Legal Aspects Of The Cyprus Problem

The book is an ideal choice for practitioners and researchers because it combines first hand information on the most recent developments on Cyprus with legal evaluations from an international official trained in international and European law.

In today's world, the issue of Cyprus is notable for all the wrong reasons: because of the duration of the divisions in Cyprus itself between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots (formalized since 1983 by a disputed international border across the island); because of the involvement of Greece and Turkey, for which the "hyphenated" Cypriot communities form proxy battalions; and because of the failure of the United Nations' longstanding efforts to resolve the conflict. Much of the discussion in the book revolves around the difficulty of producing viable constitutional and civic arrangements in an.

The island of Cyprus has been the scene of one of the most tragic conflicts in post-war Europe. A country with a long and rich tradition and much to contribute to all of the cultures of the Mediterranean, Cyprus has been torn apart almost since the day of its independence. Since 197, more than a third of the island has been occupied by Turkey. Attempts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict has come and gone but the status quo, branded as unacceptable by the United Nations, has remained. Why this is so has already been the subject of many studies. Few, however, have analysed in any detail the position of Cyprus in international law. Yet an understanding of how the rule of law in international society applies to Cyprus is essential to a proper understanding of the Cyprus question. In his new book, Dr Chrysostomides offers just such an analysis, examining with great care the constitutional history of the Republic of Cyprus, the legal principles applicable to the Turkish invasion of 10974 and subsequent occupation and the substantial body of case law and State practice regarding Cyprus since that date. He discusses the competing legal arguments concerning the application of the Republic of Cyprus to join the European Union, the controversial decisions of the European Court and commission of Human Rights, and the debates regarding the status of the occupied northern part of Cyprus. His conclusion is that the Republic of Cyprus has had a continuous existence as a State – and as the only State on the island of Cyprus – since 1960, notwithstanding all of the violations of international law to which it has been subjected. From the Foreword by Christopher Greenwood, QC

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this very useful analysis of constitutional law in Cyprus provides essential information on the country’s sources of constitutional law, its form of government, and its administrative structure. Lawyers who handle transnational matters will appreciate the clarifications of particular terminology and its application. Throughout the book, the treatment emphasizes the specific points at which constitutional law affects the interpretation of legal rules and procedure. Thorough coverage by a local expert fully describes the political system, the historical background, the role of treaties, legislation, jurisprudence, and administrative regulations. The discussion of the form and structure of government outlines its legal status, the jurisdiction and workings of the central state organs, the subdivisions of the state, its decentralized authorities, and concepts of citizenship. Special issues include the legal position of aliens, foreign relations, taxing and spending powers, emergency laws, the power of the military, and the constitutional relationship between church and state. Details are presented in such a way that readers who are unfamiliar with specific terms and concepts in varying contexts will fully grasp their meaning and significance. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this book a valuable time-saving tool for both practising and academic jurists. Lawyers representing parties with interests in Cyprus will welcome this guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative constitutional law.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of several aspects of the property issue in the Cyprus conflict (historical, legal, political and financial) and proposes a number of win-win solutions to this complicated issue. The Cyprus problem is one of the longest frozen conflicts in the world. Many books feature the Cyprus problem in general, but there are only a few commentaries on the property issue, i.e. what will be the fate of about 500,000 acres of private land left by Greek Cypriots in the north and about 140,000 acres of private land left by the Turkish Cypriots in the south in the event of a political settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Although largely unremarked by those outside Cyprus, the property issue is probably the thorniest and most complicated one in the negotiations and at the same time the key to the solution of this long lasting conflict. It affects a very large percentage of the population and has enormous political, legal, financial and social implications. It has become even more difficult and complicated because of the passing of 44 years since the forceful division of Cyprus as a result of the Turkish invasion and the consolidation of its consequences on the ground. The negotiations between the leaders of the two sides in Cyprus have reached a stalemate as a result of the deadlock in the Crans Montana Conference which was conducted in the presence of the UN Secretary General. A new round of talks will hopefully start after the June 2018 general elections in Turkey. The book could be a useful tool in the hands of all parties involved or interested in the negotiations, including the United Nations Good Offices Mission and the European Union representatives. The book, however, is expected to remain a useful reference book for the future, whether the talks succeed or fail. It can be also of interest to a wider audience, including academics, politicians and policy makers, mediators, the law society, property professionals, post-graduate students doing research on international conflict politics and ordinary people in Cyprus and elsewhere interested in the Cyprus problem or with a personal interest as dispossessed owners or secondary users. The author's interest in this topic is due to his involvement, initially as a member and later as the head of the Greek Cypriot group on property in the intercommunal talks from April 2008 until February 2012, as well as a member of the group between April 2014 and August 2015. His experience with this issue has led him to the strong belief that, although property is a complex issue, an agreement on it between the two sides is possible, provided that both will demonstrate the necessary political will, but also if practical common sense and technocratic approaches are applied. It is the author's view that the leaders/ negotiators should confine themselves to the target of reaching a strategic agreement on the core issues. The involvement of technocrats is necessary both in the stage of the discussion of the core issues in advising on several alternative scenarios and also after such a strategic agreement is reached, in working on the legal and technical details required for adding flesh to the bones. Another important task of the technocrats should be to propose win-win ideas. Bits and pieces of such ideas can be found in the proposals of both sides and in other ideas that have been proposed from time to time and in several studies and articles of experts on the property issue. The author himself proposes several innovative ideas which could be for the benefit of both parties in the conflict.

An examination, from the Turkish viewpoint, of the recent history of Cyprus and the legal issues raised in connection with developments that took place there after 1963. The author also discusses events of the 1980s with details of political negotiations up to the early months of 1988.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this convenient resource provides systematic information on how Cyprus deals with the role religion plays or can play in society, the legal status of religious communities and institutions, and the legal interaction among religion, culture, education, and media. After a general introduction describing the social and historical background, the book goes on to explain the legal framework in which religion is approached. Coverage proceeds from the principle of religious freedom through the rights and contractual obligations of religious communities; international, transnational, and regional law effects; and the legal parameters affecting the influence of religion in politics and public life. Also covered are legal positions on religion in such specific fields as church financing, labour and employment, and matrimonial and family law. A clear and comprehensive overview of relevant legislation and legal doctrine make the book an invaluable reference source and very useful guide. Succinct and practical, this book will prove to be of great value to practitioners in the myriad instances where a law-related religious interest arises in Cyprus. Academics and researchers will appreciate its value as a thorough but concise treatment of the legal aspects of diversity and multiculturalism in which religion plays such an important part.