WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) issued the following statement regarding Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Cyprus:

AHI commends Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s September 12, 2020, visit to the Republic of Cyprus where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides to create a new training center to be called the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS).

“The United States clearly values the Republic of Cyprus as a strategic partner,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “This agreement demonstrates the evolving geostrategic importance the United States places on the Republic of Cyprus and strengthens U.S.-Republic of Cyprus relations.”

“We also welcome that Secretary Pompeo reiterated the ‘deep concern’ of the United States about Turkey’s ongoing surveying operations in areas over which Greece and Cyprus assert jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean and the right of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit its natural resources in its exclusive economic zone.” Larigakis said.

The MoU agreement is the latest development that demonstrates enhanced security cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus. On September 1, 2020, Secretary Pompeo announced the United States’ temporary waiving of restrictions on the export, re-export, retransfer, and temporary import of non-lethal defense articles and defense services controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation destined for or originating in Cyprus. In July, the United States announced it will provide International Military Education and Training (IMET) program funding to the Republic of Cyprus for fiscal year 2021, which will be a first.