[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CYPRIOT ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE ONGOING DIVISION OF 
                                 CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2001

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record my statement from 
the Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Europe hearing 
on June 13, 2001.

       Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to have this opportunity to 
     speak in strong support of the U.S. relationship with these 
     three important countries: Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. 
     However, I would like to speak, in particular, about two key 
     issues which have no doubt been the focus of this hearing 
     today--that of Cypriot accession to the European Union (EU) 
     and the ongoing division of Cyprus.
       In its conclusions at Helsinki, the European Council, in 
     December of 1999, welcomed the launch of proximity talks that 
     year aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus 
     problem. The Council further noted that, while a political 
     settlement of the Cyprus problem would facilitate accession 
     of Cyprus to the EU, it would not be a precondition to 
     accession. In his confirmation hearing held on March 20, 
     Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman 
     stated that we must impress upon the Turkish Cypriots and the 
     people in Ankara that they have got to get involved in the 
     stalled proximity talks. A settlement to the problem would 
     surely be a welcome development for all the governments 
     involved.
       Most of us understand that accession of Cyprus to the EU 
     will provide a much-needed impetus to a political solution. 
     But, what Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash must 
     understand is that Cyprus will accede to the EU whether or 
     not he returns to the negotiating table. Because Cyprus is 
     divided, I fear the people living on the northern part of the 
     island under Mr. Denktash's rule, will not benefit from EU 
     membership. The north must rejoin the rest of the island so 
     that its people can share in the wealth, both political and 
     economic, which EU membership has to offer. Mr. Denktash's 
     recalcitrance will not block the Cypriot government from 
     reaching its goal. What Mr. Denktash must decide is whether 
     or not he wants to be a productive part of Cyprus' future. I 
     truly hope, for the sake of all Cypriots, that he elects to 
     do so.
       The people of Cyprus, with their long and rich cultural and 
     political history, deserve far more than to see their island 
     forever divided because of misguided political aspirations. 
     There must be a reunited Cyprus, one that is bizonal, 
     bicommunal and federal, created on the basis of the United 
     Nations Security Council resolutions. I urge Mr. Denktash to 
     return to the negotiating table once again so that a 
     negotiated settlement can be reached. EU accession for Cyprus 
     will benefit everyone: the U.S., Greece, Turkey, and all of 
     Cyprus' other allies. Cyprus must take its rightful place in 
     the community of nations as a strong, unified country with 
     the opportunity to grow and prosper economically, to be 
     afforded the same legal, political and social rights as other 
     nations. Cypriot accession to the EU will begin that process, 
     but resolution of the political problem dividing the island 
     will provide the ultimate closure Cyprus needs to move 
     forward.
       In closing, I would like to commend my colleagues, 
     Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman Michael 
     Bilirakis, for introducing a House Concurrent Resolution in 
     support of Cypriot accession to the EU. I am proud to be a 
     co-sponsor of that bill.

     

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