Nicosia, 15th June 2023 – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are happy to announce that the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) has completed the conservation works at the church of Agios Georgios and the church of Panagia Agia Napa both in the Famagusta area.
This was marked by an event with the participation of the European Commission, UNDP and TCCH.

UNDP Cyprus, Head of Office Mr. Jakhongir Khaydarov, expressed his appreciation at the successful completion of these conservation works, stating, "The conservation of the church of Agios Georgios and the church of Panagia Agia Napa represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to preserving Cyprus' rich cultural heritage. These projects highlight the importance of safeguarding the shared heritage for future generations.”
Mr. Stefan Simosas, Head of Cooperation of the Cyprus Settlement Support of the European Commission highlighted that these sites ‘represent not just the multicultural richness of Cyprus, but also the importance of restoring and preserving monuments as a tool to foster peace building and reconciliation’.

Dr Sotos Ktoris, TCCH Greek Cypriot co-chair, stated on the occasion of the completion of works that “The churches of Agios Georgios and Panagia not only serve as physical testaments to our past but also as a source of inspiration for the present and the future.” Highlighting that “our cultural heritage is a bridge that connects us to our roots and serves as a platform for understanding, respect and appreciation among Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. As we stand here today, we recognize the importance of preserving our cultural heritage, not only for ourselves but also for the generations yet to come”. Mr Ali Tuncay, TCCH Turkish Cypriot co-chair, also made a statement on the occasion, expressing that many civilizations have passed through the island of Cyprus. “All these civilizations live with us through our shared monuments and they are the richness of the island. As members of the Technical Committee, we acknowledge the responsibility of preserving and sustaining this richness so it can be handed over to
future generations and are proud to be able to promote cooperation between the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots through such a valuable endeavor" stated Mr Tuncay.

Both the church of Agios Georgios and the church of Panagia Agia Napa are located in the Famagusta area. Τhe church of Panagia Agia Napa inscription above the south entrance of the church dates the structure to 1890.
Each conservation site is a reflection of the cultures behind it as well as an intersection of civilizations. Thanks to the cooperation of TCCH, UNDP and EU, the shared cultural heritage of the island continues to be preserved.
Since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the support from the European Union with a total funding of €24.915 million. The TCCH has received a total of €35.6 million invested by several donors to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.

For further information and media enquiries please contact UNDP at: 

Gulten Inan, Communications Assistant 
E-mail: gulten.inan@undp.org 
Tel: +357 99 061560/+905488684603 

Eleni Panayiotou, Communications Associate 
E-mail: eleni.panayiotou@undp.org 
Tel: +35799368879/+905488684602

European Union
The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, based on Council Regulation 389/2006, aims at facilitating the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the EU body of laws (also referred to as acquis communautaire).

For more information please visit: Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community (europa.eu)
EU Infopoint on Facebook - http://www.abbilgi.eu/en - http://www.abbilgi.eu/tr/

United Nations Development Programme
UNDP aims to contribute and support the peace-building process in Cyprus and to enhance cooperation between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriot by implementing a range of confidence building measures.

Get in touch: UNDP Cyprus (@UNDPCY) / Twitter | on Facebook | on Instagram| 
More resources: https://www.undp.org/cyprus