The first phase of the restoration works on the main church and adjoining buildings of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery is nearing completion.
The restoration of the monastery, according to UNDP, intends to contribute to the on-going confidence building process between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots within the context of cultural heritage preservation and protection. The overall restoration of the Monastery will take place in four phases.
Turkish Cypriot co-chairman of the committee Ali Tuncay, Greek Cypriot co-chairman of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage Takis Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus Vakıflar Administration vice general director Mehmet Kanan, Programme Manager of the United Nations Development Programme Tiziana Zennaro and the experts who work on the restoration of the monastery attended the information meeting which was organised by the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee and the United Nations Development Programme – Partnership for the Future (UNDP-PFF) Office in order to inform the press.
Making the first speech UNDP-PFF Officer Tiziana Zennaro said that the Apostolos Andreas Monastery project is a great example of the fruitful cooperation in the field of cultural heritage between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot people. Zennaro said, “We stand in pride as we see the monastery coming to life again and acknowledge the progress the UNDP has made in facilitating the restoration in partnership with the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.”
Turkish Cypriot co-chairman of the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee Ali Tuncay stated that the present situation of the restoration works is the result of the equal cooperation of both parties.
Tuncay said: “I think that the work of the committee has shown to both sides that the two can cooperate and can have many good results. It is not just a monument for Greek Cypriots but also a monument for Turkish Cypriots, it is our heritage, humanity`s heritage.”
Tuncay stated that in the second phase of the restoration project, the historic chapel, the holy fountain, the building to the north of the monastery and environmental planning are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.