Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has blocked the transfer of surplus warships to Turkey.

Congress has approved legislation for the transfer of surplus U.S. Navy frigates to Mexico and Taiwan. House and Senate members succeeded in suspending U.S. plans to donate at least two missile frigates to Ankara amid its threats against neighbors in the Mediterranean.

“I believe we should hold off on sending powerful warships to Turkey and encourage the government in Ankara to take a less belligerent approach to their neighbors,” Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat, said.

In 2012, the administration of President Barack Obama approved a Turkish request for two Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates. The platforms were identified as the USS Halyburton and the USS Thach, decommissioned by the U.S. Navy.

But in late December 2014, Congress stopped U.S. plans to transfer the surplus warships to the Turkish Navy.

Critics cited threats by Turkish President Recep Erdogan against Greece, Israel and the Republic of Cyprus, which were exploring for crude oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean.

“Turkey has recently threatened legitimate Cypriot and Israeli efforts to cooperation on energy exploration,” Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, said. “Ankara has boosted Turkish armed naval presence around the natural gas fields between Israel and Cyprus and declared invalid an agreement between Cyprus and Israel on demarcating their respective energy exploration areas.”

  2015 GREATEST HITS NO. 23: U.S. Congress blocks Obama-approved donation of warships To Turkey, WorldTribune.com