91998E0968

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0968/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (30 March 1998)

Subject: Conversion of a monastery into a hotel by the Turks in the occupied part of Cyprus

Reports have emerged that the Turkish regime of occupation in northern Cyprus has given authorization for the Armenian Monastery of Makarios Pentadaktylos, known as Armenomonastiri, to be converted into a hotel.

Will the Commission say whether it is aware of these reports and whether it knows what kind of business interests are involved? If not, does it intend to investigate this fresh violation by the occupying regime of the property rights of the Armenian Church and the Armenian people and, more generally, the destruction of monuments of Europe's cultural heritage which are being systematically pillaged and looted in the occupied part of Cyprus?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1998)

The Commission is aware of the facts reported by the Honourable Member. It will endeavour to raise the matter in its dealings with the northern part of Cyprus (which are limited to civil society), and point out the need to preserve the monastery. As regards the possible influence of Turkey on northern Cyprus in this connection, the Commission will also endeavour to address the issue in its discussions with the Turkish authorities.