I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5508 
To repeal the prohibition on transfer of articles on the United States 
Munitions List to the Republic of Cyprus. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 13, 2018 
Mr. CICILLINE (for himself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. CRIST, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. 
KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. PAL-
LONE, Mr. ROSKAM, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. SARBANES, Ms. SCHA-
KOWSKY, Mr. SCHNEIDER, Ms. TITUS, and Ms. MENG) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To repeal the prohibition on transfer of articles on the 
United States Munitions List to the Republic of Cyprus. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘End the Cyprus Arms 
Embargo Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Republic of Cyprus is a vital strategic 
partner to the United States. 
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(2) The Republic of Cyprus is a critical member 
of the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State 
in Iraq and the Levant. 
(3) The United States cooperates closely with 
the Republic of Cyprus through information sharing 
agreements. 
(4) High-level United States officials have as-
sisted the Republic of Cyprus with crafting that na-
tion’s national security strategy. 
(5) The United States provides training to Cyp-
riot officials in areas such as cybersecurity, counter-
terrorism, and explosive ordinance disposal and 
stockpile management. 
(6) The Republic of Cyprus is a valued member 
of the Proliferation Security Initiative to combat the 
trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. 
(7) The Republic of Cyprus continues to work 
closely with the United Nations and regional part-
ners in Europe to combat terrorism through law en-
forcement, counter violent extremism programs, and 
through financial mechanisms. 
(8) The United States and the Republic of Cy-
prus maintain strong bilateral economic relations, 
particularly in sectors such as energy, financial serv-
ices, and logistics. 
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(9) The energy exploration in the Republic of 
Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial 
waters includes the participation of United States 
companies and furthers United States interests by 
providing a potential alternative to Russian gas for 
United States allies and partners. 
(10) Energy exploration in the Eastern Medi-
terranean must be safeguarded against threats posed 
by terrorist and extremist groups such as Hezbollah 
and others. 
(11) Despite robust economic and security rela-
tions with the United States, the Republic of Cyprus 
has been subject to a United States embargo prohib-
iting the export of defense articles and services since 
1987. 
(12) The 1987 arms embargo was designed to 
restrict United States arms sales and transfer to 
both the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied part 
of Cyprus to avoid hindering reunification efforts. 
(13) At least 30,000 Turkish troops are sta-
tioned in the occupied part of Cyprus with weapons 
procured from the United States through mainland 
Turkey. 
(14) The inability of the United States to pro-
vide defense articles and services to the Republic of 
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Cyprus has forced Cyprus to obtain these items from 
countries which pose challenges to United States in-
terests around the world. 
(15) The security of partners in the Eastern 
Mediterranean region is critical to the security of 
the United States and Europe. 
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF ARTI-
CLES ON THE UNITED STATES MUNITIONS 
LIST TO THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 620C of the Foreign As-
sistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2373) is amended by 
striking subsection (e). 
(b) OTHER PROVISIONS.—The following provisions 
shall have no force or effect: 
(1) Paragraph (r) of section 126.1 of title 22, 
Code of Federal Regulations (relating to prohibited 
exports, imports, and sales to or from Cyprus). 
(2) Public Notice 1738 of December 18, 1992 
(57 Fed. Reg. 60265; relating to policy governing 
munitions export licenses to Cyprus). 
Æ 
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