Bill Summary
The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 aims to deepen and strengthen partnerships between the United States, Greece, Israel, and the Republic of Cyprus in the areas of energy, security, and defense. It also addresses concerns about actions taken by Turkey and Russia in the region and authorizes funding for military assistance and cooperation. The legislation defines the appropriate congressional committees to which reports must be submitted.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation will impact people living in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, by promoting energy development and enhancing security partnerships in the area.
2. The legislation will affect the cooperation and relationships between the United States, Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus through the establishment of joint energy centers and annual reports on the implementation of agreements and projects.
3. The legislation will have implications for the military assistance and training provided to Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, as well as restrictions on the transfer of military equipment to Turkey. This may impact the defense capabilities and relationships between these countries and the United States.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1102 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 142
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1102
To promote security and energy partnerships in the Eastern
Mediterranean, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 10, 2019
Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Peters, Mr.
Coons, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
July 10, 2019
Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote security and energy partnerships in the Eastern
Mediterranean, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Eastern Mediterranean
Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The security of partners and allies in the
Eastern Mediterranean region is critical to the security of the
United States and Europe.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Greece is a valuable member of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a key pillar of
stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Israel is a steadfast ally of the United
States and has been designated a ``major non-NATO ally'' and
``major strategic partner''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Cyprus is a key strategic partner and signed a
Statement of Intent with the United States on November 6, 2018,
to enhance bilateral security cooperation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The countries of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel
have participated in critical trilateral summits to improve
cooperation on energy and security issues.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participated in
the trilateral summit among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus on March
20, 2019.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) All four countries oppose any action in the
Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea that could challenge
stability, violate international law, or undermine good
neighborly relations, and in a joint declaration on March 21,
2019, agreed to ``defend against external malign influences in
the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle
East''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) The recent discovery of potentially the
region's largest natural gas field off the Egyptian coast and
the newest discoveries of natural gas off the Cypriot coast
could represent a significant positive development for the
Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, enhancing the
region's strategic energy significance.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Turkish government officials have expressed an
intent to purchase the S-400 system from the Russian
Federation, which could trigger the imposition of mandatory
sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act (Public Law 115-44).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) It is in the national security interests of
the United States to promote, achieve, and maintain energy
security among, and through cooperation with, allies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) Natural gas developments in the Eastern
Mediterranean have the potential to provide economic gains and
contribute to energy security in the region and Europe, as well
as support European efforts to diversify away from natural gas
supplied by the Russian Federation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) The soon to be completed Trans Adriatic
Pipeline is a critical component of the Southern Gas Corridor
and the European Union's efforts to diversify energy
resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (13) The proposed Eastern Mediterranean pipeline
if commercially viable would provide for energy diversification
in accordance with the European Union's third energy package of
reforms.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (14) The United States acknowledges the
achievements and importance of the Binational Industrial
Research and Development Foundation (BIRD) and the United
States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and supports
continued multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the
programs of the Foundations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (15) The United States has welcomed Greece's
allocation of 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to
defense in accordance with commitments made at the 2014 NATO
Summit in Wales.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (16) Energy exploration in the Eastern
Mediterranean region must be safeguarded against threats posed
by terrorist and extremist groups, including Hezbollah and any
other actor in the region.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (17) The energy exploration in the Republic of
Cyprus's Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) furthers United States interests by
providing a potential alternative to Russian gas for
United States allies and partners; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) should not be impeded by other
sovereign states.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (18) The United States Government cooperates
closely with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through
information sharing agreements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (19) United States officials have assisted the
Government of the Republic of Cyprus with crafting that
nation's national security strategy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (20) The United States Government provides
training to Cypriot officials in areas such as cybersecurity,
counterterrorism, and explosive ordnance disposal and stockpile
management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (21) The Republic of Cyprus is a valued member of
the Proliferation Security Initiative to combat the trafficking
of weapons of mass destruction.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (22) The Republic of Cyprus continues to work
closely with the United Nations and regional partners in Europe
to combat terrorism and violent extremism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (23) Despite robust economic and security
relations with the United States, the Republic of Cyprus has
been subject to a United States prohibition on the export of
defense articles and services since 1987.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (24) The 1987 arms prohibition was designed to
restrict United States arms sales and transfer to the Republic
of Cyprus and the occupied part of Cyprus to avoid hindering
reunification efforts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (25) At least 40,000 Turkish troops are stationed
in the occupied part of Cyprus with some weapons procured from
the United States through mainland Turkey.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (26) While the United States has, as a matter of
policy, avoided the provision of defense articles and services
to the Republic of Cyprus, the Government of Cyprus has, in the
past, sought to obtain defense articles from other countries,
including countries, such as Russia, that pose challenges to
United States interests around the world.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> It is the policy of the United States--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) to continue to actively participate in the
trilateral dialogue on energy, maritime security, cyber
security and protection of critical infrastructure conducted
among Israel, Greece and Cyprus;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) to support diplomatic efforts with partners
and allies to deepen energy security cooperation among Greece,
Cyprus, and Israel and to encourage the private sector to make
investments in energy infrastructure in the Eastern
Mediterranean region;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) to strongly support the completion of the
Trans Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean Pipelines and the
establishment of liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals across
the Eastern Mediterranean as a means of diversifying regional
energy needs away from the Russian Federation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) to maintain a robust United States naval
presence and investments in the naval facility at Souda Bay,
Greece and develop deeper security cooperation with the latter
to include the recent MQ-9 deployments to the Larissa Air Force
Base and United States Army helicopter training in central
Greece;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) to welcome Greece's commitment to move forward
with the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB pipeline) and
additional LNG terminals that will help facilitate delivery of
non-Russian gas to the Balkans and central Europe;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) to support deepened security cooperation with
the Republic of Cyprus through the removal of the arms embargo
on the country;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) to support robust International Military
Education and Training (IMET) programming with Greece and the
Republic of Cyprus;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) to leverage relationships within the European
Union to encourage investments in Cypriot border and maritime
security;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) to support efforts to counter Russian
Federation Government interference and influence in the Eastern
Mediterranean through increased security cooperation with
Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, to include intelligence sharing,
cyber, and maritime domain awareness;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) to support the Republic of Cyprus efforts to
regulate its banking industry to ensure that it is not used as
a source of international money laundering and encourages
additional measures toward that end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) to strongly oppose any actions that would
trigger mandatory sanctions pursuant to section 231 of the
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)
(Public Law 115-44), to include the purchase by Turkey of an S-
400 system from the Russian Federation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) to continue robust official strategic
engagement with Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (13) to urge countries in the region to deny port
services to the Russian Federation vessels deployed to support
the government of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (14) to support joint military exercises among
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (15) to fully implement relevant CAATSA provisions
to prevent interference by the Government of the Russian
Federation in the region;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (16) to support efforts by countries in the region
to demobilize military equipment supplied by the Government of
the Russian Federation in favor of equipment provided by NATO
and NATO-allied member countries; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (17) to strongly support the active and robust
participation of Israel, Cyprus, and Greece in the Combating
Terrorism Fellowship Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. UNITED STATES-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ENERGY
COOPERATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Energy, may enter into cooperative agreements
supporting and enhancing dialogue and planning involving international
partnerships between the United States and Israel, Greece, and
Cyprus.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Annual Reports.--If the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Energy, enters into agreements
authorized under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit an annual
report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) actions taken to implement such agreements;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) any projects undertaken pursuant to such
agreements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center.--
The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of State,
may establish a joint United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center
in the United States leveraging the experience, knowledge, and
expertise of institutions of higher education and entities in the
private sector, among others, in offshore energy development to further
dialogue and collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation
in energy innovation technology and engineering, water science,
technology transfer, and analysis of emerging geopolitical
implications, which include opportunities as well as crises and threats
from foreign natural resource and energy acquisitions.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF ARTICLES ON THE
UNITED STATES MUNITIONS LIST TO THE REPUBLIC OF
CYPRUS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Sense of the Senate on Cyprus.--It is the sense of the
Senate that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the direct sale or transfer of arms by the
United States to the Republic of Cyprus would advance United
States security interests in Europe by helping to reduce the
dependence of the Government of Cyprus on other countries for
defense-related materiel, including countries that pose
challenges to United States interests around the world;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) it is in the interest of the United States--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) to continue to support United Nations-
facilitated efforts toward a comprehensive solution to
the division of Cyprus; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) for the Republic of Cyprus to join
NATO's Partnership for Peace program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Modification of Prohibition.--Section 620C(e) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2373(e)) is amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply
to any sale or other provision of any defense article or service to
Cyprus if the end-user of such defense article or service is the
Republic of Cyprus.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Exclusion of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus
From Certain Related Regulations.--Beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall not apply a policy
of denial for exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles and
defense services destined for the Republic of Cyprus if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the request is made by or on behalf of the
Republic of Cyprus; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the end-user of such defense articles or
defense services is the Republic of Cyprus.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. IMET COOPERATION WITH GREECE AND CYPRUS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year
2020 $2,000,000 for International Military Education and Training
(IMET) assistance for Greece and $2,000,000 for such assistance for
Cyprus. The assistance shall be made available for the following
purposes:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Training of future leaders.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Fostering a better understanding of the United
States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Establishing a rapport between the United
States military and the country's military to build alliances
for the future.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Enhancement of interoperability and
capabilities for joint operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Focusing on professional military
education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Enabling countries to use their national funds
to receive a reduced cost for other Department of Defense
education and training.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Provision of English Language Training
assistance.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year
2020 $3,000,000 for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance for
Greece to assist the country in meeting its commitment as a member of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to dedicate 20 percent of
its defense budget to enhance research and development.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. LIMITATION ON TRANSFER OF F-35 AIRCRAFT TO
TURKEY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b),
no funds may be obligated or expended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) to transfer, facilitate the transfer, or
authorize the transfer of, an F-35 aircraft to the Republic of
Turkey;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) to transfer intellectual property or technical
data necessary for or related to any maintenance or support of
the F-35 aircraft; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) to construct a storage facility for, or
otherwise facilitate the storage in Turkey of, an F-35 aircraft
transferred to Turkey.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Exception.--The President may waive the limitation
under subsection (a) upon a written certification to Congress that the
Government of Turkey does not plan or intend to accept delivery of the
S-400 air defense system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Transfer Defined.--In this section, the term
``transfer'' includes the physical relocation outside of the
continental United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Applicability.--The limitation under subsection (a)
does not apply to F-35 aircraft operated by the United States Armed
Forces.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 9. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON PURCHASE BY TURKEY OF S-400 AIR
DEFENSE SYSTEM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> It is the sense of the Senate that, if the Government of
Turkey purchases the S-400 air defense system from the Russian
Federation--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) such a purchase would constitute a significant
transaction within the meaning of section 231(a) of the
Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017
(22 U.S.C. 9525(a));</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) such a purchase would endanger the integrity
of the NATO alliance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) such a purchase would adversely affect ongoing
operations of the United States Armed Forces, including
coalition operations in which the United States Armed Forces
participate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) such a purchase would result in a significant
impact to defense cooperation between the United States and
Turkey;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) such a purchase would significantly increase
the risk of compromising United States defense systems and
operational capabilities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) the President should faithfully execute the
Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017
by imposing and applying sanctions under section 235 of that
Act (22 U.S.C. 9529) with respect to any individual or entity
determined to have engaged in such a significant
transaction.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 10. STRATEGY ON UNITED STATES SECURITY AND ENERGY
COOPERATION IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a strategy on enhanced
security and energy cooperation with countries in the Eastern
Mediterranean region, including Israel, Cyprus, and Greece.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include the following elements:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A description of United States participation
in and support for the Eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas
Forum.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) An evaluation of all possible delivery
mechanisms into Europe for natural gas discoveries in the
Eastern Mediterranean region.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) An evaluation of efforts to protect energy
exploration infrastructure in the region, including United
States companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) An assessment of the capacity of Cyprus to
host an Energy Crisis Center in the region which could provide
basing facilities in support search and rescue efforts in the
event of an accident.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) An assessment of the timing of natural gas
delivery in the region as well as assessment of the ultimate
destination countries for the natural gas delivery from the
region.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) A plan to work with United States businesses
seeking to invest in Eastern Mediterranean energy exploration,
development, and cooperation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified
annex.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 11. REPORT ON RUSSIAN FEDERATION MALIGN INFLUENCE IN THE
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on Russian Federation
malign influence in Cyprus, Greece, and Israel since January 1,
2017.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include the following elements:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) An assessment of security, political, and
energy goals of the Government of the Russian Federation in the
Eastern Mediterranean.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A description of energy projects of the
Government of the Russian Federation in the Eastern
Mediterranean.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) A listing of Russian national ownership of
media outlets in these countries, including the name of the
media outlet, approximate viewership, and assessment of whether
the outlet promotes pro-Kremlin views.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) An assessment of military engagement by the
Government of the Russian Federation in the security sector,
including engagement by military equipment and personnel
contractors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) An assessment of efforts supported by the
Government of the Russian Federation to influence elections in
the three countries, through the use of cyber attacks, social
media campaigns, or other malign influence
techniques.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) An assessment of efforts by the Government of
the Russian Federation to intimidate and influence the decision
by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of
300,000,000 Orthodox Christians worldwide, to grant autocephaly
to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified
annex.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 12. REPORT ON INTERFERENCE BY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OF CYPRUS AND AIRSPACE OF
GREECE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report listing incidents of
interference in efforts by the Republic of Cyprus to explore and
exploit natural resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone and violations
of the airspace of the sovereign territory of Greece.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include the following elements:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A listing of incidents since January 1, 2017,
determined by the Secretary of State to interfere in efforts by
the Republic of Cyprus to explore and exploit natural resources
in its Exclusive Economic Zone.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) A listing of incidents since January 1, 2017,
determined by the Secretary of State to be violations of the
airspace of Greece by its neighbors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified
annex.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 13. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees means'' the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Eastern Mediterranean Security and
Energy Partnership Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The security of partners and allies in the Eastern
Mediterranean region is critical to the security of the United
States and Europe.
(2) Greece is a valuable member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) and a key pillar of stability in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
(3) Israel is a steadfast ally of the United States and has
been designated a ``major non-NATO ally'' and ``major strategic
partner''.
(4) Cyprus is a key strategic partner and signed a
Statement of Intent with the United States on November 6, 2018,
to enhance bilateral security cooperation.
(5) The countries of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel have
participated in critical trilateral summits to improve
cooperation on energy and security issues.
(6) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participated in the
trilateral summit among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus on March 20,
2019.
(7) The United States, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus oppose
any action in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea that
could challenge stability, violate international law, or
undermine good neighborly relations, and in a joint declaration
on March 21, 2019, agreed to ``defend against external malign
influences in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle
East''.
(8) The recent discovery of what may be the region's
largest natural gas field off the Egyptian coast and the newest
discoveries of natural gas off the coast of Cyprus could
represent a significant and positive development for the
Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, enhancing the
region's strategic energy significance.
(9) Turkish government officials have expressed an intent
to purchase the S-400 system from the Russian Federation, which
is subject to mandatory sanctions under the Countering
America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Public Law 115-
44).
(10) It is in the national security interest of the United
States to promote, achieve, and maintain energy security among,
and through cooperation with, allies.
(11) Natural gas developments in the Eastern Mediterranean
have the potential to provide economic gains and contribute to
energy security in the region and Europe, as well as support
European efforts to diversify away from natural gas supplied by
the Russian Federation.
(12) The soon to be completed Trans Adriatic Pipeline is a
critical component of the Southern Gas Corridor and the
European Union's efforts to diversify energy resources.
(13) The proposed Eastern Mediterranean pipeline, if
commercially viable, would provide for energy diversification
in accordance with the European Union's third energy package of
reforms.
(14) The United States acknowledges the achievements and
importance of the Binational Industrial Research and
Development Foundation (BIRD) and the United States-Israel
Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and supports continued
multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the programs of
the Foundations.
(15) The United States has welcomed Greece's allocation of
2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense in
accordance with commitments made at the 2014 NATO Summit in
Wales.
(16) Energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean region
must be safeguarded against threats posed by terrorist and
extremist groups, including Hezbollah and any other actor in
the region.
(17) The energy exploration in the Republic of Cyprus's
Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters--
(A) furthers United States interests by providing a
potential alternative to Russian gas for United States
allies and partners; and
(B) should not be impeded by other sovereign
states.
(18) The United States Government cooperates closely with
Cyprus, Greece, and Israel through information sharing
agreements.
(19) United States officials have assisted the Government
of the Republic of Cyprus with crafting that nation's national
security strategy.
(20) The United States Government provides training to
Cypriot officials in areas such as cybersecurity,
counterterrorism, and explosive ordnance disposal and stockpile
management.
(21) Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are valued members of the
Proliferation Security Initiative to combat the trafficking of
weapons of mass destruction.
(22) The Republic of Cyprus continues to work closely with
the United Nations and regional partners in Europe to combat
terrorism and violent extremism.
(23) Despite robust economic and security relations with
the United States, the Republic of Cyprus has been subject to a
United States prohibition on the export of defense articles and
services since 1987.
(24) The 1987 arms prohibition was designed to restrict
United States arms sales and transfers to the Republic of
Cyprus and the occupied part of Cyprus to avoid hindering
reunification efforts.
(25) At least 40,000 Turkish troops are stationed in the
occupied part of Cyprus with some weapons procured from the
United States through mainland Turkey.
(26) While the United States has, as a matter of policy,
avoided the provision of defense articles and services to the
Republic of Cyprus, the Government of Cyprus has, in the past,
sought to obtain defense articles from other countries,
including countries, such as Russia, that pose challenges to
United States interests around the world.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to continue to actively participate in the trilateral
dialogue on energy, maritime security, cybersecurity and
protection of critical infrastructure conducted among Israel,
Greece, and Cyprus;
(2) to support diplomatic efforts with partners and allies
to deepen energy security cooperation among Greece, Cyprus, and
Israel and to encourage the private sector to make investments
in energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean region;
(3) to strongly support the completion of the Trans
Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean Pipelines and the
establishment of liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals across
the Eastern Mediterranean as a means of diversifying regional
energy needs away from the Russian Federation;
(4) to maintain a robust United States naval presence and
investments in the naval facility at Souda Bay, Greece and
develop deeper security cooperation with Greece to include the
recent MQ-9 deployments to the Larissa Air Force Base and
United States Army helicopter training in central Greece;
(5) to welcome Greece's commitment to move forward with the
Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB pipeline) and additional
LNG terminals that will help facilitate delivery of non-Russian
gas to the Balkans and central Europe;
(6) to support deepened security cooperation with the
Republic of Cyprus through the removal of the arms embargo on
the country;
(7) to support robust International Military Education and
Training (IMET) programming with Greece and the Republic of
Cyprus;
(8) to leverage relationships within the European Union to
encourage investments in Cypriot border and maritime security;
(9) to support efforts to counter Russian Federation
interference and influence in the Eastern Mediterranean through
increased security cooperation with Greece, Cyprus, and Israel,
to include intelligence sharing, cyber, and maritime domain
awareness;
(10) to support the Republic of Cyprus' efforts to regulate
its banking industry to ensure that it is not used as a source
of international money laundering and encourage additional
measures toward that end;
(11) to strongly oppose any actions that would trigger
mandatory sanctions pursuant to section 231 of the Countering
America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) (Public
Law 115-44), to include the purchase by Turkey of an S-400
system from the Russian Federation;
(12) to continue robust official strategic engagement with
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;
(13) to urge countries in the region to deny port services
to Russian Federation vessels deployed to support the
government of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria;
(14) to support joint military exercises among Israel,
Greece, and Cyprus;
(15) to fully implement relevant CAATSA provisions to
prevent interference by the Russian Federation in the region;
(16) to support efforts by countries in the region to
demobilize military equipment supplied by the Russian
Federation in favor of equipment provided by NATO and NATO-
allied member countries; and
(17) to strongly support the active and robust
participation of Israel, Cyprus, and Greece in the Combating
Terrorism Fellowship Program.
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ENERGY COOPERATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Energy, may enter into cooperative agreements supporting
and enhancing dialogue and planning involving international
partnerships between the United States and Israel, Greece, and the
Republic of Cyprus.
(b) Annual Reports.--If the Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Energy, enters into agreements authorized under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit an annual report to the
appropriate congressional committees that describes--
(1) actions taken to implement such agreements; and
(2) any projects undertaken pursuant to such agreements.
(c) United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center.--The
Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may
establish a joint United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in
the United States leveraging the experience, knowledge, and expertise
of institutions of higher education and entities in the private sector,
among others, in offshore energy development to further dialogue and
collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation in energy
innovation technology and engineering, water science, technology
transfer, and analysis of emerging geopolitical implications, which
include opportunities as well as crises and threats from foreign
natural resource and energy acquisitions.
SEC. 5. REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF ARTICLES ON THE UNITED
STATES MUNITIONS LIST TO THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.
(a) Sense of Congress on Cyprus.--It is the sense of Congress
that--
(1) allowing for the export, re-export or transfer of arms
subject to the United States Munitions List (part 121 of title
22, Code of Federal Regulations) to the Republic of Cyprus
would advance United States security interests in Europe by
helping to reduce the dependence of the Government of the
Republic of Cyprus on other countries, including countries that
pose challenges to United States interests around the world,
for defense-related materiel; and
(2) it is in the interest of the United States--
(A) to continue to support United Nations-
facilitated efforts toward a comprehensive solution to
the division of Cyprus; and
(B) for the Republic of Cyprus to join NATO's
Partnership for Peace program.
(b) Modification of Prohibition.--Section 620C(e) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2373(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Any agreement'' and
inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (3), any
agreement''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) The requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply
to any sale or other provision of any defense article or
defense service to Cyprus if the end-user of such defense
article or defense service is the Government of the Republic of
Cyprus.''.
(c) Exclusion of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus From
Certain Related Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (d) and except as
provided in paragraph (2), beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall not apply a
policy of denial for exports, re-exports, or transfers of
defense articles and defense services destined for or
originating in the Republic of Cyprus if--
(A) the request is made by or on behalf of the
Government of the Republic of Cyprus; and
(B) the end-user of such defense articles or
defense services is the Government of the Republic of
Cyprus.
(2) Exception.--This exclusion shall not apply to any
denial based upon credible human rights concerns.
(d) Limitations on the Transfer of Articles on the United States
Munitions List to the Republic of Cyprus.--
(1) In general.--The policy of denial for exports, re-
exports, or 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.
(2) Waiver.--The President may waive the limitations
contained in this subsection for one fiscal year if the
President determines that it is essential to the national
security interests of the United States to do so.
(3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 6. IMET COOPERATION WITH GREECE AND THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $1,300,000 for fiscal year
2020, $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2021, and $1,800,000 for fiscal year
2022 for International Military Education and Training (IMET)
assistance for Greece and $200,000 for fiscal year 2020, $500,000 for
fiscal year 2021, and $750,000 for fiscal year 2022 for such assistance
for the Republic of Cyprus. The assistance shall be made available for
the following purposes:
(1) Training of future leaders.
(2) Fostering a better understanding of the United States.
(3) Establishing a rapport between the United States
military and the country's military to build alliances for the
future.
(4) Enhancement of interoperability and capabilities for
joint operations.
(5) Focusing on professional military education.
(6) Enabling countries to use their national funds to
receive a reduced cost for other Department of Defense
education and training.
SEC. 7. FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2020 $3,000,000 for Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) assistance for Greece to assist the country in meeting
its commitment as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) to dedicate 20 percent of its defense budget to enhance research
and development.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that Greece
should receive robust support under the European Recapitalization
Incentive Program implemented by the Department of Defense.
SEC. 8. LIMITATION ON TRANSFER OF F-35 AIRCRAFT TO TURKEY.
(a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b), no funds
may be obligated or expended--
(1) to transfer, facilitate the transfer, or authorize the
transfer of an F-35 aircraft to the Republic of Turkey;
(2) to transfer intellectual property or technical data
necessary for or related to any maintenance or support of the
F-35 aircraft; or
(3) to construct a storage facility for, or otherwise
facilitate the storage in Turkey of, an F-35 aircraft
transferred to Turkey.
(b) Exception.--The President may waive the limitation under
subsection (a) upon a written certification to Congress that the
Government of Turkey does not plan or intend to accept delivery of the
S-400 air defense system.
(c) Transfer Defined.--In this section, the term ``transfer''
includes the physical relocation outside of the continental United
States.
(d) Applicability.--The limitation under subsection (a) does not
apply to F-35 aircraft operated by the United States Armed Forces.
SEC. 9. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PURCHASE BY TURKEY OF S-400 AIR DEFENSE
SYSTEM.
It is the sense of Congress that, if the Government of Turkey
purchases the S-400 air defense system from the Russian Federation--
(1) such a purchase would constitute a significant
transaction within the meaning of section 231(a) of the
Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017
(22 U.S.C. 9525(a));
(2) such a purchase would endanger the integrity and
interoperability of the NATO alliance;
(3) such a purchase would adversely affect ongoing
operations of the United States Armed Forces, including
coalition operations in which the United States Armed Forces
participate;
(4) such a purchase would result in a significant impact to
defense cooperation between the United States and Turkey;
(5) such a purchase would significantly increase the risk
of compromising United States defense systems and operational
capabilities; and
(6) the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia
Act of 2017 mandates the imposition of sanctions under section
235 of that Act (22 U.S.C. 9529) with respect to any individual
or entity determined to have engaged in such a significant
transaction.
SEC. 10. STRATEGY ON UNITED STATES SECURITY AND ENERGY COOPERATION IN
THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a strategy on enhanced security
and energy cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean
region, including Israel, the Republic of Cyprus, and Greece.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(1) A description of United States participation in and
support for the Eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas Forum.
(2) An evaluation of all possible delivery mechanisms into
Europe for natural gas discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean
region.
(3) An evaluation of efforts to protect energy exploration
infrastructure in the region, including infrastructure owned or
operated by United States companies.
(4) An assessment of the capacity of the Republic of Cyprus
to host an Energy Crisis Center in the region which could
provide basing facilities in support of search and rescue
efforts in the event of an accident.
(5) An assessment of the timing of potential natural gas
delivery in the region as well as an assessment of the ultimate
destination countries for the natural gas delivery from the
region.
(6) A plan to work with United States businesses seeking to
invest in Eastern Mediterranean energy exploration,
development, and cooperation.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 11. REPORT ON RUSSIAN FEDERATION MALIGN INFLUENCE IN THE EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on Russian Federation
malign influence in the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel since
January 1, 2017.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(1) An assessment of security, political, and energy goals
of the Russian Federation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
(2) A description of energy projects of the Government of
the Russian Federation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
(3) A listing of Russian national ownership of media
outlets in these countries, including the name of the media
outlet, approximate viewership, and assessment of whether the
outlet promotes pro-Kremlin views.
(4) An assessment of military engagement by the Government
of the Russian Federation in the security sector, including
engagement by military equipment and personnel contractors.
(5) An assessment of efforts supported by the Government of
the Russian Federation to influence elections in the three
countries, through the use of cyber attacks, social media
campaigns, or other malign influence techniques.
(6) An assessment of efforts by the Government of the
Russian Federation to intimidate and influence the decision by
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of
300,000,000 Orthodox Christians worldwide, to grant autocephaly
to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 12. REPORT ON INTERFERENCE BY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC ZONE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report listing incidents since
January 1, 2017, determined by the Secretary of State to interfere in
efforts by the Republic of Cyprus to explore and exploit natural
resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
(b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 13. REPORT ON INTERFERENCE BY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE AIRSPACE OF
GREECE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report listing incidents since January 1, 2017, determined
by the Secretary of State to be violations of the airspace of the
sovereign territory of Greece by its neighbors.
(b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 14. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.
In this Act, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
Calendar No. 142
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1102
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A BILL
To promote security and energy partnerships in the Eastern
Mediterranean, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 10, 2019
Reported with an amendment