It has been pointed out by the TRNC Presidency that, while trying to solve the property problems of the Greek Cypriots before a settlement is reached, the Greek Cypriot administration sees no harm in postponing the equivalent rights of the Turkish Cypriots to a time after a settlement is reached. It has also been underlined that the only way that will best serve the interests of two peoples is to solve the property issue via a comprehensive settlement.

Stating that the Archbishop of the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church Chrisostomos II has been spending efforts to transform the Cyprus problem into a war of religions, the Presidency added that it is quite risky to define the Cyprus problem in terms of religion.

Referring to the contacts Chrisostomos has made last week in Europe, Presidential Spokesman Mr. Hasan Ercakica stressed, during the weekly press briefing that, the new front the Archbishop has been trying to create by humiliating the Turkish Cypriots and making complaints about them to the leaders of Christianity will have a negative impact on the relations of the two peoples in Cyprus and complicate the settlement of the problem.

Giving examples, Mr. Ercakica said that Chrisostomos has been provoking the Orthodox Greek Cypriots against the Turkish Cypriots by manipulating their religious beliefs.

Pointing out to the efforts of Archbishop II, who strived to convey the stance of the Greek Cypriots during his visit to Rome and was praised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lillikas, Mr. Ercakica said the fact that Chrisostomos, who criticizes the alleged plundering of antiquities in Northern Cyprus, took a 17^th century icon with him during his visit to Vatican - without obtaining the necessary permission - to be given as a present to the Pope, has been criticized by his own community as well.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot Administration has been following a policy of double standard concerning the property issue as well as all the other parameters of the Cyprus problem, Presidential Spokesman Mr. Hasan Ercakica said:

“The Greek Cypriot side, who defend that the Greek Cypriot properties in the north must immediately be returned to their owners, has been presenting a new kind of fait accompli everyday for the Turkish Cypriot properties in the south. The decision of the Greek Cypriot High Court, which adopts that the Turkish Cypriots do not have the right to use their properties in the south and they are banned from exercising this right of theirs until a solution is reached, is a decision that should definitely be taken into consideration by the whole world”.

Indicating that the Greek Cypriot side has announced its decision enabling the Greek Cypriots in possession of Turkish Cypriot properties in the south, to use the said properties more effectively or to assign them, Ercakica said “Among the rights provided for them, there is also the right to assign or to mortgage the properties. All these developments prove once again that the issue of property is one of the basic elements of the Cyprus problem. Finding a lasting solution for the property issue is only possible via a final settlement between the two sides”.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side has been doing its best for a settlement Presidential Spokesman Mr.Ercakica also pointed out that in return, the Greek Cypriot

Side has been manipulating the property issue and sees no harm in postponing the rights of the Turkish Cypriots at a time after a solution is reached while they seek ways to solve the problems of the Greek Cypriots before a settlement is reached.

Ercakica said, “The only way to serve the interests of both peoples on the island is to solve the property issue via a comprehensive settlement. The Turkish Cypriot side is of this view and will carry on working to that end”.

Presidential Spokesman Mr. Hasan Ercakica stated that upgrading of the observer status of Nicosia, Famagusta and Kyrenia municipalities to an active member status in Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities 11^th General Conference is “a positive development” and that they deem it as an important step towards the efforts to lift the isolations.

Stating that granting of the active membership to three Turkish Cypriot municipalities upon the demand of Ankara Municipality, is a positive development Ercakica added that “We consider this as an important step towards our efforts to lift the isolations and greatly welcome it”.