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 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 airspace.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1102

      To promote security and energy partnerships in the Eastern 
                 Mediterranean, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 10, 2019

Mr. Menendez (for himself and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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 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. 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 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. 4. 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 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 THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.

    (a) Sense of the Senate on Cyprus.--It is the sense of the Senate 
that--
            (1) the direct sale or transfer of arms by the United 
        States to the Republic of 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 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.

SEC. 6. 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. 7. 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. 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 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. 9. 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. 10. 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. 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 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.
            (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. 12. 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. 13. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.

    In this Act, 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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