Front Page Headlines
Lies, looting and a fight!
The dispute between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy over the use of a property blew up into a crisis. The police are now involved. The Agriculture Ministry occupied the plot with its vehicles following an argument between two ministers in parliament. The rods placed on the plot for parcellation work were removed.
Questionable ruling on return of property
The so-called “Kyrenia District Court” operating in South Cyprus sentenced Turkey to pay close to €40m in compensation for the ‘loss of use’ in a case filed by four Greek Cypriots. Lawyers in the TRNC emphasize the verdict is “not legally binding.”
- Police intervene in the fight over a plot of land between the two ministers– The fight between Agriculture and Natural Resources Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu and Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı grew bigger.
Neither side backed down
The police are now involved in the dispute between Agriculture Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu and Economy Minister Erhan Arıklı over a plot of land in the industrial zone in Nicosia. New developments have taken place involving five dunams of land which was given to three different companies. When one of the companies entered the fenced-off plot, the Agriculture Ministry called the police. Çavuşoğlu said that the land in question was being used by the Department of Water Works and Geology since 1978. Arıklı for his part said that Çavuşoğlu should present documented proof that the land was used by his ministry, claiming that the plot was not being used by anyone.
Fight over handing out of favours to supporters
Agriculture Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu and Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı engaged in a feud over a plot of land located at north Nicosia’s Industrial zone and the police got involved.
- Celebrations held for the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) – The first anniversary of the reopening was marked with various activities.
Main News
Tatar: Reopening of Maraş (Varosha) a decision taken in the right direction
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday defended the Turkish Cypriot side’s position regarding the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha), claiming that the process to reopen the ghost town was in line with international law and the north’s position on a two-state solution.
Speaking to the Turkish Cypriot news agency, TAK marking the first anniversary of the initiative to reopen the town, he added that the move had brought many benefits for the Turkish Cypriots politically as well as in terms of economy and tourism. He added many people including Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and foreigners have visited the already opened beachfront of the fenced-off town.
Tatar said the reopening of the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) “was a step taken in the right direction,” arguing that as a result, the former residents of the town will be able to claim their properties back ending past grievances.
Tatar also argued that Maraş (Varosha) was kept as a trump card in the negotiations process, envisaged to be returned in the event of a settlement. “However, all the efforts to reach a solution have failed due to the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent and irreconcilable stance,” Tatar said.
Tatar reiterated his claim that the Maraş (Varosha) in its entirety was owned by the religious foundations established during the Ottoman period, which today these foundations have been governed by the Evkaf Administration of Cyprus.
He claimed that the title deeds of the properties were unlawfully transferred to the individuals and companies during the British colonial regime. Tatar added that the property claims of former residents would be addressed through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), which to date has received nearly 400 applications.
Tatar said that the Greek Cypriot side was advising people not to apply to the IPC claiming that this would be an act of treason. “The property owners however are ignoring these calls, stating that their authorities have deceived them for the past 47 years with false hopes of a settlement,” he said, adding that “It will be now up to them if they want to move back and live there or sell their properties.”
Tatar reminded that 3.5 per cent of the town was demilitarized last Summer, adding that once the property claims in the demilitarized area are resolved, there will be new areas announced. He added that a bigger part of Maraş (Varosha) has been open since 1974 and nearly 10,000 people are living in the open parts of the town already.
Tatar stressed that it is out of the question for Maraş (Varosha) to be returned following so much development, reassuring that the Turkish Cypriot side will respect the property rights and human rights. “New borders were drawn in 1974 and there is no way we can return to the way things were in the past,” Tatar said.
Tatar reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side has put forth a two-state solution model due to the Greek Cypriot side rejecting all the solution plans to date and the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) should also be seen in this regard.
He added that the agreement can only be found based on two states in Cyprus, adding that the Greek Cypriot side’s disregard of the Turkish Cypriot side is unacceptable. “If there’s going to be a lasting and sustainable agreement on the island, it is necessary to take what the Turkish Cypriot side into consideration,” Tatar stressed, adding that respect must be shown for the Turkish Cypriot side.
Touching on the recent developments in the talks process, Tatar said the efforts to find a common ground between the two sides is still underway. There are two separate parts on the island with two separate states, Tatar said, arguing that the Turkish Cypriot side approaches the negotiations process with a realistic approach.
“We want Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality and international equal status to be acknowledged before we can advance to official negotiations,” Tatar said, reiterating his arguments the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) has been under the control of the Greek Cypriots since 1963 even though it was founded by the two communities in 1960.
Tatar also reiterated his position against a bicommunal, bizonal federal (BBF) settlement, arguing that the goal in a federation is for Greek Cypriots as the majority to rule over the Turkish Cypriots and for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island, ending Turkey’s guarantees. “None of these is acceptable,” Tatar concluded.
Meanwhile, celebrations and various activities were held in the accessible beachfront of Maraş (Varosha) to mark the first anniversary of the opening of the town. The visitors to the site were greeted by a band playing and Famagusta Municipality personnel distributed flowers to them.
Speaking to Bayrak on the occasion, Famagusta Mayor İsmail Arter said he hopes the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) would have a positive impact in the negotiations process and in the efforts to find a lasting settlement on the island.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TC side’s position on Maraş (Varosha) in line with international law & two-state solution.
>> Move to reopen Maraş (Varosha) has brought benefits to TCs politically, economically & in tourism.
>> Move a step in the right direction which will allow former residents to return to their properties.
>> Property claims to be addressed through the IPC.
>> TC side will respect property rights & human rights.
>> A solution is only possible based on two states. TC side’s sovereign equality & international equal status must be acknowledged before official talks can begin.
>> BBF & removal of guarantees not acceptable.
GC court’s verdict on a property in the north is debated
Kıbrıs
Property
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot lawyers Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said the Greek Cypriot district court’s verdict condemning Turkey to pay €40m in compensation for loss of use in the case filed by four Greek Cypriots is not “legally binding.” However, Lawyer Murat Metin Hakkı argued the verdict, which can be taken up under commercial law, can be executed against Turkey in EU member states.
Evaluating the court’s verdict for Kıbrıs, Hasipoğlu, who is also a member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiations team, pointed to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) for Greek Cypriot property claims.
He highlighted that the IPC was established as a result of a decision made by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and is regarded as a domestic legal remedy to resolve property claims. “In this regard, the Greek Cypriot court’s verdict is neither valid nor is legally binding both from the TRNC’s viewpoint and given the EU decisions,” Hasipoğlu said, adding that moreover, the Greek Cypriot court decisions are null and void from the Turkish Cypriot side’s legal perspective.
“What we need to do is to make sure that the IPC remains as an effective domestic remedy,” Hasipoğlu stressed, urging the Greek Cypriots to apply to the IPC. Hakkı, noting that he does not have any details on the case, on the other hand, expressed the belief that the Greek Cypriot court’s decision could be executed by the beneficiary against Turkey in the EU member states.
He reminded that the immunity on commercial assets for the execution of a court order under commercial law had been lifted in the 1970s, adding that Turkey in such a case, would have to make a defence to stop its execution. “These cases are generally about sovereignty and rulership rights,” Hakkı said, pointing out that Turkey is using its rights in North Cyprus independently.
Hakkı, expressing the belief that the case in South Cyprus was carried out in violation of international law, and without due process of law, noted that Turkey in the case of execution of the order, could use the undue process and other violations in its defence.
KEY ACTORS
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> GC court’s ruling is not legally binding.
>> GCs need to apply to IPC which is recognized by the ERHR as an effective domestic remedy.
Hakkı
>> Ruling can be taken up under commercial law & executed against Turkey in EU member states.
>> Case carried out in violation of international law without due process of law.
New Navtex for Oruç Reis in the Mediterranean
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy
OVERVIEW
A new Navtex (navigational telex) was issued for the Turkish seismic vessel Oruç Reis, which had anchored off the coast of, Antalya, to carry out seismic research in the area located between Antalya and the Turkish Cypriot coasts, it was reported on Friday.
The Navtex for the Oruç Reis will enter into effect on October 8 and will last until December 16. The Ataman and Cengiz Khan will continue to accompany the Turkish research vessel during its activities. Oruç Reis conducts various geological, geophysical, hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, especially of the continental shelf, while also searching for natural resources. It is capable of carrying out three-dimensional (3D) seismic research up to 8,000m depth and two-dimensional (2D) research up to 15,000m depth.