AHI Hosts Congressional Commemoration of the 52nd Anniversary of the Illegal Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Posted by estiator at 23 September, at 13 : 28 PM Print
WASHINGTON, DC – On September 16, 2026, AHI hosted a Breakfast & Briefing on Capitol Hill in conjunction with the Congressional Hellenic Caucus to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 invasion and continued occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.
The event featured remarks from members of Congress, diplomats and other speakers addressing the continuing impact of the Cyprus issue, U.S.-Cyprus relations and efforts toward a lasting resolution.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues
Rep. Bilirakis commended AHI President Nick Larigakis and AHI for their “tireless leadership and advocacy for Cyprus” and reaffirmed the need for “a just and durable settlement” that ends the island’s division and establishes a “reunified, sovereign, and secure Cyprus.”
He highlighted recent developments in U.S.-Cyprus relations, including the CYCLOPS training center in Larnaca, the U.S.-Cyprus Strategic Dialogue and the renewed suspension of ITAR restrictions for fiscal year 2027. Bilirakis pledged to work toward extending the ITAR waiver beyond its current one-year term.
Bilirakis also addressed Turkey’s so-called “Blue Homeland” doctrine, warning that “as a NATO ally, Turkey has an obligation to contribute to regional stability rather than take actions that make a peaceful resolution more difficult.”
Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Evangelos Savva
Ambassador Savva emphasized the need to keep the Cyprus issue before the international community, warning that “time is the worst enemy of any state in a conflict” as attention shifts to other crises.
He noted that the consequences of the 1974 invasion remain evident across the island and pointed to the reluctance of the U.S. government to describe the situation as an occupation. Given the shared interests of Cyprus and the United States, he said, reunification should remain a common objective.
Ambassador of Greece to the United States Antonis Alexandridis
Ambassador Alexandridis stressed that more than five decades after the invasion, “the injustice and illegal occupation still endure,” emphasizing that “the passage of time does not erase responsibility” or turn injustice into a legitimate status quo.
He commended AHI for “keeping this horrific chapter alive in the halls of the U.S. Congress” and pointed to the European Parliament’s July resolution addressing the impact of the invasion on Cypriot women and girls, which passed by a vote of 575-33, as evidence that international attention to Cyprus remains.
Alexandridis called for accountability, reparations, restitution and continued efforts to determine the fate of missing persons. He concluded, “We seek peace—but peace founded on justice. We seek a united Cyprus—not a frozen conflict that future generations simply inherit.”
Read Ambassador Alexandridis’ full remarks here
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Sen. Van Hollen underscored the importance of continuing to commemorate the anniversary so that the experiences of displaced Cypriot families are not forgotten. He noted that “there’s thousands of families who only have now a memory of the homes that they were driven from during the Turkish invasion.”
He welcomed the possibility of resumed U.N.-led talks following the U.N. secretary-general’s July visit to Cyprus, saying, “we have seen talks before, but my view is that we should never give up.” Van Hollen also called for greater U.S. engagement to encourage Turkey to participate constructively in the process.
He described the U.S.-Cyprus relationship as particularly strong, praised Cyprus for hosting approximately 70,000 Ukrainian refugees and supported eliminating the annual congressional review of U.S. defense transfers to Cyprus.
Rep. Rob Menendez Jr. (D-NJ)
Rep. Menendez spoke about the influence of New Jersey’s significant Greek American community on his work in Congress. He highlighted the importance of the 3+1 framework and the roles of Greece and Cyprus within it, while calling for greater congressional attention to the Cyprus issue.
He also emphasized Cyprus’ role in strengthening U.S. relations with Greece and reaffirmed the continued effort toward a free and united Cyprus.
Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)
Rep. Amo spoke about the generations of Cypriots who have been denied their ancestral homeland, safety and security. He connected support for the Cypriot community with the broader goal of reunification and called for reduced militarization in the north of the island.
Amo also urged Congress to limit Turkey’s ability to acquire F-35 fighter jets.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)
Rep. Malliotakis spoke against the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio understands her concerns.
She also addressed Turkey’s maligned regional posture, including its relations with Greece and Cyprus, and cited President Erdoğan’s positions toward Russia, Iran and Hamas. Malliotakis additionally voiced support for closer Greek-Israeli relations and greater cooperation among Greece, Cyprus, Armenia and Israel.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
Rep. Titus emphasized the importance of raising the Cyprus issue directly with policymakers, noting her repeated efforts to address it before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe.
She said there is considerable congressional support for preventing the sale of F-35s to Turkey and discussed a commitment she said she received from Secretary Rubio concerning such a sale. Titus also highlighted Cyprus’ important role in regional energy cooperation and the 3+1 framework.
Rep. George Latimer (D-NY)
Rep. Latimer spoke about the strong Greek Orthodox community in his district and its role in helping him understand the history and continuing consequences of the Cyprus issue.
He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Cyprus relationship and the 3+1 framework.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
In a statement, Rep. Smith thanked Nick Larigakis and AHI “for hosting this solemn commemoration, marking 52 years since the illegal Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Smith discussed the continuing effects of the invasion and what he described as the erosion of Cypriot human rights under President Erdoğan. He also raised concerns about demographic changes in the occupied areas and the effect of settlement from mainland Turkey on Turkish Cypriot communities.
“For decades, Cyprus has been a loyal and critical partner of the United States and our allies in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Smith said. “The United States must continue to stand up for Cyprus” and defend Cypriots’ human rights, freedoms and cultural identities.
Gregory Graves – Ph.D. Candidate, The George Washington University, Former AHIF Graduate Fellow
Gregory Graves, who has performed extensive research on the Cyprus issue, emphasized the importance of the United States upholding its commitment to principles such as minority rights and self-determination, while noting the longstanding bipartisan support for Cyprus in Congress.
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
For additional information, please contact us at (202) 785-8430 or pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.
