By George Karoullas:
In the most substantial way, the government is trying to redesign the state's refugee policy, taking into account the real loss of property left by the Turkish invasion and the current real needs of the refugees, who continue to live for forty-three years away from their ancestral homes. The attempt to put the refugee policy chapter on a new, more upgraded footing should be seen as cross-party and far from expedient.
Starting from the basic principle that the current needs of refugees are different from those they had in 1974 and certainly from those taken into account for the formulation of refugee policy years ago and that the occupation continues the refugee must receive the minimum return for loss of use for his inaccessible property. The most important thing, however, is that through the elaboration of the new formula that will be proposed, it is possible to address distortions and injustices.
The aim is to return to the refugee annual financial or other compensation based on the value of the loss of use of his / her total property in the occupied territories. The amount of compensation to date should be calculated, as well as how the compensation will be calculated in the future. In order to achieve this goal, there is a need for cooperation with the Equal Weight Distribution Agency, which is known to have conducted research, in collaboration with the University of Cyprus, on the cost of invasion and occupation. It is also important to complete the Refugee Register, the completion of which is already at a very advanced stage, to function as a reference.
In the discussion and study that is being carried out for the preparation of a relevant formula, the issue should be faced holistically. Our compatriots who experience the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation every day, have every reason to be entitled to the support of the state. For refugees, the black summer of 1974 is not just a station or a political reference point for our national problem. For refugees it is a real disaster they have been trying to deal with for decades. That is why the political forces must collectively support the government's efforts and plan for the benefit of the refugees.
With the support of the refugees, we send the message that we do not accept the accomplishments of the Turkish invasion. We recognize the refugee's anguish, injustice and distrust. We support the refugees to endure and keep the flame of return and the quality of life burning until the solution of the Cyprus problem. Any support and assistance to refugees is temporary and certainly not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to find a viable, fair and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, which will allow the refugees to return to the land where they were born. Only then will we feel justified in our efforts, honoring those refugees who have passed away, with the vision of return unfulfilled. With this proposal we aim at the restoration - even to a minimum - of what the refugee has been missing for 43 years.
George Karoullas
Member of Parliament for DISY Famagusta