A US State Department official has given clarifications regarding the bill allowing sale of defensive weapons to Cyprus.
According to the clarifications, section 1276 of the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) requires the Departments of State and Defense “to submit a report to Congress assessing the U.S.-Cyprus security relationship, including the impact of current constraints on trade of defense-related goods and services”.
“This Act does not affect International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions on defense trade with Cyprus”, he said, pointing out that “our policy on Cyprus has not changed”.
“We continue to support UN-facilitated, Cypriot-led efforts to re-unify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation”, the State Department official says.
The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, is divided by Turkish troops since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. UN led talks, aiming at reunifying the island under a federal political system resumed in May.
CNA/KCH/GCH 2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY