Send to a friend

News

Cyprus concerns deepen - 28 November 2006

After last week’s EU censure for Turkey over the ongoing political conflict with Greece over the disputed northern half of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot authorities have enacted a law restricting property sale and development in North Cyprus. Now the Turkish Cypriot side has threatened retaliation, as the two sides seems further away from a diplomatic agreement than ever.

Under the law, which carries a prison sentence of seven years, is will be illegal to build on land which was the property of Greek Cypriots before the 1974 invasion. It will also be illegal to buy, sell or even live in property built on this land.

Justice and Public Order minister Sofoklis Sofokleous stated that the law would be enforced as and when the offenders crossed into the southern part of the island, and put on trial in a Greek Cypriot court.

On Sunday last week, a Russian couple were arrested upon crossing into the southern part of the island having just bought a property in an ‘occupied’ area to the north. The case is ongoing, but the couple are facing the prospect of a custodial sentence.

Turkish Cypriot ‘Prime Minister’ Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the move showed ill-intent, and that they would have no option but to retaliate. The Cyprus Mail today reported that the move could lead to the closure of crossing points to the south of the island, as anxiety over crossing into the Greek Cypriot part of the island grew.

The law comes against a backdrop of increasing tension in the area following the court case in London involving Mr and Mrs Orams, a British couple who bought in northern Cyprus, and a Greek Cypriot man claiming to be the rightful owner of the land. Under the new ruling, Mr and Mrs Orams would face arrest if they crossed into the southern half of the island.

The news will come as a blow to the thousands of British families who have taken advantage of the lower property prices in the disputed part of the island. They will have hoped the Orams’ successful trip to the High Court signalled the beginning of the end to the disputes over their properties.

Tensions on the island have been rising since the 2004 rejection of the Annan peace proposal by Greek Cypriots in a referendum designed to stabilize the political situation since the 1974 split of the island following the Turkish invasion.

 

Related Articles


Browse our articles written by leading industry experts:

Overseas Property Buying Guides

UK Property Guides

Gardens and Interiors

Cosmetic Surgery Fact Sheets

Looking Good Guides

Money

Business

Community

Travel