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Fourteen members of the U.S. Senate have penned an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden condemning Turkey over its actions in Cyprus, especially the abandoned coastal area of Varosha, the Duvar news portal reported.

“We urge you to utilize both bilateral and multilateral channels to pressure Turkey to halt its provocations in Varosha and clearly articulate the consequences of its illegal actions,” they said in their July 14 letter.

“Turkey’s transgressions in Varosha come as it blocks progress in the United Nations’ 5+1 Cyprus reunification talks. The Turkish Cypriots’ proposal to establish two-states in Cyprus at the most recent round in Geneva—the first since negotiations broke down in 2017—undermined prospects to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in accordance with UNSC Resolutions and long-standing policy,” the senators further said.

The letter comes ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Northern Cyprus on July 20 for the anniversary of Ankara’s 1974 invasion that led to the division of the island.

Erdoğan has recently said that he will send a strong message worldwide on July 20 during his visit.

U.S. senators said that if Erdoğan goes forward with this move, the United States needs to impose sanctions on Turkey.

“We urge you to work in tandem with the EU to make clear, in advance, that any attempt by Turkey to support the resettlement or reopening of Varosha will be met by multilateral sanctions...Any attempt by President Erdogan and Turkey to resettle or reopen Varosha would represent a gross violation of those principles,” they said.