A new bipartisan bill introduced in the US House of Representatives seeks to enhance counterterrorism and maritime security cooperation between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, while also institutionalizing and expanding the “3+1” cooperation framework.
The bill, which builds upon the foundation laid by the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 and the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021, is titled the “American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.” If enacted into law, the bill would reinforce the US engagement and long-term commitment in the region while countering malign influences.
The legislation envisions Cyprus and Greece as key operational platforms for regional training and in that regard it expands existing military and security training programs by creating the CERBERUS and TRIREME initiatives. These programs, based at the CYCLOPS in Cyprus and the Souda Bay Naval Base in Greece respectively, will provide specialized counterterrorism and maritime security training to enhance operational coordination among the four nations.
CYCLOPS will host a new 3+1 counterterrorism training structure, implemented by the Department of Defense, with an authorized budget of $1.5 million annually from FY2026 to FY2029. The maritime security counterpart of this initiative will be established at the Greek naval base in Souda Bay-distinct from the adjacent US Naval Support Activity facility-with identical funding commitments. Congress will receive annual briefings on both training initiatives, ensuring effectiveness and accountability.
In addition to these training structures, the bill authorizes major upgrades: $5 million for enhancing counterterrorism training capabilities at CYCLOPS, and another $5 million for strengthening maritime security training functions at Souda Bay. CYCLOPS will also be authorized $2 million annually through FY2029 for general support while Souda Bay will be authorized $2 million annually through FY2029 for support of its new facilities mentioned above.
Τhe bill also eliminates the remaining elements of the US prohibition on arms sales to the Republic of Cyprus. More specifically a provision eliminates the remaining statutory limitations and conditions on sending US defense equipment and security assistance to the Republic of Cyprus. It amends Section 1250A of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act by removing subsections that had previously imposed restrictions related to the sale and transfer of defense items. It also updates the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 by removing sections that imposed conditions on such support. This marks a major shift in US policy and shows growing trust in Cyprus as a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean.
At the heart of the bill is also the establishment of a security subcomponent within the existing “3+1” format, which brings together the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. It also eliminates the expiration of the existing 3+1 Interparliamentary Group, originally created under the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021 sections of the National Defense Authorization Act 2022.
The original group, initially composed of six US Senators, will now become a permanent fixture of American regional policy and the subgroup will be expanded to include six US Senators and six US Representatives. These members of the security subgroup will be appointed jointly by the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate and the speaker and the minority leader of the House of Representatives respectively, and will be drawn from the Senate and House committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Homeland Security. They will be mandated to meet with their Israeli, Greek, and Cypriot counterparts at least twice a year.
Parallel to the legislative initiative, an “inter-executive” working group will be established, composed of representatives from the Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. These executive-level officers will also meet biannually with their regional counterparts, ensuring continuity and strategic synchronization at multiple levels of government.
This group can facilitate intelligence sharing, joint security initiatives, and coordination on regional threats, particularly those posed by terrorist organizations and illicit maritime activities.
The legislation authorizes targeted increases to the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, with an additional $1 million for Israel and $250,000 each for Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. These funds are restricted to training programs that improve interoperability, counterterrorism proficiency, and maritime security education.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis who was joined by the co-leads Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr, Rep. Dan Goldman and Rep. Josh Gottheimer must pass through both chambers of Congress before being signed into law and will require an appropriations component to allocate the funds it authorizes.
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) initiated the bill and is helping to coordinate its passage on Capitol Hill. In a statement AHI said “the American Hellenic Institute has been a longtime advocate of the importance of the “3+1” partnership between Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, Israel, and the United States. “3+1” is a powerful regional cooperation structure that should be utilized to the fullest extent to protect America’s interests, secure its international commerce, and to provide peace, stability, and safety in an area of great geopolitical importance. By initiating this new bill, AHI and congressional leaders on this issue aim to see the “3+1” partnership grow to the next level, especially in terms of security cooperation. AHI will continue its work in Washington, DC to push forward the passage of this critical next step.”