The US Senate voted to lift a 1987 arms embargo against Cyprus and to cut Turkey off the American F-35 fighter jet program if it goes ahead with purchasing Russian S-400 missiles.
The measures were passed through the National Defense Authorization Act in the 2020 draft budget via an amendment introduced by Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, a similar version of which has been introduced by Democratic Congressman David Cicilline to the House, which will vote on defence spending in the next few days.
The amendment uses identical language to the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act for strengthening US security and energy cooperation with Cyprus, Israel and Greece approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
However, lifting the embargo is conditional on Cyprus to continue reforming anti-money laundering legislation and deny Russian military vessels access to its ports.
But it allows the President of the United Stated to waive this requirement for one economic year, if it’s to the interest of the United States.
Lifting of the embargo involves only U.S. military articles and military services requested by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and not transfers on Cypriot soil of American made equipment for the Turkish Army, the “Turkish Cypriot Forces” or Greek contingent ELDYK.
“The Senate has shown our partners in Cyprus and around the world that the United States is committed to meeting the eastern Mediterranean’s challenges and opportunities,” said Menendez.
“With Cyprus seeking to deepen its strategic partnership with the United States, it is in our national security and economic interest to lift this outdated decades-long arms restrictions that are no longer helping US security objectives.
I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to ensure we usher a new era for an eastern Mediterranean architecture rooted in shared security and prosperity,” he added.
Turkey has found a way to circumvent the arms embargo by placing tens of thousands of Turkish troops armed with American weapons in the northern part of Cyprus.
The US arms embargo forced the Republic of Cyprus to purchase weapons from other nations. (source CNA)
