The European Commission welcomed on Friday the joint visit today to the Missing Persons' Lab in the buffer zone in Nicosia, by the two leaders in Cyprus, President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, indicating that this symbolic step comes at a time of much anticipated progress towards the solution of the Cyprus issue.

In a press release the Commission recalls that the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community "continues to provide assistance to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus and as part of its efforts, the European Commission is proud to extend substantial support to the CMP."

Since 2006, as noted, the European Union has been the major contributor in support of the work of Committee of Missing People (CMP), with funding amounting to almost pound 36 million, "demonstrating its strong commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation in Cyprus."

EU funding supports the work of bicommunal Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientific teams involved in all stages of the process in an effort to help heal the wounds of the families of missing persons in both communities. "These activities constitute a crucial aspect of the overall efforts for reconciliation on the island," the press release adds.

The Commission also recalls that since 2006, the remains of 741 Greek Cypriot and 292 Turkish Cypriot missing persons have been identified and returned to their families and that 769 Greek Cypriots and 200 Turkish Cypriots are still missing.

Source: Cyprus News Agency