IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 164

Expressing the sense of Congress that security, reconciliation, and prosperity

for all Cypriots can be best achieved within the context of membership

in the European Union which will provide significant rights and obligations for all Cypriots, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 19, 2001

Mr. BILIRAKIS (for himself, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. GILMAN, Ms.

ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. PALLONE,

Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Ms. LEE, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. CAPPS, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. WAMP, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. KIRK, Mr.

KNOLLENBERG, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mr. MATSUI, Mr.

BLAGOJEVICH, Mr. CAPUANO, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. PAYNE, Mrs.

MORELLA, Mr. COYNE, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. KING, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr.

HORN, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island,

Mr. SHERMAN, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr.

STARK, Mr. LEWIS of California, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr.

GEKAS, and Mr. ACKERMAN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that security, reconciliation, and prosperity for all Cypriots can be best

achieved within the context of membership in the European Union which will provide significant rights and

obligations for all Cypriots, and for other purposes.

Whereas the status quo on Cyprus remains unacceptable;
2

•HCON 164 IH

Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem,

on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions, must safeguard the security and fundamental

rights of all citizens of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots alike;

Whereas Cyprus is among the leading candidate countries for

accession to the European Union, in recognition of its

commitment to free markets, human rights, democracy,

and the rule of law;

Whereas the European Union guarantees to all its citizens

the indivisible universal values of human dignity (supporting fair and equal treatment of all), freedom (right

to security, marriage, family, among others), equality

(celebrating cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity),

solidarity (protecting workers’ rights and providing social

security), citizens’ rights (voting), and justice (holding a

fair trial);

Whereas membership in the European Union will guarantee

each citizen of Cyprus important legal, civil, and human

rights, as well as the means and legal recourse necessary

to secure the full application of these fundamental individual rights, and to promote the respect of cultural diversity and traditions;

Whereas membership in the European Union will bring significant benefits to both the Greek-Cypriot and TurkishCypriot communities, including new economic opportunities, access to new markets, a freer exchange of goods

and services, balanced and sustainable development as

well as the free movement of persons, goods, and services

and capital;
3

•HCON 164 IH

Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of

December 1999, in Helsinki, stated that ‘‘a political settlement [of the Cyprus problem] will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the Council’s decision on accession will be

made without the above being a precondition’’;

Whereas both the United States and the European Union in

their summit statement on the New Transatlantic Agenda of June 14, 2001, pledge to continue to work together

to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary

General to achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus consistent with relevant United Nations

Security Council resolutions and to continue to work toward the resumption of talks;

Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is in the strategic

interests of the United States, given the important location of Cyprus at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and

Asia; and

Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is also consistent

with American values, as enshrined in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, which

guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of

happiness: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—

3 (1) the unacceptable status quo on Cyprus must

4 be ended and the island and its people be reunited,

5 in a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus, on the

6 basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions;
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•HCON 164 IH

1 (2) the accession of Cyprus to the European

2 Union would act as a catalyst for the solution of the

3 Cyprus problem without the latter being a pre4 condition for accession;

5 (3) membership of Cyprus to the European

6 Union should be strongly supported;

7 (4) all Cypriots be urged to support and en8 courage efforts to bring Cyprus into the European

9 Union; and

10 (5) the various agencies of the United States

11 Government should pursue vigorously and as an

12 issue of high and urgent priority new initiatives that

13 will help promote and achieve reunification, rec14 onciliation, stability, and prosperity on Cyprus.

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