Independent candidate for the presidency of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides presented his proposals for refugee policy last night at an event in Nicosia with the massive participation of his refugee supporters.
It is an indisputable fact, said Mr Christodoulides in his speech, that over time there has not been equal support among the refugees and until the resolution of the Cyprus problem, he added, the state must respond in a fair way to the entire refugee world within the framework of its budgetary possibilities.
With regard to the Cyprus problem, he stressed that immediately after assuming office, if the people honour him with their vote, the first objective is the resumption of talks for the resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed UN framework and the principles and values of the EU.
To this end, and in consultation with the Greek government, a diplomatic initiative will be taken to engage the EU more actively and proactively by appointing a strong political figure of recognised standing from the European Council.
Christodoulides stressed the importance of linking the Euro-Turkish issues with the Cyprus problem, the resumption of talks and its resolution, so that Turkey realises that any progress in its relations with the EU and the benefits that can be derived are directly linked to the resolution of the Cyprus problem. Such potential benefits for Turkey are clearly much more and more important than the continuation of the current situation.
Elaborating on the refugee policy of his administration's programme, which Christodoulides said must be targeted, fair and effective until the blessed hour of reunification, he said it focuses on six policies and nine proposals.
More specifically, the six policies relate to Loss of Use of Occupied Properties, Repairs and Reconstruction of Refugee Settlements, Housing Plans, Modernization of the Management and Disposal of Turkish Cypriot Properties, Central Body for Equal Burden Sharing and Strengthening of Refugee Committees and Associations.
The proposals on refugee policy, among others, are. The plan shall be implemented gradually and within the framework of the state's budgetary and other possibilities,
[*]Study of the possibility of transferring and utilizing (in the first phase up to first-degree relatives) the building factor from the occupied properties for the construction of housing and/or commercial accommodation in the free areas,
[*]Accelerate procedures for the maintenance of buildings in refugee settlements,
[*]Preparation of a programme for a comprehensive approach to repairs, reconstruction and landscaping of refugee settlements by setting specific objectives and timetables,
[*]Review of criteria defining the terms and conditions for housing projects with a view to increasing the number of beneficiaries and increasing the financial assistance granted,
[*]Accelerate procedures in order to significantly reduce the waiting time between the submission of an application for housing assistance and the examination of the application,
[*]Introduce new legislative and regulatory arrangements in order to make the management of Turkish Cypriot properties a priority to address the needs of refugees in a meritocratic manner, full transparency and equality,
[*]Redesigning the role of the Central Body for Equal Burden Sharing based on current data, amending the regulations and criteria governing the granting of loans and interest rate subsidies and promoting new loan schemes,
[*]Providing targeted support to refugee committees and associations.
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In more detail, Nikos Christodoulides' proposals on refugee policy can be found on the website www.christodoulides2023.com/pylones/planitis/prosfygiki-politiki/
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