Why is the ‘Property Issue’ so complex in North Cyprus?
The ‘property issue’ in Cyprus – North and South – is complex and highly sensitive. The international community recognises that a political settlement must be resolved and that this will involve compromise on both sides. Sadly, in 2004 the Turkish Cypriot North voted for the Annan Plan while the Greek-Cypriot South overwhelmingly rejected it. With this level of political sensitivity it will come as no surprise to you that there are dedicated Greek–Cypriot political activists who have staged, or plan to stage, a series of legal claims against foreign property owners in the North. They believe that the TRNC cannot grant lawful titles on properties which belonged to Greek Cypriots before 1974. Further they think that as the South, the ‘Republic of Cyprus’, is now a member of the EU, court orders can be enforced in a member state even if they have no legal validity in the North. As there are 7,000 British residents in North Cyprus, all with EU rights, the activists are targeting the UK pre
