Nicosia: 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.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Byzantine Museum showcases both Cyprus' cultural heritage and the story of the looting that has been taking place in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Marilena Raouna highlighted that Cyprus remains the last member state of the European Union that is still divided and under occupation. She emphasized that when Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, it was seen as a significant milestone in the country's modern history. Cypriots believed in the European Union's power to provide security and stability and hoped it could help reunify Cyprus, the last divided member state.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous rounds of UN-led peace talks, a resolution has not been achieved. The most recent negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended without success.