Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who represents New York’s 11th district in the U.S. Congress, announced that her bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2510, has been included in the State Department Reauthorization bill advanced by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The legislation, titled The American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025, was introduced with Representatives Thomas Kean (NJ-07), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Dan Goldman (NY-10).
The bill aims to strengthen security cooperation between the United States, Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus through a “3+1” framework. Provisions in the measure include establishing new parliamentary and executive-level groups for cooperation; launching two security training programs—CERBERUS for counterterrorism at the Cyprus Center for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS) and TRIREME for maritime security at Greece’s Souda Bay Naval Base—and updating the longstanding U.S. arms embargo on Cyprus.
“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. “Strengthening this partnership is vital, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to build on this momentum to pass this important bill.”
Congressman Tom Kean Jr. added: “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. 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.”
Congressman Josh Gottheimer commented: “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. 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.”
Alexander Christofor from The American Hellenic Institute said: “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 [sic], and Kean Jr. for their leadership on this important step to strengthen the 3+1 structure as well as nearly two dozen Members of Congress who co-led this initiative.”
The bill would lift restrictions on defense articles and assistance provided by the United States to Cyprus while requiring strategies be developed for counterterrorism efforts in maritime areas among partner nations.
Malliotakis has served as representative since 2021 after previously serving in New York State Assembly from 2011 until her election to Congress [source]. She was born in New York City in 1980 [source].
