; (B) furthers United States interests by providing a potential alternative to Russian gas for United States allies and partners; and (C) should not be impeded by other sovereign states. (10) Energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean region must be safeguarded against threats posed by terrorist and extremist groups, including Hezbollah and others. (11) Despite robust economic and security relations with the United States, the Republic of Cyprus has been subject to a United States embargo prohibiting the export of defense articles and services since 1987. (12) The 1987 arms embargo was designed to restrict United States arms sales and transfer to the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied part of Cyprus to avoid hindering reunification efforts. (13) At least 30,000 Turkish troops are stationed in the occupied part of Cyprus with weapons procured from the United States through mainland Turkey. (14) While the United States has, as a matter of policy, avoided the provision of defense articles and services to the Republic of Cyprus, the Government of Cyprus has sought to obtain these defense articles from other countries, including countries that pose challenges to United States interests around the world. (15) The security of partners in the Eastern Mediterranean region is critical to the security of the United States and Europe. 3. Sense of the Senate It is the sense of the Senate that— (1) the direct sale or transfer of arms by the United States to the Republic of Cyprus would advance United States’ security interests in Europe by helping to reduce the dependence of Cyprus on other countries for defense-related materiel, including countries that pose challenges to United States interests around the world; and (2) it is in the interest of the United States— (A) to continue to support United Nations-facilitated efforts toward a comprehensive solution to the division of Cyprus; (B) to affirm the importance of demilitarization on the island of Cyprus