[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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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 and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
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,
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) 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''.
(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.
(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).
(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.
(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
the Government of the Republic of Cyprus 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) The Republic of Cyprus is a valued member 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 transfer 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, cyber security 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 the latter 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
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;
(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;
(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 the 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 Government of the Russian
Federation in the region;
(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
(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 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.
(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--
(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 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.
SEC. 5. REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OF ARTICLES ON THE UNITED
STATES MUNITIONS LIST TO THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.
(a) Sense of the Senate on Cyprus.--It is the sense of the Senate
that--
(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
(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 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 service to Cyprus if
the end-user of such defense article or service is the Republic of
Cyprus.''.
(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--
(1) the request is made by or on behalf of the Republic of
Cyprus; and
(2) the end-user of such defense articles or defense
services is the Republic of Cyprus.
SEC. 6. IMET COOPERATION WITH GREECE AND CYPRUS.
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:
(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.
(7) Provision of English Language Training assistance.
SEC. 7. FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING.
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.
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 THE SENATE ON PURCHASE BY TURKEY OF S-400 AIR DEFENSE
SYSTEM.
It is the sense of the Senate 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 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 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.
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, 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 United States
companies.
(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.
(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.
(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 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 Government 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 CYPRUS AND 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 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.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(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.
(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.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 13. 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.
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