[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1154-E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 38TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIVISION OF THE ISLAND OF 
                                 CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 38th 
anniversary of the division of the island of Cyprus, and to encourage 
all parties in this longstanding dispute to reason together and work to 
achieve a final settlement that will bring about a united Cyprus.
   Over 50 years ago, the Republic of Cyprus was established by Greek 
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who were to have hands in the 
administration of the government and participation in national life. As 
a result of steps counter to that spirit through the 1960s and early 
1970s, the two communities are now isolated from each other. The Greek 
Cypriot community, as the Republic of Cyprus, enjoys full membership in 
the European Union while Turkish Cypriots remain largely isolated from 
the global community. Nevertheless, Turkish Cypriots have demonstrated, 
time and again, their support for a solution where a bi-zonal, bi-
communal federation is secured.
   A continuation of the status quo serves no purpose, and prevents all 
Cypriots from living to their full potential. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in encouraging both parties to set a timeline of tangible steps 
to achieve a final agreement, and for the Obama Administration to work 
with both parties and European partners in securing these steps. Any 
solution must respect the human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots, 
and this must be enshrined in the work of the parties.
   Let us redouble our efforts so that we do not have to observe the 
beginning of yet another decade in the life of the division of this

[[Page E1155]]

island, in the hope that all Cypriots will be able to live and work 
together in peace.

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