[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 122 Referred in House (RFH)]

  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 122


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 19, 2002

          Referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress that security, reconciliation, and 
prosperity for all Cypriots can be best achieved within the context of 
membership in the European Union which will provide significant rights 
       and obligations for all Cypriots, and for other purposes.

Whereas the current status quo on Cyprus remains unacceptable and the 
        reunification of Cyprus remains a desirable foreign policy objective;
Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem, in full 
        consideration of United Nations Security Council resolutions and 
        international treaties, must safeguard the security and fundamental 
        rights of the population of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots 
        alike;
Whereas Cyprus is among the leading candidate countries for accession to the 
        European Union, in recognition of its commitment to free markets, human 
        rights, democracy, and the rule of law;
Whereas the European Union guarantees to all its citizens the indivisible 
        universal values of human dignity (supporting fair and equal treatment 
        of all), freedom (right to security, marriage, family, among others), 
        equality (celebrating cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity), 
        solidarity (protecting workers' rights and providing social security), 
        citizens' rights (voting), and justice (holding a fair trial);
Whereas membership in the European Union will guarantee each citizen of the 
        Republic of Cyprus important legal, civil, and human rights, as well as 
        the means and legal recourse necessary to secure the full application of 
        these fundamental individual rights, and to promote the respect of 
        cultural diversity and traditions;
Whereas membership in the European Union will bring significant benefits to both 
        Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, including new economic 
        opportunities, access to new markets, a freer exchange of goods and 
        services, balanced and sustainable development as well as the free 
        movement of persons, goods, and services and capital;
Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of December 1999, in 
        Helsinki, stated that ``a political settlement [of the Cyprus problem] 
        will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f 
        no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession 
        negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be made without 
        the above being a precondition...[i]n this the Council will take account 
        of all relevant factors'';
Whereas both the United States and the European Union in their summit statement 
        on the New Transatlantic Agenda of June 14, 2001, pledge to continue to 
        work together to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary 
        General to achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus in 
        full consideration of relevant United Nations Security Council 
        resolutions and international treaties;
Whereas the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leadership began direct talks on January 
        16, 2002, with the United Nations Special Advisor in attendance and the 
        European Council at the Seville Conference in June 2002 called on the 
        Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to intensify and expedite their talks 
        in order to seize the unique opportunity to reach a comprehensive 
        settlement; and
Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is also consistent with American 
        values, as enshrined in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the 
        United States, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the 
        pursuit of happiness: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the current status quo on Cyprus must be ended and the 
        island and its people be reunited, in a bizonal, bicommunal 
        federal Cyprus, with full consideration of United Nations 
        Security Council resolutions and international treaties;
            (2) the direct and intensive negotiations between the Greek 
        and Turkish Cypriot leaders, which began in January 2002, and 
        which are continuing on a regular basis, have been most welcome 
        and are encouraged to continue until a comprehensive settlement 
        has been achieved;
            (3) while a successful resolution of the Cyprus problem 
        would facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, 
        in the absence of such a resolution, the accession of Cyprus to 
        the European Union could act as a further catalyst for the 
        solution of the Cyprus problem without the latter being a 
        precondition for accession and with all relevant factors being 
        considered;
            (4) membership of the Republic of Cyprus in the European 
        Union should be strongly supported;
            (5) all Cypriots be urged to support and encourage efforts 
        to bring the Republic of Cyprus into the European Union; and
            (6) the various agencies of the United States Government in 
        support of United Nations efforts to facilitate a settlement 
        should pursue as an issue of high priority new initiatives that 
        will help promote and achieve reunification, reconciliation, 
        stability, and prosperity on Cyprus.

            Passed the Senate November 18, 2002.

            Attest:

                                                  JERI THOMSON,

                                                             Secretary.