Turkey says top EU court's Cyprus ruling may hurt talks

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

The European Court of Justice on Wednesday backed a man's attempt to reclaim land he abandoned in northern Cyprus when the Turkish military intervened on the island in 1974, following a Greek-inspired coup. 

The ruling could encourage Greek Cypriots to take legal action against foreigners living in disputed properties in northern Cyprus.

"This ruling contradicts the parameters of the negotiation process and constitutes a clear example of the Greek Cypriot administration's misuse of its unjustly acquired membership to the European Union," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"An appropriate response regarding the ruling, which could undermine the comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of Cyprus, is being jointly evaluated with the authorities in northern Cyprus."

The leaders of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities launched peace talks last year aimed at reunifying the island.