|
 The money was ordered in compensation for Turkey's invasion of the
island 40 years ago.
The Mediterranean island has been split since 1974 - when Turkey
sent in troops after a brief Greek Cypriot coup staged by supporters
of unification with Greece. It comprises a southern Greek Cypriot
state recognized worldwide and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot entity in
the north recognized only by Ankara.
Davutoglu said Turkey, which is seeking to join the European Union
of which Cyprus is a member, sees no obligation to pay the
compensation to a country that it does not formally recognize.
"In terms of the grounds of this ruling, its method and the fact
that it is considering a country that Turkey does not recognize as a
counterparty, we see no necessity to make this payment," Davutoglu
told reporters.
"Yesterday's ECHR ruling consists of some legal contradictions and
therefore we don't see it as at all binding, in terms of payment,"
he said.
Cyprus brought the case to the Strasbourg-based ECHR 20 years ago,
demanding financial compensation over missing Greek Cypriots, the
property of displaced people and violations of other human rights.
The ECHR is responsible for adjudication of the European Convention
on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory via its membership
of the non-EU Council of Europe.
The court ruled largely in Nicosia's favor in 2001, but took more
than a decade to decide on the sum to be paid, a delay Ankara, whose
aspirations to join the European Union have long been frustrated by
the issue, says is aimed at undermining a fresh peace drive on the
island.
[to top of second column] |
"We think that this ruling has been the biggest blow to this
process. If a comprehensive solution is desired, then everyone
should be aware of their responsibilities. When looked at the
history of this problem, the timing of this case is meaningful,"
Davutoglu said.
The Cyprus question has defied a small army of mediators over the
years, amid disputes between estranged Greeks and Turks over
power-sharing arrangements and the claims of thousands of people
from both sides uprooted by the conflict.
A new round of peace talks resumed in February. U.S. Vice-President
Joe Biden is expected on the island on May 21-23 to try to spur on
the process, Cypriot official sources said.
(Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Writing by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by
Daren Butler/Jeremy Gaunt)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
