Biden’s last-minute Cyprus arms deal sparks concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean
Greek Cypriot special forces and US Navy SEALS take part in a joint rescue exercise in the port of the southern Greek Cypriot on Sept. 10, 2021. (AFP Photo)
In a controversial move days before leaving office, U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to provide the Greek Cypriot administration with military aid has sparked serious concerns about stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greek Cypriot military build-up threatens regional balance
The Greek Cypriot administration has prepared an extensive military procurement list, focusing on heavy weaponry, including helicopters and naval patrol vessels, according to the Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros.
This development comes after Biden’s executive order, allowing the Greek Cypriot side to acquire surplus U.S. military equipment at reduced costs, bypassing traditional procurement channels.
on Nov. 15, 2024. (AFP Photo)
“This decision, which will increase armament activities on the Island, is a grave mistake,” stated Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry, emphasizing that such moves could destabilize the delicate balance in the region.
The Greek Cypriot administration’s plans include upgrading the Andreas Papandreu Air Base in Southern Cyprus and the Evangelos Florakis naval facility. U.S. engineering units have already begun construction of a helicopter pad at the naval base, despite regional concerns.
Greek Cypriot Foreign Affairs Official Kombos acknowledged their military’s current reliance on basic equipment, revealing plans to modernize their forces through U.S. assistance. The procurement list ranges from combat boots to infantry rifles, largely through donations of decommissioned U.S. military materials.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), established in 1983, has condemned the U.S. decision, describing claims that this move would contribute to “world peace” as “tragicomic in the most diplomatic terms.”
Historical context of Cyprus dispute
The military aid package comes amid the decades-long Cyprus dispute. The conflict intensified in the early 1960s when ethnic attacks forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for their safety.
In 1974, following a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at annexing the island to Greece, Türkiye exercised its rights as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution.
As tensions escalate, Türkiye has reaffirmed its commitment as a Motherland and Guarantor State to support the TRNC’s defense capabilities, calling on the incoming U.S. administration to reverse this “misguided step.”
