AHEPA Condemns Visit to Occupied Cyprus via Illegal Entry

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association For Immediate Release | August 4, 2023 Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org

AHEPA Condemns Visit to Occupied Cyprus via Illegal Entry

WASHINGTON, D.C.— We condemn the visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus via an illegal port of entry of an airport in the north from Turkey by U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) on August 3, 2023. This is an act inconsistent with international law and violates the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU country and U.S. strategic partner. The legal way to visit occupied Cyprus is through the Republic of Cyprus. Visits to the occupied area must be conducted via this procedure and process. Sessions, who serves on a subcommittee with oversight over the United States’ own borders and foreign affairs, should be more aware of the implications of such actions that violate international law and the sovereignty of a nation. Moreover, we hesitate to believe Congressman Sessions would visit Crimea via a flight from Russia. His visit to Turkish-occupied Cyprus from Turkey is no different. We raised this alarming matter with Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and called for the Speaker to hold Congressman Sessions accountable. We call on Congressman Sessions to issue a statement that takes responsibility for this unhelpful and unlawful action.