US Senate Votes to Lift Cyprus Arms Embargo
Dan Arkin
| 01/07/2019
Photo: AP
The US Senate on Thursday voted to lift a decades-old arms embargo against Cyprus and to block the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey if it proceeds with the acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.
The lifting of the embargo is conditional on Cyprus to continue reforming anti-money laundering legislation and deny Russian military vessels access to its ports.
In 1987, the US placed restrictions on the transfer of arms and defensive material to Cyprus in an attempt to encourage reunification efforts and avoid an arms race on the island.
Washington was wary of arming Cyprus with weapons that could potentially be used to inflame the conflict with NATO ally Turkey. However, Turkey’s estrangement from Europe in recent years, including its plan to buy the S-400 from Russia, has led to an increasing willingness from members of Congress to increase the pressure on Ankara.
The proposed Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 also contains language impeding the transfer of F-35 Fighters to Turkey should it continue with plans to procure the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. The head of Russia’s Rosoboronexport firm was quoted by local press as saying the first S-400 will be delivered to Turkey in July.
[Sources: Defense News, Cyprus Mail, Financial Mirror]
Photo: AP
The US Senate on Thursday voted to lift a decades-old arms embargo against Cyprus and to block the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey if it proceeds with the acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.
The lifting of the embargo is conditional on Cyprus to continue reforming anti-money laundering legislation and deny Russian military vessels access to its ports.
In 1987, the US placed restrictions on the transfer of arms and defensive material to Cyprus in an attempt to encourage reunification efforts and avoid an arms race on the island.
Washington was wary of arming Cyprus with weapons that could potentially be used to inflame the conflict with NATO ally Turkey. However, Turkey’s estrangement from Europe in recent years, including its plan to buy the S-400 from Russia, has led to an increasing willingness from members of Congress to increase the pressure on Ankara.
The proposed Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 also contains language impeding the transfer of F-35 Fighters to Turkey should it continue with plans to procure the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. The head of Russia’s Rosoboronexport firm was quoted by local press as saying the first S-400 will be delivered to Turkey in July.
[Sources: Defense News, Cyprus Mail, Financial Mirror]
