The United States partially lifts arms embargo on Cyprus

In a move that angered Turkey, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades, of the change in a phone call, according to Agence France-Presse.

Starting October 1, the United States will remove the one-year ban on Cyprus on the sale or transfer of "non-lethal defense materials and defense services."

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Pompeo "also reaffirmed US support for a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island."

The announcement came amid escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over maritime borders and gas exploration rights, which also include Cyprus, which is allied with Athens.

Both Greece and Turkey held naval exercises in the region to confirm their sovereignty demands, and the European Union warned Ankara on Friday not to withdraw or face EU sanctions.

The United States imposed an arms embargo in 1987, hoping it would encourage the reunification of the island, which Turkey has controlled a third of since its invasion in 1974.

However, the embargo has backfired, pushing the Cypriot government simply to forge alliances with other countries without making progress on reunification.

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said that the move recognized the importance of the US relationship with Cyprus, which he described as "a reliable strategic partner for our nation."

"It is in our national security interest to lift arms restrictions that have been outdated for decades and deepen our security relationship with the Republic of Cyprus," he said in a statement.

J.O

ANHA