[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2913 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2913
To promote security and energy partnerships in the Eastern
Mediterranean, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 22, 2019
Mr. Deutch (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. Cicilline) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services,
Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
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 an important partner in the Eastern
Mediterranean and signed a Statement of Intent with the United
States on July 10, 2018, to enhance bilateral security
cooperation.
(5) The countries of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus participate
in a critical trilateral dialogue to improve cooperation on
energy and security issues.
(6) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participated in the
trilateral dialogue among the three countries on March 20,
2019.
(7) All three countries oppose any action in the Eastern
Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea that could challenge
stability, violate international law, or undermine good
neighborly relations.
(8) The recent discovery of a large natural gas field off
the Egyptian coast and the newest discoveries of natural gas
off of the Cypriot coast could represent a significant positive
development for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East
and may offer new economic opportunities in the region provided
ecologically sound extraction methods protect the regional
environment.
(9) The Government of Turkey has expressed an intent to
purchase the S-400 missile defense system from the Russian
Federation, which could trigger the imposition of mandatory
sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act (Public Law 115-114).
(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) Cooperation between the United States, Cyprus, and
Greece for the purpose of research and development of energy
sources would be in the national interests of not only the
United States, but also Israel, and other countries in the
Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa with similar natural gas
finds.
(15) 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.
(16) The United States has welcomed Greece's allocation of
two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense in
accordance with commitments made at the 2014 NATO Summit in
Wales.
(17) Energy exploration efforts in the Eastern
Mediterranean region must be safeguarded against threats posed
by terrorist and extremist groups, including Hezbollah and
others.
(18) 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.
(19) The United States Government cooperates closely with
the Government of Cyprus through numerous bilateral agreements.
(20) United States officials have assisted the Government
of Cyprus with crafting that country's national security
strategy.
(21) The United States Government provides training to
Cypriot officials in areas such as cybersecurity,
counterterrorism, and explosive ordnance disposal and stockpile
management.
(22) Cyprus is a valued member of the Proliferation
Security Initiative to combat the trafficking of weapons of
mass destruction.
(23) Cyprus continues to work closely with the United
Nations and regional partners in Europe to combat terrorism and
violent extremism.
(24) Cyprus has been used as an offshore banking hub. While
Cyprus is working to upgrade its anti-money laundering legal
framework, the Department of State's 2019 International
Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) noted that, ``the
Cypriot financial system is vulnerable to money laundering by
domestic and foreign criminal enterprises and individuals'' and
that ``organized criminal groups and others have reportedly
used Cypriot banks to launder proceeds, particularly from
Russian and Ukrainian illicit activity.''
(25) As of February 2019, Cyprus has taken steps to address
legitimate criticism of its use of investor citizenship schemes
(known as ``golden passports''), which have in the past allowed
Russian oligarchs under United States sanctions to obtain
Cypriot passports and gain full access to the European Union.
(26) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1251 (1999)
noted ``grave concern at the continuing excessive levels of
military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the
rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and
modernized'' and called upon ``all concerned to commit
themselves to . . . limiting and then substantially reducing
the level of all troops and armaments in the Republic of
Cyprus.''.
(27) A 1987 United States arms prohibition was designed to
restrict United States arms sales and transfer to Cyprus and
the occupied part of Cyprus to avoid hindering reunification
efforts.
(28) At least 40,000 Turkish troops are stationed in the
occupied part of Cyprus.
(29) While the United States has, as a matter of policy,
avoided the provision of defense articles and services to
Cyprus, the Government of Cyprus has, in the past, sought to
obtain defense articles from other 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 Israel, Greece, and
Cyprus and encourage the private sector to make investments in
energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean;
(3) to strongly support the completion of the Trans
Adriatic pipeline and the Eastern Mediterranean pipeline 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 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 continue to support efforts to reach a comprehensive
settlement to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal
federation and urge all parties to intensify their work on
behalf of peace;
(7) to deepen security cooperation with Cyprus, potentially
including lifting current restrictions on the export of defense
articles and services to Cyprus;
(8) to support robust International Military Education and
Training (IMET) programing with Greece and Cyprus;
(9) to leverage relationships within NATO and the European
Union to encourage investments in Cypriot border and maritime
security;
(10) to support efforts to counter Russian interference and
influence in the Eastern Mediterranean through increased
security cooperation with Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, to
include intelligence sharing, cyber cooperation, and maritime
domain awareness;
(11) to support Cyprus's efforts to better regulate its
banking industry to ensure that it is not used as a source of
international money laundering and encourage additional
measures toward that end;
(12) to encourage Cyprus and other relevant countries to
ensure that investor citizenship schemes do not create
security, money laundering, or tax evasion vulnerabilities;
(13) to strongly oppose any actions that would trigger
mandatory sanctions pursuant to section 231 of the Countering
America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Public Law 115-
44), to include the purchase by Turkey of an S-400 missile
defense system from the Russian Federation;
(14) to continue robust official strategic dialogues with
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus;
(15) to urge countries in the region to deny port services
to Russian vessels deployed to support the government of Bashar
Al-Assad in Syria and terminate existing agreements granting
Russian naval vessels access to ports;
(16) to support joint military exercises among Israel,
Greece, and Cyprus;
(17) to fully implement relevant provisions of the
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Public
Law 115-44) to prevent interference by the Government of the
Russian Federation in the region;
(18) 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
(19) to strongly support the active and robust
participation of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus in the Combatting
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, subject to the availability of
appropriations, 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 CYPRUS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the direct sale or transfer of arms by the United
States to 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 of the following new paragraph:
``(3) The requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply
to any sale or other provision of any defense article or
defense service to Cyprus if the end-user of such defense or
defense service is 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 or originating in the Republic of Cyprus if--
(1) the request is made by or on behalf of Cyprus; and
(2) the end-user of such defense articles or defense
services is Cyprus.
SEC. 6. IMET ASSISTANCE FOR GREECE AND CYPRUS.
(a) Greece.--There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year
2020 $2,000,000 for assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.; relating to
International Military Education and Training) for Greece.
(b) Cyprus.--It is the sense of Congress that for fiscal year 2020
such sums as may be necessary should be made available for assistance
under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for
Cyprus.
(c) Purposes.--The assistance described in subsections (a) and (b)
should 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. SECURITY SECTOR ASSISTANCE.
There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2020
$3,000,000 for Foreign Military Financing for Greece to assist the
country in meeting its commitment as a member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization 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 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 CONGRESS ON PURCHASE BY TURKEY OF S-400 AIR DEFENSE
SYSTEM.
It is the sense of Congress 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 described in section 235 of that Act (22
U.S.C. 9529) with respect to any individual or entity
determined to have engaged in such significant transaction as
if such person were a sanctioned person for purposes of such
Act.
SEC. 10. STRATEGY ON UNITED STATES 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,
including Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(1) A description of United States participation in the
Eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas Forum.
(2) An evaluation of all possible delivery mechanisms into
Europe for natural gas discoveries in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
(3) An evaluation of efforts to protect energy exploration
infrastructure in the region, including that of 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 of 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 Israel, Greece, and Cyprus 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 activity by Russian related entities
and other entities to use Cyprus's banking and legal systems to
facilitate illicit business transactions.
(7) An assessment of improvements that Cyprus must make to
its banking system and legal system to prevent the country from
serving as a safe haven for those seeking to conduct illicit
business transactions.
(8) 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 Ukrainan 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 VIOLATIONS OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OF CYPRUS,
THE SOVEREIGN TERRITORY OF GREECE IN THE AEGEAN SEA, AND
ON PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
(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 that--
(1) lists incidents where the Exclusive Economic Zone of
Cyprus or the sovereign territory of Greece in the Aegean Sea
have been violated; and
(2) assesses opportunities to establish long-term peace on
Cyprus.
(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 be violations by
unauthorized vessels of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone.
(2) A listing of incidents since January 1, 2017,
determined by the Secretary of State to be violations of the
sovereign territory of Greece by its neighbors, particularly
airspace violations over the Aegean Sea.
(3) An assessment of the opportunities to establish a long-
term peace agreement among all parties in Cyprus.
(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 DEFINED.
In this Act, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
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