Erhürman: Cyprus Property Problem Cannot Be Solved Through Lawsuits

Turkish Cypriot politician Tufan Erhürman stated that the island's property problem cannot be resolved through legal cases. Erhürman's remarks came following the arrest of a Lithuanian real estate agent in France and the subsequent decision to extradite him to Southern Cyprus, based on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus. In a social media post, Erhürman claimed that the Greek Cypriot administration continues its efforts to turn legal property issues into a political tool. He emphasized that this incident has once again highlighted the complexity of the property issue, which is an inseparable part of the existing political problem on the island. According to Erhürman, mutual lawsuits or individual arrests absolutely do not serve to bring a final resolution to this multidimensional crisis.

Erhürman, noting that the property issue cannot be resolved through lawsuits filed by Greek Cypriots against Turkish Cypriots or vice versa, stated that this problem is fundamentally part of a larger political issue. In this context, he reminded that the scope of negotiations also addresses the property issue within a political framework. Furthermore, he drew attention to the existence of the "Immovable Property Commission" established in Northern Cyprus for the restitution, exchange, and compensation of properties. Erhürman claimed that instead of taking such constructive steps, the Greek Cypriot side uses legal means as an element of pressure. He stated that this approach further fuels the process in case of ongoing non-solution and undermines the search for a fair settlement.

In an official statement made by the "ministry of foreign affairs" of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the background of the incident was detailed. The statement claimed that the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus engages in unilateral actions to create a reality in its own favor and establish facts on the ground. While it was emphasized that property-related activities are carried out within the framework of the current "laws" of the TRNC, it was claimed that the Greek Cypriot administration exploits this issue for its own political interests. The statement also noted that such initiatives directly targeting individuals constitute an abuse of the European Arrest Warrant and Interpol mechanisms. Officials argued that such steps cast a shadow on the principle of the rule of law and further escalate tensions in the region.

Officials criticized treating property disputes as criminal matters despite the existence of internationally recognized institutions such as the "Immovable Property Commission". In this regard, it was stated that using international security mechanisms like the European Arrest Warrant and Interpol for this purpose demonstrates that the Greek Cypriot administration's priority is not to find a legal solution to the property issue. On the contrary, this approach was claimed to aim at turning the property problem into a tool for political and economic pressure. TRNC officials added that such unilateral steps increase legal uncertainty and directly threaten the economic stability, investment environment, and welfare level in the region. This situation is considered to seriously damage the climate of trust in the island's future negotiations and deepen the divide between the parties.

Meanwhile, Sıla Uşar İncirli, Leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), also evaluated the issue on social media. İncirli reminded that the property issue is one of the core topics of the Cyprus problem and an integral part of the negotiations conducted for a fair solution. She pointed out that the perception that a political problem can be solved through individual arrests and lawsuits is neither realistic nor fair. İncirli emphasized that the Greek Cypriot administration's insistence on taking property issues to criminal courts and its use of the European Arrest Warrant in this manner do not serve the delivery of justice. She noted that such moves do nothing but turn the law into a weapon and a tool to achieve political objectives, adding that the Cyprus issue can only be resolved through comprehensive and goodwill negotiations.