AHI Releases Statement Highlights from Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs for 50th Anniversary of the Invasion of Cyprus
No. 79
WASHINGTON, DC - The American Hellenic Institute is proud to release highlights of the statements provided by the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) for the 50th anniversary of the invasion of the Republic of Cyprus.
On September 12, 2024, the American Hellenic Institute hosted the 50th Anniversary Congressional Commemoration of the Invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in conjunction with the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)
Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
I know you all have your hearts in this. It's an American issue, because Greece and Cyprus have been wonderful allies over the years, and continue to be. We can always count on Greece and Cyprus.
We will one day, hopefully during my lifetime, and definitely during your lifetime - all the young people here - have a free Cyprus.
Remind your colleagues, remind your friends, of how terrible Turkey has been over the years. And I can say that with Erdogan, with his statements recently in regard to Israel.
I urge the Secretary General of the U.N. to firmly assert the U.N. authority to administer and prevent the resettlement of Varosha, pursue the immediate and full implementation of U.N. security council resolutions on Verosha, and examine sanctions against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot attempts to illegally and unilaterally reopen and resettle this city. Verosha is part of Cyprus, and the Turks are trying to resettle it and redevelop it, and that’s a huge issue.
As always, I will stand to work with international allies to pursue a free and unified Cyprus because I believe a solution is beneficial to the Cypriot people and will strengthen the strategic partnership between Greece, Cyprus, and the United States, to bring peace and stability to the region.
“Thank you to the American Hellenic Institute for hosting this event as we mark the 50th anniversary of Turkey’s illegal and unprovoked invasion and continued occupation of the north of Cyprus. Five decades have passed since Turkish forces uprooted tens of thousands of Greek Cypriots from their homes and destroyed religious and cultural sites. Turkey’s continued refusal to end its illegal occupation of the northern third of the island continues to stand in the way of reunification.
I’m a proud Greek American serving in Congress and honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Hellenic Caucus, where we work to strengthen the ties between the United States, Greece, and Cyprus and celebrate and promote Hellenic heritage and culture here in America. We also work to continue to hold Turkey and the Erdogan government accountable for its continued violation of Cyprus’s sovereignty and its people. Now more than ever, we are reminded that alliances matter and standing with our allies is critically important.
We must all continue working together across party lines to ensure that our relationship with Cyprus remains a top U.S. foreign policy priority, that Turkey’s continued occupation of the country is not forgotten, and that the United States continues to uphold its longstanding commitment to a comprehensive settlement to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
I look forward to continuing this work with you all, and I thank you for your tireless work toward our common goal—a Cyprus that is united, at peace, and free.”
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
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