On December 20, 2019 The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership was signed into law by President Trump. The bill was co-authored in the Senate by Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Rubio (R-FL) as SB 1102, while in the House, H.R. 2913 was sponsored by Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and David Cicilline (D-RI).
In the findings, it is noted that the security of partners and allies in the Eastern Mediterranean region is critical to the security of the United States and Europe. It views Greece as a valuable member of NATO and a key pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean; Israel is a steadfast ally of the United States and has been designated a ‘‘major non-NATO ally’’ and ‘‘major strategic partner’’; and 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.
The Act authorizes the appropriation of up to $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.
Furthermore, it authorizes the appropriation of $1,300,000 for fiscal year 2020, $1,500,000 for 2021, and $1,800,000 for 2022 for International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Greece and $200,000 for fiscal year 2020, $500,000 for 2021, and $750,000 for 2022 in such assistance for Cyprus.
The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean and a strong and prosperous alliance between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus.
“This legislation marks the dawn of a new day for the United States’ engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean. By including this legislation in the government funding package, the United States Congress has prioritized our significant national security interests in the region,” said Menendez. “Bolstered by strong and expanding relationships with Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, this commonsense legislation will significantly strengthen our joint efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and security.”
“I am proud to have co-authored a bill that enhances our engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region that is strategically important to the U.S. and our allies,” said Rubio. “The inclusion of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act of 2019 in the appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020 reaffirms our nation’s commitment to strengthening and expanding our energy and security cooperation with our key allies and partners in the region.”
“I am proud to have led efforts since the establishment of the CHIA caucus to safeguard US interests and values in the Eastern Mediterranean by deepening relations with reliable Western allies. In an increasingly unstable region, and with Turkey making a decisive turn away from the West, the Greece-Cyprus-Israel partnership with the US is especially timely. America’s energy diplomacy, security and counterterrorism strategies, and efforts against Russia, Iranian, and Turkish malign influences will all be strengthened by such cooperation. This is why I made the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act such a priority. This is a comprehensive piece of legislation with strong bi-partisan and bicameral support. I thank my original co-sponsors and all Members of Congress who made this final passage a reality. I look forward to President Trump signing the Act this week. We are safeguarding American interests, values, and allies in the region,” said Bilirakis.
The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019:
- Lifts the prohibition on arms sales to the Republic of Cyprus;
- Authorizes the establishment of a United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center to facilitate energy cooperation between the U.S., Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;
- Authorizes Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance for Greece;
- Authorizes International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Greece and Cyprus.
- Requires the Administration to submit to Congress a strategy on enhanced security and energy cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as reports on malign activities by Russia and other countries in the region.
