US and Cyprus interests closely aligned, ambassador says

Nicosia, Cyprus. The interests and objectives of the United States and Cyprus are closely aligned, US ambassador John Breslow said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Cyprus Forum, he described the current period as potentially the best in the history of relations between the two countries.

Support for reunification

Breslow said Washington stood ready to support Cypriot-led efforts to reunify the island through a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Business and bilateral ties

The ambassador said he saw “real opportunities” for business cooperation. He also identified scope to work with the Cypriot government on EU regulations that, he argued, have “serious unintended consequences for the prosperity of both the United States and Cyprus”.

Describing bilateral relations as “better than ever”, Breslow said: “This gives us the opportunity to break new ground and think about what we can achieve over the long term.”

Defence cooperation

Breslow said the 2018 Joint Statement of Intent, signed during Donald Trump’s presidency, opened a new chapter in defence and energy cooperation. The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, passed in 2019, further strengthened ties, he said, and cooperation has since expanded into new areas.

The 2024 Strategic Dialogue institutionalised cooperation in security, education, trade and space, he said.

“The bilateral defence cooperation roadmap signed in September 2024, as well as the launch of the first US military equipment sale to Cyprus, mean that our armed forces are more interoperable than ever,” Breslow said.

He also said President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had outlined a vision of American foreign policy centred on advancing US national interests.