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Cyprus invasion: Turkey rejects court order for damages Cyprus invasion: Turkey rejects court order for damages
(about 17 hours later)
Turkey does not intend to pay compensation to Greek Cypriots for its invasion of Cyprus in 1974, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.Turkey does not intend to pay compensation to Greek Cypriots for its invasion of Cyprus in 1974, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.
He was responding after the European Court of Human Rights ordered Turkey to pay 90m euros (£73m; $123m) in damages.He was responding after the European Court of Human Rights ordered Turkey to pay 90m euros (£73m; $123m) in damages.
The court said this was for losses endured during the invasion and subsequent partition of the island.The court said this was for losses endured during the invasion and subsequent partition of the island.
Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island which was backed by the government of Greece.Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island which was backed by the government of Greece.
Since then, the northern third has been mainly inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots.Since then, the northern third has been mainly inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots.
Turkey still has about 30,000 troops stationed on the island, and it is the only country that recognises northern Cyprus as a separate entity.Turkey still has about 30,000 troops stationed on the island, and it is the only country that recognises northern Cyprus as a separate entity.
The UN still maintains a peacekeeping force on the island.The UN still maintains a peacekeeping force on the island.
'Not necessary''Not necessary'
Foreign Minister Davutoglu said Turkey did not "consider the decision to be binding because of the grounds it is based on, its method and the fact that it takes into consideration a country that Turkey does not recognise.Foreign Minister Davutoglu said Turkey did not "consider the decision to be binding because of the grounds it is based on, its method and the fact that it takes into consideration a country that Turkey does not recognise.
"We don't consider it necessary to make this payment.''"We don't consider it necessary to make this payment.''
The Cyprus government has welcomed Monday's ruling by Europe's top human rights court. The Cypriot government has welcomed Monday's ruling by Europe's top human rights court.
The court found that despite the passage of time, Turkey was still liable for damages and should:The court found that despite the passage of time, Turkey was still liable for damages and should:
UN peacekeeping forces estimate that 165,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were expelled from the north, and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south, although the parties to the conflict say the figures are higher.UN peacekeeping forces estimate that 165,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were expelled from the north, and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south, although the parties to the conflict say the figures are higher.
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are engaged in a new round of talks aimed at reconciling differences and reuniting the island.Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are engaged in a new round of talks aimed at reconciling differences and reuniting the island.
Mr Davutoglu also said the ruling by Europe's top court of human rights had "dealt the biggest blow to the process for a comprehensive solution".Mr Davutoglu also said the ruling by Europe's top court of human rights had "dealt the biggest blow to the process for a comprehensive solution".