Proposals for restoration works at the occupied monastery of Apostolos Andreas in the peninsula of Karpasia will hopefully be promoted after the New Year holidays.

Speaking to CNA Saturday on the occasion of the works currently underway in the area surrounding the occupied Monastery, co-chairman of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage Takis Hatjidemetriou said that there will be no intervention in the historic church.

The issue was brought to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage following a signing of a protocol in the occupied areas that refers to works in the area around the Monastery.  Asked to comment on the works, Hatjidemetriou said that certain assurance was provided that nobody will intervene in the monument.

Replying to a question he said that the United Nations Development Program has submitted its proposals for the restoration of the Monastery and hopefully after holidays they will be promoted and UNDP will undertake the responsibility to begin the works.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-backed talks began in 2008 with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Following the agreement to resume talks, the representatives of the two leaders agreed to set up a number of working groups and technical committees on a number of issues.

Apostolos Andreas Monastery needs urgent support and restoration because the keystone to the monastery’s main arch has shifted endangering the main part of the structure. The restoration of the Monastery will be done according to a study prepared by the University of Patras.