Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

Cyprus talks to continue in wake of ECJ property rights ruling

14th May 2009, Martin Banks

The president of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has stressed that direct negotiations between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on the Cyprus 'problem' will continue.

This comes in the wake of the recent landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice which, in effect, means that thousands of people with holiday and retirement homes in northern Cyprus could be forced to return their properties to Greek Cypriots or pay compensation.

Speaking after the latest round of talks between the leaders of the two communities, Christofias said both are determined to continue negotiations and solve the Cyprus problem.

He said discussions on the thorny issue of property rights would continue, adding that the ECJ ruling had "reaffirmed" the position of the Greek Cypriot side.

He confirmed that the issue was among the matters discussed with Talat.

Thousands of Greek Cypriots were forced out of northern Cyprus when Turkish troops intervened in 1974 to prevent the island from being united with mainland Greece.

The ECJ ruling centered on the case of a British couple, Linda and David Orams who had lost a long legal battle against Meletios Apostolides, who owns the land their holiday home stands on.

The judges said that British courts must enforce the judicial decisions made in Cyprus which uphold the property rights of Greek Cypriots who were forced out of the northern half of the island.

The decision gives the green light to demolition orders and compensation claims against some 4000 British property owners in northern Cyprus.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with an aim to reunite the island, divided since the 1974 invasion.

“We are determined to continue the process of talks because we aim at solving the problem," stressed Chrisofias.

http://www.theparliament.com/latestnews ... ts-ruling/

Onwards ...

[paliometoxo]

they should sit at the table for as long as it takes until each part is decided on none of this lets talk for 5 minutes crap and deciding to put everything on hold until next meeting in 500 years. they are going slowww

[Viewpoint]

they should sit at the table for as long as it takes until each part is decided on none of this lets talk for 5 minutes crap and deciding to put everything on hold until next meeting in 500 years. they are going slowww

This is what you side demands no time tables...at this rate these talks could on for another 500 years.

[boulio]

its called being thourogh and trying to cover all points of a agreed solution.Your not ordering a pizza.

[Oracle]

The reason I posted this was because the Orams have been told (by Turks) to suggest the ECJ ruling will hinder negotiations for re-unification" ... Obviously they are hoping such a threat to us will release them from their crime.

Well, clearly it won't because ...

"... the ECJ ruling had "reaffirmed" the position of the Greek Cypriot side."

If anything it speeds up matters as the GC refugees finally regain some control over their properties ...

"The decision gives the green light to demolition orders and compensation claims against some 4000 British property owners in northern Cyprus."

So, the President can concentrate on removing the Turks ...

“We are determined to continue the process of talks because we aim at solving the problem."