NICOSIA, Cyprus — On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced a new directive that permits Cyprus to procure arms from the U.S. government and acquire surplus military equipment from American stocks. This move is broadly welcomed as a means to enhance stability in the eastern Mediterranean region.
For Cyprus, this development marks a significant advancement following the U.S. decision in 2020 to revoke a long-standing arms embargo that restricted the island’s access to American weaponry. Officials in Nicosia view this directive as validation of Cyprus’ reliability and trustworthiness as a strategic partner for the U.S. in the area.
The island nation has also played a vital role in humanitarian efforts, having facilitated the delivery of aid to the strife-torn Gaza Strip through a maritime corridor and serving as a transit hub for foreign nationals wishing to evacuate from conflict zones in the Middle East.
In Biden’s executive order, he stated that “the provision of defense articles and defense services” to Cyprus would not only bolster U.S. security interests but also promote global peace.
U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie D. Fisher, expressed her enthusiasm on the social media platform X, noting that this directive is a critical step towards deepening bilateral relations, strengthening security collaboration, and fostering stability in the region.
The relationship between Cyprus and the U.S. has significantly thawed in recent years, particularly after the election of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in 2023. The president has firmly asserted Cyprus’ pro-Western orientation and is dedicated to enhancing defense partnerships with the United States.
Recently, Christodoulides indicated that the ethnically divided Cyprus might consider NATO membership when circumstances permit. He has also welcomed personnel from the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to assist in training local law enforcement to combat financial crimes.
Since achieving independence from British colonial rule in 1960, Cypriot governments have generally adhered to a non-aligned foreign policy, carefully balancing relations between the United States and Russia.
Biden’s directive means that Cyprus can purchase American-made arms at a more economical price, as it will interact directly with the U.S. government rather than private defense contractors. With a gross domestic product roughly equivalent to three-quarters that of Vermont, Cyprus is now also eligible to receive surplus military equipment from the United States.
Given that the U.S. arms market had been inaccessible to Cyprus for many years, the EU-member nation previously sought weaponry from other nations, including Russia. Its current military assets include Soviet-era T80 main battle tanks and TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems.
