[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E790-E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS ON ITS RECENT SIGNING OF EUROPEAN 
                         UNION ACCESSION TREATY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to offer my sincere 
congratulations to the Republic of Cyprus, as they recently became 1 of 
10 new member states in the European Union (EU).
  On April 16, 2003, President Tassos Papadopoulos signed the EU 
Accession Treaty, and the Republic of Cyprus officially became a part 
of the European Union. This will undoubtedly prove to be a momentous 
day for the people of Cyprus, as membership in the EU will provide 
security, prosperity, and increased activity in international affairs 
for both the Cypriot government and the citizens it represents. As 
Cyprus begins this new chapter in its history, I am confident that it 
will continue to serve as a model for economic and political progress, 
and the blossoming relationship between the Cypriot and U.S. 
governments will continue to flourish.
  Of great note during this joyous occasion is the fact that the Greek-
Cypriots who recently became a part of the EU have not forgotten about 
their Turkish counterparts who still toil under the illegitimate rule 
of Rauf Denktash. Just days after the EU accession, Greek Prime 
Minister Costas Simitis discussed details of a Greek-Cypriot plan to 
ease economic hardships in Turkish occupied northern Cyprus. Also, 
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has made it clear that 
negotiations for a reunified Cyprus will continue, and

[[Page E791]]

that the recent EU accession of the southern portion of the island will 
not have any adverse effects on progress in this area. As President 
Papadopoulos stated at the signing ceremony:

       I regret that the artificial walls of division and the line 
     of separation that was imposed by force prevent our Turkish 
     Cypriot compatriots from proceeding with us, within the 
     framework of a reunited Cyprus, on the way to Europe .... I 
     reiterate, from this forum as well, at this historic moment 
     of the signing of the Treaty, my firm commitment to exert 
     every effort to achieve a peaceful, workable and viable 
     solution to the Cyprus problem.

  Mr. Speaker and fellow Members of Congress, I ask that you please 
join me in congratulating the government and people of the Republic of 
Cyprus on their recent accession into the European Union. In addition, 
I ask that the United States Congress continue to offer encouragement 
and support to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots as negotiations for a 
reunified island continue.

                          ____________________