WASHINGTON, DC —
On September 12, 2024, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted the 50th Anniversary Congressional Commemoration of the Invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, held in conjunction with the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States, Evangelos Savva, the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Ekaterini Nassika, and Members of Congress gathered to convey their reflections on Turkey’s illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974 and the ongoing occupation of the country.
The event was moderated by AHI president, Nick Larigakis, and organized with the assistance of AHI’s legislative director, Alexander Christofor.
President Larigakis thanked the attendees for their words of support and expressed his gratitude to the 16 Members of Congress who participated through providing remarks, issuing written statements, or sending staff to attend in their place. Larigakis also spoke on the ongoing struggle of the people of the Republic of Cyprus, who for half a century have endured an illegal occupation by Turkey, along with massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
A special thanks was given by President Larigakis to the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), for their cooperation and their support of the event.
The forum featured as speakers (in order of appearance): U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).
Statements on the anniversary were provided by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), U.S. Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY).
Congressional staff attended on behalf of U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), U.S. Rep. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
“Generations on both sides of the Green Line have grown up under an unacceptable status quo. That must change for future generations”, noted U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, adding that as a member himself of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he will continue “to push for the United States to help broker a bi-zonal, bi-communal settlement that upholds the principles of international law”.
Rep. Bilirakis reminded them all that “it’s an American issue, because Greece and Cyprus have been wonderful allies over the years, and continue to be” and urged 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 Varosha, and examine sanctions against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot attempts to illegally and unilaterally reopen and resettle this city”.
“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”, he added.
Rep. Tom Suozzi said: “You have a small community that’s been hijacked by a greater power and everybody’s ignoring this thing because they don’t want to make it into a bigger issue, but meanwhile people are missing, people were killed, people were evacuated from a place that was their home. We just know it’s wrong”.
Rep. Titus said: “Lifting the arms embargo, getting [Cyprus] in the visa waiver program, continuing the military and commercial relationships, supporting the development of the energy triangle between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, all of those are very positive things, so you can always count on me to support those things and be engaged with them, as I sit on the Foreign Affairs Committee and will continue on the European Subcommittee”.
“I look forward to continuing to work with you, to support our allies in the Mediterranean. I want to be a voice on this issue in rooms that may not be the rooms where this conversation is happening by default”, said Rep. Gabe Amo.
“Because you keep showing up, because of the continued advocacy, I have absolute confidence that there will come a day, that will come sooner than maybe we can hope, when these gatherings will not be to commemorate the division of Cyprus, but to celebrate the reunification of Cyprus”, said Rep. Sarbanes thanking Nick Larigakis and AHI for their relentless advocacy for so many issues that are near to the hearts of Greek-Americans, Cypriot-Americans, and all Americans.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis noted: “In response to Turkey’s escalating aggression in the region, I opposed the Biden Administration’s plans to sell fighter jets to Turkey and continue to ensure no such jets are used against Greece or Cyprus. A stronger alliance between Greece, Cyprus, and the United States—built on our shared values—advances the interests of the American, Cypriot, and Greek people. Together, we must remain resolute in seeking justice—the withdrawal of Turkish Troops and the reunification of Cyprus”.
“You have the vast support of Congress, and it is time for us to act, even if that means that the next administration has to do things that previously made us uncomfortable”, said Rep. Darell Issa.
Further highlights of statements and written remarks are available online:
