Nicosia: Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis will make his inaugural visit to the Turkish-occupied villages of Agia Triada, Agios Andronikos, and Rizokarpaso in the Karpasia region of northeastern Cyprus on Wednesday. The visit aims to engage directly with the enclaved residents to address their needs and challenges, as announced by the Commissioner's Office.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the visit is part of a broader initiative to systematically monitor and evaluate the issues facing the enclaved communities and to work towards their resolution. These meetings are part of a regular schedule intended to offer practical support and reinforcement of the state's presence in these areas. The announcement also indicated plans for a subsequent visit to the occupied village of Kormakitis with similar objectives.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Numerous UN-led peace negotiations have failed to achieve a resolution. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, around 20,000 Greek Cypriots stayed in their homes within the occupied territories. However, their numbers have significantly dwindled over the years due to harsh living conditions and restrictions imposed on their daily lives. The occupation regime has curtailed educational, religious, and individual freedoms for these enclaved persons.