Hasipoğlu: Property Lawsuits Are Political, Greek Cypriots Obstruct IPC

Hasipoğlu, who also serves as UBP Secretary-General and represents Famagusta, stated that the property issue is escalating and claimed there is political consensus that the Greek Cypriot Administration’s actions are unjust and unlawful.

In a written statement, Hasipoğlu responded to criticisms made by Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman regarding the property issue during a session of the Republican Assembly's General Committee.

Hasipoğlu noted that while human rights are frequently discussed in meetings of the Council of Europe, the IPC is conspicuously omitted. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot Administration is blocking the commission’s activities and implementations, asserting that ensuring the IPC’s effectiveness depends on adequate funding.

He argued that the opposition CTP has no grounds to criticize the current government's handling of the IPC, highlighting that during the Ünal Üstel administration, £86 million was allocated to the IPC, compared to just £6 million during the previous four-party coalition government. “No other administration has prioritized the functioning of the IPC as much as this one,” Hasipoğlu stated.

Emphasizing that the IPC continues to issue compensation and faces no legal obstacles in its operations, Hasipoğlu added, “The Greek Cypriots are turning a political issue into a legal one and using it as a model for a settlement.”

Reiterating that the lawsuits are political, Hasipoğlu criticized the CTP’s support for a federal solution, saying, “CTP talks about federation, but we can’t even cooperate with our neighbours. How will we establish a federation? Will these arrests stop if we talk about federation? I highly doubt it.”

"More Crossing Points Needed, Not Closures"

Hasipoğlu emphasized the need to open more crossing points rather than closing existing ones. He suggested exploring cooperation opportunities between the two sides, such as establishing a joint energy plant in the buffer zone.

He also stated that the Greek Cypriot Administration is not acting sincerely and claimed they are attempting to undermine tourism and construction in the north.

Affirming that Turkish Cypriots will continue to operate within the framework of international law, Hasipoğlu said they plan to visit the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to advocate for the Turkish Cypriot cause. He concluded by asserting that it is the Greek Cypriot side that opposes cooperation and operates outside international legal norms.