Washington, United States. The American Hellenic Institute urged the US Congress to strengthen strategic ties with Cyprus and Greece and to condition any assistance to Turkey on compliance with international law and NATO obligations. The appeal was made in written testimony to a House of Representatives subcommittee on the fiscal year 2027 budget.
Calls for funding and support for UN mission in Cyprus
AHI President Nick Larigakis said the United States should invest in what he described as reliable allies of strategic importance, including Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, citing their contributions to US objectives in security, energy and foreign policy. The testimony called for maintaining and strengthening funding for the International Military Education and Training programme, Foreign Military Financing and the European Recapitalisation Incentive Program, as well as continued support for UNFICYP, the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.
Eastern Mediterranean and the 3+1 framework
Lartigakis described the Eastern Mediterranean as a pivotal junction between Europe, Asia and Africa, shaped by the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East and threats to energy and maritime security. He cited the 3+1 framework between the United States, Greece, the Republic of Cyprus and Israel as a key pillar of regional stability.
Role of Greece and Cyprus highlighted
The testimony described Greece as one of the United States’ most reliable NATO allies, pointing to the strategic importance of Souda Bay and the port of Alexandroupolis, as well as Greece’s contributions to military operations and energy projects aimed at strengthening European energy security. Cyprus was presented as an increasingly important US partner in security, education and energy, with specific reference to the CYCLOPS centre’s role in training for port and maritime threat response. The testimony also stated that approximately 40,000 Turkish troops remain on the island, calling this a permanent factor of instability.
Criticism of Turkey and conditions on assistance
The testimony described Turkey as a destabilising force in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying its actions undermine US interests and NATO cohesion. It cited Turkey’s acquisition and retention of the Russian S-400 air defence system, raising what it called serious security and interoperability concerns within NATO, as well as alleged violations of Greek sovereignty, Turkey’s maintenance of the casus belli against Greece and continued provocations in Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
It also criticised Turkey’s military interventions in Syria and Libya, its actions against Kurdish allies of the United States and its support for Hamas, which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation. Larigakis said US assistance to Turkey should be conditional on full compliance with international law, NATO obligations and alignment with western strategy.
Appeal to Congress
Larigakis called on Congress to prioritise Greece and the Republic of Cyprus as countries he said align with international law and consistently advance US strategic interests.
What role do you think Congress should give to compliance with international law when deciding on foreign assistance?