During their meeting today, Cypriot Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots Fotis Fotiou and Archbishop Demetrios of America, discussed the humanitarian issues of the missing and enclaved persons, but also the programs of the relevant Department so that young Overseas Cypriots stay true to their own roots.
On Thursday the Presidential Commissioner visited the Seat of the Archdiocese of America and had an one hour meeting with Archbishop Demetrios.
According to CNA, Mr. Fotiou praised Archbishop Demetrios’ love for Cyprus, which is manifested in his everyday support to the Cypriot great struggle, and thanked him from the depth of his heart.
Mr. Fotiou also added that they had the chance to talk about the issues of the missing persons.
“Unfortunately, as I have already mentioned to him”, said Mr. Fotiou, “after 45 years we keep searching for the 50% of our missing ones”.
According to the Presidential Commissioner, Archbishop Demetrios responded positively when asked to promote this issue, within the limits of his abilities, to the multiple decision-making centers of USA.
“We shall do our best. The missing persons’ matter is a humanitarian and not a political one, so it should not be related to any development concerning the Cyprus Issue”, he added.
From his part, Archbishop Demetrios claimed that in returning to USA, after his visit to a lab for the identification of the missing persons, he made demarches to the Competent Bodies in Washington, who were willing to address the issue due to its pure humanitarian character.
The Archbishop of America expressed his delight for the existing programs for the Cypriot youth abroad. He particularly mentioned the accommodation schemes for young Overseas Cypriots in Cyprus.
“It is a truly magnificent program, which relates them to their homeland and its local tradition”, he concluded.
