Senate holds confirmation hearing for John Breslow, nominee US envoy to Cyprus

The confirmation proceeding of John Breslow, nominee for US Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, earlier the Senate Foreign Relations Committee concluded without peculiarly demanding oregon probing questions, though it did diagnostic disapproval implicit the determination to name a governmental fig with nary anterior diplomatic acquisition astatine such a captious infinitesimal for the region.

In his prepared remarks, Breslow underscored the strategic value of Cyprus successful the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighting its pivotal relation arsenic a span betwixt Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. He described Cyprus arsenic a “vital partner” for US interests.

As helium noted, bilateral relations person strengthened importantly successful caller years, peculiarly pursuing the transition of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019. He emphasized that US–Cyprus practice contributes meaningfully to determination stability and security. “The enduring relationship betwixt the United States and the Republic of Cyprus is some built upon a instauration of a communal beneficial collaboration and a steadfast committedness to peace. Our bilateral relations are rooted successful a shared vision for stability and prosperity successful Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean” helium said.

Breslow besides pointed to Cyprus’ relation arsenic a support hub successful times of crisis, noting that the state has proven to beryllium a reliable spouse successful facilitating evacuations of US citizens from struggle zones successful the Middle East. “The ROC has proven a valuable and reliable spouse to the United States to assistance American citizens evacuating retired of situation areas including successful caller years” helium added.

Senator Chris Van Hollen voiced disapproval implicit the administration’s determination to name a governmental fig to the ambassadorship, expressing concerns astir the nominee’s suitability astatine a peculiarly delicate infinitesimal for the region. He stressed that Cyprus, fixed its geostrategic presumption and the 1974 Turkish invasion, requires heavy cognition of the Cyprus contented and acquisition successful managing analyzable diplomatic challenges.

He besides recalled that a akin governmental assignment successful the 1980s had not yielded affirmative results, which led to a subsequent penchant for vocation diplomats with determination expertise. At the aforesaid time, helium sought assurances that, contempt his deficiency of anterior experience, the nominee would attack the relation with seriousness and support regular and substantive connection with Congress.

In response, Breslow pledged that, if confirmed, helium would supply continuous and broad briefings to Congress, the State Department and the President, describing this work arsenic a cardinal portion of his duties.

In his opening remarks, Breslow besides addressed prospects for enhanced US–Cyprus economical cooperation, noting that accrued concern and trade could strengthen competitiveness and resilience successful some countries. He added that US companies are already expanding their beingness successful Cyprus, reflecting assurance successful bilateral ties.

He further reiterated US support for a “Cyprus-led UN facilitated effort to unify the land arsenic a bi-zonal bi-communal federation with governmental equality for each Cypriots accordant with applicable UN Security Council resolutions.”

Committee Chairman Jim Risch described Cyprus arsenic a “key partner” for geopolitical and economical developments, emphasizing Washington’s volition to deepen practice with Nicosia successful areas such arsenic security, trade and energy.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen raised the contented of implementing the 2019 legislation, noting that the lifting of restrictions connected defence transfers to Cyprus is contingent connected yearly certification of practice connected anti-money laundering and fiscal oversight. 

She stressed that Cyprus has met these requirements consistently since Russia’s full-scale penetration of Ukraine and highlighted the value of continued efforts to forestall sanctions evasion.

Breslow responded by committing to prioritize further advancement successful combating wealth laundering, peculiarly done the implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. He described the contented arsenic critically important, noting that US agencies such arsenic the Department of Justice and the FBI are actively engaged.

He besides praised Cyprus’ efforts to strengthen its fiscal system, stating that important steps person been taken to forestall malign actors from operating within its jurisdiction and pledged to support these efforts.

Senator Jacky Rosen highlighted the strengthening of US–Cyprus information practice implicit the past decade, including US support for the constitution of the CYCLOPS determination training halfway (Center for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security). She noted that the halfway provides training to partners successful detecting and countering threats such arsenic the trafficking of accepted weapons, biologic agents and radioactive materials.

Describing the programme arsenic a wide success, she emphasized its relation successful gathering spouse capableness and advancing US determination information interests, and sought Breslow’s committedness to its continuation.

Breslow affirmed his support, noting the program’s value and the information of aggregate countries successful the region.

Senator Pete Ricketts, who introduced the nominee, besides stressed Cyprus’ geostrategic importance, pointing to expanding large powerfulness contention successful the region. He specifically referenced China’s expanding beingness done investments and infrastructure projects.

Breslow, a governmental appointee of President Donald Trump, pledged that, if confirmed, helium would work to further strengthen the strategic concern betwixt the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.

Born and raised successful Nebraska, Breslow served arsenic proprietor and president of Linweld, which helium developed into 1 of the largest concern state and welding supply companies successful the United States. He besides served arsenic Nebraska State Auditor from 1991 to 1999 and ran for politician successful 1998. In addition, helium has been progressive successful galore civic and philanthropic organizations, combining concern acquisition with a long-standing committedness to nationalist service.