Maintenance work has begun on the Ayios Georgios church of Mezere in occupied Karavas, while the church of Ayia Irini will also be maintained under the same contract, officials said on Sunday.

Co-chair of the bicommunal Technical Committee Sotos Ktoris said the project is funded by the community and the European Union and will be implemented with the technical guidance of UNDP.

“Taking care of our cultural heritage can and should act as a bridge of understanding and reconciliation,” he said.

At the same time, maintenance work continues on the church of Panayia Faneromeni in Gastria, Karpasia.

In addition, rescue work on the church of Panayia Melissa on the northern slope of Pentadaktylos, was recently completed. These works prevented the loss of the monument, he said.

Greek and Turkish Cypriot renovators, architects, engineers and builders worked “harmoniously with zeal and dedication” to save the church, he said.