Reps. Deutch, Bilirakis Introduce US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act

(Washington) U.S. Representatives Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced the United States-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021. This legislation will strengthen the defense partnership between the United States and Greece, including by supporting Greek military modernization and multilateral security cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States.

A companion bill introduced by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 22.

“Over the last few years, the United States has strengthened and expanded our strategic security partnership with Greece and other eastern Mediterranean allies,” Rep. Deutch said. “We want to build on this mutually beneficial defense relationship by bolstering Greece’s military capabilities and fostering interparliamentary engagement between the United States, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. I’m proud to introduce this bill, which is a natural extension of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act that Congressman Bilirakis and I introduced and passed last Congress.”

“Greece has consistently proven itself to be a reliable ally in the Eastern Mediterranean. This critical legislation bolsters Greece’s efforts to modernize its armed forces, while strengthening our strategic partnership among our Hellenic partners. It also enables continued security cooperation to help facilitate enduring stability throughout the region,” said Rep. Bilirakis.

Key provisions of the legislation include:

Support for Greek Military Modernization:

• Authorizes European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP) assistance to Greece to support Greece’s transition away from Russian-produced military equipment
• Authorizes $1.8 million per year in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance to Greece for FY2022–2026
• Expresses the Sense of Congress that the U.S. should provide direct loans to Greece for the procurement of defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services pursuant to the further development of Greece’s military force

Transfer of American Military Equipment to Greece:

• Authorizes expedited delivery of any future F-35 aircraft ordered by Greece
• Requires the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to submit a report to Congress on Greece’s defense needs and how the United States will seek to address such needs through transfers of excess defense equipment to Greece

Parliamentary Engagement within the 3+1 Framework:

• Authorizes the establishment of an interparliamentary group among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States to serve as the legislative component of the 3+1 process launched among the governments in March 2019

###