The United States sees significant potential for growth in its partnership with Cyprus, as Washington strengthens ties with the Eastern Mediterranean nation through arms trade cooperation and strategic agreements.
Brigid J. Ryan, the White House’s Director for Southern Europe and the South Caucasus, expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship, describing it as a partnership with a “high ceiling” for future collaboration.
In response to a question from To Vima, Ryan underscored the importance of building on recent milestones, such as the lifting of arms restrictions and the signing of a strategic partnership roadmap earlier this year.
A Partnership with Expanding Horizons
The U.S.-Cyprus relationship has been steadily advancing over the past two years, driven by shared security goals in the strategically important Eastern Mediterranean.
Recent actions, including the waiver of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions, signal a shift toward treating Cyprus as a key regional partner.
Ryan highlighted the August 2024 signing of a bilateral roadmap as a pivotal moment. The agreement outlines a framework for security and economic collaboration, further solidifying Cyprus’s role in U.S. regional strategy.
Despite this momentum, questions remain about how quickly and to what extent the relationship can evolve. With NATO membership still elusive due to Turkish objections, the prospect of Cyprus obtaining major non-NATO ally status appears to be the next logical step.
This designation could deepen military cooperation and strategic alignment between the U.S. and Cyprus. Ryan expressed cautious optimism but acknowledged the challenges involved.
“That is a very heavy lift,” she said, before adding, “There’s a lot of room for growth in this relationship, but we want to sequence it in the right order at the right pace and at the right time. So, yes there remains a high ceiling but we will walk there slowly.”
NSC Official Defends Biden Administration’s Engagement on Cyprus
While the Biden administration has made strides in strengthening ties with Cyprus, President Biden—who has long engaged with the Cyprus issue as a U.S. Senator—has faced criticism for not prioritizing the issue more prominently in U.S. foreign policy.
In response to these concerns, Ryan emphasized the behind-the-scenes nature of U.S. efforts on the Cyprus issue.
“Certainly, there are a lot of private conversations on this topic that are best left between governments,” Ryan explained, addressing claims that the U.S. has not used its influence to push for a resolution to the decades-long Cyprus dispute. “Setting conditions in order to help countries feel sufficiently confident to move forward is key to this.”
