EU Diplomats Reject Greek Cypriot Concerns over UN Plan

Strategic Insights -

European Union diplomats involved in negotiating a settlement for the divided island of Cyprus have dismissed concerns raised by Greek Cypriot leaders over the United Nations (UN) plan to unify the country. The Greek Cypriot leaders, led by Tassos Papadopoulos, have expressed fears that the plan would amount to "ethnic cleansing" due to restrictions placed on Greek Cypriots wishing to buy property or reside in Turkish Cypriot areas. However, EU diplomats argue that these measures are temporary and necessary to build trust between the two communities, which have been divided for 34 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN plan restricts Greek Cypriots from buying property in Turkish Cypriot areas for up to 15 years, with the aim of preventing wealthier Greek Cypriots from snapping up properties.
  • The restriction is based on financial concerns, with Turkish Cypriots fearing that property prices will surge if Greek Cypriots buy up available properties.
  • Citizens from both communities will face restrictions on moving into each other's constituent states for a transitional period of up to 19 years.
  • After 19 years, either constituent state may take safeguard measures to ensure that at least two-thirds of its Cypriot permanent residents speak its official language as their mother tongue.
  • Greek and Turkish citizens will face restrictions too, with the number of resident Greek or Turkish nationals on the island capped at 5 per cent of the number of resident Cypriot citizens who hold the internal constituent state citizenship and who are not dual nationals.
  • Gunter Verheugen, EU enlargement commissioner, emphasized that there is no permanent prohibition against acquiring property as such, but any Greek Cypriot wanting to acquire property must seek permission.

Statistics:

  • The UN plan restricts Greek Cypriots from buying property in Turkish Cypriot areas for up to 15 years.
  • Citizens from both communities face restrictions on moving into each other's constituent states for a transitional period of up to 19 years.
  • The number of resident Greek or Turkish nationals on the island is capped at 5 per cent of the number of resident Cypriot citizens who hold the internal constituent state citizenship and who are not dual nationals.
  • The restrictions are intended to be temporary, with the aim of building trust between the two communities.

Sources:

  • "The Statesman's Yearbook" ( SO Bruce, 2005)
  • European Voice
  • The Cyprus Times
  • EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen
  • Tassos Papadopoulos, Greek Cypriot leader