Statement by
the BRS
Stephen Day, Vice Chairman and
Colin Mulcahy, Government Liaison Officer of the British
Residents’ Society have had a meeting with the Presidency, which
has had responsibility for the handling of the Orams case. The
Society is pleased to have been given assurances that the
validity of all forms of title deeds will be honoured by the
TRNC. Whilst unable to give a blanket guarantee of compensation
in every case, should there be any further Greek Cypriot court
action, each case will be judged on its merits.
Further meetings with relevant
Ministries and Agencies will take place in this developing
situation to ensure that the interests of BRS members and the
wider expatriate community are represented and safeguarded to
the best of our ability.
We have been given to understand
that the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on the
status of the Immovable Property Commission is expected by the
summer and this is being viewed optimistically by the
Presidency.
Until it is known if the IPC is
recognised as a legitimate remedy in property disputes the BRS
suggests that no precipitous action is taken to divest property
or cancel agreed purchase agreements until the ruling of the
ECHR is given.
There are already 400 applications
with the IPC, 86 of which have been settled, and on affirmation
of its legality the IPC would become the legitimate and
practical way of resolving claims. The settlements would be
internationally recognized.
We urge all British Passport
holders with property in the TRNC to join the BRS in order to
increase the influence of the expatriate community and
strengthen its ability to protect their interests in the present
difficult circumstances.
Further statements will be issued
as the situation develops and details of further initiatives
that the BRS is developing will be given.
Morton Coles
Chairman BRS
27th January 2010
