Archbishop to inaugurate Representation of Church of Cyprus to EU

Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II will inaugurate Wednesday the Representation of the Church of Cyprus to the European Union, in Brussels.

According to a press release by the Holy Archbishopric, the Archbishop will be accompanied by Bishop of Paphos Georgios and Bishop of Chytron Leontios.

During his stay there, the Archbishop will hold a series of meetings with EU officials.

Meanwhile, in statements to CNA, Bishop of Neapolis, Porfyrios, said that the Representation will focus on the enlightenment of EU institutions on the Cyprus issue and especially on the continuous occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkish troops since 1974.

The Representation will highlight the plundering of religious sites, in the Turkish- occupied northern part of the country, the ongoing desecration of Christian churches, some of which have been converted by the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime to mosques, military camps and hen houses.

The Bishop added that more than 50,000 Byzantine icons have been stolen from Christian churches in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus and that this issue will also be raised.

The Representation will follow EU discussions, which interest the Church of Cyprus, and prepare proposals and suggestions.

Moreover, it will participate in the dialogue for peace, reconciliation and cooperation among the people of Europe.

Another goal of the Representation is to develop tiew between Church representatives, religious and non governmental organisations, and other representatives of civil society which are active in the EU.