US President, Donald Trump signed an appropriations bill on Friday that includes the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019, which will see increased energy and defense cooperation between the United States, Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
According to sources, Trump objected to several articles of the bill, including parts of the EastMed Act and in particular regards to Congress’ authority over issues of military assistance and participation in international forums.
The EastMed Act puts an end to the prohibition on arms sales to the Republic of Cyprus, the establishment of a United States-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center to facilitate energy cooperation among the US, Israel, Greece and Cyprus, Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance for Greece, increased International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Greece, while also including Cyprus in the program for the first time, and requiring the US administration to submit to Congress a strategy on enhanced security and energy cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as reports on malign activities by Russia and other countries in the region.
