The United States is moving towards deeper military cooperation with Cyprus, marking a significant shift in defense strategies within the region. This emerging partnership follows recent discussions between Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides and U.S. President Joe Biden, with plans to potentially utilize Cypriot military bases as part of U.S. regional operations. According to a report by Apostolos Tomaras in Kathimerini this Sunday, the U.S.-Cyprus partnership has gained momentum since the partial lifting of restrictions on military hardware sales to Cyprus in 2021.
The U.S. has shown particular interest in Cyprus’s Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos and the naval base at Mari. As part of the strengthened collaboration, the U.S. is also considering providing Cyprus with aircraft for rescue and firefighting missions. However, this assistance could encounter hurdles due to limitations linked to the partial lifting of the U.S. arms embargo.
President Christodoulides has proposed extending the embargo renewal period from one to three years, aiming to reduce bureaucratic delays and streamline military contracts. Congressional discussions are ongoing to consider the complete lifting of the arms embargo on Cyprus, which would further ease military negotiations and cooperation.
Another major development in Cyprus-U.S. defense relations includes recent notifications by the U.S. Defense Undersecretary, allowing Cypriot officers to attend U.S. military schools for advanced training. To accommodate this, Cyprus may need to amend its current laws, which presently mandate that military officers be graduates of Cypriot or Greek institutions.
Additionally, the CYCLOPS initiative—a U.S.-led regional training program—was discussed by the presidents. The program focuses on strengthening security capabilities in areas like border control, cybersecurity, and port security, fostering cooperation not only between Cyprus and the U.S. but also among neighboring countries.
Cyprus’s strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean is central to the U.S. interest, particularly as regional tensions grow. Diplomatic ties between Cyprus and the U.S. have steadily advanced since a Statement of Intent was signed in 2018, signaling the U.S.’s commitment to a stronger alliance with Cyprus in light of evolving geopolitical conditions.
These developments highlight Cyprus’s expanding role in U.S. military strategy, pointing towards a future of closer defense and security collaboration.
Source: knews.kathimerini.com.cy