Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday reaffirmed the government’s “unwavering support” for Cyprus’ Maronite community during Saint Maron feast day celebrations at the Maronite Cathedral. He announced plans for a cabinet proposal to ensure full healthcare coverage for resettled Maronites through the national healthcare system, Gesy.
Message to the Maronite community
Addressing the congregation, Christodoulides said his presence at the annual celebration was “a small but tangible indication of the state’s boundless appreciation” for the Maronites, whom he described as an “inseparable part of the Cypriot people” with a decisive contribution to the country’s struggle “for survival, prosperity and a future”.
Healthcare proposal and talks on enclaved issues
He said a proposal would soon be submitted to the cabinet to provide full Gesy coverage for resettled Maronites, as part of efforts to improve the lives of those enclaved and resettled in the north.
Christodoulides said issues concerning the enclaved remain high on the agenda of his meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. He added that he had recently raised specific Maronite concerns with Erhurman and expressed hope for positive developments by their next meeting on February 24.
Kormakitis resettlement and support measures
Christodoulides described the resettlement of 367 Maronites in Kormakitis as a significant step and a hopeful sign for the future.
He cited measures already implemented, including a €320,000 grant to the Kormakitis community council for flood-protection works and restoration of the old kindergarten building that houses the folklore museum, a 30 per cent increase in allowances, a €1,200 subsidy per household for replacing solar water heaters, provision of a new bus for transport to and from Nicosia, and the reopening of the Kormakitis kindergarten after 25 years.
Church repairs and religious heritage
On religious heritage, the president said four of the seven Maronite churches in the north have been repaired through the bicommunal technical committee, with work on Saint John’s Church in Vouni expected to begin soon. He said efforts are also under way regarding the Prophet Elias and Saint Marina churches.
He added that the government is at an advanced stage of examining requests by the Maronite Church for maintenance works in the Republic, and highlighted ties between the Republic of Cyprus and the Holy See, as well as “strong cooperation” with Lebanon.
What impact do you think full Gesy coverage could have on resettled Maronite families in the north?
