“The future is very bright” for US-Cyprus defence and military cooperation, the new US ambassador to Nicosia, John Breslow, told CNA.
In his first interview since taking up his duties in September, given on board the USS Roosevelt after the ship visited Limassol port and a US detachment took part for the first time in the annual military parade on 1 October, Breslow spoke about cooperation between the two countries.
'Trump must renew defence roadmap with Cyprus'
Referring to the progress of the bilateral 2024-2029 defence cooperation roadmap, he said that it “has already begun and is progressing very well”. The roadmap lasts five years and is expected to conclude close to the end of US President Donald Trump’s term.
“One thing I would definitely like to do before he leaves office, because he appointed me, is to call him and tell him that this needs to be renewed,” he said.
Actions already undertaken include plans to increase facilities at Paphos airport and the Cyclops programme, which he described as “a wonderful programme”.
He explained that, within Cyclops, a training centre built in Cyprus with US funding, training has been held in areas including cybersecurity and border security. The training is carried out mainly with the assistance of the New Jersey National Guard.
“Many people have benefited and it is a wonderful, wonderful programme,” he added.
Plans for different military operations
Regarding renewal of the roadmap, the US ambassador said it was “somewhat early” to discuss it, since it is currently halfway through its term. However, he said, “it should be renewed because it is pioneering for Cyprus and the United States”.
Asked whether the USS Roosevelt’s visit to Limassol could signal a new era of visits by US ships to Cyprus, and about plans for joint exercises, Breslow said there were plans for “many different military operations here in Cyprus, for defence operations”.
“And the future is very bright,” he said, clarifying that he could not go into details about some of them.
He added that more warships would visit the port and that joint exercises would take place, such as those conducted by Cyclops. “So, we want to continue,” he said.
Asked about Cyprus potentially joining NATO and whether the US would support a Cypriot application to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP), Breslow said the issue of Cyprus joining NATO “starts with the citizens of Cyprus”. They, he said, should decide whether this is something they want.
'Almost like NATO'
“The capabilities that the United States and Cyprus are creating together are almost like NATO,” he said, adding that the US “will protect Cyprus in the future”. He also said he could not predict future developments, but estimated that the US would be “very, very supportive”.
Regarding a possible permanent lifting of the arms embargo on Cyprus, which is currently renewed annually, the ambassador said he could not state the position of the US government. He said, however, that there was growing momentum in the Senate to extend the duration of ITAR, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
“They have mentioned three years, five years,” he said, adding that Senator Cory Booker was interested in the matter and that some of his colleagues had recently visited Cyprus and discussed it.
Breslow said ITAR could be extended in the future, clarifying that this was not his decision, since policy is made by Congress and the President. “I believe there is some momentum for this to be achieved,” he said.
Loves Cyprus
Speaking about Cyprus, the US ambassador said he had been on the island for only one month and had not previously visited the country, as he could not travel until his appointment was confirmed by the Senate.
“I love Cyprus. My wife Sonia and I have fallen in love with it,” he said, noting that they had already toured the island. During their first visit, he added, his wife told him: “I love this place. When you complete your term as ambassador, I would like us to live here.”
Breslow said he was looking forward to serving in Cyprus with enthusiasm. Although he had been on the island for only a month, he said he could predict that he would be very sad when he left. “I like it very much. A real challenge,” he said.
“And the people I have met are so kind and wonderful. Something that has surprised me is that everyone is smiling and they like what they do,” he concluded.
Source: CNA
