Public Consultation Key to Advancing Turkish Cypriot Assets Bill
The anticipated bill completion delay for the management of Turkish Cypriot assets has become a focal point of discussion in the House refugee committee. The chair, Nikos Kettiros, highlighted the need for a comprehensive public consultation process, which he stated has not been adequately conducted by the government.
During the recent session, various stakeholders presented their perspectives on the proposed legislation. Issues such as subdivision, subletting, and the role of natural and legal persons in property management were among the topics debated. According to Kettiros, the absence of a thorough public consultation was a recurring concern among the organizations involved.
It was revealed that the former interior minister, Nicos Nouris, had briefed some parties on the bill’s contents but fell short of engaging them in a meaningful dialogue as part of the public consultation process. Promises of future contact on the matter did not materialize, leading to calls from the committee for the government to rectify this oversight.
Kettiros emphasized that addressing this issue is crucial to prevent potential constitutional challenges to the legislation. He pointed out that any delays in the bill’s progression are attributable to the executive branch’s failure to conduct the necessary public consultations. The committee’s stance is clear: without input from all interested parties, the legislative process cannot move forward effectively.
The call for a complete public consultation aims to ensure that the legislation will be robust, fair, and reflective of the diverse opinions of those it affects. This step is seen as essential for the bill’s future success and for upholding democratic principles in legislative processes.
