Turkey, TRNC in full harmony over property issues in Cyprus peace talks

Meeting with President Abdullah Gul in Ankara earlier this week at a mini Cyprus summit to discuss recent developments in Cyprus peace talks, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Dervis Eroglu yesterday said TRNC is in full accord with Turkey over property issues, currently the main discussion topic of talks between Eroglu and Greek Cypriot administration leader Demetris Christofias as part of the ongoing comprehensive negotiations to find a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue. Expressing satisfaction with the summit in Ankara, Eroglu said his Turkish counterpart Gul showed great interest in property issues in Cyprus peace talks at the summit, which showed that Turkey and Turkish Cypriots share identical views over property issues. Property-related issues are considered to be the most difficult issue in the divided island. The Property Compensation Commission established by the TRNChas so far paid nearly TL 108 million in compensations to Greek Cypriots who laid claims to some properties in the TRNC. Working like a court, the commission gives exchange, return or compensation rulings on properties abandoned by Greek Cypriots in the northern side of the divided island before Turkey's 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.