The president of Cyprus has expressed a strong commitment to expanding defense and security cooperation with the United States following a recent meeting with President Joe Biden. President Nikos Christodoulides highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between Cyprus and the U.S. over the past 18 months, focusing on areas such as law enforcement cooperation, countering money laundering, and energy initiatives.
A key aspect of this security cooperation is the CYCLOPS center, funded by the U.S., which provides training in port and maritime security to officials from neighboring countries like Libya, Yemen, and Lebanon. President Christodoulides emphasized Cyprus' geostrategic role and its potential to contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
Cyprus is considering procuring U.S.-made weapons following the lifting of a long-standing arms embargo in 2020, pending the annual renewal of the U.S. Congress embargo. The country has also played a crucial role in evacuating thousands of third-country nationals from Lebanon, serving as a hub for assisted departures.
Another significant initiative is the Amalthea plan, which established the Cyprus-Gaza maritime corridor for delivering aid to Gaza. Efforts are underway to reactivate this route through the Israeli port of Ashdod, with aid being security-screened in Cyprus before onward delivery to Gaza.
Cyprus has maintained strong relations with neighboring countries and has been praised for its role in the European Union and as a reliable partner in the region. The country is actively investigating cases of possible sanctions evasion and is collaborating with U.S. authorities to uphold Western principles and values.
In the energy sector, U.S. companies ExxonMobil and Chevron are actively involved in hydrocarbon exploration in Cyprus' offshore economic zone. Significant discoveries have been made, with plans for further drilling and gas field development in the coming year, positioning Cyprus as a key player in the regional energy market.
