The support of the Maronite community to the struggle for the reunification of Cyprus was highlighted during a meeting between Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots Fotis Fotiou and Archbishop of the Maronites Youssef Soueif.
During the meeting, Fotiou noted the importance the government places on the Maronite community, which is a significant part of the society, and pointed out that cooperation between the religious groups was significant in the struggle for the reunification of Cyprus.
He also reaffirmed the government`s support to the restoration of Maronite monuments and churches, such as the church of St. George in the village of Kormakitis. Fotiou and Archbishop Soueif furthermore discussed ways to utilise EU and UNDP funds to this end.
They also discussed issues concerning the Maronite community, the government`s strategy to support those enclaved in the northern Turkish occupied areas of the Republic, the creation of programmes to promote the history and traditions of the Maronites, and the organising of a world conference of Catholic churches in Cyprus.
Archbishop Soueif thanked Fotiou and assured him of the Maronite community`s efforts to support the struggle for the reunification of Cyprus.
