[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3696-S3698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 687. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 1790, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of title XII, add the following:
Subtitle H--Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership
SEC. 1291. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Eastern Mediterranean
Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019''.
SEC. 1292. 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. 1293. 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. 1294. 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
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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. 1295. 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) 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
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.
(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 committees of Congress 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 committees of congress defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
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. 1296. 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. 1297. 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. 1298. 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. 1299. 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. 1299A. 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. 1299B. 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.
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(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. 1299C. 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. 1299D. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.
In this subtitle, 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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