The need to increase funding to Greece and the Republic of Cyprus in the defense budget of the United States for fiscal year 2027 is underscored by the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), in testimony before the House of Representatives’ subcommittee on national security and foreign assistance.

According to the statement, AHI recommends specific amounts for military training and financing programs, noting that Greece and Cyprus are “reliable and strategically critical partners” of the US in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, it opposes any reduction in the relevant funds, stressing that they enhance interoperability and coherence of alliances.

Specifically, the Institute proposes at least $1.8 million for the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program for Greece, $500,000 for Cyprus, $25 million for the European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP), and $6 million through the Military Assistance Financing (FMF) program for Greece. It also calls for continued funding for the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

AHI notes that the Eastern Mediterranean remains critical to U.S. interests due to geopolitical tensions, energy developments, and threats to navigation. In this context, it characterizes the 3+1 cooperation scheme – the US, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel – as a key pillar of stability and supports its institutional strengthening through relevant legislation.

Referring to Greece, the Institute stresses the role of our country as a hub for military and energy operations, noting the importance of infrastructures such as Souda and Alexandroupolis, as well as its contribution to the energy diversification of Europe through LNG and interconnecting pipelines.

In Cyprus, it underlines the strengthening of bilateral cooperation with the US, calling for the full lifting of the arms embargo and the expansion of defence cooperation, while reiterating support for a viable solution to the Cyprus problem.