Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Monday, 22 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 October 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Cyprus: Religious Freedom, Cultural Heritage

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the condition of (a) mosques, (b) Muslim shrines and (c) Muslim cemeteries in the Republic of Cyprus; and if he will make it his policy to request the Cypriot authorities to protect such sites from damage;

Answer: Pending reunification, preserving the cultural heritage of Cyprus, including Muslim sites in the south and Christian sites in the north, remains an issue of great importance. Our high commission in Nicosia maintains dialogue with both Greek and Turkish Cypriots on this issue. We welcome all efforts aimed at protecting and restoring religious heritage in Cyprus on both sides of the Green Line. The UN led process envisaged by the 8 July Agreement would provide a framework in which the issue of preserving cultural heritage could be discussed and addressed by the two communities.

Secondary information