Resolution condemning Turkey’s aggression towards Cyprus garners bipartisan US support

A resolution condemning Turkey’s aggression towards Cyprus garnered bipartisan support on Friday at the US House foreign affairs committee.

Greek Public Broadcasting (ERT)’s DC correspondent Lena Argiri tweeted that the committee passed congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis’ resolution titled “Condemning Turkey for its repeated aggression towards Cyprus”.

US @HouseForeign passes @NMalliotakis’ resolution that “condemns Turkey for repeated aggression towards Cyprus”committee condemns continued military presence,calls upon Turkey to immediately withdraw troops,reverse unilateral action in Varosha,cease illegal interference in C’ EOZ

— Lena Argiri (@lenaargiri) December 10, 2021

In her resolution, Malliotakis, who is the daughter of a Greek immigrant, condemns Turkey for its continued military presence on the island, calling on the country to withdraw its troops, reverse its unilateral actions in Varosha and stop interfering with Cyprus’ EEZ.

“Turkey has been illegally occupying Cyprus for nearly 50 years, violating the Treaty of Guarantee which established and guaranteed Cyprus’ independence” she states.

“With Turkey only becoming more aggressive towards Cyprus and our allies in the Eastern Mediterranean, it`s critically important for the United States to stand with our allies in support of freedom and democracy”.

Some representatives sided with the resolution while others, like Republican Steve Chabot speaking against it, saying that there is no proof that the US will benefit from supporting one side and condemning another through “a unilateral resolution that focuses selectively and out of the historical context on actions allegedly committed by Turkey”.

.@davidcicilline:we condemn Turkey’s occupation which runs contrary to our values/Erdogan calls for 2 states solution position directly at odds w UN res & intl law/Turkey must remove troops,must demonstrate that views membership in NATO as commitment to rules based intl order

— Lena Argiri (@lenaargiri) December 10, 2021

O @RepSteveChabot αντίθετος στο ψήφισμα @NMalliotakis «δε προκύπτει από πουθενά ότι είναι προς συμφέρον ΗΠΑ να στηρίξουν μια πλευρά κ να καταδικάσουν άλλη/ψήφισμα μονόπλευρο που εστιάζει επιλεκτικά κ εκτός ιστορικού πλαισίου σε ενέργειες που κατηγορείται ότι έχει κάνει Τουρκία»

— Lena Argiri (@lenaargiri) December 10, 2021