No. 37

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute applauds bipartisan congressional action that urges President Donald J. Trump to condemn acts of aggression taken by Turkey in Cyprus’s sovereign territory and to reassert the right of Cyprus to develop its hydrocarbon resources. Sixteen U.S. representatives signed a June 12, 2018 letter to President Trump that also requested the Administration’s plan to address the concern about Turkey’s aggression.  AHI backed the letter which U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and John Sarbanes (D-MD), spearheaded.

“We thank Representatives Pallone, Bilirakis, and Sarbanes for their leadership on this issue, and we thank the sixteen members of Congress for standing-up for the United States’ strategic partner, Cyprus, against Turkish aggression,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “As the letter reaffirms, the United States recognizes the Republic of Cyprus’s right to develop resources in its exclusive economic zone, in which Turkish aggression has intensified toward research vessels of multinational corporations such as Eni and ExxonMobil. We look forward to the Administration’s reply.”

In addition to U.S. Reps. Pallone, Bilirakis, and Sarbanes, the U.S. representatives who supported the letter were: Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ted Poe (R-TX), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Steve King (R-IA), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Charlie Crist (D-FL).  Representatives Smith, Poe, Deutch, Sires, Cicilline, and Titus, all serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.