Nicosia, 22nd June 2023 – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are happy to announce the completion of the conservation works at the church of Panagia Chryseleousa in the Kyrenia area and the church of Agios Antonios located in the Morphou area.

Kjartan Björnsson, Deputy Director and Head of the Cyprus Settlement Support Unit at the Directorate-General REFORM of the European Commission highlighted that “these sites represent the rich cultural heritage of Cyprus, which the European Union will continue to support given the importance of protecting and restoring cultural sites to strengthen the resilience of communities, in an effort to contribute to reunification and sustainable peace in the island.”

UNDP Cyprus, Head of Office Jakhongir Khaydarov, expressed his gratitude for the successful completion of the conservation works at the two churches. He emphasized that “these projects mark a significant achievement in our continuous dedication to protecting Cyprus' invaluable cultural heritage. The conservation efforts undertaken serve as a testament to the significance of preserving our shared legacy for the benefit of generations to come”.

Both the church of Panagia Chryseleousa and the church of Agios Antonios are important monuments for the history of Cyprus. The church of Panagia Chryseleousa was built towards the end of the 19th century. Τhe church of Agios Antonios is dated from the 15th century and it was the main church of the village.

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, 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by UNDP with financial support from the European Union worth a total of €24.915 million.

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)
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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.

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