EU parliament president urges return of artefacts to Cyprus

Parliament’s president has thrown his weight behind calls for the return of cultural artefacts removed from the Greek part of Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island which was backed by the Athens government.

The island was effectively partitioned with the northern third inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots.

A "Green Line" - dividing the two parts from Morphou through Nicosia to Famagusta - is patrolled by United Nations troops.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Hans-Gert Pöttering said that cultural items “illegally” removed from southern Cyprus during the invasion should be returned without delay.

The German centre right deputy also expressed optimism that the long-running Cyprus problem might soon be resolved.

He said, “I hope that the two communities, in the north and south, can continue the dialogue they have started and will soon settle their differences in order to secure a viable and lasting solution.”

He was speaking at the opening of a photographic exhibition in parliament of some of the cultural artefacts which, it is claimed, are “perishing” in the northern part of the island. The exhibition traces the cultural history of the country and includes photographs of buildings which, it is alleged, were either damaged or destroyed in the invasion.

Some Greek Cypriot MEPs  used the occasion to call on the EU to provide financial assistance for the restoration of churches and religious monuments allegedly damaged during the invasion.

They include Panayiotis Demetriou who said the EU’s intervention in “saving and preserving the cultural heritage of Cyprus” is “essential and indispensable.”

He told this website, “Unfortunately, the cultural creations and especially the religious ones which once adorned Cyprus are perishing in the northern part of the island. These items should be returned to their rightful owners as soon as possible.”

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