Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II has informed European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule about Turkey’s attempts to destroy Christian monuments in the occupied areas of Cyprus, pointing out that most religious monuments located in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus are crumbling.

In statements to the Press upon his return to Cyprus from Brussels, where he had participated in an event organized by Cypriot MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou, Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, said that Cyprus has shown that despite its problems is an island with a long history and rich heritage. The island, he stressed, continues to produce culture, and referred to a photo exhibition comprising photographs taken in the occupied areas of Cyprus, demonstrating the destruction as a result of the Turkish occupation, and other images highlighting the Cypriot culture in all sectors and at all levels.

During his stay in Brussels, Chrysostomos II held a meeting with the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Sport, Media and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou and Stefan Fule, Commissioner responsible for Enlargement.

The Archbishop said that he had the chance to brief Fule on the violation by Turkey of the religious freedoms and human rights of the Greek Cypriots and pointed out that there has never been, nor there will be a religious problem with the Turkish Cypriots.