Nicosia (CNA)–New Jersey Democratic Congressman Robert Menendez has submitted a resolution to the US Congress calling on Turkey to fully recognize all European Union members–including Cyprus.
The resolution–supported by ten members of Congress both from the Democratic and the Republican Party–calls for the removal of Turkish occupation forces from the northern third of Cyprus in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 353 and says that Turkey should recognize the fundamental rights of all Cypriots with respect to the right to own property–the right of free movement–the right of free settlement and the right of return for refugees.
The resolution expresses the view that the Republic of Turkey should continue to demonstrate that it was meeting the criteria set forth in the Copenhagen European Council for accession to the EU and should do so prior to the start of accession negotiations.
It calls on Turkey to continue to adhere to all criteria for accession to the EU and to extend its customs union to all EU members and to fully recognize all EU members–including Cyprus.
Furthermore–it calls on Turkey to respect EU laws and demonstrate that it was willing to abide by such laws and urged Ankara–in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 353–to abandon all insistence of the right to intervene in or invade Cyprus.
It urges Turkey to work and cooperate with the UN and Cyprus toward the discovery of the fate of every missing person and to pledge to uphold and safeguard human rights without compromise.
The resolution encourages Turkey to continue the advancement of processes and programs to modernize and democratize its own society.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on International Relations–which will decide if it will forward it to the plenary for final adoption.
