[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 122 Referred in House (RFH)]
2d Session
S. CON. RES. 122
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 19, 2002
Referred to the Committee on International Relations
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that security, reconciliation, and
prosperity for all Cypriots can be best achieved within the context of
membership in the European Union which will provide significant rights
and obligations for all Cypriots, and for other purposes.
Whereas the current status quo on Cyprus remains unacceptable and the
reunification of Cyprus remains a desirable foreign policy objective;
Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem, in full
consideration of United Nations Security Council resolutions and
international treaties, must safeguard the security and fundamental
rights of the population of Cyprus, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots
alike;
Whereas Cyprus is among the leading candidate countries for accession to the
European Union, in recognition of its commitment to free markets, human
rights, democracy, and the rule of law;
Whereas the European Union guarantees to all its citizens the indivisible
universal values of human dignity (supporting fair and equal treatment
of all), freedom (right to security, marriage, family, among others),
equality (celebrating cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity),
solidarity (protecting workers' rights and providing social security),
citizens' rights (voting), and justice (holding a fair trial);
Whereas membership in the European Union will guarantee each citizen of the
Republic of Cyprus important legal, civil, and human rights, as well as
the means and legal recourse necessary to secure the full application of
these fundamental individual rights, and to promote the respect of
cultural diversity and traditions;
Whereas membership in the European Union will bring significant benefits to both
Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, including new economic
opportunities, access to new markets, a freer exchange of goods and
services, balanced and sustainable development as well as the free
movement of persons, goods, and services and capital;
Whereas the European Council in its Summit Conclusions of December 1999, in
Helsinki, stated that ``a political settlement [of the Cyprus problem]
will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union . . . [i]f
no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession
negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be made without
the above being a precondition...[i]n this the Council will take account
of all relevant factors'';
Whereas both the United States and the European Union in their summit statement
on the New Transatlantic Agenda of June 14, 2001, pledge to continue to
work together to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary
General to achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus in
full consideration of relevant United Nations Security Council
resolutions and international treaties;
Whereas the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leadership began direct talks on January
16, 2002, with the United Nations Special Advisor in attendance and the
European Council at the Seville Conference in June 2002 called on the
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to intensify and expedite their talks
in order to seize the unique opportunity to reach a comprehensive
settlement; and
Whereas resolution of the Cyprus problem is also consistent with American
values, as enshrined in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the
United States, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
That it is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the current status quo on Cyprus must be ended and the
island and its people be reunited, in a bizonal, bicommunal
federal Cyprus, with full consideration of United Nations
Security Council resolutions and international treaties;
(2) the direct and intensive negotiations between the Greek
and Turkish Cypriot leaders, which began in January 2002, and
which are continuing on a regular basis, have been most welcome
and are encouraged to continue until a comprehensive settlement
has been achieved;
(3) while a successful resolution of the Cyprus problem
would facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union,
in the absence of such a resolution, the accession of Cyprus to
the European Union could act as a further catalyst for the
solution of the Cyprus problem without the latter being a
precondition for accession and with all relevant factors being
considered;
(4) membership of the Republic of Cyprus in the European
Union should be strongly supported;
(5) all Cypriots be urged to support and encourage efforts
to bring the Republic of Cyprus into the European Union; and
(6) the various agencies of the United States Government in
support of United Nations efforts to facilitate a settlement
should pursue as an issue of high priority new initiatives that
will help promote and achieve reunification, reconciliation,
stability, and prosperity on Cyprus.
Passed the Senate November 18, 2002.
Attest:
JERI THOMSON,
Secretary.