[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H7681-H7684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Bilirakis) for 30 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the topic of my Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of both the Hellenic Caucus 
and the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance, I rise tonight with my 
colleagues to provide an update on one of the United States' most 
strategic allies, the Republic of Cyprus.

[[Page H7682]]

  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 44th anniversary of the 
illegal invasion and occupation of 40,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus. 
Turkey, a NATO ally, must cease its inflammatory rhetoric, normalize 
relations with the Republic of Cyprus, and commit to peacefully working 
toward a negotiated solution. Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Mr. Speaker, 
deserve an end to the senseless division and occupation.
  Despite the challenge of continued occupation, Cyprus has long been a 
strong and faithful ally of the United States. Due to Cyprus' unique 
geopolitical role in the eastern Mediterranean, it is in the best 
interests of our country, the United States of America, to support 
peace and the end of this illegal occupation. Cyprus' special 
geopolitical position stems from its location at the southeasternmost 
corner of the EU.
  The eastern Mediterranean is turbulent, Mr. Speaker, but holds a 
promise of significant opportunity. Cyprus' status as an EU member 
state, as well as its excellent longstanding relations with its 
neighbors, enhances its strategic importance to the United States.
  Cyprus has taken steps in recent years to facilitate international 
partnerships and demonstrated an impressive ability to serve as a 
catalyst in the development of mutually beneficial goals among 
countries in the region and around the globe.
  Of equal importance, Cyprus also enjoys a longstanding record of 
serving as an unwavering U.S. ally by promoting regional stability, 
energy security, and counterterrorism efforts. Regional stability is a 
necessary precursor to attainment of its full economic, social, and 
strategic potential.
  Moderate countries in the eastern Mediterranean have an obligation to 
strengthen their ties because, the stronger the bonds, the greater the 
opportunity for building a more prosperous, peaceful future.
  As discussed by Cyprus' Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, 
Cyprus recognizes the importance of regional stability. Along with 
Greece, it has spearheaded efforts to create trilateral cooperation 
mechanisms with moderate countries of the region, including Israel, 
Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.
  This initiative has been one of the most successful developments of 
the past decade and has laid the foundation for regional cooperation on 
a variety of priority goals that are crucial to the international 
community. These trilateral discussions are now commonplace, and the 
meetings are taking place at regular intervals, creating and 
facilitating the development of mutually beneficial partnerships around 
a broad range of areas, including economic cooperation, culture, and 
education.
  Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and Prime Minister Tsipras joined 
President Anastasiades in Nicosia in May for a trilateral meeting. 
Currently, preparations are under way for a trilateral meeting between 
Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt in Crete, and in December with Israel.
  Minister Christodoulides has explained that the central tenets of the 
trilateral cooperation are neither exclusionary nor exclusive; 
additionally, they are not directed against any country but, instead, 
are utilized as an opportunity for promoting enhanced cooperation.
  As with everything in life, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, 
as you know, Mr. Speaker, but each trilateral meeting has been crafted 
to meet the needs of participating countries when it makes sense to do 
so.
  Additionally, Cyprus has taken the lead to include countries from 
outside the regions to further economic, social, and international 
goals. For example, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel have expanded their 
talks to include Italy and the European Commission in negotiations on 
energy-related issues. The benefits from these regional developments 
positively impact participating countries as well as the United States 
of America and the international community as a whole.
  Cyprus holds the potential to play an important role in international 
energy security, Mr. Speaker, which is obviously a natural interest to 
the United States of America. The discovery of hydrocarbons in the 
eastern Mediterranean has motivated countries within the region to work 
together in order to maximize the benefit of these natural resources.
  The U.S. Geological Survey assessments indicate the eastern 
Mediterranean region holds large quantities of natural gas and oil. It 
is in the United States' best interest, in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, to 
ensure that these resources held by an allied nation contribute to the 
availability of affordable energy. This development can help ensure the 
long-term financial sustainability of the region.
  Minister Christodoulides, again, also heralds the work of Egypt, 
Israel, and Lebanon, in partnership with Cyprus, again, to formulate 
their own exclusive economic zones, or EEZ, which has created greater 
transparency based on international law, outlined new economic border 
structures, and established a proven framework for cooperation around a 
common goal.
  This framework also created the necessary legal and institutional 
structures to attract investment in Cyprus by major oil and gas 
companies. ExxonMobil, Eni, Total, Noble Energy, and Shell have entered 
into agreements with Cyprus for exploratory drilling and development 
work. Energy expansion in Cyprus holds even greater future potential, 
and it will compete directly with Russian energy in the region.

  Cyprus is also close to concluding agreements for the export of 
natural gas from its Aphrodite reservoir in its EEZ to Egypt and the 
plants there in Egypt. It is also concluding an intergovernmental 
agreement with Egypt that will create a direct, underwater pipeline to 
carry Aphrodite's natural gas to Egypt.
  Similarly, the East Med pipeline project will allow for the transfer 
of natural gas, by an underwater pipeline, from Israel and Cyprus to 
Greece via Crete and from Greece to Italy.
  Energy potential and its accompanying economic benefit has become a 
tool of cooperation and alignment of initiatives that would create an 
economy of scale and invite investment while meeting the energy 
security needs of the region.
  Cyprus has also proven itself as an important partner in the global 
war against terrorism. Since their inception, the trilateral meetings 
led by Cyprus have always included counterterrorism cooperation as a 
priority. Minister Christodoulides, again, correctly asserted earlier 
this year that it is not enough to secure one's country and borders; 
close cooperation with reliable and like-minded partners is also 
necessary.
  Cyprus has entered into a close dialogue with its regional neighbors 
to create a unified approach to battling terrorist ideology, 
understanding that there are no firm barriers to the spread of radical 
indoctrination, especially given the advent of social media, Mr. 
Speaker.
  Cyprus is participating in a number of international efforts, 
including the Coalition Against the Islamic State and the Aqaba 
Process. Minister Christodoulides further noted that Cyprus has 
actively, and in cooperation with some of its European allies, provided 
military assistance and nonmilitary support to international efforts in 
the African region of the Sahel.

                              {time}  2015

  Cyprus has cooperated with the U.S. in providing specialized training 
assistance to officials from neighboring countries and collaborated 
closely with Egypt. The training revolves mostly on civilian type of 
expertise, in customs and border controls.
  Additionally, Cyprus has provided training on the identification and 
containment of various chemicals, as well as better storage and 
handling of dangerous substances. Cyprus has also explored 
collaborative efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalization 
in an attempt to attack the problem at its root.
  In recent years, Cyprus has invested a great deal of energy and 
resources in education and the exposure of its communities to the 
historical roots of anti-Semitism and racism. This is an invaluable 
investment, not only because it is the right thing to do, Mr. Speaker, 
but because it is the best proven way to prevent radicalization and 
violence.
  Cyprus is committed to remain at the forefront of these efforts. 
After suffering a profound financial crisis not long ago, the previous 
decade, Cyprus has undertaken significant reforms

[[Page H7683]]

under the great, capable leadership of President Anastasiades that have 
stabilized and strengthened the country's economy and its banking 
sector.
  The result of these reforms, coupled with other government policies 
and the ingenuity of the very special Cypriot people, is that the 
Cypriot economy is experiencing strong growth and is one of the fastest 
growing economies in Europe.
  The future is bright for Cyprus. They are really a great model to go 
by. Again, the future is bright for Cyprus and its banking sector.
  This is the fourth year in a row, Mr. Speaker, that they have had 
positive GDP growth. The EU predicts that real GDP growth is expected 
to reach 3.6 percent in 2018 and 3.3 percent in 2019. Unemployment 
continues to shrink with the rate being cut in half to 8 percent since 
the financial crisis, and it was a crisis, there is no question. I 
talked to many people who live on the island and many relatives here in 
the United States of those folks, and they went through a lot, but they 
recovered.
  Cyprus can survive, Mr. Speaker. It is surviving without dependence 
on Russian money. Russian deposits have dropped nearly 50 percent and 
make up just 5 percent of the three largest banks' portfolios.
  Cyprus has been actively promoting policies to counter money 
laundering and terrorist financing activities. The powers and tools of 
the regulators, principally the Central Bank of Cyprus, the office of 
the attorney general, and financial intelligence units have been 
greatly upgraded.
  As a result, the Cyprus banking sector has significantly improved 
ultimate beneficial ownership transparency, greatly reduced its 
dependency on foreign deposits and transactions, and terminated 
accounts that do not meet its rigorous new standards.
  Ending the illegal occupation of Cyprus, Mr. Speaker, would safeguard 
the country's independence while amplifying its bridge-building 
capacity. What a capacity it has. They have done so much. So just 
think, if there was reunification, Mr. Speaker.
  Again, further stabilizing and bringing peace to the region, it is in 
our national interests, Mr. Speaker. All of which, again, makes Cyprus 
an even stronger ally of the United States.
  After stalling earlier this year, reunification efforts are once 
again underway. Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Jane 
Holl Lute has recently been appointed the U.N.'s new special adviser in 
the Cyprus reunification talks.
  Ms. Lute plans to tour Nicosia, Athens, and Ankara this month and 
provide an assessment to the U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on 
whether there is potential for the assumption of negotiations on the 
issue of reunification.
  The Republic of Cyprus has been a steadfast ally, and Cypriots of all 
backgrounds desire an end to the senseless division of their homeland. 
Today, the United States, despite Erdogan's provocative language and 
actions, still enjoys a unique role as a partner for both Cyprus and 
Turkey. As an honest broker to both sides, we can help them see that a 
unified future for Cyprus is far more promising than the present 
division.
  Our relationship with our allies must be based on shared values and 
mutual respect. At the core, the rule of law must be respected above 
all else.
  I encourage the Greek and Cypriot leaders to keep up the hard work of 
unifying a people divided for more than a generation. Tough and 
important issues remain, but, hopefully, this illegal occupation will 
come to an end.
  A reunified island nation would serve as a spark for further 
cooperation and economic stability. In short, it would unleash the 
region's incredible potential.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn 
B. Maloney), co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus. She is a founder, along 
with my father, Michael Bilirakis, of the Hellenic Caucus and also a 
member of the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good 
friend and co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus for all his hard work on 
this Special Order and for his hard work in Congress and on so many 
issues. He has been a leader for Greece, Cyprus, Florida, and the 
United States, and is a strong and effective leader here in Congress.
  Mr. Cicilline, who is here representing the Democratic side, has been 
a strong advocate and leader, not only in this but in so many areas in 
our caucus, in our Congress, and in so many ways.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my strong and unwavering support 
for the U.S.-Cyprus relationship.
  As co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus along with Mr. Bilirakis, I would 
be remiss if I did not mention the tragic wildfires that tore through 
Greece yesterday, killing dozens, and injuring and displacing hundreds 
more. I am heartbroken by the loss of life and destruction these 
rapidly moving fires left in their wake, and I send my deepest 
condolences, along with all of my colleagues in Congress, to the Greek 
people at this time.

  I know that the Hellenic American community, many of whom are my 
constituents, are affected by this disaster as well and have already 
begun efforts to help.
  I want to thank, especially, my fellow Hellenic Caucus co-chair, 
Representative Gus Bilirakis from the great State of Florida, for 
organizing this Special Order hour, and also the Congressman from Rhode 
Island (Mr. Cicilline) for joining him in organizing it.
  I founded the caucus with his father, former Representative Mike 
Bilirakis, in 1996, and it remains one of the largest and most active 
caucuses in Congress. We founded this caucus after Turkey invaded EMEA. 
It seemed like, every other day, there was a major crisis that came to 
the floor of Congress, and we felt it was important to really find 
where our supporters were.
  I am proud that, since this caucus has been founded, no single bill 
has been taken to the floor that in any way hinders or rolls back 
rights to Greece or Cyprus.
  Cyprus is one of our staunchest allies in the world. Strengthening 
our alliance must remain a constant foreign policy priority for the 
United States.
  We must acknowledge a solemn anniversary last week. It has been 44 
years since the illegal, terrible, unjust invasion by Turkish troops 
into the northern third of the nation of Cyprus. To this day, the 
island and the people living on either side of the U.N.-monitored 
buffer zone remain separated. There are 40,000 Turkish troops occupying 
northern Cyprus today. It is unjust; it is wrong; and they should be 
removed.
  They pose a looming threat that the Cypriot people have been forced 
to live with each and every day. Negotiations on reunification, 
unfortunately, are stalled for now, after some signs of progress early 
last year.
  Turkish troops are undeniably a hindrance to peace. No just and 
lasting settlement for either Greece or Turkish Cypriots can be 
achieved with the presence of the Turkish military.
  We are here today to show the support of the U.S. Congress for a 
bicommunal, bizonal federation that is in the best interests of the 
United States, the entire Eastern Mediterranean, and, most of all, 
Cypriots themselves.
  Two years ago, I joined a congressional delegation led by Ileana Ros-
Lehtinen, the former chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, to 
Cyprus. As we toured along the buffer zone, or the so-called Green Line 
that partitions the country, the ghost towns of Famagusta and Varosha 
illustrated the drastic impact that a divided Cyprus has on its people.
  I would call it a lost opportunity and lost economic advancement. It 
is literally a deserted ghost town on one of the most beautiful beaches 
in the world, one of the most beautiful towns in the world. Yet, I have 
constituents who I represent who crawled out of Famagusta on their 
bellies as Turkish planes were dropping bombs after them, and their 
dream is to go back to their homeland.
  But it is a wasteland. When you pass the Green Line into the occupied 
area, it is like totally deserted. It is like a lost economic 
opportunity, lost living style, lost life. When you see it, it is a 
visualization of so many opportunities lost for this great country, the 
time wasted and the development foregone because of this extended 
conflict and separation between the Greek and Cypriot areas and the 
Turkish areas.

[[Page H7684]]

  Some may not be aware that the buffer zone is patrolled now by U.N. 
peacekeeping forces. The U.S. must maintain its financial support for 
these forces that are keeping peace in Cyprus. It is an effective 
investment, especially now, and it is needed.
  There are numerous examples of Turkish aggression in the Eastern 
Mediterranean. Violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters are 
commonplace. Turkey continues to intimidate and interfere with the 
companies operating in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone and violates 
Cyprus' sovereign claims to its territory.
  Fortunately, there are near-term initiatives that Congress is 
pursuing right now to defend Cyprus' stability and sovereignty. The 
NDAA conference report released Monday includes a provision to study 
lifting the arms embargo on Cyprus that has been in place since 1987.
  I think we need to go much further than that. I think the embargo 
should be lifted today, and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of 
Representative Cicilline's bill to do just that. This study will 
hopefully be at least a step in the right direction.
  The NDAA also prohibits the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. That 
provision is long overdue, and that is in the defense budget that we 
will be considering today and tomorrow.
  Cyprus is a vital U.S. partner in global and regional security, 
economic cooperation, and energy development. I am proud to be a 
champion of this relationship in Congress through the Hellenic Caucus 
and to have the support of so many of my Hellenic American constituents 
in that effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I see my colleague, Mr. Cicilline, representing the 
great State of Rhode Island is here. He is an incredible leader in this 
caucus, the leader of our messaging unit, and, in so many other ways, 
an important leader in this Congress.

                              {time}  2030

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode 
Island (Mr. Cicilline), a great advocate for Cyprus. We have 
cosponsored legislation together.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for her co-
chairmanship of this caucus. Both Mr. Bilirakis and Mrs. Maloney have 
been great champions on this issue, and I am honored and privileged to 
work with them.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to join both of my colleagues in celebrating the 
important relationship between the United States and Cyprus and in 
highlighting the critical role our partnership with Cyprus plays in 
advancing both of our nations' national security interests.
  The Republic of Cyprus is a strategic partner to the United States in 
the eastern Mediterranean region and an effective ally combating 
threats posed by terrorism and nuclear proliferation.
  Through information sharing, training programs, counterterrorism 
activities, and increased cooperation on energy policy, our 
relationship with Cyprus allows us to advance our Nation's interests, 
defend against the rise of terrorism and regional actors who seek to 
take steps counter to American interests, and to promote the ongoing 
close cooperation between the United States and Europe.
  The U.S. participates in a number of joint exercises with Cyprus, 
including annual multinational search and rescue and crisis management 
exercises, and we coordinate training programs for Cyprus in explosives 
management and disposal, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and maritime 
safety and security.
  We work closely with our Cypriot allies to combat the spread of 
weapons of mass destruction and foster an effective international 
nonproliferation regime.
  In 2015, we joined Cyprus as members of the Proliferation Security 
Initiative in cohosting a regional nonproliferation workshop focusing 
on inspecting and identifying proliferation material. We are also 
joining Cyprus in providing more secure sources of domestic energy for 
Cyprus and all of Europe.
  American companies are playing a valuable role in energy exploration 
activities in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone in order to help provide 
Europe with potential alternatives to Russian gas and oil. Yet, despite 
this critical partnership between our two countries, the United States 
has had in place an arms embargo against the island of Cyprus since 
1987.
  This policy was initially intended to prevent an arms race on the 
island with Turkey, following Turkey's 1974 invasion of Cyprus and its 
subsequent occupation of the northern territory, in order to provide 
space for reunification talks. However, more than 30 years since the 
embargo was first implemented, Turkey still has more than 30,000 troops 
occupying the northern territory of Cyprus, reunification talks have 
not produced intended results, and the U.S. is unable to maintain a 
full security relationship with a key partner in combating terrorism.
  On top of this, Turkey continues to threaten Cyprus' energy 
exploration by continually harassing drilling vessels in the EEZ. 
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Wess 
Mitchell, has said that this harassment cannot be tolerated.
  We need to enact policies that strengthen our relationship with 
Cyprus and counteract dangerous elements in the region which threaten 
our national security interests and the interests of our allies in the 
eastern Mediterranean.
  Last year, I introduced legislation to lift the three-decade-old 
embargo on Cyprus, which would allow us to strengthen the partnership 
that we have built with the Republic of Cyprus. Our inability to 
provide Cyprus with necessary equipment needed to defend its 
sovereignty and its economic interests threatens our own national 
security.
  Lifting the arms embargo will allow Cyprus to better establish itself 
as a frontline state for Western security interests, defend itself from 
external threats, and ensure Cyprus is no longer forced to seek 
assistance for its defense from countries like Russia. Cyprus is an 
invaluable partner, and we need to make sure that we are treating it as 
such.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for organizing this opportunity to 
highlight the importance of the U.S.-Cypriot relationship, and I look 
forward to working with them, with our State Department, and with the 
Cypriot Government to continue to partner in important ways.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island 
for those remarks. He is a great advocate for Cyprus.
  Cyprus is a great partner, a great strategic ally, and will continue 
to be. We wanted to highlight that this evening, and I think we have.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________