Cyprus

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this summer marks the 40th year since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the division of the island into Greek and Turkish zones. That division has led to great hardships on both sides of the divide and been a source of some instability in a part of the world--the eastern Mediterranean--that already is far too unstable. It is profoundly in the interests of the United States, our friends and allies in the region, and the Cypriot people, both Greek and Turkish, to resolve this dispute and achieve the goal of a unified Cyprus.

The division of Cyprus has had profoundly negative consequences for its people and the region. Cyprus has been a source of ongoing tension between two important NATO allies, Greece and Turkey. The division has stunted Cyprus economically and politically. Tragically, the line has divided families for four decades. None of this is in the interests of Greece, Turkey, the United States, our allies, or the world. That is why the United States supports the creation of a bizonal, bicommunal federation as envisioned by numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions.

It is unfortunate that, four decades after the island's division, we have yet to achieve that goal. It is long overdue that Cyprus be unified. And there are reasons today to believe that goal is closer. In February, U.N.-sponsored talks between Greek and Turkish leaders restarted after a 2-year halt. They agreed to a roadmap for further negotiations and, importantly, committed to build a positive atmosphere surrounding the talks, including important confidence-building measures designed to help ease 40 years of mistrust. Little over a week ago negotiators met and committed to progress on outstanding issues in advance of their next meeting on September 2.

It is vitally important that negotiators continue to build momentum toward peace and unity on the island because so much is at stake. The discovery of large natural gas reserves off the island's coast promises a newly prosperous future for Cyprus and its people, but it will be far more difficult, if not impossible, to fully capitalize on that opportunity in the absence of peace and unity.

The United States should continue to work closely with all sides in pursuit of the peaceful reunification of Cyprus that is so long overdue.

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