Cyprus welcomes renewed US waiver on defence restrictions

Nicosia, Cyprus. The foreign ministry on Sunday welcomed a United States decision to renew the lifting of defence restrictions on Cyprus for the next fiscal year. The waiver allows the export, re-export and transfer of US weaponry and services to Cyprus during that period.

Strategic partnership

The ministry said the decision recognised the continued expansion of the two countries’ strategic partnership and cooperation, reflecting shared priorities in promoting stability across the Levant.

It cited recent developments including the defence and security cooperation dialogue established in 2021 and a bilateral defence cooperation roadmap signed in 2024.

Cyprus has also gained access to US defence programmes, including foreign military sales and excess defence articles.

Calls for permanent removal

The ministry said the renewal would contribute to the further deepening of bilateral cooperation and thanked bipartisan efforts in Congress seeking a long-term exemption.

The embargo has been in place since 1987 and was imposed to encourage reunification following the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the unilateral declaration of independence in the occupied north in 1983.

The restrictions are currently lifted through annual waivers. Critics say this arrangement has pushed Cyprus towards alternative arms suppliers, including previous arrangements with Russia, while limiting deeper cooperation with western partners.

Republican congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has urged Congress to pass the End Cyprus Embargo Act, which would permanently remove the restrictions.

The American Jewish Committee and the Hellenic American Leadership Council have also called for an end to the embargo, arguing in a joint article that Cyprus’ security and its role as a factor of regional stability are linked to efforts to counter terrorist networks supported by the Iranian regime.