FAMAGUSTA, 11 September 2017 - The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP in Cyprus) last night hosted an event to mark the completion of conservation works on the Martinengo Bastion and the portion of the Venetian Walls between Arsenal and Seagate in Famagusta.

The project was funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
In attendance at the event were, among others, Mr. Ali Tuncay and Mr. Takis Hadjidemetriou, the heads of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Ms. Mary McCarthy, Director of the the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Service, Ms. Tiziana Zennaro, UNDP Programme Manager, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar.

“Martinengo Bastion and this portion of the walls represent but one milestone in efforts to renovate the Old Town of Famagusta,” SRSG Spehar said in her remarks. “Bringing this area to life not only carries cultural and historical significance, but can be an important boost for socio-economic development.”

“This accomplishment, along with the other initiatives spearheaded by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and supported by so many of you here today, including the European Union and my own colleagues at UNDP, can serve as an inspiration for the entire island,” she added.