These developments were highlighted for policymakers in an effort to help assure America does not inadvertently contribute to this irresponsible tact that Erdogan has chosen to take. These recent actions by Erdogan have damaged the belief that Turkey should serve as a model for other Muslim countries to emulate.
American policymakers should focus on helping those whom Erdogan is injuring – the people of Turkey, Israel, the United States and Cyprus. He injures both Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots who oppose both Turkey’s nearly 40-year military occupation of Cyprus and Turkey’s illegal infusion into Cyprus of hundreds of thousands of Turks. These Cypriots desperately desire the reunification of their peace-loving island. Unlike many Muslims and Christians in the Eastern Mediterranean, these two communities have related harmoniously on Cyprus for nearly all of their hundreds of years together.
The Coordinated Effort of Hellenes urged policymakers to bear in mind Erdogan’s irresponsible conduct as they approach efforts to negotiate an end to Turkey’s almost 40-year occupation and division of Cyprus.