President Ersin Tatar has made a statement regarding the ongoing activities of the Immovable Property Commission (TMK), underscoring its role as an effective domestic legal remedy for property claims in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Tatar referenced the 2010 Demopoulos decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which recognized the TMK as a valid mechanism for handling property claims related to Greek Cypriot properties left in the TRNC.

According to Tatar, the TMK has concluded 1,840 applications to date, with compensation awarded in 1,161 cases. Additionally, restitution was granted in 15 applications, exchange and compensation in two, and exchange in one case. Tatar also noted that 10 applications have been resolved through agreements within the scope of Law No. 13/2008.

He shared that in 2024 alone, the TMK resolved 112 applications and made payments on nearly 200 compensation decisions. The payments for all applications concluded by the end of 2020 have been completed, and future payments will continue at the same pace.

Tatar also highlighted a significant case under the “Xenides-Arestis Group” from the pre-Demopoulos period, where a Greek Cypriot applicant sought a solution before the TMK. The application was recently concluded, and the compensation awarded was the second-largest payment made by the TMK to date. This case demonstrates the TMK's effectiveness, leading the applicant to request the termination of its supervision by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Tatar emphasized that the TMK is a key element of the TRNC's property system, compliant with international law. He assured that efforts would continue to enhance the TMK's work, with support from Turkey, to ensure its continued effectiveness.

Source: Kıbrıs Gazetesi