Rule2025-17287
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Prohibited Exports, Imports, and Sales To or From Certain Countries-Cyprus
Primary source
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Published
September 9, 2025
Effective
October 1, 2025
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to reflect current defense trade policy toward Cyprus.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 172 (Tuesday, September 9, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 9, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43388-43389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17287]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 126
[Public Notice: 12801]
RIN 1400-AG10
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations:
Prohibited Exports, Imports, and Sales To or From Certain Countries--
Cyprus
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of State is amending the International Traffic
in Arms Regulations to reflect current defense trade policy toward
Cyprus.
DATES: This rule is effective on October 1, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Damon Smith, Foreign Affairs
Officer, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, U.S. Department of
State, telephone (202) 596-3616; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c08484948383b5b3b4afada5b293a5b2b6a9a3a580b3b4a1b4a5eea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1919091e1e282e293230382f0e382f2b343e381d2e293c2938733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
ATTN: Regulatory Change, ITAR Section 126.1 Cyprus Country Policy
Update.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of State (the Department)
amends section 126.1 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
(ITAR) (22 CFR parts 120 through 130) to specify that the Republic of
Cyprus' status as a proscribed destination is suspended from October 1,
2025, through September 30, 2026. This action continues the
Department's current policy, which originally lifted the arms embargo
to the Republic of Cyprus, under section 126.1 of the ITAR, on October
1, 2022.
Specifically, section 1250A(d) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Pub. L. 116-92) (2020 NDAA) and
section 205(d) of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy
Partnership Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-94, Div. J.) (EMSEPA) provide that
the policy of denial for exports, reexports, and transfers of defense
articles on the United States Munitions List to the Republic of Cyprus
shall remain in place unless the President determines and certifies to
the appropriate congressional committees not less than annually that:
(A) the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is continuing to cooperate
with the United States Government in efforts to implement reforms on
anti-money laundering regulations and financial regulatory oversight;
and (B) the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has made and is
continuing to take the steps necessary to deny Russian military vessels
access to ports for refueling and servicing.
On April 14, 2020, the President delegated to the Secretary of
State the functions and authorities vested by the 2020 NDAA and the
EMSEPA (85 FR 35797, June 12, 2020). On July 7, 2025, utilizing these
authorities, the Secretary of State certified to the appropriate
congressional committees that the Republic of Cyprus meets the
statutory requirements to remove the policy of denial for exports,
reexports, and transfers of defense articles to the Republic of Cyprus
for fiscal year 2026. The Secretary of State further approved the
suspension of the policy of denial for exports, reexports, and
transfers of defense articles and defense services to the Republic of
Cyprus for fiscal year 2026. In conjunction with this action, the
Secretary of State also suspended the policy of denial for retransfers
and temporary imports destined for or originating in the Republic of
Cyprus and brokering activities involving the Republic of Cyprus for
fiscal year 2026.
As a result of this certification, certain exemptions to licensing
requirements continue to be available for exports, reexports,
retransfers, and temporary imports destined for or originating in the
Republic of Cyprus and brokering activities involving the Republic of
Cyprus, provided the conditions for use of those exemptions are met.
Applications for licenses and other authorizations submitted to the
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls involving the Republic of Cyprus
and nationals of the Republic of Cyprus are subject to case-by-case
review.
Regulatory Analysis and Notices
Administrative Procedure Act
This rulemaking involves a military or foreign affairs function of
the United States under 5 U.S.C. 553(a). As the provisions of section
553 do not apply to this rulemaking, the Department is publishing this
rule with a specified effective date and without a request for public
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Since this rule is exempt from the notice-and-comment rulemaking
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553, it does not require analysis under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
[[Page 43389]]
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This rulemaking does not involve a mandate that will result in the
expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it
will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore,
no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Congressional Review Act
It is the view of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
that this rulemaking is not a major rule under the criteria of 5 U.S.C.
804. This rule will not increase costs or prices and should have no
adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity,
innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with
foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets. The
Department does not expect this rule to have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more.
Executive Orders 12372 and 13132
This rulemaking will not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive
Order 13132, it is determined that this amendment does not have
sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant
the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The
regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding
intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do
not apply to this rulemaking.
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, distributed impacts, and equity). Executive
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting
flexibility. Because the scope of this rule implements a governmental
policy expanding defense trade with a country, and does not impose
additional regulatory requirements or obligations, the Department
believes costs associated with this rule will be minimal. This rule has
been designated as a significant regulatory action by the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs under Executive Order 12866, as
amended.
Executive Order 14192
This rule is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 14192
because it relates to a foreign affairs function of the United States.
Executive Order 12988
The Department of State has reviewed this rulemaking in light of
Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation,
establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.
Executive Order 13175
The Department of State has determined that this rulemaking will
not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt
tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do
not apply to this rulemaking.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rulemaking does not impose or revise any information
collections subject to 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 126
Arms and munitions, Exports.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, Chapter I,
Subchapter M, part 126 is amended as follows:
PART 126-GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 126 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 22 U.S.C. 287c, 2651a, 2752, 2753, 2776, 2778, 2779,
2779a, 2780, 2791, 2797, 10423; Sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375, 118
Stat. 2091; Sec. 7045, Pub. L. 112-74, 125 Stat. 1232; Sec. 1250A,
Pub. L. 116-92, 133 Stat. 1665; Sec. 205, Pub. L. 116-94, 133 Stat.
3052; E.O. 13637, 78 FR 16129, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 223.
0
2. Amend Sec. 126.1 by revising paragraph (r)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 126.1 Prohibited exports, imports, and sales to or from certain
countries.
* * * * *
(r) * * *
(2) From October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, the policy of
denial and the status of Cyprus as a proscribed destination is
suspended.
* * * * *
Brent T. Christensen,
Senior Official, performing the functions of the Under Secretary, Arms
Control and International Security, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2025-17287 Filed 9-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-25-P
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