White House approves defence support to Republic of Cyprus

US President Joe Biden has issued a presidential determination authorising the provision of defence articles and services to the Republic of Cyprus.

According to the White House, the presidential determination states that this action will enhance US security and promote global peace.

The President, under legal authority from the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, directs the Secretary of State to notify Congress and publish this decision in the Federal Register.

"Under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 503(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and section 3(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, I hereby find that the furnishing of defence articles and defence services to the Republic of Cyprus will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace" the statement reads.

Addressing the Secretary of State, Biden says he is "authorised and directed to transmit this determination and the accompanying memorandum of justification to the Congress and to publish this determination in the Federal Register.”

Cyprus Presidency welcomes US decision

The decision by US President Biden is an historic development, as it makes the Republic of Cyprus eligible to receive defence equipment, supplies, and services through strategic programmes such as Foreign Military Sales, the Excess Defense Articles divestment programme, and other military assistance programmes, the Presidency said in a press release.

It further said that this development reflects the results of the clear policy and orientation of the Christodoulides Government, which is yielding substantive and tangible benefits at the diplomatic and defence levels.

This decision, which was also discussed during President Christodoulides’ meeting with President Biden at the White House last October, marks another historic milestone in the bilateral relationship between Cyprus and the United States. At the same time, it is a clear recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as a crucial pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the potential to further contribute to peace and the management of humanitarian challenges.

Cyprus’ inclusion in the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme offers the possibility of procuring defence equipment from excess US equipment, either as a grant or at a particularly low cost, contributing to the modernisation of the country’s armament programme. At the same time, participation in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, allows for the direct procurement of defence equipment from the US Government, ensuring that these actions serve common strategic objectives. At the same time, Title 10 programmes “strengthen support to our country’s capabilities through the provision of training and equipment, mainly with regard to land and maritime border security”.

According to the Presidency, "this decision significantly upgrades bilateral defence cooperation, consolidating Cyprus’ position as a reliable regional partner while at the same time contributing to the upgrading of our country's defence shielding and deterrence and the modernisation of the National Guard's armament programme. This strategic cooperation strengthens the role of the Republic of Cyprus “as a foundation of security, stability and diplomatic influence in the region, while at the same time highlighting the political stability and international credibility of the Cypriot state.”

The US Presidential Determination “is undoubtedly a decisive development, confirming the strategic value of Cyprus in the broader geopolitical chessboard, while at the same time sending strong political messages for the deepening of the strategic cooperation between Cyprus and the United States”. Such developments “also strengthen our continuous effort” to end the Turkish occupation and for a final solution to the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. 

(Source: CNA)