Presidencial Commissioner and new Dutch Ambassador discuss Cyprus missing persons CNA - Cyprus/NICOSIA 17/02/2021

Missing persons in Cyprus and the possibility of cooperation in matters of Diaspora, were among the matters discussed during a meeting on Wednesday between Presidential Commissioner Fotis Fotiou and new Ambassador of Holland in Nicosia Elke Merks-Schaapveld.

Fotiou made particular reference to the humanitarian matter of missing persons, stressing once more that the government deals with the problem foremost as a serious humanitarian issue which should be resolved without further delay, a Presidency press release says. 

"It is tragedy which causes immense pain and suffering for nearly half a century to hundreds of families," Fotiou said.

Turkey, he noted, should take substantial and decisive steps and take the humanitarian and political decision which will be crucial in order to achieve progress.

In this respect, Fotiou said that Turkey should implement European Court of Human Rights decisions, submit all evidence on burials by the Turkish army from the collection of remains from the battlefields in 1974 and submit evidence and information on what became of missing persons who are included in the Turkish army`s archives from the deliberate removal of remains of Greek Cypriots from their original burial sites.

He further thanked the Ambassador for Holland`s support so far of the Committee on Missing Persons and expressed his belief that the humanitarian policy followed by Holland will continue for the benefit of the families who are affected.

The press release also says that the Presidency Commissioner also discussed with the Dutch Ambassador the possibility of cooperation between the two countries in matters of the Diaspora.

On her part, it adds, Merks-Schaapveld underlined her country`s support in the efforts by the Republic of Cyprus to find out the fate of missing persons, expressing at the same time Holland`s willingness and readiness to contribute in this direction.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown.

A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning the remains of missing persons to their relatives.

CNA/EPH/AGK/2021
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY