Cyprus

On Monday, July 25, 2005, the United States and the Republic of Cyprus signed a reciprocal Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Ship Boarding Agreement [entered into force January 12, 2006]. Cypriot Foreign Minister Georgios Iacovou signed the agreement on behalf of Cyprus. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed on behalf of the United States....The ship boarding agreement signed by the U.S. and Cyprus will facilitate cooperation between the two countries to prevent the maritime transfer of proliferation-related shipments by establishing points of contact and procedures to expedite requests to board and search suspect vessels in international waters. If a U.S.- or Cypriot-flagged vessel is suspected of carrying proliferation-related cargo, either Party to this agreement can request the other to confirm the nationality of the ship in question and, if needed, to authorize the boarding, search, and possible detention of the vessel and its cargo. The agreement does not apply to the vessels of third states. -- Media Note, July 25, 2005