Renewing Refugee Policy in Cyprus

Fifty-one years after the Turkish invasion, the refugee issue in Cyprus remains stagnant, with state management characterized by a lack of overall planning and delays.

The State is called upon to take initiatives with a holistic approach, based on respect for and the assertion of the rights of refugees. Refugees are not second-class citizens but active members of society who deserve equal access to social rights.

The current institutional framework is considered outdated and unfair, making access to the real estate market and housing difficult. It is proposed to modernize the institutional framework by transferring the building coefficient from the occupied territories to the free ones as an innovative measure.

In addition, it is proposed to integrate modern technological tools and utilize European funding instruments for the restoration of property rights. The DISY's legislative proposals to compensate for the loss of property use aim for a more effective policy.

The refugee issue requires strategic political will and institutional support, transforming refugee policy into a long-term strategic plan.

X.Κυριάκου, Member of P.G. DISY and President of the Association of Property Valuers of Cyprus.