Municipality of Pafos to make US Senator Menendez an honourary citizen

Pafos Municipality will make US Senator Robert Menendez an honourary citizen of the town of Pafos in an expression of “gratitude”, among other things, for his “unwavering and consistent support” for an end to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and the restoration of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots through a viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem.

The Municipality said that the special ceremony is to take place on Friday, 25 August at 6pm at the Pafos Town Hall, following a visit by the Senator to the American University of Beirut - Mediterraneo, currently under construction, in Pafos.

Menendez will also be in Cyprus to address the World Conference of Cyprus Diaspora taking place this week in Nicosia.  

The Municipality said that the decision to make Menendez an honourary citizen of Pafos was taken by the Municipal Council last December for the work he has been carrying out for years, especially as a US Senator, and for defending and promoting respect for international law, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law “as principles of universal scope”. It said that, by defending Hellenism’s interests, he has emerged as “a true and selfless philhellene, worthy of gratitude.”

It added that this was also an expression “of the gratitude of the citizens of Pafos” for Menendez’s “unwavering and consistent support” for an end to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and the restoration of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots through a viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem “that will reunite the country and its people.”

It also noted his contribution “to shaping and promoting a vision for the eastern Mediterranean of peaceful coexistence and cooperation in an environment of security, stability and prosperity, based on international law” but also for Menendez being “a bright example of an inspired politician who, with his words and actions, provides support to the weak against the strong and strengthens faith in justice in all its forms.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

(Source: CNA)