On Friday the Biden administration announced that the US would fully lift the arms embargo on Cyprus, a landmark decision that confirms the deepening of the strategic partnership between the two countries. This move follows the partial lifting of the embargo in 2020. It also comes after years of advocacy work on Capitol Hill, where Congressional leaders like Senators Menendez and Rubio, and Representatives Bilirakis, Cicilline, and Deutch played a key role in bringing an end to a policy that has not only failed to bring us any closer to ending the occupation of Cyprus, but has also undermined US interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis to walk us through the major milestones that led to Friday’s historic announcement, and provide a look ahead at what to expect as leaders gather in New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here: 

Lifting of Defense Trade Restrictions on the Republic of Cyprus for Fiscal Year 2023

US lifts decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus, move hailed as ‘milestone’

Joint Statement on the Third U.S.-Turkey Strategic Mechanism Dialogue

US and EU step up pressure on Turkey over Russia sanctions

Winter plan to lure Northern Europeans