JOINT COOPERATIVE PROGRAM RELATED TO INNOVATION AND HIGH-TECH FOR THE MIDDLE EAST REGION.

SEC. 1279. [22 U.S.C. 2151 note] JOINT COOPERATIVE PROGRAM RELATED TO INNOVATION AND HIGH-TECH FOR THE MIDDLE EAST REGION. (a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should help foster cooperation in the Middle East region by financing and, as appropriate, cooperating in projects related to innovation and advanced technologies; and (2) projects referred to in paragraph (1) should— (A) contribute to development and the quality of life in the Middle East region through the application of research and advanced technology; and (B) contribute to Arab-Israeli cooperation by establishing strong working relationships that last beyond the life of such projects. (b) Establishment.—The Secretary of State, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, is authorized to seek to establish a program between the United States and appropriate regional partners to provide for cooperation in the Middle East region by supporting projects related to innovation and advanced technologies. (c) Project Requirements.—Each project carried out under the program established pursuant to subsection (b)— (1) shall include the participation of at least one entity from Israel and one entity from another regional partner; and (2) shall be conducted in a manner that appropriately protects sensitive information, intellectual property, the national security interests of the United States, and the national security interests of Israel.