Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they were consulted and informed about the US decision to lift its arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus, and by whom; how and when that decision is to be implemented; and what assessment they have made of the impact of that decision on the current Cyprus talks process.

We understand that, contrary to media reports in Cyprus, the United States (US) government has not decided to lift its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions on its defence trade with the Republic of Cyprus. The US has amended Section 1276 of its National Defence Authorisation Act so that the US Departments of State and Defence are required to submit a report to Congress assessing the US-Cyprus security relationship, including the impact of US trade constraints on defence-related goods and services to the island. This does not affect the US ITAR restrictions on defence trade with the Republic of Cyprus.