The 37th Anniversary of Turkey's Invasion of Cyprus

Floor Speech

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the 37th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus to call upon the Government of Turkey to end its unlawful military occupation of the Island.

For 37 years, Greek Cypriots have had to live with the memory of being forcibly removed from their homes only to become refugees in their own country. For years, they endured a policy of systematic ethnic cleansing and, despite the insistence of the international community, to this day Cyprus remains under occupation. Forty-three thousand Turkish troops occupy a third of the island, making the area they control among the most militarized regions in the world.

For 37 years, it has been the goal of the international community to reunify Cyprus into a stable and prosperous country where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace and security.

Attempts to reunify the country have undergone various levels of negotiation for over 45 years yielding few lasting achievements along the way. Even the occasional success has produced little of enduring material value.

For example, in 1979, the U.S. and UN applauded Turkey's agreement to withdraw and handover the uninhabited city of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants. Every year, the UN calls upon Turkey to honor its commitment, but, to this day, Famagusta remains in the hands of the Turkish government.

The U.S. and the EU and the UN have demonstrated their willingness to work with Turkey toward a lasting settlement in Cyprus that reunifies the country into a bi-zonal federation. By continuing its occupation, by closing its seaports to Cypriot-flagged ships, and by refusing to follow through on its promises, Turkey has continued to ignore the will of the international community.

So, on this 37th anniversary of Turkey's illegal occupation of Cyprus, I ask my colleagues to join me in condemning the continued occupation and join me in calling for Turkey to withdraw its troops from the island.

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