Historic buildings inside the buffer zone of walled Nicosia will be among the issues discussed when Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia, meets María Ángela Holguín, the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, on 9 November.
Speaking on Politis Radio's Morning Briefing, Prountzos confirmed that he and Turkish Cypriot Mayor Mehmet Harmancı have already developed joint proposals aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of historic structures within the buffer zone.
Focus on endangered heritage
Many of the buildings located inside the buffer zone have suffered extensive deterioration after decades of abandonment, with some having already collapsed.
Prountzos said the issue has featured prominently in discussions with the European Union, particularly regarding the protection of structures that form part of the city's cultural and architectural heritage.
He noted that the division of Nicosia predates the 1974 Turkish invasion by a decade, meaning some buildings have remained unused for more than 60 years.
Referring to structures that have already collapsed after decades of neglect, the mayor stressed the urgency of addressing the continuing loss of the city's built heritage.
"I believe many things can be done in the right direction in this area," he said, while declining to provide further details about the proposed interventions.
Joint proposals already discussed with the government
Asked whether he and Harmancı had reached common positions on the issue, Prountzos confirmed that they had and said the proposals had already been discussed with President Nicos Christodoulides.
While careful not to speak on behalf of the government, he indicated that discussions with both the President and Cyprus' negotiator on the Cyprus problem suggested a positive response from the Greek Cypriot side.
"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."
Although he did not disclose the content of the proposals, his comments suggest that protecting and restoring historic buildings in the buffer zone is already the subject of active cooperation between the two mayors.
Meeting with Holguín on 9 November
Prountzos clarified that his meeting with Holguín will take place without Harmancı present.
However, he said he remained willing to participate in any future meetings concerning Nicosia if they could help achieve a positive outcome.
"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."
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to further discuss practical measures for preserving and restoring the cultural heritage of the divided capital.
