 | |
 Cyprus |  United States |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Cyprus, Washington, D.C. | Embassy of the United States, Nicosia |
Relations betweenCyprus and theUnited States can be described as excellent, both sharing membership in theUnited Nations,International Monetary Fund, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, theWorld Bank and theWorld Trade Organization. Cyprus has been an observer to theOrganization of American States.[1][2][3]Cypriots view the United States as their second most trusted ally afterFrance with 62% considering the U.S. a desired ally.[4]
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Relations between the United States and Cyprus can be described as being excellent, yet historically complicated due to many factors.[5] Cyprus is seen as democratic state that can serve as a forward base for the United States. In numerous occasions military bases, ports and airports such as thePort of Limassol and theLarnaca International Airport respectively, have been used for humanitarian and support purposes by the US.[6] Cyprus has also given exclusive rights to a US oil extracting multinationals such asExxonMobil to extract natural gas from itsExclusive Economic Zone.[7][8] U.S. imports from Cyprus agricultural products and minerals while business ties encompass several services.[2]
The US also works closely with Cyprus in order to advance shared priorities both bilaterally and in the context of strategic partnership with theEuropean Union, which Cyprus is amember state.[9] The Bilateral partnership focuses in areas of common interest, such as peace, security, trade and investment, diversifyingEuropean energy sources, and protectingcultural heritage across the island.[10][11][12] TheCabinet of Israel approach of Cyprus over the recent years, and especially after the2010 Gaza flotilla raid, has boostedCyprus–Israel relations even further. The United States supports this approach with anEnergy Triangle between Cyprus,Israel andGreece.[13][14]
In 2018, the United States and the Republic of Cyprus signed a Statement of Intent to also strengthen and develop their security relationship. The agreement encompasses efforts to combat terrorism, enhance maritime security and further promote regional stability in theEastern Mediterranean.[13][15] The U.S. Embassy in Cyprus is located inEngomi area, within the capital city ofNicosia. The current U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus isJudith G. Garber. Cyprus maintains an embassy atWashington, D.C. and a consulate general inNew York City. TheUnited States Department of State retains detail information about Cyprus and US relations and operations.[16][17]
Wilbur Ross, formerUnited States Secretary of Commerce, was a major shareholder and vice chairman of the board ofBank of Cyprus, after he invested €400 million in the bank in 2014. Prior to his appointment, Ross was a successful banker known for acquiring and restructuring companies and later selling them for a profit once operations have been improved. Ross is a hall of fame member and past director of theTurnaround management Association.[18][19]
In June 2024, after a meeting between theSecretary of StateAntony Blinken and Cypriot Minister of Foreign AffairsConstantinos Kombos, the two sides agreed to open a "Strategic dialogue" with the first meeting to take place in Cyprus in September 2024.[20][21]
The United States is also working closely with Cyprus in thewar on terrorism. Amutual legal assistance treaty, which has been in force since September 18, 2002, facilitates bilateral cooperation. Cyprus also signed aProliferation Security Initiative with the United States on July 25, 2005, which reinforces bilateralcounter-terrorism cooperation.[22][23]
The US respects the rights of Cyprus to develop its resources in itsEEZ and has repeated caution to Turkeys destabilizing Oil & Gas research within Cyprus EEZ.[24][25] The "US remains deeply concerned by Turkey's repeated attempts to conduct drilling operations in the waters off Cyprus... This provocative step raises tensions in the region. We urge Turkish authorities to halt these operations and encourage all parties to act with restraint and refrain from actions that increase tensions in the region" statedMorgan Ortagus of theUnited States Department of State in 2019.[26][27][28] Cyprus has called on Turkey to delineate the sea boundaries between the two countries.[29][30][31][32]
The United States and TheRepublic of Cyprus established official diplomatic relations in 1960, right after theBritish Cyprus's independence from theUnited Kingdom. Differences immediately arose between the majorityGreek Cypriot (77.1%) and minorityTurkish Cypriot (18.2%)communities during the implementation of theConstitution of Cyprus provided at the time. Subsequently, inter-communal violence led to the establishment of theUnited Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in 1964. In 1974, aCoup d'état backed by theGreek military junta of 1967–1974 failed to provideEnosis (union) with Greece. Subsequently, aTurkish invasion of Cyprus has followed, that resulted in the capture of approximately 40% of the island and ade facto division of its people and land since 1974. Today, the Republic of Cyprus is the only official government of the island state, however, more than 1/3 of the north is administered byTurkish Cypriots, through the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” proclaimed in 1983. The United States, does not recognize the “TRNC,” nor does any other country in the world except Turkey. About 30,000Turkish Troops remain on the island while the"Green line" buffer zone is patrolled by UNFICYP.[33] The United States regards the status quo on theCyprus dispute as "unacceptable" and fully supports the UN-led inter-communal negotiations as the rightful venue to achieve a fair settlement.[34] In December 2019, the US Congress lifted a decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus.[35] On 2 September 2020, United States decided to lift embargo on selling "non-lethal" military goods to Cyprus for one year starting from 1 October.[36] On October 1, 2022, the United States formally lifted the Defense Trade Restrictions, allowing Cyprus to acquire American weapons.[37]
Since the 1970s, the US has channeled millions in assistance to both communities and sponsors programs to increase cooperation between the two communities. Following theAnnan Plan, the U.S. devoted an additional funding to assist the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots, in order to reduce future settlement costs. In 2000, the US Embassy established a Bicommunal Support Program that is focused on professional development, education and leadership. The UNDP's Action for Cooperation and Trust program is also working with Cypriot organizations to help build relationships island-wide.[38] The focus is on multicultural education and youth empowerment, promoting civil engagement, support to environmental protection and the preservation and promotion of Cyprus's cultural heritage. The Cyprus Partnership for Economic Growth (CyPEG) was also designed to promote business interaction and trade between the communities.[39] Thousands ofCypriots have made friends with members of the “other” community as a result of these programs.[40]
Due to the massive flow of Cypriot under-graduate and post graduate students Cyprus-America Scholarship Program (CASP) offers scholarships for Cypriot students wanting to pursue a bachelor's degree in the United States. The CASP competition is open for bachelor's degrees in all fields except Medicine and Dentistry. A Bachelor's Degree in the United States usually takes four years. The scholarship is for a maximum amount of $25,000 each year, for a maximum total of $100,000.
The Embassy of the United States is located inNicosia, Cyprus. TheEmbassy of Cyprus is located in Washington, D.C.
In August 2023, during his recent visit toCyprus, Robert Paschall, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the US Department of Homeland Security, highlighted that Cyprus was on the path to joining the Visa Waiver Program, pending certain requirements. Paschall emphasized the significance of bilateral information exchange and streamlined travel rules. Presently, citizens of Cyprus must meet US visa prerequisites for business and tourism purposes.[41]
| Guest | Host | Place of visit | Date of visit |
|---|---|---|---|
 PresidentMakarios III |  PresidentJohn F. Kennedy | United States | June 5–7, 1962[42] |
| President Makarios III | PresidentRichard Nixon | White House,Washington, D.C., United States | October 24–25, 1970 |
| PresidentSpyros Kyprianou | PresidentJimmy Carter | New York City, USA | October 5, 1977 |
| PresidentSpyros Kyprianou | PresidentRonald Reagan | United States | December 4–9, 1981 |
| PresidentGeorge Vassiliou | PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush | United States | October 4, 1989 |
| President George Vassiliou | President George H. W. Bush | United States | May 29–30, 1991 |
| President George Vassiliou | President George H. W. Bush | United States | March 30, 1992 |
| PresidentGlafcos Clerides | PresidentBill Clinton | United States | May 20–21, 1993 |
| Vice PresidentJoe Biden | PresidentNicos Anastasiades | Cyprus | May 21, 2014[43] |
| Secretary of StateJohn Kerry | President Nicos Anastasiades | Cyprus | December 4, 2015[44] |
| Minister of Foreign AffairsNikos Christodoulides | Secretary of StateMike Pompeo | United States | November 18, 2019[45] |
| Secretary of State Mike Pompeo | President Nicos Anastasiades | Presidential Palace, Cyprus | September 12, 2020[46] |
| Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military AffairsR. Clarke Cooper | Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides | Cyprus | October 20, 2020[47] |
| Acting Secretary of Homeland SecurityChad Wolf | Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides | Larnaca, Cyprus | January 4, 2021[48] |
| Minister of Foreign AffairsIoannis Kasoulidis | Secretary of StateAntony Blinken | Washington D.C., USA | February 1, 2022[49] |
| Under Secretary of State for Political AffairsVictoria Nuland | Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulidis | Cyprus | April 6, 2022[50] |
| SenatorRick Scott | Minister of Defense Michalis Giorgallas | Limassol, Cyprus | April 6–7, 2023[51] |
| Secretary of State Antony Blinken | President Nikos Christodoulides | Larnaca, Cyprus | November 6, 2023[52] |
| Minister of Foreign AffairsConstantinos Kombos | Secretary of State Antony Blinken | Washington, D.C., United States | June 17 2024[53] |
| President Nikos Christodoulides | PresidentJoe Biden | Washington D.C., United States | October 30, 2024[54] |
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromU.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets.United States Department of State.
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