Ministers for European Affairs of the European Union were given, on Sunday, a guided tour of the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios Foundation, in the context of the informal Council of Ministers for European Affairs, which is taking place on Monday in Nicosia, as Cyprus is currently holding the EU rotating Presidency.

In a brief address, Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, informed her counterparts about Cyprus’ looted religious and cultural treasures, stolen by Turkish antiquities traffickers, and the Ministers had the opportunity to view important artifacts that have been repatriated.

"The Byzantine Museum showcases both Cyprus' cultural heritage, but also the story of the looting that has been taking place in the occupied areas of Cyprus. This is also a kind of a reminder that Cyprus stands as the last member state of the European Union, that is still divided, that is still under occupation," Raouna said.

She added that, when Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, "which is after our independence, our most significant, our most historic milestone in our modern history, Cypriots believed in the power of the European Union as an enabler of security, of stability, and looked to the unifying force of the European Union, the greatest peace project the world has seen to also reunify its last divided member state".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: CNA (ΚΥΠΕ)