Cyprus-Forum.com

[Agios Amvrosios]

Britain warns citizens of risks in property deals in occupied Cyprus
2125:CYPPRESS:11
Britain warns citizens of risks in property deals in occupied Cyprus

by Êyriakos Tsioupras

London, Jun 7 (CNA)- The British government has already advised potential purchasers of property in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus that the non-recognition of the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime and the possibility of a future political settlement in Cyprus could have significant practical, financial and legal consequences, British Minister for Europe Douglas Alexander has said.

In a written reply to Labour MP Andrew Dismore who asked whether the British government would change its advice on the Foreign Office website to advise UK nationals against purchasing properties in occupied part of Cyprus, Alexander said that ''we strongly encourage potential buyers to seek independent, qualified legal advice and we also highlight the risk that purchasers could face legal proceedings in the courts of the Republic of Cyprus.''

I was aware of the warnings on the Foreign Office Website- but it appears that the have changed since I last visited the site-( I am sure that) six months ago the site did not warn citizens about "Legal Action"- it merely used to say "get independant advice" before buying property.

I am now more convicnced that any new proposal will be more focused on the refugee property issue.

[cannedmoose]

It will certainly have to take account of it far more seriously than did the Annan Plan...

[erolz]

I was aware of the warnings on the Foreign Office Website- but it appears that the have changed since I last visited the site-( I am sure that) six months ago the site did not warn citizens about "Legal Action"- it merely used to say "get independant advice" before buying property.

The advise has changed in light of changing events I would guess. It mentions the chance that a UK purchaser could face legal action in the RoC because such a case has occured (orams). The advice on the FO webiste is not a statement of the UK 'position' on Cyprus but an attempt to offer the best advice it can to UK citizens. The UK current positionm on Cyprus remains the same as far as I am aware. Namely that the international community should make efforts to end the isolation of the North and that continiued efforts for reuinifaction of the island should be sought under the auspices of the UN and in line with the principals of the Annan Plan.

More general info on the MP asking the question can be found here

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/andrew_dismore/hendon

He is a member of the Labour friends of Cyprus (and Labout freinds of Isreal - and recent had a paid trip to isreal on a 'fact finding' mission). His bio on his personal website ends with

"He has a keen interest in Greek history and culture and speaks Greek and French to a reasonable conversational level. "

He has asked several questions about Cyprus in the house. The full list can be found here

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?o ... &pid=10169