Mr. Speaker, during the recess I and other parliamentarians had the opportunity to visit the Republic of Cyprus as members of the Canada-Cyprus Parliamentary Committee.
For years I had read and spoken about the Cyprus issue. However, I could never have imagined feeling the way I did that day as I looked on to the ghost town of Famagusta, occupied by Turkish troops since the invasion of the island in 1974, more than 20 years ago.
To this day there are still 1,619 missing persons, 200,000 displaced people. Religious and archaeological sites continue to be desecrated.
As members of Parliament in a country that has always defended human rights, we have a duty to rise against any violation of these rights. Furthermore, Canada must make every effort to convince our southern neighbours and the international community that it is important to find a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
It is my hope that I can return to Cyprus one day and see a reunited Cyprus and visit Famagusta and Kirinia, admire the view from the Pendahtila mountains and taste the fresh oranges from the orange groves of Morphou.