Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is introducing legislation to extend the waiver renewal period on the arms embargo on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.
For additional context, Cyprus was placed under an arms embargo from 1987 to 2020 due to ethnic tensions on the island between its Hellenic (Greek) and Turkish inhabitants.
A breakaway government on the island's north, backed by Turkey (Turkiye), has been building up its own military, which the internationally recognized Greek-held government called "illegal."
Just before leaving office in January, President Joe Biden authorized military sales to Cyprus, which further cemented the Cypriots' ties to the West, especially after their primary military partner, Russia, invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Rep. Bilirakis's End the Cyprus Embargo Act, therefore, extends the waiver renewal period on the embargo from one to five years, only after which the President can reconsider the waiver. Additionally, Cyprus must maintain its efforts to crack down on money laundering and deny the Russian Navy access to its ports.
"Cyprus has proven itself to be a valued and reliable partner for the United States," said Rep. Bilirakis in his press release, adding, "Giving Cyprus planning certainty will allow the partnership to continue to flourish and will prove mutually beneficial for both nations and our allies."
Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH), one of the bill's cosponsors, stated, "The Republic of Cyprus is a steadfast democratic ally in the Eastern Mediterranean and an essential partner in ensuring regional security. This policy change will better empower U.S.-Cyprus bilateral relations, support our mutual commitment to collaboration on security and defense, and improve long-term planning and procurement coordination."
"Cyprus is a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the U.S. must continue making efforts to improve diplomatic relations between our two countries," said Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), adding, "Reducing the number of necessary embargo reviews for aid to Cyprus will allow this important ally to strategically plan for the future while supporting U.S. security interests abroad."
Finally, Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) said that "For too long, the United States has maintained an outdated and counterproductive embargo on the sale of defense materials and services to the Republic of Cyprus."
"Our legislation seeks to correct this by recognizing Cyprus as a key strategic partner in the Eastern Mediterranean and allow for the responsible export of U.S. defense items to support our shared security interests. By strengthening Cyprus's ability to defend itself, we can promote greater stability in the region," Rep. Malliotakis concluded.
In March, Bilirakis introduced the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, which would require the U.S. State Department to reassign Turkey's designation from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, citing Turkish President Recep Erdoğan's hostility toward the United States, Greece, and Cyprus.
