Washington: The assessment of security risks stemming from the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, with emphasis on the consequences for the United States and its allies, is included among the amendments submitted to the US Congress for the defense budget (NDAA). Another amendment provides for a suspension of US arms sales to Turkey until the US Government presents the steps it has taken to discourage Ankara from violating the sovereignty of Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and other allies.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the initiatives were taken by Democratic Representatives Dan Goldman from New York and Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey. The proposals concerning Turkey’s conduct in the Eastern Mediterranean, which examine Turkish policy through the lens of US security interests, scrutinize critical issues affecting the region’s stability. Among other things, the amendments provide for a temporary ban on arms sales to Turkey until the government certifies the steps it has taken to discourage Ankara’s violations of the sovereignty of its allies. They also call for a security risk assessment stemming from the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, with emphasis on the consequences for the US and its allies.
In addition, the amendments foresee a review of Ankara’s ties with Hamas and other terrorist organizations, which cause concern in Washington and the region. The Greek-American diaspora played an active role in promoting the amendments, as the process began with the support of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC).
US Representative Dan Goldman introduced an amendment to the defense budget bill (NDAA), requesting the preparation of a report on the security threats arising from the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. The proposal provides that the US Secretary of Defense, in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence, must submit a detailed report to the appropriate Congressional committees within 180 days. Specifically, the report must record the security risks for the U.S., its allies and partners-including Israel, the United Kingdom, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus-resulting from the Turkish occupation in Cyprus. It must also document the presence of terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the occupied areas.
Furthermore, the report must include a chronological review of terrorist attacks carried out or attempted in Cyprus or at the British bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, with reference to the role of the occupied areas. The amendment also calls for a vulnerability assessment of threats against U.S. forces and installations in Cyprus and the bases, and reference to the degree of Turkey’s involvement in or tolerance of terrorist activities, including the facilitation of terrorist organizations and financial support through institutions in the occupied areas.
Representative Josh Gottheimer’s amendment sets strict limits on the transfer of US weapons and defense services to Turkey until Ankara complies with specific conditions. These include the suspension of US arms sales to Turkey until the Government presents the steps it has taken to prevent Ankara from violating the sovereignty of Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and other NATO allies. In particular, the report must include steps to end violations of the sovereignty of other NATO member states, non-NATO allies, or the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the avoidance of any form of support to United States-designated terrorist organizations.
Moreover, it requires a detailed description of the steps taken to prevent the use of United States arms to facilitate the occupation of the Republic of Cyprus and the status of weapons previously transferred to the Government of Turkey or armed forces of Turkey which are now located in Cyprus. The amendment also foresees the documentation of attacks against American soldiers or their families, as well as the measures taken by the Turkish government to prevent new attacks. According to the amendment, after the completion of the report, the Secretary of State must inform appropriate Congressional committees before any decision to transfer or licensing of arms export to Turkey.
This section shall terminate on the earlier of the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act; or the date on which the President certifies to such congressional committees that the Government of Turkey is no longer engaged in repeated violations or threats of violations of the sovereign territory of another member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, major non-NATO allies, or the Republic of Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. A second informal meeting on Cyprus in broader format was held in New York, on July 16-17, 2025. Another meeting is anticipated later this year, to follow up on initiatives, agreed by the parties, which the UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres said they demonstrate a commitment to continuing a dialogue on the way forward. Guterres also announced that he would meet jointly with Cyprus leaders during the General Assembly high-level week, in September.