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Prodi pledge on churches in north

ITALIAN Prime Minister Romano Prodi yesterday pledged to raise the issue of restoring Greek Orthodox churches in the occupied areas with European leaders at next week’s EU summit.
Prodi, during a 40-minute meeting with Archbishop Chrysostomos II in Rome, said that in cooperation with President Papadopoulos he would aim for the EU to have a common policy on the issue.
The Archbishop, in statements to the press after the meeting, said that he informed the Premier of the situation concerning the Orthodox churches in the occupied areas.
"They will all work jointly and he assured us of this beyond doubt, so that a united Europe will exercise pressure on Turkey to stop the looting of our churches, because if Europe does not intervene it is an issue concerning not only us but the whole of humanity," Chrysostomos said.
He added the island’s religious heritage was the heritage of the whole world.
"I am certain they will exercise pressure to stop the destruction of our churches, " the Archbishop said.
The issue of the island’s cultural heritage and its protection is a matter that concerns not only Cyprus but the entire EU.
Prodi said that in collaboration with other EU leaders, the aim was to exercise pressure on Turkey to stop destruction of churches and religious monuments in the Turkish-held north,
Prodi, during the meeting, asked the Archbishop about the Annan Plan and the Primate of the Church of Cyprus explained that it was not functional and therefore not viable and that "if the people of Cyprus voted in favour of it they would have to look for another homeland."
Archbishop Chrysostomos is visiting the Vatican and tomorrow, he is expected to have a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.

From the Cyprus Weekly