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 obliga-
tions 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. MENEN-
DEZ, 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 resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that security, reconcili-
ation, and prosperity for all Cypriots can be best
achieved within the context of membership in the Euro-
pean Union which will provide significant rights and
obligations for all Cypriots, and for other purposes.
Whereas the status quo on Cyprus remains unacceptable;
•HCON 164 IH
Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem,
on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolu-
tions, must safeguard the security and fundamental
rights of all citizens of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turk-
ish-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 (sup-
porting 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 indi-
vidual rights, and to promote the respect of cultural di-
versity and traditions;
Whereas membership in the European Union will bring sig-
nificant benefits to both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-
Cypriot communities, including new economic opportuni-
ties, 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;
•HCON 164 IH
Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of
December 1999, in Helsinki, stated that ‘‘a political set-
tlement [of the Cyprus problem] will facilitate the acces-
sion of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f no settle-
ment has been reached by the completion of accession ne-
gotiations, 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 Agen-
da 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 re-
spect to Cyprus consistent with relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions and to continue to work to-
ward the resumption of talks;
Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is in the strategic
interests of the United States, given the important loca-
tion 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 guaran-
teed by the Constitution of the United States, which
guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the unacceptable status quo on Cyprus must
be ended and the island and its people be reunited,
in a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus, on the
basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions;