Title: Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019
This bill authorizes the Department of State to enter into cooperative agreements to enhance cooperation on energy matters between the United States and Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The Department of Energy may establish a joint U.S.-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in the United States to further dialogue and academic cooperation in energy innovation technology, water science, and technology transfer.
An existing ban on transferring defense articles and services on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus is modified to allow for such transfers if Cyprus is the end user of the articles or services. Specifically, the State Department shall not deny exports, reexports or transfers of defense articles and 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.
No funds may be obligated or expended to facilitate the transfer of an F-35 aircraft (or to provide any related items or data) to Turkey unless the President certifies to Congress that Turkey does not plan to accept delivery of the S-400 air defense system from Russia.
The State Department shall report on (1) a strategy for enhancing security and energy cooperation with Eastern Mediterranean countries, (2) malign Russian influence in the region, and (3) violations of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone and Greece's sovereign territory in the Aegean Sea.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2913 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






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.
                                 <all>