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Press statement from Cultural Heritage Committee
The cultural heritage of Cyprus has evolved from diverse and rich cultures and civilisations which have populated the island throughout history and it is the common heritage of humanity regardless of its origin which should be protected and preserved.
In this context, the agreement dated 21 March 2008 between the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Talat which paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, has given us an important mandate for the protection of the rich and varied cultural heritage of the island.
In light of this mandate, as members of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage we have been engaged in sincere and productive work in line with the task given to us by the two leaders. We have agreed to establish and bring to life a mechanism, namely an ‘Advisory Board for the Preservation, Physical Protection and Restoration of the Immovable Cultural Heritage of Cyprus’.
The Committee also agreed to compile a list of the entire immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus, to create an educational, interactive programme that would give the opportunity to the younger generation of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to learn about each other and the cultural heritage of the island, and to undertake two restoration pilot projects. These projects involve the restoration of the Arnavut Mosque and the Archangel Michael Church. The preparatory work on all previously mentioned projects are in the final stages.
The Cultural Heritage Technical Committee believes that it is the primary responsibility of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to protect the endangered cultural heritage of the island. Within this context, it is important for these monuments to be preserved not only because they are important symbols for the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots and for humanity but also because they have intrinsic value in themselves.
The Committee believe that the preservation of secular and religious cultural monuments is an integral part of the ongoing process of improving relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, and the primary responsibility lies on both sides.
In this context, the Technical Committee and the Advisory Board believe that protection of the cultural heritage can only be achieved through joint efforts and by isolating this issue from the political problem.
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage also thinks that it can only achieve its great task not only with the financial and technical support of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots but also with the support of the international community as well.
Therefore, the Committee calls on those who share this common vision to assist with their financial and technical support to the efforts for preserving the past heritage so that Cyprus can build its future on a culture of peace, tolerance, cooperation, dialogue and respect for differences.

http://www.unric.org/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=42