TRNC Construction President Warns: Arrest Against Turkish Cypriots Could Spark Serious War.
Cafer Gürcafer, President of the Cyprus Turkish Construction Contractors Association (KTİMB), made significant remarks during a program covered by Politis Newspaper regarding the list of construction company owners and investors in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus targeted by the Greeks.
Gürcafer revealed that an independent team was formed to monitor those arrested for unauthorized construction on Greek Cypriot properties in the north, but lamented the lack of a state mechanism to track developments closely. He criticized the Immovable Property Commission (TMK), established by the European Court of Human Rights in 2004, for its inadequate functioning.
“Wrong policies will have economic consequences”
Gürcafer accused Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides of leveraging the situation for political gain rather than seeking a resolution. He stressed that politics and economics are intertwined, warning that misguided policies will have negative economic repercussions. He also stresses the importance of re-establishing negotiations, cautioning that demands for TRNC recognition would harm the economy and lead to further arrests by the Greek Cypriot side, particularly affecting tourism.
Call to Tatar: International talks must begin as soon as possible
Gürcafer urged President Ersin Tatar to commence international talks promptly, warning that failing to do so would exacerbate the crisis. He criticized the Greek side’s arrests based on international agreements as unjust.
“Economic stability cannot be achieved without solving the Cyprus problem”
He warned that continued Greek pressure would escalate political and economic challenges. Gürcafer mentioned plans for protests in England in September, potentially extending to Brussels, and emphasized constant communication with EU officials, asserting that economic stability hinges on resolving the Cyprus issue.
It could be a cause for war
He further cautioned that if arrests extended to Turkish Cypriots, it could lead to serious conflict, and stressed that failing to negotiate could result in missed opportunities.
