European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 17 April 2013:
Androulla Vassiliou, European
Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, has
welcomed the decision to organise a Good Friday service at the Ayios
Giorgos Exoronis church in Famagusta - the first such service since
1957. The Commissioner will be among an expected 4 000 worshippers at
the event.
"This is a
positive and symbolic message of reconciliation for Cyprus. The
agreement to hold the service is a good example of the progress that can
be achieved through cultural and religious dialogue. Everyone
associated with organising the event should be proud of themselves. They
are not only sending an important message to fellow Cypriots but also
to the international community about our commitment to peace and
reconciliation,” said Commissioner Vassiliou.
Background
The Ayios Giorgos Exoronis
church [Η Εκκλησία του Αγίου Γεώργιου Εξορινού] lies within the walled city of Famagusta, which is close to the
fenced off area of Famagusta, known by Greek Cypriots as Varosha.
[europa.eu]
17/4/14
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Varosha should be part of comprehensive settlement, Turkish Cyprus says...
ReplyDeleteThe no-go zone of Varosha (Maraş) can only be reopened as part of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, not a confidence-building measure in the ongoing talks, according to Özdil Nami.
He said Turkish Cypriots had reaffirmed their position on the issue during a recent visit by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle to the island...............http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/varosha-should-be-part-of-comprehensive-settlement-turkish-cyprus-says.aspx?pageID=238&nID=65206&NewsCatID=351
18/4/14
“It’s incorrect to tie confidence-building measures to Varosha,” Nami said yesterday at a meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association in Ankara.