AHI-backed Cyprus Resolution Introduced by Congressman Bilirakis

Legislation Condemns Attempts to Use Cyprus’s Fiscal Crisis as Means to Force a Settlement 

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced a resolution backed by the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) on April 26, 2013 that expresses the United States’ commitment to the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus and the establishment of a unified government on Cyprus that guarantees the human rights of all Cypriots and condemns any attempt to use the current economic crisis as a means of forcing the restart of negotiations or imposing a settlement on the people of Cyprus, announced AHI.

“As advocates for the rule of law, we welcome the introduction of this resolution that unequivocally presents the multitude of violations of law committed by Turkey upon Cyprus and its people and that a just settlement on Cyprus must include the removal of all Turkish military forces from Cyprus,” said AHI President Nick Larigakis.  “By adopting this resolution, the people of the United States, via the U.S. House of Representatives, will send a clear message that any attempt to use the current economic crisis as a means to impose a settlement on the people of Cyprus is condemned and that Cyprus has exclusive control of, and to right to exploit, its exclusive economic zone, or EEZ.” 

He added, “We appreciated the opportunity to work with Congressman Bilirakis and his staff on this legislation, and we thank him for introducing this measure.” 

In addition to U.S. Rep. Bilirakis, U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), John Sarbanes (D-MD), James McGovern (D-MA), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) are original co-sponsors of the resolution.  Reps. Bilirakis and Maloney are the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our Web site at https://www.ahiworld.org.