Cyprus announces its intention to join NATO

25 November, 2024 The military of the Republic of Cyprus at the parade on October 1, 2022. Cyprus. Photo: Cyprus media

The government of Cyprus is seeking to join NATO to provide security guarantees and improve its political situation. Kathimerini reported on this. Joining NATO is a strategic step for the country, which aims to strengthen its defense, but there are currently political obstacles to this that must be overcome in the future.

The discussion of Cyprus's plan to join NATO between President Nikos Christodulidis and US President Joe Biden was received positively.

T-80U tanks of the Cypriot National Guard. Photo from open sources

The news was also welcomed by the U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who called it a "victory for the people of Cyprus."

Despite the wishes of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, he also addressed the United States with three political conditions, which, in his opinion, are very important in this matter. First of all, one of the points is the purchase of defense equipment from the United States. To do this, the annual renewal of the arms embargo must be changed and the arms embargo must be lifted for at least three to five years.

The second condition to be fulfilled by the United States on the basis of the Cyprus Plan is further significant upgrades in the area of joint training of the Cypriot National Guard at US military academies.

Tank crew of the Cypriot National Guard during exercises in Israel, May 2023. Photo credits: The tactical jev

The third condition is a decisive contribution of the United States to the gradual modernization of Cyprus' defense capabilities and military forces in accordance with the NATO standards, as well as the improvement of infrastructure and defense facilities. In this context, it is possible that by the end of the year there will have been events related to the free provision of defense equipment to Cyprus, as well as the provision of materials through international sales programs.

The permanent US military presence in Cyprus will be the main task of Cyprus' policy, although it is not a certain condition that will be discussed by politicians during the country's accession to NATO.

Militarnyi previously reported that in March 2024, Sweden had officially become the new 32nd member of the North Atlantic Alliance.