CULTURAL HERITAGE - EXHIBITION
The continuing destruction of Cyprus cultural heritage, in the northern
Turkish occupied part of the country, is the theme of a photo
exhibition which has opened in Brussels and will run until the end of
the month. The destruction of the cultural heritage in occupied Cyprus
is not happening at some time in the past. The reality is that a
country aspiring to join the European Union is party to this if not
the instigator. And this is what I call scandalous, Belgian federal
Senator Philippe Monfils, chairman of the Joint Parliamentary
Cyprus-Belgium Group has said at the opening of the exhibition.
He wondered whether Turkey actually realizes that it should not only
comply with the acquis communautaire relating to economic and social
matters but it should also show respect for the fundamental principles.
Culture is indeed one of these fundamental principles, he stressed. He
expressed regret at the stance UNESCO has adopted on the matter on the
pretext that the northern areas of Cyprus are not recognized. In this
respect, the Senator believes that UNESCO could have addressed itself
to the Turkish Prime Minister asking him to intervene to stop the
pillage of Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries and halt the illegal
sale of ancient artifacts around the globe.
Cyprus Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoulli, who was also present
at the opening of the exhibition, said this was merely a small sample
of the tragedy and the repercussions of the 1974 Turkish invasion of
Cyprus. One must never forget these unacceptable results, in the
aftermath of the invasion, and we shall always condemn them and demand
implementation of the principles on which the EU has been founded, she
said.
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