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HRES 17

Condemning Turkey for its illegal occupation of Cyprus and encouraging President Trump to make the resolution of the Cyprus problem a top foreign policy priority.

119th Congress Introduced by Gus Bilirakis and 5 co-sponsors

HRES 17 condemns Turkey's military occupation of Cyprus, demands troop withdrawal, and urges U.S. action to resolve the conflict and support affected citizens.

Submitted in House
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Bill Summary · HRES 17

Summary of HRES 17: Condemning Turkey's Occupation of Cyprus

Bill Number: HRES 17
Introduced: January 07, 2025
Status: Submitted in House
Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HRES 17 is a resolution introduced in the House of Representatives that aims to formally condemn Turkey for its ongoing military occupation of Cyprus. The resolution calls for Turkey to withdraw its troops and adhere to democratic principles, while also encouraging the U.S. government, particularly the Trump Administration, to prioritize the resolution of the Cyprus issue in its foreign policy agenda.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes several significant provisions:

  1. Condemnation of Occupation: Strongly condemns Turkey's continued occupation of Cyprus and demands the withdrawal of approximately 35,000 Turkish troops from the island.

  2. Adherence to NATO Principles: Calls on Turkey to comply with the democratic principles associated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

  3. Settlement Framework: Reiterates that any resolution to the Cyprus problem should be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation that respects single sovereignty and international personality, aligning with democratic norms, EU laws, and relevant UN resolutions.

  4. Economic Zone Interference: Urges Turkey to cease its illegal activities in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, which is critical for the island's economic interests.

  5. Property Remedies for Americans: Calls for Turkey to provide mechanisms for American citizens to seek financial restitution for property losses incurred in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus.

  6. Missing Persons: Demands Turkey's cooperation in locating and recovering four American citizens who have been missing since the 1974 invasion of Cyprus.

  7. Removal of Settlers: Calls for the removal of over 200,000 illegal settlers from Turkish-occupied Cyprus and supports the repatriation of Greek-Cypriot refugees to their ancestral homes.

  8. Foreign Policy Priority: Encourages President Trump to prioritize the resolution of the Cyprus issue as a key component of his foreign policy.

Affected Parties

The resolution primarily affects:

  • Cypriots: Both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, particularly those impacted by the occupation and the ongoing division of the island.
  • American Citizens: Individuals who have lost property in the occupied territories and families of missing persons from the 1974 conflict.
  • U.S.-Turkey Relations: The resolution may influence diplomatic relations between the United States and Turkey, particularly regarding NATO commitments and regional stability.

Legislative Actions

  • January 07, 2025: The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and submitted in the House for consideration.

Sponsors

The resolution is sponsored by:
- Nicole Malliotakis (Primary Sponsor)
- Chris Pappas (Cosponsor)
- Brad Sherman (Cosponsor)
- Dina Titus (Cosponsor)
- Christopher H. Smith (Cosponsor)
- Gus M. Bilirakis (Cosponsor)

This resolution represents a significant stance by the U.S. Congress on the Cyprus issue, aiming to address long-standing grievances and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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