Nicosia, Cyprus — On Sunday, the President of Cyprus reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to enhancing defense and security collaboration with the United States, following a recent meeting with President Joe Biden. This meeting aimed to outline plans for future developments in a bilateral relationship that has reached unprecedented levels.
President Nikos Christodoulides highlighted that the government’s distinctive foreign policy direction has led to a stronger strategic partnership between Cyprus and the U.S. during the initial 18 months of his five-year term. This collaboration spans various areas, including law enforcement efforts aimed at tackling money laundering and sanctions evasion, along with advancements in energy sectors.
A significant aspect of this security partnership is the American-backed CYCLOPS center, focused on port and maritime security. This facility provides essential training in areas such as cybersecurity and ship inspections, serving officials from nearby nations including Libya, Yemen, and Lebanon.
Christodoulides emphasized that his forthcoming visit to the White House serves as a testament to Cyprus’s strategic significance, showcasing its potential in the region. According to him, Cyprus is positioned to act as a dependable “port of stability,” aspiring to transform its nearby region into one characterized by cooperation, stability, and prosperity.
Considering potential military procurements, the Cypriot president mentioned that his administration is actively “considering” acquiring U.S.-manufactured weapons following the lifting of a long-standing arms embargo in 2020. However, he noted that the U.S. Congress must first extend its embargo lift, which is currently renewed annually.
Christodoulides pointed out that the ongoing evacuation of thousands of third-country nationals from 29 nations through Cyprus emphasizes the island nation’s geostrategic importance. He stated that many countries have begun to view Cyprus as an “assisted departure hub and a Temporary Safe Location (TSL)” for organized civilian or military evacuations, although he did not disclose which nations were involved.
He reassured that Cyprus stands ready to assist in any large-scale evacuations from Lebanon if the need arises. In relation to humanitarian efforts, the so-called Amalthea plan, which the Biden administration recognized, established a maritime corridor connecting Cyprus and Gaza, facilitating the delivery of approximately 20,000 metric tons of aid to the Palestinian territory earlier this year.
Most of this humanitarian aid reached Gaza via a temporary pier built by the U.S., valued at $230 million, despite facing challenges such as adverse weather, security risks, and strict personnel rules. Christodoulides noted that efforts are underway in collaboration with the U.S., the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union to reactivate the maritime route to Gaza from the Israeli port of Ashdod, where assistance will be screened for security in Cyprus before transport.
On the matter of regional relations, Christodoulides stated that Cyprus has maintained excellent connections with its neighboring countries, fostering trust and acting as a representative voice within the European Union. His invitation to FBI and U.S. Department of Justice officials aims to assist Cyprus in curbing sanctions evasion linked to Russian operations by Cypriot attorneys and accountants.
He expressed a strong commitment to protecting the nation’s international reputation, clarifying that several investigations into possible sanctions evasion are ongoing, with a swift aim to achieve justice.
In the energy sector, Christodoulides observed that the involvement of major U.S. energy companies, ExxonMobil and Chevron, in the exploration of hydrocarbon resources in Cyprus’s offshore economic zone indicates a firm endorsement of the island’s potential. He noted that the coming year is set to be pivotal for both companies, with ExxonMobil and its partner QatarEnergy planning to drill additional wells in search of natural gas.
At the same time, Chevron is working on a revised development plan for the Aphrodite gas field, which has an estimated yield of 4.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Once the first gas from Aphrodite is sold in the market, it will position Cyprus as a gas exporter, a development that holds considerable significance both economically and geopolitically, according to Christodoulides.