[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 112 (Thursday, July 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1184-E1185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2014

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, July 20th, marks the 40th 
anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus.
   I would like to express my unwavering support for the reunification 
of Cyprus. Since 1974, Cyprus has been wrought with conflict and 
tension between the northern Turkish Cypriot population and the 
southern Greek Cypriot population. This conflict has left Cyprus 
divided. Although I am encouraged by the recent support shown for 
Cyprus by my fellow colleagues in Congress and by Vice President Biden, 
who recently visited Cyprus and helped facilitate dialogue between both 
sides, only a Cypriot-led resolution can bring lasting peace to the 
country and region.
   Cyprus is an important economic and geo-political strategic partner 
for the United States. With its recent discovery of offshore gas 
reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, a stable, unified Cyprus can 
be an important economic and strategic ally for the United States and 
neighboring European countries. As such, it is important for the United 
States to continue to express its support for a re-unified Cyprus.
   Moving forward, I hope that Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot 
leaders can peacefully negotiate a just and enduring resolution to this 
conflict. I know that it won't be simple. I understand that given the 
situation's complexity, there is no silver bullet to a solution. A 
sustainable resolution will require patience and a genuine willingness 
from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership to seek a secure 
and stable re-unified Cyprus. However, in spite of these difficult 
realities, I am confident that a peaceful resolution can and will be 
achieved.

[[Page E1185]]



                          ____________________