Around 60 new applications from Maronites to relocate north

Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou received approximately 50-60 new applications from Maronites requesting to resettle in the northern villages of Kormakitis and Karpasha, he told CNA on Friday.

Photiou said that the flow of applications has continued, both from single persons and families interested to benefit from the government’s resettlement scheme for Greek Cypriots and Maronites.

The two Maronite villages, Kormakitis and Karpasha, attract most interest, Photiou said, however there is also interest for the other two villages with enclaved Greek Cypriots, Rizokarpaso and Ayia Triada in the northeast.

Maronites in Kormakitis and Karpasha are estimated at 150 people, while another 150 have been already resettled there, he added.

Two more Maronite villages, Asomatos and Agia Marina, remain are still under the control of the Turkish army and are not open for habitation, despite official pronouncements by Turkish Cypriots for the opposite.

Photiou said that apart from the statements coming from Turkish Cypriot ‘officials’, there is no formal request for resettlement by the local community councils.

“The relocation scheme continues properly, in line with the terms and conditions of the Republic of Cyprus, on the basis of criteria in Kormakitis, Karpasha, Rizokarpaso and Agia Triada,” said Photiou, adding that he is in constant contact with local community leaders.

He said that his office is cooperating with the Labour Ministry to check that certain conditions are met by eligible persons, and that they are actually staying in the villages.

Benefits received by eligible persons vary from €350 to €500, depending on the marital status, he added.

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