U.S. Senator Menendez Calls for Cypriot Support

Since February, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu have been involved in United Nations sanctioned negotiations.  Senator Menendez met with Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides on Thursday, in Washington, D.C. He discussed U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's upcoming visit to Cyprus next week, as an example of American support.

In a written document, the U.S. Sentator stated: "This July marks the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and today Foreign Minister Kasoulides briefed me on his government's ongoing efforts to end the occupation and reunify the island".

Menendez urged that the negotiations: "...deserve the attention and support of the United States and the European Union, including funding for confidence building measures to promote peace in Cyprus". He coined the Vice President's Cypriot trip as: "...an expression of the U.S. government's commitment to this issue", as reported by Parikiaki.

U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez finished his remarks regarding Cyprus, by writing: "...deserves to enjoy full political freedom and economic prosperity, and that requires having Turkey acknowledge the past to ensure a more hopeful future for all".