Turkey won’t pay compensation to Cyprus

In this file photo dated July 25, 1974, Turkish troops in position on the frontline at the Nicosia Airport, Cyprus. Picture: Max Nash, FILE

In this file photo dated July 25, 1974, Turkish troops in position on the frontline at the Nicosia Airport, Cyprus. Picture: Max Nash, FILE

Published May 13, 2014

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Istanbul - Turkey has no plans to pay 90 million euros ($124 million) to Cyprus as ordered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday.

The money was ordered in compensation for Turkey's invasion of the island 40 years ago.

The Mediterranean island has been split since 1974 - when Turkey sent in troops after a brief Greek Cypriot coup staged by supporters of unification with Greece - between a southern Greek Cypriot state recognised worldwide and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot entity in the north recognised only by Ankara.

Davutoglu said Turkey, which is seeking to join the European Union of which Cyprus is a member, sees no obligation to pay the compensation to a country that it does not formally recognise. - Reuters

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