NICOSIA – President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus has asserted that a comprehensive resolution to the protracted Cyprus problem is the sole viable pathway to rectifying the ongoing "usurpation of properties" in the island's northern, Turkish-occupied territories. In a recent address, the President extended a renewed invitation to the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Ankara to re-engage in negotiations, framing the property issue as a fundamental component of any lasting peace settlement.
The Republic of Cyprus is reportedly poised to initiate a new wave of legal actions targeting individuals and entities implicated in the alleged exploitation of Greek Cypriot-owned land and residences in the north. This move, intended to address decades of perceived illegality, has been met with strong condemnation from the Turkish Cypriot administration. Unan Ustel, the Turkish Cypriot 'prime minister', and Tufan Erhurman, a prominent Turkish Cypriot leader, have denounced the planned prosecutions, deeming them counterproductive to reconciliation efforts and politically motivated. They have labelled the Republic of Cyprus's actions as "illegal and hostile."
Mr. Erhurman countered that the Turkish Cypriot community also possesses legal recourse and strategic initiatives to address property rights, including pursuing international legal avenues and compiling evidence of alleged property seizures affecting Turkish Cypriots within the government-controlled southern regions. However, President Christodoulides reiterated his stance, asserting that such transgressions, which have persisted for approximately 51 years, can only be effectively resolved through a mutually agreed-upon settlement. "My message to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, and Turkey, is not a threat. It is an invitation: if there is political will, come to the negotiating table so the Cyprus problem can be resolved and these illegalities, which have persisted for 51 years, can be addressed," he stated.
The escalating legal posturing has already begun to cast a shadow over real estate markets in the north, with reports indicating a slowdown in property transactions. Furthermore, foreign nationals involved in property dealings in the occupied areas are reportedly experiencing apprehension, fearing potential legal repercussions, including arrest, upon entering the European Union. This climate of uncertainty underscores the deep entanglement of property rights with the broader political impasse on the island.
The dispute over property is intrinsically linked to the division of Cyprus following the Turkish invasion in 1974. Thousands of Greek Cypriots were displaced from their homes in the north, while a significant number of Turkish Cypriots left the south. The subsequent administration of these properties has been a source of contention, with the Republic of Cyprus maintaining that Greek Cypriot owners have been unjustly dispossessed. Conversely, the Turkish Cypriot side argues that current occupants have legitimate claims, often based on land swaps or purchases.
Mr. Erhurman cautioned against coercive tactics, asserting that "efforts to force compliance through 'arrests, threats or economic pressure' would achieve nothing and that 'peace must be built gradually alongside any negotiated solution.'" This sentiment highlights the divergent approaches to resolving the complex property imbroglio. While the Republic of Cyprus appears to favour a more assertive legal stance, the Turkish Cypriot leadership appears to advocate for a more gradual, trust-building approach, intrinsically tied to the overarching political negotiations. The success of either strategy hinges on the elusive prospect of reigniting meaningful dialogue and finding common ground on the fundamental issues that have kept the island divided for over half a century.