Two influential US senators this week unveiled legislation calling for a lifting of a ban on the sale of American weapons systems to Cyprus and also mandating that the US side monitor violations of Greek and Cypriot airspace by Turkish planes as well as incursions and saber-rattling by Turkey in the island republic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC), among others.
The draft bill emphasizes US support for the burgeoning Greek-Israel-Cyprus cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, especially over hydrocarbon exploration, exploitation and transport.
A press release on Rubio's official website reads:
"U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today (Tuesday) introduced the bipartisan Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act of 2019, legislation which aims to reshape U.S. strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean. The legislation would allow the U.S. to fully support the trilateral partnership of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus through energy and defense cooperation initiatives—including by lifting the embargo on arms transfers to the Republic of Cyprus.
The legislation also seeks to update U.S. strategy in recognition of consequential changes in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the recent discovery of large natural gas fields, and a deterioration of Turkey’s relationship with the United States and our regional partners.
“This bipartisan legislation will continue to enhance our energy and security cooperation with our allies in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” Rubio said. “By lifting the U.S. arms embargo on Cyprus and extending necessary Foreign Military Assistance to Greece, this legislation brings forth a comprehensive approach to the stability of key regional partners.”
“The United States has significant national security interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, bolstered by strong and expanding relationships with Greece, Israel and Cyprus. The cooperation in energy security among these countries in recent years has paved the way for cooperation on a broad regional security, economic, and energy agenda,” Menendez said. “The time has come for the U.S. to deepen this cooperation and build on the constructive progress made by our allies to help ensure a secure Eastern Mediterranean. This legislation seeks to strengthen our bonds of friendship through joint efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and security for our nations.”
The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 would:
Lift the prohibition on arms sales to the Republic of Cyprus;
Authorize the establishment of a United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center to facilitate energy cooperation between the U.S., Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;
Authorize $3,000,000 in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance for Greece;
Authorize $2,000,000 for International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Greece and $2,000,000 for Cyprus;
Impede the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey, as long as Turkey continues with plans to purchase the S-400 air defense system from the Russian Federation, a purchase that would be sanctionable under U.S. law; and
Require 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.
