He said while the events of 1974 had placed Old Nicosia on the frontline, the best defence for Buffer Zone neighbourhoods was investment, ensuring they were lived in and vibrant.

Addressing traffic concerns; the mayor said he had never heard of administrative buildings anywhere else in the world being relocated for such a reason.

“Our failure as a state to operate reliable public transportation to manage the traffic problem is not a reason to rule out or abandon the capital city,” Yiorkadjis said.

The mayor added that ancient artefacts could be found everywhere under Nicosia, adding if his municipality was able to ensure its new Town Hall was constructed in a manner protecting antiquities, he was certain the government could do the same.

If an alternative site had to be found, Yiorkadjis suggested the area earmarked for the shelved Cultural Palace or any other large piece of government land that was not being used at this time.