He also pointed out that Erdogan’s proposal for the settlement of Famagusta violates the resolutions of the UN Security Council, which the US and the EU strongly condemn.
The attack on UN peacekeepers in the Pyla no-fly zone was a totally unacceptable violation of international law and the UN Security Council must immediately pass a resolution condemning the recent attack on Cypriot territory, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee said today of the American Senate, Robert Menendez, in his speech at the World Conference of Diaspora Cypriots, at the Presidential Palace of Cyprus, speaking of the threat of annexation of the occupied territories to Turkey.
Speaking in front of the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament, other officials and many expatriate Cypriots, who applauded him in many parts of his speech, Mr. Menendez criticized the policy of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking of “acts of a autocratic leader’ while urging the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy to help revive negotiations to find a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.
“Because to this day 40 thousand Turkish troops still illegally occupy 36% of the Republic of Cyprus, making it one of the most militarized places in the world,” said Mr. Menendez.
“It is for this reason that I take very seriously the threat of Turkish annexation of the occupied territory”, he underlined.
Mr. Menendez said that “we have to stay alert because Erdogan can change his mind at any time. Especially with regard to his aggression against Cyprus”.
“His will to expand his authoritarian power means it is more important than ever that the US align with the Republic of Cyprus,” he added.
He also said that as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate, he believes that his country has an important role to play in supporting Cyprus in its struggle for justice, reunification, peace and security.
Referring to the events in the dead zone in Pyla, the US Senator said that Turkish forces attacked UN peacekeepers.
“They were trying to build a road that they have no right to build in the agreed upon dead zone that they have no right to be in,” he noted.
He said the attack had sent UN personnel to the hospital. “So let’s put it as it is: An absolutely unacceptable violation of international law,” he added.
“But did President Erdogan do anything to prevent this? No. Absolutely nothing,” Mr. Menendez continued.
He said this was not surprising considering that earlier this year Erdogan won re-election in Turkey by “setting the game in his favor”.
“Using state resources for himself, shutting down independent media, imprisoning opposition leaders and journalists,” he continued.
He said that “these are not the actions of a candidate who wants to get votes in a democratic election, these are the actions of an autocratic leader.”
“For those of us who care deeply about the security and integrity of the Eastern Mediterranean this is particularly troubling,” the US Senator pointed out.
He said Erdogan names Cypriots and freedom-loving people around the world as enemies, has collaborated with the world’s most brutal dictators and constantly tests the limits of fundamental international standards and norms, violating some by continuing to occupy another sovereign state. .
He also pointed out that Erdogan’s proposal for the settlement of Famagusta violates the resolutions of the UN Security Council, which the US and the EU strongly condemn.
And we will continue to condemn such actions whether in Varosia or Pyla or anywhere else, he added.
He said that the Turkish invasion changed the island and its people forever. “An invasion that Turkey refuses to recognize as illegal and unjust, despite the condemnation of Europe, the UN and the entire international community,” it said.
“Let us recommit ourselves to the defense of human rights, to continue to fight for democracy, to support the rule of law. Until the day when the last boot of the last Turkish soldier leaves Cyprus, leaving T/k and E/k to find their own destiny, in peace and security”, he noted, adding that this will unlock the tremendous potential that this country has region in the 21st century and beyond.
During his speech, Mr. Menendez said that he is proud to be one of the strongest advocates in the Senate and previously in the House of Representatives for the strong relations between the US and Cyprus and referred to the actions and initiatives he undertook in this direction, among among others, the lifting of the ban on the sale of weapons in Cyprus.
The American Senator said that US-Cyprus relations are at a historic turning point. “Our relationship has never been better,” he said.
He said that he believes that there is room for further development of these relations and pledged to contribute to the efforts to move this relationship to its next level.
He also stated that “we must continue to push for Cyprus to become part of the US visa waiver program”.
He was also in favor of strengthening US-Cyprus military cooperation and the exchange of information between the two countries
“Cyprus’ geostrategic position is valuable for our collective security,” he said, noting that he wishes to see deeper cooperation in the energy sector, where Cyprus has so much to offer.
He also called on US President Joe Biden to make resolving the Cyprus issue one of his administration’s top foreign policy priorities. “We must go from mere condemnation to action,” he noted.
Referring to the Cypriot expatriates in the US, Mr. Menendez underlined their contribution to the promotion of friendship between the US and Cyprus while he expressed appreciation for the position of President Christodoulides that you cannot occupy the territory of another country by force.
Mr. Menendez greeted the delegates in Greek saying “Good evening” and at the end he said “Thank you”.
He even noted that his wife’s mother was born in Nicosia and said that he and his wife are very happy to be back in Cyprus.
“It is wonderful to be in the one and only capital of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia,” he said.
He also said that he had a very good meeting with President Christodoulidis, whom he mentioned in his speech, as well as the Speaker of the Parliament and the Ministers who were present.
Taking the floor before Mr. Menendez’s speech, the President of PSEKA, Philip Christopher, characterized the American Senator as the greatest Philhellenic in the history of Hellenism.
Source: KYPE
Source :Skai
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