Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions the government of the United States had with them prior to the announcement that that government’s arms embargo for Cyprus will be partially lifted; and what assessment they have made of the implications of any such change for their role under the Treaty of Guarantee.

On 1 September, the United States State Department announced it would officially lift the U.S. arms export restriction of non-lethal defence equipment to the Republic of Cyprus for a year. The decision was part of the United States' FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019. The decision of the United States to lift the arms export restriction of non-lethal defence equipment to the Republic of Cyprus was a decision taken by the government of the United States in consultation with the Republic of Cyprus. The UK's principal responsibility under the Treaty of Guarantee is to recognise and guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus. The decision by the Government of the United States does not affect the UK's responsibility as a guarantor power.