Cyprus-Forum.com

[Acikgoz]

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a personal letter to Cyprus' Archbishop Chrysostomos, in a gesture indicating he wants a quick solution to the Cyprus problem, Xinhua reported.
A high-ranking church official revealed on Monday night that Erdogan told Archbishop Chrysostomos, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, that he has given his personal approval for the conservation and restoration of the historic monastery of Apostle Andreas in the Turkish Cypriot north.
The monastery is considered to be a symbol of Christianity in Cyprus and is an important worship site for Christian Orthodox Greek Cypriots.
This is the second time in a week that the Turkish prime minister makes a good-will gesture toward Greek Cypriots.
Last week, Greek Cypriot newspapers reported an unprecedented meeting of Erdogan with Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists in Istanbul.
He told them that he was genuinely interested in finding a quick solution to the longstanding Cyprus problem along lines agreed in talks between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Erdogan's letter to Archbishop Chrysostomos is seen as a significant gesture, since the Archbishop is one of the most vocal critics of Turkey's policies on Cyprus, accusing Ankara of promoting a permanent partition of the island.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared a breakaway territory and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey.
The Archbishop has been campaigning for years for restoration of the monastery in the area.
Erdogan was said to have given an assurance to Archbishop Chrysostomos that restoration work will be permitted to start soon, after a delay of several years.
The history of the monastery, dedicated to Apostle Andreas, one of Jesus Christ disciples, goes back to the roots of Christianity. According to legend, the monastery was built on the shore at the far-eastern tip of Cyprus where a boat carrying Apostle Andreas from Israel to Rome capsized.
The monastery has suffered considerable erosion after having been left unattended for more than three decades and architects say it is in imminent danger of collapsing.
Conservation work was to have started long ago but was held up by Turkish vendors who refuse to dismantle the tents they set up next to the entrance to the church.

[miltiades]

Perhaps its now the time to move on ahead and create an environment of mutual understanding , removal of age old distrust and appreciation of the concerns of the Cypriot people for security justice and freedom from occupying troops.

[paliometoxo]

thanks for the post, it is a very good move by the turkish guy good will, something they have not wanted to do for a long time but take.. the apostolos antreas church is looking very bad i am happy that they will do work on it. though they should remove the turkish flags from infront of it... but we are moving forward and thats very good move from tr, they do make lots of money from that church lots of stools outside and lots love to go shopping there including when i went with family

[kafenes]

Good will gesture is not saying it but doing it. I'll beleive it when I see it.

[paliometoxo]

a step in the right direction

[B25]

I don't trust these MFs one iota. There is hidden agenda here. Erdogan knows whats good for him and he waited 36 years to send the letter?? what method did he use, cattapillar mail FGS.

Its all bollocks and a show, a sham I would not trust him as far as I can throw him.

Turks are well know for their lying, scheming, dirty double crossing low down mafia style deals.

I hope the Archbishop used it as toilet paper since that is all it is worth.

Bloody check.

Then you have idiots on here already dribbling over it!

[Jerry]

Even Baldrick could see it's a cunning plan to boost Talat's election prospects.

[Acikgoz]

OH B25, look at the actions.
GCs get Orams verdict that works in their favour, GC politicians get more threatening and demanding of TCs and EDEK leaves coalition.
TCs get favourable verdict, Turkey sends a peaceful gesture of reconciliation.
Piss and vinegar, what a jerk you are.

[Get Real!]

TCs get favourable verdict,

When the UN Security Council itself is stepping all over international law on a weekly basis because America is constantly corrupting it, Britain is constantly endorsing it, and Israel is constantly exploiting it; and I’m not just talking about Cyprus, what chance does an assumed “favorable verdict” have in getting any desired results?

[Kikapu]

I think Erdogan has been having too many "Happy Meals" at McDonald's lately.!

Somebody should put a stop to it before he gives Turkey away to the Kurds, the Armenians, the Greeks, the Syrians and the north to the RoC.!