The Minister of Interior, Mr. Nikos Nouris, met yesterday in his office with a delegation of the Committee of Occupied Municipalities, under its Chairman, Mayor of Kythrea, Dr. Petros Kareklas. The delegation was also attended by the Mayor of Lysis, Mr. Andreas Kaouris, the Mayor of Lapithos, Mr. Neoptolemos Kotsapas, the Mayor of Karava, Dr. Nikos Hadjistefanou, the Mayor of Lefkonikos, Ms. Zina Lysandrou Panagidi, the Mayor of Akanthos, Ms. Eleni Hatzimichael, the Deputy Mayor of Kyrenia, Ms. Maria Kourougianni Moustaka and the Municipal Secretary of Morphou, Mr. Manos.
At the beginning of the meeting, the President of the Commission expressed everyone's concern about the ongoing Turkish threats, provocations and illegalities in our region, as well as the possibility of opening the fenced area of Famagusta. It also set out the Commission's general position on our political problem, with particular emphasis on the right of refugees and their descendants to return to the area currently occupied, under conditions of security, freedom and respect for the human rights of every citizen.
The discussion then focused on the problems that the Occupied Municipalities face in their operation and in the execution of their multifaceted work (mainly in the field of enlightenment) but also understaffing problems that some Municipalities have. The issue of operation of a "Solidarity Fund" was also discussed. for the benefit of the displaced and to prevent the sale of property in the occupied territories, a position also supported by the political parties that the Commission has encountered in the recent past. The plight of various refugee settlements and measures to alleviate or resolve these problems were further discussed. The same issue was recently discussed by the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees.
The Minister expressed his support and appreciation for the difficult and commendable work that the Occupied Municipalities are performing under difficult conditions and expressed his intention for close cooperation and effective assistance. He also promised that the issues raised by the Commission would be studied as soon as possible with sufficient seriousness so that progress could be made in resolving problems.
Famagusta.News