[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 154 (Tuesday, December 4, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


CONGRATULATING THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS ON ITS PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN 
                               UNION (EU)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor the Republic of 
Cyprus as its first six-month rotation of the European Union Presidency 
comes to a close. The EU Presidency is a significant event in the 
history of this nation with which the United States has such a close 
relationship.
  This small, but vigorous country has overseen a number of historic 
events during its tenure in the Presidency. Most notably, the EU 
approved a new round of sanctions against Iran. These sanctions are the 
toughest measures imposed by the EU to date and target Iran's nuclear 
and ballistic missile program. The sanctions ban financial 
transactions, prohibit the export to Iran of materials that could be 
used for its nuclear and ballistic program, ban the importation of 
natural gas from Iran, and impose an asset freeze and travel ban on 34 
additional Iranian entities reportedly providing financial support to 
the Iranian government. I would like to congratulate the Republic of 
Cyprus for overseeing the enactment of these sanctions as they will 
work in tandem with the strong US sanctions imposed against Iran. This 
is a critically important step that will help to keep the rulers of 
Iran from fulfilling their quest for nuclear weapons. Furthermore, it 
will help to ensure the security of our strongest ally in the region, 
Israel, by maintaining regional stability. Again, I extend my sincere 
congratulations to the Republic of Cyprus on a successful EU 
Presidency.

                          ____________________