President Trump signed into law in December 2019 the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 as part of the FY 2020 Appropriations Act and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2020, highlighting the United States’ security interests in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including countering Russian malign influence.
The bilateral partnership also continues to grow in other areas of common interest, such as promoting peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, diversifying European energy sources, fostering opportunities for greater trade and investment, and protecting cultural heritage. The United States engages with the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, and other partners in the region to address energy, economic development, and counterterrorism.
U.S. exports and projects involving U.S. investment are primarily in the energy, financial services, tourism, education, logistics, and consumer goods sectors. There may be additional opportunities for investment in Cyprus’ growing energy sector, to include regional energy services, domestic renewable energy, and energy storage technologies. U.S. imports from Cyprus include agricultural products, salt, and minerals. Bilateral business ties also encompass a healthy exchange in services.
The ROC and the United States belong to many of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. The ROC also is an observer to the Organization of American States.
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