U.S. Senator Bob Menendez: My goal is to see the last Turkish soldier leave the island

NICOSIA — After heading to the Greek capital Athens to attend the celebration of the bicentenary of Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire and a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) met with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

After completing his visit in Greece, Sen. Menendez travelled to Cyprus where he met with a number of officials, including President Anastasiades.

Anastasiades presented Menendez with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III during a ceremony at the presidential palace. The Grand Cross is one of six grades of the Order of Makarios III – the highest order of merit awarded by the Republic of Cyprus.

During his visit, he stated that, “My goal is to see the last Turkish soldier leave the island.”

Turkey has occupied the northern half of the island since the 1970s. Recently, Turkey has pursued a policy of “statehood” for Northern Cyprus in direct violation of U.N. resolutions on the issue.