RELEASE: Gottheimer-Led Bill Advances Out of House Foreign Affairs Committee to Strengthen Cooperation with Key Allies Israel, Greece, and Cyprus

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced key provisions of the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism & Maritime Security Partnership Act as part of the State Department reauthorization bill. Gottheimer introduced the legislation alongside Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Tom Kean (NJ-7), and Dan Goldman (NY-10).

The bipartisan legislation will strengthen cooperation with our key allies - Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. It will ensure the continuation of the Interparliamentary Eastern Mediterranean Security Cooperation Group and establish a new mechanism to ensure coordination between our militaries and homeland security officials. The bill also lifts the embargo on arms sales to Cyprus for five years - a critical step for both Cyprus and the region.

"The growing strategic partnership between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus has been a tremendous boon to our shared interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, strengthening our ability to combat terrorism," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the bipartisan Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the bipartisan Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance. "Whether in the Eastern Mediterranean or elsewhere, there is simply no substitute for robust U.S. leadership and strong cooperation with our allies. I'm proud that key provisions of my bipartisan legislation advanced out of committee this week. I remain committed to strengthening our ties with Israel, Greece, and Cyprus and holding Turkey accountable for its continued aggression."

"I thank Chairman Brian Mast and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for including our bipartisan legislation to enhance cooperation on counterterrorism and maritime security between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus as part of the State Department's reauthorization," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). "Strengthening this partnership is vital, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to build on this momentum to pass this important bill."

"The Eastern Mediterranean is crucial to America's national security and economic future, and this bipartisan legislation strengthens our partnership with Israel, Greece, and Cyprus to confront mutual threats," said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07). "With the passage of the Department of State Policy Provisions Act out of committee, we are one step closer to improving cooperation between these countries and promoting stability in a critical region. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see this legislation passed on the House floor and signed into law."

"I am encouraged that sections of our important bipartisan legislation, which will strengthen cooperation with our democratic allies in the Eastern Mediterranean and promote regional security, were included in the State Reauthorization bill. In an increasingly complex global landscape, it will reinforce our efforts to promote democracy in the region, counter authoritarian influence by the Erdogan regime in Turkey, and ensure the United States and its allies are better equipped to detect emerging terrorist threats and respond swiftly in defense of our shared democratic values," said Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10).

"The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) commends the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee for passing these provisions from the American-Hellenic-Israeli Security Act. Extending the expiration of the 3+1 Interparliamentary Group is essential to maintaining interconnectivity among U.S. partners in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Additionally, the establishment of an interparliamentary security subgroup and an interexecutive security group are great steps towards bolstering security cooperation between Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, Israel, and the U.S. We thank Representatives Mallliotakis, Goldman, Gotthiemer, and Kean Jr. for their leadership on this important step to strengthen the 3+1 structure, as well as the nearly two dozen Members of Congress who co-led this initiative," said AHI Legislative Director, Alexander Christofor.

The bipartisan legislation also strengthens the '3+1' partnership between the U.S., Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus by establishing joint training programs to enhance counterterrorism and maritime security cooperation and upgrades U.S. military facilities in Greece and Cyprus.

Find the bipartisan legislation here.

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