January 2, 2013

Congressman Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Foreign Affairs committee, expresses concern over the Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2012 (H.R. 6649), which would authorize the transfer of two Oliver Hazzard Perry class guided missle frigates to Turkey. As recently as last year, the Turkish Navy has held naval live fire exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea near the natural gas fields of Israel and the Republic of Cyprus, threatening to disrupt peaceful and productive economic activity. Instead, Bilirakis urges Congress to continue to foster relationships between the United States, Greece, Israel and Cyprus to promote issues of mutual economic and diplomatic importance.