The Menendez bill for the defense cooperation with Greece was passed by the Senate

The bill on the new US defense budget (NDAA) was approved by the plenary session of the Senate. The budget package also included as an amendment the bill on US-Greek defense cooperation, which was tabled in June by the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez. This development means that the Menendez bill automatically becomes state law along with the signing of the budget by President Biden. This is the second bill of Greek interest that manages to pass in the US Congress in the last two years.

Entitled “US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership 2021”, the bill aspires to build on the momentum created by the East Med Act and provides specific initiatives to upgrade defense cooperation, but also to support the modernization of Greek Forces. Among other things, support is expressed for the 3 + 1 scheme, providing for specific moves to deepen and institutionalize American participation.

In addition, the bill seeks to prepare the ground for the approval of the sale and the acceleration of the delivery of F-35 fighter jets in case Greece decides to buy them. In this light, the provision of loans related to armaments programs is also envisaged.

According to the bill, the US Congress considers that it is in the US interest to help Greece get rid of its existing dependence on Russian defense equipment. Therefore, our country is expected to join the European Incentive Program. However, one of the changes identified in the amendment in relation to the original text of the bill is that no specific chapters are provided.

In detail, what the amendment provides:

Establishment of an Inter-Parliamentary Group for the 3 + 1 Scheme (Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the USA)

A group, known as the “3 + 1 Interparliamentary Group of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States”, is established, which will serve as the legislative component of the 3 + 1 process that began in Jerusalem in March 2019.

The 3 + 1 Intergovernmental Group of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States will include a group of no more than 6 United States Senators, known as the “United States Group,” who will be appointed by an equal number of the leader of the majority and the leader of the minority of the Senate. The majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate will also serve as ex-officio members of the United States team.

-The United States team will meet with members of the 3 + 1 group to discuss issues on the agenda of the governments of Greece, Israel, Cyprus, and the United States at least once a year. These issues will include maritime security, defense cooperation, energy initiatives and efforts to address malicious influence by the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

-The bill authorizes $ 100,000 for each financial year to cover the expenses that will be made by the “United States group” in the framework of the processes in the 3 + 1 format.

Cooperation for Military Training with Greece

For each financial year from 2022 to 2026, $ 1,800,000 may be allocated to the International Military Education and Training Program (IMET) in Greece, which may be used for the following purposes:

-Training future leaders.

Promoting a better understanding of the United States.

-Creating a relationship between the United States Armed Forces and the Greek army to build future partnerships.

Enhancing interoperability and opportunities for joint ventures.

Focus on vocational military training, political control of the military and protection of human rights.

Congress on the Loan Program

Congress believes that the United States government should provide direct loans to Greece for the supply of defense equipment, defense services, and design and construction services in accordance with Section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) to support further development of the Greek military forces.

The Congress for the Transfer of F-35 Fighter Aircraft to Greece

It is Congress’ sense that the president has the power to expedite the delivery of any future F-35 aircraft to Greece as soon as Greece is ready to proceed with such a purchase, in accordance with the certification requirements set forth in section 36 of the Export Control Act. Arms.

Help Greece to break free from existing dependencies on Russian defense equipment

The bill states that the sums provided through the European Recapitalization Incentive Program should be taken into account as much as possible in order to help the country meet its defense needs and move away from Russian-made military equipment. In addition, it is envisaged that no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this law, the Secretary of State will submit to the relevant congressional committees a report that will provide a full assessment of all funds distributed under the European Recapitalization Incentive Program.

This report should include:

-the identification of each country that accepted the funds.

– a description of how the funds were used.

– an assessment of the remaining equipment provided by the then Soviet Union or the Russian Federation to the recipient countries.

The sense of Congress:

-Greece is a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the United States must remain committed to supporting its security and prosperity.

-The 3 + 1 cooperation scheme between Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States has been a successful forum for cooperation on energy issues and should be expanded to include other areas of common interest to members.

– The United States should increase and deepen its efforts to cooperate and support the modernization of the Greek army.

-It is in the interest of the United States for Greece to continue to remove its military equipment from Russian-made platforms and weapons systems through the European Recapitulation Incentive Program (ERIP).

– Maritime cooperation with Greece in the Gulf of Souda and in Alexandroupolis is mutually beneficial for the national security of the United States and Greece.

-The United States should, as appropriate, support the sale of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in Greece.

-The United States Government should continue to invest in International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs in Greece.

– The United States Government should support joint maritime security cooperation exercises with Cyprus, Greece and Israel.

-According to legal principles and project selection criteria, the US Development Bank (USDFC) should consider supporting private investment in strategic infrastructure projects in Greece, to include shipyards and ports that contribute to the security of the region and the prosperity of Greece.

The extension of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) with Greece for a period of five years includes the deepening of partnerships in Greek military installations throughout the country and is a welcome development.

-The United States Government should establish the US-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center, as authorized by Section 204 of the 2019 Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act (EastMed Act).

Source: AMPE