End the Cyprus Arms Embargo Act of 2019

To modify certain disclosure requirements relating to the transfer of articles on the United States munitions list to Cyprus, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the End the Cyprus Arms Embargo Act of 2019 2. Modification of requirements 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) (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. (d) Exception This exclusion shall not apply to any denial based upon credible human rights concerns. (e) 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 congressional committees 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 congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (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.

Summary: End the Cyprus Arms Embargo Act of 2019 This bill modifies requirements for, and limits on, the transfer of defense articles and services to Cyprus. The Department of State shall generally not deny exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles or services to or from Cyprus if the request is made by or on behalf of Cyprus and if Cyprus is the end user of such articles or services. However, even if these conditions are met, the State Department may deny such a transfer based on credible human rights concerns. Furthermore, the existing policy to deny exports, re-exports, or transfers of articles on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus shall remain in effect unless the President periodically certifies to Congress that Cyprus is (1) cooperating with U.S. efforts to reform anti-money-laundering regulations and financial regulatory oversight, and (2) taking steps to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing. The President may temporarily waive the export denial policy for U.S. national security interests.