Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot party representatives visited on Wednesday the sites of ancient monuments in the Turkish-occupied area of Famagusta, in a bid to convey the peaceful message of preserving the island’s cultural heritage.

The visit, organized by the Slovak Embassy in Cyprus, started with the Othello Tower in the walled city of Famagusta, where emergency restoration works are soon to be completed and an inauguration ceremony is planned for July 2. The Tower that dates form the 14th century is part of the medieval city’s citadel and comprises and important monument in the history of Famagusta.

Later on, participants visited the Monastery of St.Barnabas and the nearby Turkish-occupied village of Stylloi.

“We are here on a mission of peace” said the Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos, addressing those present at the event. Speaking a few meters from the marble Lion of Venice that decorates the entrance to the Tower, Galanos expressed support for the efforts of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, noting that they are on the right way for peace.

We are here to support them, not for the sake of the past, but for the sake of the future, for our children, the Mayor said, expressing hope that future generations will live peacefully together in Cyprus, a member state of the EU, without the need for protectors.

The Turkish Cypriot Mayor of Famagusta also addressed the crowd and speaking through an interpreter, said that at a time when Cyprus leaders sit at the negotiating table, such events provide a way to go through with common efforts.

The Ambassador of the Slovak Republic Oksana Tomova encouraged everybody to work together intensively for the common good.

“At a time when Cypriots of both communities are inspired by the prevailing positive momentum for a comprehensive solution, our program promotes the concept of peaceful cooperation and partnership” Tomova said.

After entering the Othello Tower, attendants were briefed by Tiziana Zennaro, the UNDP-PFF project manager, on ongoing works.

Zennaro said the Tower’s emergency restoration comprised one of the mega projects the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage had undertaken and which is being implemented by the UNDP-PFF with EU funding.

The total cost was 1,025 mln euros, including design and supervision, and it did not entail a full restoration, since, according to the UNDP head, this would require extra funding. Works were carried out since July 2014 are due later this month.

Zennaro said finally that so far, 10 projects were completed, including the Othello Tower, three are ongoing and many others are about to start for design preparation.

Speaking on behalf of the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage, Glafcos Constantinides and Ali Tuncay said that current progress was the result of hard work, as well as of the working relationship the members of the Technical Committee have established, and which according to them, should serve as a model for Cyprus.

Party representatives noted from their part the importance of cultural heritage in establishing effective cooperation between the two communities.

From the Greek Cypriot side, the visit was attended by representatives of DISI, AKEL, DIKO and the United Democrats. From the Turkish Cypriot side, representatives from the Democratic Party, National Unity Party, New Cyprus Party, Republican Turkish Party, Social Democratic Party, Socialist Party and United Cyprus Party have attended.

The event was also addressed by Alessanda Viezzer from the European Commission, Michael Loizides from the Technical Committee on Environmental Issues, and members of the “Bicommunal Famagusta Initiative”.

Afterwards, participants walked around the medieval town of Famagusta, paid a visit to the St.Barnabas Monastery and had the chance to meet with locals from the Turkish-occupied Stylloi village, in the presence of Greek Cypriot members of the village’s community council.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed on May 15, this year.