Turks Taking Over Greek Cypriot Properties

The newspaper “Fileleftheros” reveals evidence of the Turkification of Greek Cypriot properties, in the occupied part of the island. It is indicated that this is a systematic and well-organized effort from Turkey, in order to create new facts on the ground.

Using the “real estate commission,” set up by the Turkish government on the recommendation of the European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR) , the Turkish side is developing its plan.

The ECHR imposed the creation of a domestic remedy on Turkey, which could offer an effective treatment to Greek Cypriot property owners, in the occupied territories. However, Turkey is trying to “legitimize” other activities relating to Greek Cypriot properties. One of which is the payment of compensation to Greek Cypriots and the acquisition of their property. That is how Turkey turned the compensation for loss of use of property, into acquisition of property.

So far, through this process, they have managed to Turkify almost 12 square kilometers of Greek Cypriot land. This number seems small , since it stands at just 0.6 % of total  property in the occupied part. However, this has created a basis which differentiates even more of the data on the issue of land.

Turkey and the occupation regime in Cyprus are making a typical effort to Turkify the specific areas that are expected to bring great economic benefits.