The President of the Immovable Property Commission (TMK), Növber Ferit Veçhi, announced that as of September 13, 2024, a total of 7,734 applications have been made to the Commission, with 1,840 cases concluded. The TMK has awarded £467 million in compensation to applicants so far.

In a statement to the Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK), Veçhi explained that the TMK is responsible for evaluating claims related to movable and immovable properties in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The commission is authorized to make binding decisions regarding the return, exchange, or compensation for these properties.

Veçhi noted that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recognized the TMK as an effective domestic remedy for property claims concerning Greek Cypriot properties in the North in the Demopoulos and Others case, dated March 1, 2010. Following this decision, many Greek Cypriot applications to the ECHR were redirected to the TMK.

Ongoing Applications and Compensation Payments

As of now, 5,894 applications are still in progress, with 3,739 awaiting opinions and 2,215 requiring additional documents from applicants. The TMK holds weekly meetings to review and finalize cases, and since October 2021, 432 files have been resolved.

Veçhi emphasized that the Ministry of Finance is responsible for disbursing compensation. As of now, 297 million pounds have been paid to applicants from 1,161 resolved cases. Payments are ongoing and being processed promptly.

Effectiveness of the TMK Recognized by the ECHR

The ECHR has accepted the decisions of the TMK as valid, further reinforcing the commission's credibility. Veçhi shared that 26 Greek Cypriots, who initially applied to the ECHR claiming violations of property rights, withdrew their applications after receiving compensation through the TMK, resulting in their cases being removed from the ECHR’s records.

The TMK was established in December 2005 under the Immovable Property Law No. 67/2005, following the Xenides-Arestis v. Turkey case. Since its establishment, the TMK has been recognized as an effective solution for property claims in the TRNC.

Source: KTIMB