Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Harmancı have drawn up joint proposals to protect dilapidated historic buildings in the buffer zone that divides the capital, Cyprus Mail reported on Tuesday.
Prountzos will raise the proposals with UN envoy María Ángela Holguín when he meets her on 9 November.
Buildings left to decay
Speaking on Politis radio, Prountzos said the two mayors had agreed common positions on the issue, but he declined to give details of the measures.
Read more: Christodoulides Tells UN Envoy Holguín of “Strong Dissatisfaction” Over Meeting With Turkish Envoy
Many buildings inside the buffer zone of the walled city have deteriorated badly after decades of abandonment, and some have already collapsed.
Prountzos noted that the division of Nicosia predates the 1974 Turkish invasion by a decade, as the first Green Line split the capital in 1963. As a result, some buildings have stood empty for more than 60 years.
“I believe many things can be done in the right direction in this area,” he said.
Government “positive”
Prountzos said the issue has featured prominently in talks with the European Union, particularly on protecting structures that form part of the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.
The proposals have already been discussed with President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, he said.
“I do not want to speak on his behalf, but certainly, from my discussions with both the negotiator and the President, I believe our side is positive about certain measures that can be taken. They are entirely feasible,” he told Politis.
Harmancı will not attend
Harmancı will not take part in the meeting with Holguín. Prountzos said, however, that the Turkish Cypriot mayor remained willing to join any future meeting on Nicosia that could help produce a positive result.
“I am always ready and open, whenever any issue concerning Nicosia arises, to participate in any meeting that may be required in order to achieve a positive result,” Prountzos said.
Prountzos indicated there was scope for specific interventions in the buffer zone of the old city, and said he was confident meaningful progress could be made.
The mayors’ move comes as Holguín continues contacts with both sides on the island, with a joint meeting also expected on 9 November.
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