This bill would stop the State Department from using a routine "policy of denial" to block exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles and defense services on the United States Munitions List to or from the Republic of Cyprus. The change applies when the request comes from or on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the government is the end-user. The bill keeps an exception for credible human rights concerns. The President can temporarily waive the change for one fiscal year for national security reasons. Starting five years after enactment, the President may end the change for five-year periods if he certifies that Cyprus is not cooperating on anti-money laundering reforms and is not denying Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing.
If enacted, the United States could approve more sales and transfers of weapons and defense services to the Republic of Cyprus when those transfers are requested by that government and it is the end-user. Exports could still be blocked if credible human rights concerns exist. The President retains short-term waiver power and a review process tied to specific cooperation and port-access conditions.
No publicly available information.
The bill's text says allowing these exports would: help U.S. security interests in Europe by reducing Cyprus's need to get defense materiel from other countries; recognize that Cyprus met conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019; support U.N.-led efforts toward a Cyprus settlement; strengthen U.S.-Cyprus strategic and security ties; increase military cooperation such as joint training between the Cyprus National Guard and U.S. partners; and support Cyprus joining NATO's Partnership for Peace program.
No publicly available information.