US Ambassador John Breslow has said the future of defence and military cooperation between the United States and Cyprus is “very bright”, pointing to plans for more US warship visits and further joint exercises.
In his first interview since taking up his post in September, Breslow spoke on board the USS Roosevelt during its visit to Limassol, days after a US military contingent took part for the first time in Cyprus’s annual 1 October military parade.
Asked what had been achieved since the signing of the 2024-2029 bilateral defence cooperation roadmap, Breslow said “the roadmap has already begun and it is progressing very well”.
The five-year roadmap, signed in September 2024, covers areas including joint training, military education, interoperability, information exchanges and humanitarian and recovery operations.
Breslow noted that the roadmap is due to run until close to the end of US President Donald Trump’s term.
“One thing I would certainly like to do before he leaves office, because he appointed me, is call him and tell him that this needs to be renewed,” he said.
Among the projects already under way, Breslow referred to plans to expand facilities at Paphos airport and to the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas and Port Security, known as CYCLOPS.
He described CYCLOPS as “a wonderful programme”, saying it had provided training in areas including cybersecurity and border security, largely with support from the New Jersey National Guard.
The US-funded centre was established to provide regional training in areas including border security, maritime security, cybersecurity and counter-proliferation.
“Many people have benefited and it is a wonderful, wonderful programme,” Breslow said.
Returning to the defence roadmap, he said it was still too early formally to discuss an extension.
“It is a little early to talk about renewal now. We are in the middle of it, but it should be renewed because it is breaking new ground for Cyprus and the United States,” he said.
More warship visits and joint exercises
Asked whether the USS Roosevelt visit marked the beginning of a new phase of US naval visits to Cyprus and whether further joint exercises were planned, Breslow said there were plans for a range of military and defence activities.
“I think there are plans for many different military operations here in Cyprus, for defence operations,” he said.
“And the future is very bright,” he added, while saying he could not discuss some of the plans in detail.
On what could be made public, Breslow said: “I think you will see more warships and ships visiting the port like this. And there will be some joint exercises, like those under CYCLOPS. So we want to continue.”
US-Cyprus security cooperation has already included joint military exercises and US naval port visits, while the two countries formally committed in 2024 to deepen cooperation through the bilateral roadmap.
Cyprus and NATO
Asked about possible Cypriot membership of NATO and whether Washington would support a Cypriot application to the Partnership for Peace programme, Breslow said the starting point should be the wishes of Cypriot citizens.
“First of all, I think the issue of Cyprus joining NATO starts with the people of Cyprus. I mean, I think they have to decide that this is something they want to do,” he said.
Breslow then pointed to the growing defence relationship between Washington and Nicosia.
“I think the capabilities that the United States and Cyprus are building together are almost like NATO. I mean, the United States will protect Cyprus in the future. And I think that is very important.”
He added that he could not predict what would happen but believed the United States would be “very, very supportive”.
Arms restrictions could be extended beyond annual review
Breslow was also asked about the possibility of permanently removing US defence trade restrictions on Cyprus, which are currently reviewed on a recurring basis.
“I cannot tell you what the administration’s position is, but I can tell you that there is growing momentum in the Senate to increase the ITAR timeframe,” he said.
He said periods of three or five years had been discussed and referred to interest from Senator Cory Booker.
“Some of his staff were here recently and we discussed it,” Breslow said.
He added that he believed the ITAR timeframe could eventually be extended but stressed that the decision was not his.
“Obviously I do not make policy. That is something Congress and the President do,” he said, adding that he believed there was “some momentum” behind such a change.
The current US framework requires continuing certification that Cyprus meets conditions set by US law before restrictions on defence exports are lifted. Previous State Department notices have described that compliance review as annual.
‘We have fallen in love with Cyprus’
Breslow, who had been in Cyprus for about a month when the interview took place, said it was his first visit to the island.
“I love Cyprus. My wife Sonia and I have fallen in love with it,” he said.
He said the couple had already travelled around the island and recalled his wife telling him during their first visit that she would like them to live in Cyprus after his term as ambassador ended.
Looking ahead to his posting, Breslow said he was excited to serve and already expected that leaving Cyprus would be difficult.
“I can predict that I will be very sad when I leave Cyprus. I like it very much. A real challenge,” he said.
He also praised the people he had met since arriving.
“The people I have met are so nice and wonderful. One thing that has surprised me is that everyone is smiling and they like what they do,” Breslow said.
