The return of all four Maronite villages in the Turkish occupied areas to their legal inhabitants and under Greek Cypriot administrations in case of a Cyprus solution is a totally fair request and is one of the priorities of the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiations, Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou said today.
Addressing today the 6th Annual Saint George Feast Day, Patron Saint of Maronites, at the occupied Maronite village of Kormakitis, Photiou noted that Maronites of Cyprus always hope for a free and safe return to their villages, which is crucial for the community`s survival.
Presidential Commissioner reiterated that the perspective of the return of the four Maronite villages is among the priorities of the Greek Cypriot side’s at the negotiations and added that despite difficulties “we continue to look forward to continuing the talks and achieving results that correspond to our expectations”.
He also praised the efforts of the Maronite community to preserve their history, traditions and values.
The four Maronite villages are Agia Marina, Asomatos, Karpashia and Kormakitis.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-backed talks aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.