Uproar over Mackenzie beach properties

A group claiming to be the owners of Turkish Cypriot properties on Mackenzie beach, Larnaca on Monday expressed frustration with the interior ministry over being excluded from processes to sign new contracts.

The situation has been chaotic, without proper regulations for Greek Cypriots displaced by the Turkish invasion who were using these properties which were rented out for ludicrously low amounts by the interior ministry.

Last year it had emerged thatsome of the refugee tenants, were paying €500 yearly rent, while they were subletting for €4,000 a month.

Since then, the ministry had taken steps to try and correct the measures, with a plan last year to strike deals with the subletters of the properties.

However, in their statement on Monday, the group claiming to be the owners of the properties said they were outraged at the lack of information and consultation on the signing of new agreements.

“Despite the fact that we are the actual beneficiaries of these properties and have been patiently awaiting the signing of new agreements since 2017, we have not received any formal invitation to participate in negotiations or to sign new agreements. On the contrary, we have been following with concern the media reports referring to the ministry’s plans to sign new agreements with persons who, in some cases, may have no refugee status at all,” the group said.

They said that it is “unthinkable” for the ministry to sideline them, as they have already been uprooted and invested money in the properties.

“We now face the possibility of becoming refugees for a second time,” the group said.

They called on the ministry to proceed forward with their plans for the area with transparent procedures, open dialogue, and respect for the beneficiaries of the Turkish Cypriot properties.

“Our tolerance has limits, and if we do not receive the necessary guarantees and assurances from the state, we will not hesitate to take any legal means to protect our rights,” the group said.

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, also the custodian of Turkish Cypriot properties, presented the proposal last year. The action plan also included signing lease contracts with businessmen who are active and have invested capital to develop real estate, putting an end to distortions and dubious financial transactions.

The Turkish Cypriot property guardian, the interior ministry, will seek to sign new lease contracts with three displaced businessmen, who are active in the area and did not violate terms of previous contracts with the local authorities.

Meanwhile, another three empty plots on the beach out of the 17 will be put up for public tender at 100 per cent of the market value. Priority will be given to refugees.