Congress Approves Menendez Legislation to Bolster U.S. Defense Partnership with Greece as Part of National Defense Bill

WASHINGTON – Following the Senate’s approval of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of FY22, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), issued the following statement announcing he was successful in including his U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act as an amendment to this year’s NDAA, which now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature into law.

Approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this year, the bipartisan legislation will significantly bolster U.S. support for Greek military modernization, and fostering increased multilateral engagement among Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States.  

“The enactment of the U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021 is a powerful demonstration not only of the Congress’s commitment to strengthening our bilateral defense relationship and enduring ties with our Hellenic partners, but also of our appreciation for Greece’s pivotal role in securing regional security and economic prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Chairman Menendez said. “As a life-long advocate and stalwart supporter of the deep American bonds with Greece, Cyprus and Israel, I am incredibly proud to see Congress take such a critical step to reaffirm the 3+1 partnership as the lynchpin of democracy and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and as an invaluable alliance for the United States.”

Find a copy of the U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021 HERE. Key provisions of the legislation include:

Support for Greek Military Modernization:

• Encourages the use of European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP) assistance for 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
• Expresses the sense of Congress that the President has the authority to expedite delivery of any future F-35 aircraft ordered by Greece

Parliamentary Engagement within the 3+1 Framework:

• Establishes 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

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