With its new decision, the US House of Representatives “passed” one of the two amendments to ban the upgrade of the F-16s or the sale of new fighters to Turkey.
According to the amendment, the sale of new F-16s, modernization kits and upgrade technology is prohibited.
According to Greek public broadcaster ERT, the next stage is its approval by the plenary session of the House, which is estimated to take place by the end of July.
Loophole
However, the amendment leaves a “loophole” that allows the US president to override the restrictions if he certifies to Congress that doing so is in the vital national security interest of the US.
The amendment would restrict the president from selling or transferring F-16s or F-16 modernization kits to Turkey unless the president can certify to Congress that Turkey has “not violated the sovereignty of Greece” for at least 120 days prior to the sale or transfer.
The amendment defines violations as including “territorial overflights, or violated the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Athens Flight Information Region.”
The two amendments were filed by Reps. Chris Pappas and Frank Pallon.
“Turkish violations of Greek airspace and armed overflights over Aegean islands have reached dangerous levels, creating a real threat to peace and stability in the region,” the letter states.
Meanwhile, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) wrote a joint letter to Congress urging it to support what has now become known as the “Pappas amendment”.
The bipartisan amendment was sponsored by six House of Representatives members, three of them Greek-American, but is widely known as the Pappas Amendment, after Chris Pappas, a Representative from New Hampshire.
Latest News
Developing the Blue Carbon Economy in Greece
Can Greece make money by protecting its marine environment?
EIB Appoints Greece’s Ioannis Tsakiris as New VP
Ioannis Tsakiris started the new role May 1 after spending 15 years at the European Investment Fund (EIF) and serving as Greece’s Deputy Minister for Development and Investments
Two Greek Beaches in Top 50 in the World
Both Greek beaches were on the list of the best beaches in Europe too
Eurostat: Greece 20th out of 26 European States in Hourly Average Wage
According to figures released by Eurostat, the Benelux Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of Europe’s hubs for finance, is in first place
Greek Property Renovation Surge amid Economic Constraints
This has led to a notable escalation in renovation costs, with average prices per square meter exceeding previous norms and reaching even 1,000 euros in premium locations
RRF: Additional €5.1bln Funds for Subsidies to Greece in 2025
By April 22, funds totaling 5.75 billion euros had been transferred for approved projects of the Recovery Fund to entities within and outside the general government and final recipients
OECD: Greek Economy Resilient with 2% Growth Forecast for 2024
However, the OECD highlights challenges including the need to enhance productivity and fiscal adjustment due to high debt levels.
Challenges and Delays in Greece’s Hydrocarbon Exploration
Sources disclose that the petroleum companies holding the concessions are seeking partners to jointly invest and share the costs of exploration and drilling.
Greek Beach Visitors Can Report Violations on New ‘MyCoast’ App
Greek authorities hope the newly-launched, free ‘MyCoast’ app will help clamp down on public beach violations
BoG Figures Confirm Banner Year for Greek Tourism in 2023
20.6 billion euros in related revenues topped the previous year’s figure by 16.5%