The US has decided to partially lift the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus, which was imposed 33 years ago. As reported by the Cyprus Mail newspaper, US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Tuesday told the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades by phone.
As stated in Washington, the embargo is lifted for a period of 1 year with the possibility of extension. It is emphasized that at the moment, the American side has allowed the delivery of only “non-lethal weapons systems”to the island state in the Mediterranean sea. Which ones are not specified. It is known that this category of the United States traditionally includes communications and intelligence equipment, personal protective equipment, cars, night vision devices and radars, and similar equipment.
“I welcome the lifting of the US arms embargo on the supply of non-lethal defense equipment. This is a development in a positive direction that further strengthens bilateral relations in the field of security, ” President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter.
It should be noted that so far, despite the active lobbying efforts of the Greek and Greek Cypriot Diaspora in the United States, Washington has been extremely cautious about developing military cooperation with Cyprus. First of all, because of fears of a negative reaction from Turkey. And it was not long in coming.
