Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed news of the U.S. Congress passing the US-Greece Defense and Inter-parliamentary Partnership Act, calling it a “great day for Greece and the USA” in a tweet.
“Thanks to Senator Menendez and our friends in US Congress for the adoption of the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Act!” Mitsotakis wrote.
Approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this year, the bipartisan legislation will significantly bolster American support for Greece’s military modernization and foster increased multilateral engagement among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the U.S.
“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,” Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) 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,” the senator said.
Experts say key provisions of the legislation include using the European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP), which gives assistance for Greece to transition away from using Russian-produced military equipment.
The legislation also authorizes $1.8 million per year in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance to Greece from 2022 through 2026.
And perhaps most importantly, the new act allows the U.S. to expedite the delivery of future F-35 aircraft ordered by Greece.
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