Presidential Commissioner for humanitarian issues and overseas Cypriots Photis Photiou has conveyed the wholehearted support of the government to enclaved Cypriots (living in the northern Turkish occupied part of the country).
Photiou attended a Christmas celebration held by schools of the village of Rizokarpaso, in Cyprus` Turkish occupied areas and then visited the Turkish occupied Monastery of Apostolos Andreas on the eastern tip of the Karpasia peninsula.
According to an official press release, Photiou stressed that the government is aware of the problems, concerns and difficulties the enclaved face and expressed the hope that the country would turn into a real paradise and a place of prosperity, security and peaceful life to all for all its inhabitants, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
“We want to achieve this regardless of the difficulties. Our future must be common. There is no other choice. We have to find together the way to overcome the difficulties. Cyprus can embrace us all with the same affection,” he said.
He said that everybody draws courage, strength and hope from the enclaved to achieve the goal of reunification and fulfill visions.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Numerous rounds of UN-backed talks to reunite the island under a federal roof have failed to yield results.