Bill to Strengthen US-Hellenic Relations Passes as Part of the NDAA, Poised to Become Law

Washington, DC: As members of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA), Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Ted Deutch, and Nicole Malliotakis celebrate the inclusion of the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill, which was co-authored by CHIA Co-Chairs Rep. Bilirakis and Deutch, will strengthen the defense partnership between the United States and Greece, by supporting Greek military modernization and multilateral security efforts between Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States. The NDAA is poised for swift passage in the Senate, sending it to the President to be signed into law.

"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," Congressman Bilirakis remarked.

"The inclusion of this legislation in the NDAA is a natural extension of the growing United States strategic security partnership with Greece and other eastern Mediterranean allies," Rep. Deutch said. "We are building 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 join Representatives Bilirakis and Deutch in supporting legislation that strengthens the U.S.-Greek military partnership, supports the modernization of Greece's military along with a multilateral security cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "This legislation is critical to ensuring stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and I'm pleased to see it pass the House in a bipartisan fashion."

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