Bipartisan Effort to End Cyprus Embargo for Arms Sales

Strategic Insights -

US members of Congress are taking steps to scrap the annual process of renewing the waiver for the embargo on selling arms to Cyprus, reintroducing the End the Cyprus Embargo Act. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Chris Pappas, Gus Bilirakis, Dina Titus, and Nicole Malliotakis, aims to extend the waiver renewal period from one year to five years. This move is expected to strengthen US-Cypriot relations, enhance bilateral cooperation, and advance US security interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Key Takeaways:

  • The End the Cyprus Embargo Act would extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo on Cyprus from one year to five years, allowing for more effective planning and procurement of US defence articles.
  • The annual renewal requirement has restricted Cyprus' ability to plan and procure US defence articles, compromising US-Cypriot military interoperability and hindering joint research on cybersecurity and maritime security.
  • The Republic of Cyprus is a steadfast democratic ally in the Eastern Mediterranean and an essential partner in ensuring regional security.
  • Cyprus has proven itself to be a valued and reliable partner for the United States, and extending the waiver renewal period will allow the partnership to continue to flourish.
  • The legislation will give Cyprus planning certainty, enabling the partnership to continue to support US security interests abroad.
  • The End the Cyprus Embargo Act will permit the president to reconsider the arms embargo waiver only every five years following its enactment, unless Congress receives certification that the Republic of Cyprus is no longer cooperating with US efforts to implement anti-money laundering regulations and financial oversight reforms.
  • The legislation also prohibits the president from terminating the waiver unless Congress receives the aforementioned certification.

Statistics:

  • The US-Cyprus relations have strengthened substantially over the past two decades.
  • The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 authorised the US president to waive the arms embargo on an annual basis.
  • The waiver renewal period extension from one year to five years will allow for more effective planning and procurement of US defence articles.

Sources:

  • End the Cyprus Embargo Act (reintroduced by Chris Pappas, Gus Bilirakis, Dina Titus, and Nicole Malliotakis).
  • Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019.