Prominent members of the Jewish lobby have praised Cyprus’ relations with Israel and called for the removal of the Turkish troops in Cyprus noting that the strong relationship between Greece, Israel and Cyprus helps form the foundations of democracy across the region.
In video messages during the deliberations of the 19th World Conference of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), the members of congress and officials, who were presented by the Chairman of the Coordinated Effort of the Hellenes, Andy Manatos, also referred to the many common opportunities and challenges faced by Cyprus and Israel.
Democrat member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Elliot Engel said that the relationship between Greece, Israel and Cyprus helps form the foundations of democracy across the region, foundation of shared values including freedom, equality and tolerance.
He said Cyprus and Israel share common experiences as they work to unite populations that are divided by ethnic and religious reasons. They also share a strong desire to promote prosperity and to improve people’s lives.
However, he said, “as reconciliation lies down the road”, both countries remain steadfast and valued partners in promoting security in the eastern Mediterranean. They collaborate in ways of shared concern, from energy exploration to military cooperation “which will drive prosperity and help diversify Europe’s supplies away from an unreliable and hostile Russia”.
This is good for both countries and for the vital national interests of the US and our friends and allies across Europe, he added.
Noting the 43rd anniversary of Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus “and continue to work for reconciliation, we know that today and in the years ahead the friendship between Israel and Cyprus will be a source of prosperity and source of security for both countries and for the region”.
Democrat Congresswoman, Νita Lowey addressing delegates, said that as a member of congress and the Appropriations Committee “I understand how important the resolution of this huge challenge is to so many of my friends”.
She pledged support to continue “fighting with you the good fight”.
Ted Deutch, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Florida, said since its founding, the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA) caucus has received incredible amount of support from both Republicans and Democrats in the Congress. He said he is proud of the work done to highlight the relationship between Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
Deutch said it is clear “that these countries share many common opportunities and challenges”, adding that on the security side, he said Cyprus and Israel have faced similar threats.
At the same time, he said this important partnership is part of growing alliance between commitment to democracy, security, stability of the eastern Mediterranean.
“It is my hope that the Congressional Hellenic Alliance will continue to serve as the cornerstone of these relationships”, he concluded.
U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), said he works with his colleagues in the Alliance to try to resolve the Cyprus problems and referred to the efforts in Congress to lift the arms embargo against Cyprus.
It is critical, he told the conference, “that the US continue to foster the growing strategic and economic cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, especially in the region that faces chronic instability and upheaval”. Greece, Cyprus and Israel are all abiding democracies and close allies with the US. Expanding, economic diplomatic and military cooperation between these countries will lead to a more peaceful and prosperous region.
Cicilline said with the war in Syria in its 7th year, the ongoing problem with IS and Turkey, “it is more important than ever to achieve peace, strengthen ties to promote our shared values”.
An important part of this effort, he stressed, is the unification of Cyprus, removal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus and for Turkey to respect the fundamental sovereignty of their neighbours. “And Turkey has consistently failed to meet its obligations to reach a final settlement in Cyprus. This is unacceptable”.
Cicilline said the US will stand firmly behind Cyprus and pledged to continue working in the Congress to promote the alliance as it is vital in the security of the region.
David Harris, Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee said the “today we witness what we have dreamed about, the democratic triangle, Greece, Cyprus and Israel working together in so many fields and institutionalizing this relationship and is no longer dependent on anyone”.
He said everyone understands it is in the interest of all three countries to keep going further on energy, on security, on culture and on tourism.
Morris Amitay, a former state department officer and former vice chairman of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs praised the close ties between Cyprus and Israel and thanked President Nicos Anastasiades for his vital role in developing close ties with the two countries.
He also said Greece, Israel and Cyprus have also held trilateral summits to confront common threats, noting this provides greater stability, adding the growing cooperation between these two nations “is needed particularly during this very turbulent and dangerous times”.