The End the Cyprus Embargo Act, a bipartisan legislation that would extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus from one year to five years was introduced in Congress on Wednesday.
The legislation was introduced by US Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dina Titus (NV-01), co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus.
The US imposed an arms embargo on Cyprus in 1987 to promote reunification between the divided island nation. The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 authorized the President to waive the arms embargo on an annual basis.
However, the annual renewal requirement restricts Cyprus’s ability to plan and procure US defense articles effectively, compromises US-Cypriot military interoperability, impedes joint research on cybersecurity and maritime security, and diminishes the effectiveness of the National Guard State Partnership Program in Cyprus.
In September 2022 the US lifted the arms embargo for the 2023 fiscal year. The Cyprus government lauded the decision with the then-President Nicos Anastasiades calling it “a landmark decision, reflecting the burgeoning strategic relationship between the two countries, including in the area of security.”
Turkey said the decision would “further strengthen the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigence and negatively affect efforts to resettle the Cyprus issue…It will lead to an arms race on the Island, harming peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean,” a statement by the Turkish foreign ministry read.
What the Act proposes on the Cyprus embargo
The new legislation will extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo from one year to five years.
It will permit the President to reconsider the arms embargo waiver only every five years following its enactment.
And it will prohibit the President from terminating the waiver unless Congress receives certification that the Republic of Cyprus is no longer: Cooperating with U.S. efforts to implement anti-money laundering regulations and financial oversight reforms; and
Denying Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing.
“The Republic of Cyprus is a steadfast, democratic ally in the Eastern Mediterranean. It’s time U.S. policy better reflects Cyprus’s role as an essential partner in our collective security architecture in the region,” said Congressman Pappas.
“This change will further empower U.S.-Cyprus bilateral relations, support our mutual commitment to collaboration on security and defense, and improve their ability for long-term planning and procurement.”
“Cyprus has proven itself to be a valued and reliable partner for the United States,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Giving Cyprus planning certainty will allow the partnership to continue to flourish and will prove mutually beneficial for both nations and our allies.”
“Cyprus is a key partner in the Mediterranean and the U.S. must continue making efforts to improve diplomatic relations between our two countries,” said Congresswoman Titus. “Reducing the number of necessary embargo reviews for aid to Cyprus will allow this important ally to strategically plan for the future while supporting U.S. security interests abroad.”
“For too long, the United States has maintained an outdated and counterproductive embargo on the sale of defense materials and services to the Republic of Cyprus,” Congresswoman Malliotakis said.
“Our legislation seeks to correct this by recognizing Cyprus as a key strategic partner in the Eastern Mediterranean and allow for the responsible export of U.S. defense items to support our shared security interests. By strengthening Cyprus’s ability to defend itself, we can promote greater stability in the region.”
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