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Biden’s Decision On Cyprus Hailed As A Landmark Moment

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2025

US President Joe Biden’s latest move has been described by the Cyprus government as a “historic development,” opening the door for the Republic of Cyprus to access US defence equipment, supplies, and services through key programmes such as Foreign Military Sales, the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) initiative, and other military assistance channels, according to a statement from the Presidency.

This decision is a direct result of the strategic focus and diplomatic efforts spearheaded by President Nikos Christodoulides, which are already bringing significant benefits in defence and foreign policy, the statement added.

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The announcement follows President Christodoulides’ meeting with President Biden at the White House last October, underscoring a new milestone in US-Cyprus relations. The Republic of Cyprus is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a vital role to play in fostering peace and addressing regional humanitarian challenges.

Through its inclusion in the EDA programme, Cyprus can now acquire surplus US defence equipment either as a grant or at significantly reduced costs, a development expected to accelerate the modernization of its military capabilities. Simultaneously, participation in the Foreign Military Sales programme allows Cyprus to procure advanced defence technology directly from the US government, further aligning the two nations’ shared strategic interests. Additionally, Title 10 programmes will bolster Cyprus’ capabilities in areas such as land and maritime border security through specialized training and equipment.

The Presidency highlighted that this decision marks a major upgrade in bilateral defence cooperation, solidifying Cyprus as a dependable regional partner. It also contributes to enhancing the National Guard’s modernization efforts, fortifying national defence, and strengthening Cyprus’ geopolitical influence.

“This strategic partnership underscores Cyprus’ role as a pillar of security, stability, and diplomacy in the region while reflecting the political stability and international credibility of the Cypriot state,” the statement said.

The White House echoed this sentiment, with President Biden’s determination, issued under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, stating that the provision of defence articles and services to Cyprus would advance US security interests and promote global peace.

Addressing the Secretary of State, Biden authorised the necessary steps to notify Congress and ensure the decision’s publication in the Federal Register. “This action demonstrates the strategic value of Cyprus in the broader geopolitical landscape and reinforces the deepening cooperation between the two nations,” the statement read.

The decision is also seen as a powerful message of support for Cyprus’ efforts to resolve the ongoing division of the island, which has been split since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of the northern third. Despite decades of UN-led negotiations, a lasting solution remains elusive, with the most recent talks in 2017 at Crans-Montana ending without agreement.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.