Property applications of Greek Cyprus soar

ISTANBUL - Radikal

Greek Cyprus’ President Anastasiades sworn in yesterday in Nicosia. AP photo

The number of applications to the Immovable Property Commission in Turkish Cyprus increased considerably this year due to economic hardship. The commission received some 164 applications in January, according to Güngör Gürkan, the head of the commission. But the total number of applications in 2013 is expected to pass 6,000 by the end of the year as Greek Cypriots who want to compensate their immovable properties in the Turkish Cyprus struggle against hard economic conditions.

The Commission, founded in 2005, has received some 4,531 applications in total up until now and almost 290 million Turkish Liras of compensation has been paid to applicants. Gürkan said that this is equal to 13 percent of the total properties in the Turkish side belonging to Greek Cypriots. According to Gürkan, this is a positive development that will contribute to a solution on the island.

In its early years the Immovable Property Commission was described as an illegal entity by the Greek Cyprus administration, who warned Greek Cypriots not to apply there. But the recognition of the commission by the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) in March 2010 changed this situation and increased the number of applications. A landmark March 2010 ruling from the ECHR recognized the existence of an official institution of Turkish Cyprus for the first time.

The commission which examines claims for restitution, compensation and exchange, is composed of seven judges.