Washington: PSEKA President Philip Christopher presented the honorary “Paul Sarbanes” award to former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for her contribution to strengthening US-Cyprus relations, on the sidelines of the 40th Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference, taking place in Washington, D.C.
According to Cyprus News Agency, after receiving the award, Pelosi, speaking to those present, reaffirmed the bipartisan support of the United States for democracy and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in the case of Cyprus and the continuing Turkish occupation. She emphasized the collaborative efforts over the years and acknowledged the commitment to peace in the region and resolving the Cyprus issue.
Pelosi highlighted the historical context by referring to the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the ongoing occupation of the northern part of Cyprus. She noted the significance of this year’s 51st anniversary of the invasion and expressed her privilege in attending the conference to strengthen the bond between the American and Cypriot peoples.
Reflecting on her tenure as Speaker of the House, Pelosi recounted the hospitality she received from the Greek Prime Minister at Congress and Cypriot officials. She recalled a significant bipartisan celebration of Greek democracy in the US House of Representatives, stressing the collaborative nature of these efforts.
Pelosi made special mention of the Sarbanes family, lauding the late Senator Paul Sarbanes as knowledgeable and strategically minded. She shared personal connections, noting that Sarbanes represented the same congressional district as her father when she was born. Additionally, she praised former Congressman John Sarbanes for his work in strengthening democracy and fostering trust among citizens.
The division of Cyprus since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third, remains unresolved despite numerous UN-led peace talks. The most recent negotiations, held in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended without a resolution.