President Ersin Tatar has welcomed the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) ruling in the K.V. Mediterranean Tours Limited v. Türkiye case, saying it once again confirms the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) as an effective domestic legal remedy.
Speaking to the Turkish News Agency (TAK), Tatar stated, “The IPC exists, it functions, and it produces solutions.”
He emphasised that the ruling is more than a legal judgment—it is also a political message that a solution cannot be achieved by ignoring or isolating the Turkish Cypriot side. Tatar highlighted that the ECHR’s recognition of compensation and property exchange as valid alternatives undermines the Greek Cypriot narrative of “absolute return” as a right.
Tatar noted that the decision affirms the long-established legitimacy of the IPC and called it an opportunity to improve the Commission’s speed, transparency, and efficiency. He also drew attention to the ECHR’s acknowledgment of the Vakıflar Administration’s involvement in historical property claims—especially in Maraş—as consistent with fair trial principles.
The Court’s acceptance of TRNC High Administrative Court judges as impartial was described by Tatar as international validation of the judiciary’s independence.
Accusing the Greek Cypriot leadership of using international law as a political weapon for decades, Tatar said this ruling exposes the failure of those tactics.
Calling for national unity, he concluded: “This decision proves that our strongest response lies in our institutions. A self-sufficient Turkish Cypriot people is what the Greek Cypriot leadership fears most—but we will persevere and continue to build our future.”brt
