Cyprus arms embargo lifted: Nicosia hails 'historic' US decision
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus flag drawn on a mountain.
The island has been divided since the invasion from the north by the Turkish army in 1974, in reaction to a coup d'etat by Cypriot-Greek nationalists (illustration image).
AFP PHOTO / YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The Cypriot president on Saturday (September 17th) hailed the “
historic
” decision of the United States to completely lift an arms embargo which had hit the divided Mediterranean island for decades, provided that Nicosia continued to prevent ships Russian warships to access its ports.
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The arms embargo on the whole of Cyprus had been imposed by Washington in 1987, in the hope of encouraging the reunification of the island, divided since the invasion of the north by the Turkish army in 1974, in reaction to a coup by Cypriot-Greek nationalists who wanted to attach the island to Greece.
The United States thus hoped to prevent an arms race and to encourage a peaceful settlement between the Greek majority and the Turkish minority.
A “historic decision”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken effectively lifted defense trade restrictions on European Union member Cyprus on Friday (September 16th), State Department spokesman Ned Price.
“
This is a historic decision, which reflects the growing strategic relationship between the two countries, including in the field of security
,” Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades quickly reacted on his Twitter account.
Some critics say the US embargo has been counterproductive as it has forced Cyprus to seek other partners, while NATO member Turkey maintains troops in the island's controlled north by the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC, recognized only by Ankara).
US officials had worried that the embargo would bring Cyprus closer to Russia, as Nicosia signed an agreement with Moscow in 2015 allowing the Russian navy to access its ports.
“
Cooperation
” with Washington
In December 2019, the US Congress had already voted to lift the arms embargo to allow the export of "
non-lethal
" military equipment.
With the complete lifting of this embargo, Cyprus must "
continue its cooperation
" with Washington, in particular by "
continuing to take the necessary measures to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and maintenance
", added Ms. .Price.
The European Union (EU) has closed European ports to Russian ships as part of sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
(
with AFP
)
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Cyprus
Defense
European Union
United States
Turkey
Nicos Anastasiades