US Congressmen introduce bill that lifts arms embargo on Cyprus

By Apostolis Zoupaniotis

Congressmen Ted Deutch and David Cicilline from the Democrats and Gus M. Bilirakis from the Republicans introduced on Wednesday the bipartisan, bicameral Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 to highlight and support the growing partnership in the eastern Mediterranean between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.

Senator Bob Menendez from the Democrats, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Marco Rubio from the Republicans introduced the Senate companion.

The bill would expand U.S. involvement in regional energy pursuits, including by creating a U.S.-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center, supporting the development of recently-discovered natural gas fields, and participating in the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum. It would also improve defense cooperation with the regional states, including by authorizing security assistance to Greece and lifting an existing embargo on arms transfers to the Republic of Cyprus. The legislation also makes clear that the U.S. Congress will not turn a blind-eye to Turkey’s regional aggression or pursuit of policies that threaten the interests of the United States and our partners.

"As a co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance, I`ve been proud to promote in Congress the growing partnership between these eastern Mediterranean countries," said Congressman Deutch. "The trilateral relationship between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel has been expanding in recent years to cover new energy pursuits, economic opportunities, and security cooperation. With this legislation, the United States will deepen our support for this regional partnership which furthers our own geopolitical interests" he added.

“The Greece-Cyprus-Israel partnership offers a new example of cooperation in an increasingly turbulent eastern Mediterranean region. The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act will enable the U.S. to support this developing trilateral relationship through energy and defense cooperation and further its potential. By strengthening this partnership, we can promote stability within the region and maximize the mutually beneficial benefits for all parties,” said Congressman Bilirakis.

“There is real momentum behind the ‘EastMedAct’ according to HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides. “This is now a bipartisan and bicameral step towards a new regional policy built around democratic and reliable allies in Greece, Cyprus and Israel” he added.

AJC Director of Political Outreach Julie Rayman – Fishman said that “Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are on the front line against Turkish anti-Western authoritarianism, Russian aggression, and terrorism spreading throughout and from the Middle East. Cooperation modeled in the Eastern Mediterranean has the power to project stability and democratic values throughout the Middle East, expanding Israel’s strategic depth and strengthening its security”. “This bill reflects and sets a precedent to guide U.S. priorities and interests in the region. AJC is proud to support it” she concluded.