EU court’s Cyprus ruling may hurt talks-Turkey

A ruling by the European Union's top court this week that Greek Cypriot legal verdicts are binding throughout the bloc could hurt peace talks to reunify Cyprus, Turkey said on Thursday.

The European Court of Justice on Wednesday backed a man's attempt to reclaim land he abandoned in northern Cyprus when it was divided after the Turkish military invaded Cyprus in 1974.

The ruling, hailed by Greek Cypriots but condemned by Turkish Cypriots, could encourage Greek Cypriots to take legal action against foreigners living in disputed properties in northern Cyprus.

"This ruling contradicts the parameters of the negotiation process and constitutes a clear example of the Greek Cypriot administration's misuse of its unjustly acquired membership to the European Union," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"An appropriate response regarding the ruling, which could undermine the comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of Cyprus, is being jointly evaluated with the authorities in northern Cyprus."

Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 and is represented only by its Greek Cypriot community. Greek and Turkish Cypriots live on separate sides of the Mediterranean island.

Turkey invaded northern Cyprus after a brief Greek-inspired coup and has kept troops in the north ever since.

The two sides launched peace talks last year aimed at reunifying the island and the fate of those talks holds the key to Turkey's aspirations to join the EU.

The Greek Cypriots say they will block Turkey's admission as long as Cyprus remains divided. (R)