The President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Yiannakis Omirou sent a message to the Presidents of European Parliament, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, Euro – Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly and to the President and Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy regarding recent events in Kessab region on the northwestern borderline of Syria with Turkey.

According to an official press release the message was sent following relevant consultation with the Parliamentary Representative of the Armenian community in Cyprus, Vartkes Mahdessian, Famagusta Gazette reports.

In his message, Omitou refers to the attacks against civilians of Armenian origin in Kessab and destruction of religious sites and monuments, as well as property looting by extremist groups based in Turkey.

Omirou underlines that such attacks against civilians and ethnic and religious groups undermine international efforts to end ongoing violence and achieve a peaceful settlement in Syria and calls on the recipients of his message to exercise their influence on Turkey in order to put an end to such kind of attacks from its territory.

He also underlines that all sides should make every effort so that the Armenians of Kessab return as soon as possible to their homes in conditions of stability and security, according to the report.