Cyprus dispute

Residents of Yeni Erenköy Village

complain about “Harassment”

Residents of Yeni Erenköy village [on the Karpaz peninsula] have complained that Greek Cypriots, encouraged by statements of the two leaders on property recognition rights under a settlement, are “harassing” them on a regular basis and telling them they will have to leave.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper under the headline: ‘Tension is escalating’, reported on Monday that inhabitants of the village claim that Greek Cypriots were visiting more often than before.

Some said the Greek Cypriots take pictures, enter houses and tell inhabitants: “This place is ours, you should leave. We are going to settle here.”

Other such reports have surfaced in recent weeks since President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci announced they had agreed to recognise the individual’s right to property under a settlement. This would apply to both the legal owners and the current users, they said. In addition the leaders said a property commission would be set up that would have criteria in place for compensation, return or exchange of property. The criteria are currently being discussed by the negotiators of both sides.

Anastasiades and Akinci have been criticised by their respective sides. Turkish Cypriots fear being ousted from Greek Cypriot properties, and Greek Cypriots have been irritated by the notion of any sort of recognition for ‘current users’ of their properties.

The community leader of Yeni Erenköy, Vahibe Ozkasirga, told Star Kibris the villagers are annoyed because Greek Cypriots were entering properties without permission.
She said she wished the Turkish Cypriot politicians “who are so keen to defend the rights of the Greek Cypriots could show the courage needed to defend the rights of their own people as well”.

The former mayor of the town, Ozay Oykun told the newspaper: “Those who say that the Greek Cypriots will have the first say on the property issue should deal with the problems of the residents who are experiencing these tensions.”

Source: Cyprus Mail