A solution to the Cyprus issue would also benefit Turkey, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez said.
During his visit to Cyprus for the 1st World Conference of Cyprus Diaspora, Menendez engaged in discussions with House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, as stated in a press release issued by the Parliament.
Demetriou welcomed the US Senator as “a true friend of Cyprus who is a source of inspiration and stimulates the fighting spirit needed to protect the common values of democracy.”
The meeting focused on the ties between the USA and the Republic of Cyprus, which, as per the press release, are at their best-ever point. Both parties underscored the mutual determination to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in domains of mutual interest, such as security, energy, and education, with special consideration for the Cypriot diaspora.
The press release noted that particular attention was drawn to the value added by the interparliamentary dimension, both bilaterally and within the framework of the “three plus one” collaborative initiatives involving the Parliaments of Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the US.
Addressing the US Senator, Demetriou stressed, “Cyprus is relying on the valuable support by sincere and steadfast friends such as you in these very crucial times due to mounting provocations and illegal actions by Turkey and the occupying regime in the UN buffer zone in Pyla and elsewhere, as well as in the fenced-off city of Varosha aiming to create new fait accompli on the ground.”
She continued, “Such actions along with the Turkish side’s insistence on a two-state solution,” the Parliament President added, “undermine the efforts for the resumption of the talks towards a just and viable solution according to the relevant UN resolutions, which would reunify Cyprus in conditions of peace and stability to the benefit of the Cypriot people and especially the young and the future generations.”
Demetriou also criticised the alleged routing of undocumented migrants from Turkey to Cyprus through the occupied areas. She noted that “this manipulation of migration, is part of a hybrid campaign against the Republic of Cyprus,” which has led to the highest inflow of undocumented migrants relative to its population among EU member states.
According to the press release, Menendez referred to the coming UN General Assembly, noting the Cyprus President’s determined commitment towards the resumption of the talks.
“Looking forward to the appointment of a UN Secretary-General special envoy, Menendez expressed hope over a settlement to the Cyprus problem, which will yield peace, security and prosperity in a reunited country and pointed out that this development would be to the benefit of Turkey as well,” the press release added.
