During a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides presented a plan for the country’s potential integration into NATO.
According to the Greek outlet Kathimerini, the initiative received a positive response from Washington. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the plan as “mutually beneficial.” He stated that Cyprus’s integration into the Alliance could create new opportunities for cooperation. President Christodoulides also discussed the proposal with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, according to reports.
The primary goal of the plan is to institutionalize Cyprus’s cooperation with NATO through participation in the Alliance, which is viewed as a step toward full membership. However, the plan’s implementation depends on several conditions, including progress in resolving Cyprus’s territorial issue and normalizing relations between the European Union and Turkey.
Additionally, Cyprus aims to secure a long-term agreement with the United States for arms supplies spanning three to five years. The country also plans to expand the number of training slots for National Guard officers at U.S. military academies and modernize its military capabilities to meet NATO standards.
