US and Cyprus reaffirm bilateral defence cooperation

On October 2, 2026, Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas met with the new United States Ambassador to Cyprus, John Breslow, to review the ongoing bilateral cooperation in defence and security. Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties and their shared goal of promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

In his first interview since assuming his post in September, Ambassador Breslow stated that the future of the military partnership is bright. He noted that the five-year bilateral defence roadmap for 2024-2029 is progressing well, with key initiatives including the expansion of facilities at Paphos airport and the Cyclops training program. The ambassador recently visited the USS Roosevelt in Limassol following the participation of a US military contingent in the October 1st annual military parade in Cyprus.

Ambassador Breslow indicated that the current roadmap is set to conclude toward the end of US President Donald Trump’s term. He expressed his intention to advocate for the renewal of this cooperation framework before the president leaves office to ensure the continued growth of military and security ties between the two nations.