Reps. Engel, Bilirakis and 100 House Members Urge Support for Democracy in All of Cyprus

Press Release

Congressmen Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-09), along with more than 100 bipartisan members of the House Representatives, gave their strong support for the U.S.-Cyprus relationship in a letter to President Obama. The members thanked Cyprus for being a staunch friend and ally in the increasingly unstable eastern Mediterranean.

Rep. Engel said, "Cyprus is a democracy which shares the values with the United States and embraces a similar approach toward the Eastern Mediterranean. As Syria spirals toward deeper crisis, Lebanon remains under the thumb of Hezbollah, and Turkey is unable to choose whether its interests lie with the West or East, Cyprus is our natural friend in the region."

Rep. Bilirakis said, "As a valued friend and ally of the United States, the Republic of Cyprus has proven a committed and influential partner in Europe and in the increasingly turbulent Middle East. Despite having a large portion of its land illegally occupied, Cyprus has successfully integrated into the European community, which is a testament to its focus and dedication to democratic values and regional cooperation, and it is my hope that the United States continues to develop a positive relationship with Cyprus."

Rep. Eliot L. Engel is a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the author of the law which directed the successful investigation of missing Americans on Cyprus and a resolution calling for demilitarization of Cyprus. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus, and is the author of resolutions supporting the implementation of a United Nations-brokered agreement toward the reunification of Cyprus and the respect for religious freedom in Cyprus.

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