Let’s make sure that the last Turkish soldier leaves Cyprus, said US Senator Robert Menendez, reiterating that he would not approve the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

An online event to mark the 39th anniversary of the pseudo-state’s unilateral declaration of “independence” was hosted by the Cyprus Struggle Global Coordinating Committee (GCC) and was attended by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Senators Menendez, Chris Van Hollen, John Sarbanis and Dina Titus, Presidential Commissioner Fotis Fotiou, PSEKA President Philip Christopher and representatives of Cypriot and Greek expatriate organizations.

Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez said he was proud to support the Cyprus issue and urged everyone to ensure that the last Turkish soldier leaves Cyprus. He reiterated that he was not going to approve the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

“Erdogan’s continued willingness to impose himself on Cyprus and the world means that it is more important than ever that America stand side by side with the Republic of Cyprus. I am proud to be a longtime supporter of the Cyprus issue and the longstanding struggle for security and democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean. As you know, I am fully committed to the issue of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus,” said Mr. Menendez during his speech.

He added that he was pleased when the Biden administration confirmed last fall that it would allow Cyprus to buy American-made weapons.

“This is a significant achievement, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Erdogan has worked with Japan’s and China’s most brutal dictators, Putin and Russia. He is watching what is happening in Ukraine because he wants to do the same in northern Cyprus,” he said.

“He is more changeable and unpredictable. That is why today the threat of the occupied territory is a threat that must be taken very seriously. The US should not hand over F-16 fighter jets to President Erdogan. “I will not approve any F-16s for Turkey until it conducts its offensive campaign throughout the region,” Menendez said.

Finally, he said that Cypriots, New Jerseyers and all Americans can achieve a lot together if they work together.

“Let’s make sure that every Turkish soldier leaves the island of Cyprus to the last. To build a united and peaceful Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides thanked Senator Menendez for participating in the online debate.

He noted that “his role in bringing Cyprus and the US closer together is vital. We are the uniquely safe stable exception in this very turbulent area. We are currently at the epicenter of catastrophic events in Europe.”

Mr. Kasoulidis referred to the war in Ukraine, stressing that “having our own tragic experience of the military invasion and Turkish occupation of more than a third of our territory, we can better understand the tragic situation in Ukraine.”

In his speech, Republican MP Gus Bilirakis, among other things, said that “we continue to focus on the illegal occupation of Cyprus. Much more work needs to be done. All Cypriots deserve an end to the senseless division of their homeland.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen thanked Mr. Menendez for supporting the “living” cause of justice in Cyprus.

Democratic MP Chris Papas, among other things, stated that “it is very important not to forget what happened in 1974, what happened in 1983 with the establishment of the so-called “democracy of northern Cyprus”. We know what the Turks did, they kicked people out of their communities,” he said. He also mentioned Erdogan’s illegal actions to open the beach in Varozia.

Source: Kathimerini Cyprus, KYPE.