The President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, presented the US Senator and Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez, with the Order of the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III on Monday night, emphasizing that his goal is to see the last Turkish soldier leave Cyprus.
During his speech, the Cypriot president underlined that through his action and policy, Menendez has made a significant contribution to the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and democracy around the world.
The award ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace, which was attended by, among others, Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, the President of Parliament, Annita Dimitriou, current and former members of the Council of Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and party officials.
The Cypriot president stressed that throughout his career Senator Menendez demanded the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and the restoration of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, through a viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, according to the relevant UN resolutions and EU principles and values.
The president underlined the important role of Senator Menendez in the promotion of the strategy, partnership between Cyprus, Greece and the USA as well as his decisive role in the promotion of the East Med Act, the US law on the security and energy partnership in the Eastern Mediterranean.
We are also grateful to Senator Menendez for persistently demanding the restoration of human rights of all Cypriots, through reaching a viable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, as prescribed in the relevant UN resolutions.
— Nicos Anastasiades (@AnastasiadesCY) August 30, 2021
In his reply, US Senator Robert Menendez stressed that he was particularly honored to be awarded the medal, and said he was proud to be a friend of Cyprus.
He also said the threats against the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus remained significant, referring to the efforts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the division of Cyprus.
“It is wrong, it is bad for all Cypriots and it is bad for the region,” Menendez stressed.
My goal, he said, is to see the last Turkish soldier leave Cyprus.
Nikos Anastasiadis received the US senator at the Presidential Palace in the afternoon and had a private meeting with him.