POLITICIANS, lawyers and public figures in Cyprus, Turkey and the UK yesterday spoke out about the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling in the Apostolides-Orams case.
According to a CyBC source in London, the British Courts are now expected to adopt the ECJ ruling. First to report on the ruling in Britain was the BBC, while the Financial Times website said the decision was a blow to English expats living in the northern part of Cyprus.
But Greek Cypriot politicians, as well as Apostolides and his legal team, feel the Republic has been vindicated and the ECJ decision will put an end to the exploitation and theft of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas.
Apostolides said the ruling had great significance when it came to the properties’ chapter in the direct negotiations.
Speaking to Greek radio station in London LGR, Apostolides said it would be extremely difficult for the British Appeal Court to reject the ECJ ruling.
“I feel especially satisfied with the response given by the court,” he said. “I think the ruling is of greater significance for the island and the property issue in general. We will now have the continuation, where we will see how the English appeal court will handle these responses.”
Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the decision would have a direct effect on negotiations, during which international and European justice should be taken into serious consideration when discussing the properties issue.
Regarding the possibility of the British Appeals Court overturning the ruling, Stefanou was of the view that no court would ignore a ruling by the highest judicial body of the EU.
“On one hand we are holding onto this legal triumph, we will use it in our political battle, but unfortunately, court rulings alone can’t resolve the Cyprus problem,” he said. “I don’t think there is any court or appeals court in any European country that would ignore a ruling by the highest judicial body of the European Union, and I think this is also one reason why it has upset many people, especially in the UK apart from Turkey and the pseudostate, because there are a large number of British nationals that embezzle Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas and who now clearly see that they have been breaking the law.”
Asked yesterday how the ruling would change the situation in Cyprus, DISY vice president and MP Ionas Nicolaou said the decision was of great importance to Greek Cypriots who own properties in the occupied areas.
“It has important political and legal ramifications. It is possible that this decision will discourage the continuing exploitation and embezzlement of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas; because prospective buyers will think twice and thrice before deciding to buy Greek Cypriot properties, having in mind how effectively Greek Cypriots’ property rights are being protected.”
Nicolaou added: “This decision is also important because for the first time the European Court of Justice confirms the principles and the values of the European Union and the acquis communautaire, which protects the rights of Greek Cypriot property owners in the occupied areas.”
This decision is also important in regards to negotiations for the property issue, said Nicolaou, as it reinforces the right to have the properties returned to their legal owners. “I would say it strengthens our position for the return of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas to their owners,” he said.
