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~ Y\? ./'/) ~ ~J .. ~~:} YnAT):I APMOlTEJA HIGH COMMtSSJON KYnPJAKHr AHMOKPATIAI REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS NEOAEJ\XI NEWDEtHI Ref. No.: 20.02.QO~ (a.06.15.018JJ67} N.O.: 41 /2020

NOTE VERBALE

The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and wishes to refer to the issue of illegally operating "universities" in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus.

These Mur1iversities" are not in compliance with the relevant Laws and Regulcitions of the Republic of Cypru~. Therefore, these "universities·. and the "qualifications I degrees" they award, are not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus. In fact. these "universities• operate under the purported ·raw· of the so called "turkish republic of northern cyprus· ("trnc") which, according to the relevant UN Security Council resclutions and international law, is an illegal entitv. not recognized by the intemationat community with the sole exception of Turkey:

Moreover, ·the evaluation, accreditation and recognition of these "universities· are provided by the so-called ·institutions" of the illegal "trnc". Consequently, they cannot be accepted by internationally recognized educational organizations or members of the intemational community in generaf. since establishment of these ·institutions" constitutes a violation --Of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and of international legality. Also, the direct or indirect recognition of these "universities· or the "qualifications/ degre_es· they award is contrary to the conditfons and goals of imporfent European initiatives· on Higher Education, since a prerequisite of these initia~es is, cooperation on a national level and a nationally recognized institutional framework.

Another fact about the illegality of these "universities" is that they were built on the properties belonging mostly to Greek Cypriot displaced persons who were forced_ to flee their homes due to the Turkish invasion in 197 4 and the military occupation of 36.2% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus to this day. According to Cyprus' Criminal Code. any fraudulent dealings in immovable property belonging to another are illegal. Greek Cypriot property owners. may bring civil legal actions against trespassers to their properties in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. It is noted that Turkey has been found responsible by the European Co-urt of Human Rights for ~ violations of the property rights of Greek Cypriot owners of land and property in the occupied part of Cyprus.

In addition-. Turkish universities namely the "Middle East Technical University" and "istanbul Technical University", have estabfished their "campuses" in the occupied part of Cyprus.. It is stressed in this regard that Turkey is in no way legitimized to establish "campuses· of its universities in the occupied part. of Cyprus. or use its instituJional framework on higher education in order to provide legitimacy to the higher education activities taking place in the occupied part of Cyprus. as the control it exercises in the occupied part of Cyprus stems from its ilfegal military occupation _of that part of Cyprus

D- 64, Malcha Marg, Chanakyapu::i, New Delhi no 021, India Chancery- Tel:+ 91114358 62 95/ 96 I Fax: +9111 261111 60 f [email protected] Consular - Tel: +91 43 58 62 59 J fax: +9111 26 87 20 76 / [email protected] www.mfa.gov. cy /highc om_newdelhi / vvvvw .face book_ corn(cyprushighc ommissionr.ewde !hi -2-

The Embassy enctoses herewith copy of a document entitled> " AND THE ILLEGALLY OPERATING aUNIVERSHIES" IN THE OCCUPIED AREAS: POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS". which contains detailed information on the matter in the following two parts:

1. Higher education in the Republic of Cyprus: It includes information with respect to educational institutions, their recognition by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, The Cyprus. Agency o-f Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education and The Council of Recognition o.f Higher Qualification.

2. Illegally operating "universities" in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus: It contai~ information as regards the illegal ·universities.". problems in the evaluation, accreditation and recognition of the illegal "universities", human rights vio~tions by way of usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties by the illegal "universitiesn and the ownership status of the illegally operating "universities·.

It would be highly appreciated if the esteemed Ministry kind1y forwards the attached document to the competent authorities of the Kingdom of Thailand in order to avoid PQSsible collaboration of the higher educational institutions of Thailand with the illegal "universities• in the occupied part of Cvprus, and moreover, to caution prospective Thai students against enrolling in such "universities· in the occuQied part of Cyprus.

On the contrary, the higher educational institutions in Thailand may kindly consider cooperation with the .higher educatio~nal institutions in the Reoublic of Cyprus, as mentioned in point 1 a?>ove.

The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. of the Kingdom of Thailand the assuranceS, of its highest consideration.

The MinistrY of Foreign Affairs Kingdom of Thailand Bangkok ,,._ f EDUCATION IN CYPRUS AND THE ILLEGALLY OPERATING "'UNIVERSITIES" IN l THE OCCUPIED AREAS - POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

A. Cypru.s ~gher Education in the Republic of Cyprus

i. Overview The Government of the Republic of Cyprus policy aims to establish Cyprus as a n:gional educational and research centre, a hub for international scholars and students alike. and to provide the ffamework for its universities to offer competitive programmes of study. fully recognized at an international level.

Within this framework, Cyprus has become an international student destination with student population from all European Union countries, Russia. China, etc. During the last year-;. the number of students studying in Cyprus H:Els has increased tremendously.

Totally, eight (8) Universities are legally registered in the Republic of Cyprus and operate within the European Union and International guidelines, concerning higher education issues, with particular attention to matters of quality assurance. These universities are:

• University of Cyprus - www.uc.T.ac.cy

• Open University of Cyprus - 11ww. 1Juc. ac. n- ... • Cyprus University of Technology - www.. dut.al.".C\" - l . I) • - l'l'wK·.fi·ederick.ac•.r.v

• European University Cyprus - w11.w.e11c.ac.cr • University of - www.unic.ac.cv • Neapolis University Pafos - www.nup.ac.cv • University of Central Lancashire-Cyprus - 1nrn·.11clancrprus.ac.£T

There is also a large number of Private and Public Institutions of Higher Education. Further information is available on the official,site of the Department of Higher and Tertiary Education of the Ministry. of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus "''ww.higheretlucatitJ11.uc.cr.

1 I ... ii. Recognition and Qualitv Assurance in the Republic of Cyprus

Ir Universities and Institutions of Higher Education are all recognized by the GcwcrnmcnJ of the Republic of Cyprus and, as a result. by the European Union (EU) as well as non EU countries.

Within the Republic of Cyprus. the operation of pub!ic and private Institutions of Tertiary Education and Universities_ is governed by the Laws of the following Bodies. which come under the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic.

:.> The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education

(http://www.dipae.ac.cy/index.php/eUdipae/foreas) The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation m Higher Education is the competent Authority responsible for ensuring the quality of higher education in Cyprus. through the procedures provided by the Law on "Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education and the EstabHshment and Operation of an Agency on Related Matters •·• and for the processes for the continuous ·improvement and upgrading of higher education institutions and their programs of study. The relevant law provides, a quality assurance framework for higher education in Cyprus within which, higher education institutions are driven to enhance quality and develop an internal quality. culture. The Agency has, according to the Law, extended -competencies amongst which are the following: o Institutional, Departmental and Programmatic Evaluation and accreditation of ... higher education o Quality Assurance in higher education on the basis of the European Standards o The Evaluation and Accreditation of cross-border forms of education. offered by local institutions in member states or third countries o Assessment of the conditions for the provision of cross-border education from foreign institutions in Cyprus o Assessment ofinter-instirutional cooperation of higher education institutions o The provision ofinfonnation ofQuafay Assurance in higher c

2 {,

)> The Ccmncil of Recognition of Higher Qualification (http://www.kysats.ac.cy/) The Council of Recognition of Higher Qualification (KYSATS.) is in accordann: with the provisions of the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications and the Provision· of Relevant lnfonnation Laws. the competent authority of the Republic of Cyprus for the rcc:ognition of Higher and Tertiary. Education qualifications, such as degrees,. diplomas or qualifications obtained home and abroad, awarded by recognized Higher Education lnslitutions or from Institutions whose programs of study have been evaluated and acc:rcditctf. K YSA TS is an official member of the European Network of National Information Centers. on academic recognition and mobility (ENlC} and the National Academic Recognition Information Centers (NARIC}. Both these networks aim at improving academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in the Member States of the European Union (EU) and in other countries.

B. lllegallv, operating "universities" of higher education in the occupied areas of the © Republic of Cyprus ......

i. Overview The .. universities", operating in the area of the Republic of Cyprus, which remains under Turkish military occupation since 1974, are unlawfully operating bodies. since they had not been established nor have they been operating under the relevant Laws and Regulations of the Republic of Cyprus on Higher Education. Jn addition they operate under the purported .. law" of the so called ·Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") which, according to International law including the relevant United Nations Security Council re?olulions. is an-illegal -

entity not recognized by the international community with the sole exception of Turkc~­ Therefore, they, as well as the "qualifications" they award, are not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus.

The fifteen "universities" currently operating in the occupied areas are:

I) "Eastern Mediterranean University" in the occupied city of Ammochostos ( Famagusra ).

2) the "Girme American University.. situated iil occupied Kerynia.

3) the "Cyprus International University" situated in the occupied part of Nicosia.

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4) the "Europe-dtl University of Letlce" in occupied Letka,

5) the "Near East University" situated in occupied Kioneli,

6} the "American University of Cyprus" situated in occupied part of Nicosia.

7} the "Mediterranean Karpasia University" situated in occupied part ofNicosia,

8}the "University ofKerynia" situated in occupied Kerynia.

9) the "Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University.. situated in occupied Morfou.

10) the "Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus" situated in the occupied

village ofKapouti in Morfou~

11) the Istanbul Technical University" situated in occupied Agios Anclronikos Karpasias village.

12) the "Scientific University of Cyprus" (former ~British Nicosia Universiry.. ).

J 3} the "Ataturk: Pedagogical Academy" situated in occupied part of Nicosia,

14) the "Cyprus University of Social Sciences~· sit~ted in occupied Mia Milia,

15} the "Final International University" situated in Kazafani/Agios Epiktitos in

ii. Problems ·in the evaluation. accreditation and .recognition of the illegal "universities" ...... a." The "universities" in the occupied areas operate under the occupation regime of the illegal ..TRNC", which according to international law is an illegal entity. United N

Security CounciJ resolutions 541(1983) and 5~0 (1984) state clearly that the purported ·declaration of the so called "TRNC" is legally invalid.. The said resolution call for the immeQiate withdrawal of the declaration and call upon all States not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity. The international community in its totality does not recognize the illegal secessionist entity in the occupied part of Cyprus. Turkey being the sole exception. ..

4 .. Ii b. Their evaJuation, accreditation and rt!Cognition is provided by. t~ ·'Higher Edurntiun. I Planning, Evaluation, Ac.creditation and Coordination Counci~ CYODAK).. of the illegal "TRNC". Due lo the illegality of the framework. within which they. operate any direct or indirect recognition of the "universities" or of the "qualifications.. they award is contrary to the conditions and goals of the European initiatives on Higher Edu\;

Registry kept by the Ministry of Education and Culture. nor have they been issued ii license for operation, in accordance with any relevant Laws of the Republic of Cypms. In addition, they have not been evaluated, neither have their "programs of study" been approved by the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. Therefore. these "universities", as wen as the "qualifications" they award, are not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus.

d. The illegal ..Eastern M~terranean University... apart from functioning under the '"'law" of the secessionist entity, has the status of the "state university" of the "TRNC". as it has become a "state-trust universiti" in 1985. It is, therefore, directly linkt:d to and dependent on the illegal reginle. Furthermore, its funding di;.rives_ entirely from the "government" budget and the members of its .. administration board" are appointed by the "ministerial council" of the "TRNC". e. Under international law, Turkey is in no way legitimized to establish -campuses" of its universities in the occupied areas, or use its institutional framework of higher education in an effort to provide legitimacy to higher education activities taking. place in the .. TRNC". The control ir exercises in the occupied areas of Republic or Cyprw; stems from its illegal military occupation of those areas .

..

s 111. Human Rights violations - The usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties by the illegal "universities" in the occupied areas.

I. Many of the "universities" were built on property betonging 10 Greek Cypriot displaced persons who were forced to flee their homes because of the Turkish invasion in 1974 and the subsequent military occupation of 36,2% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. It is important to note that, under Cyprus' Criminal Code, Cap 154, any pt:rson who. with

intent to defraud, deals in immovable property. belonging to another is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for up to seven years.

2. Greek Cypriot property owners may bring legal action before the competent Courts of the Republic. against trespasser-s to their properties in the Turkish-occupied area. claiming damages and other legal remedies available to them under civi} law. Judgments of civil courts of the Republic, even if having to do with the occupied area<; of the Republic. l'.an be recognized and enforced against property/assets of the defendants in EU member state. under the provision of EC Regulation No. 4412001, as ruled by the European Court of Justice, in its Judgment of the Case Meletis Apostolides v. David Charles Orams and Linda EHsabeth Orams(28 April 2009, case C-:420/07).

1 3. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in its Judgment on the 4 h i1~ten>tate case l Cyprus against Turkey of 10 May 2001 and of CJSeS brought before it by individual . :: Cypriots against Turkey, has found that interference in the property rights of the Greek

Cypriot owners of property in the occupied areas, due to the denial of at.:t.:1.'.SS and enjoyment of one's own property, constitutes a continuous violation of article I of Protocol I of the European Convention on Human Rights. It furthermore concluded that the Greek Cypriot property owners in the occupied areas of Republic of Cypms remain the legal owners of such properties. lt is noted that Turkey has been found responsible by the European Court of Human Rights for violations of the property rights of Greek Cypriots owners of land and property in the occupied area of Cyprus.

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4. Part of the premises of the "Eastern Mediterranean Univa-sity" is, buill on tht: usurp<:'.d buildings and land of the Greek Cypriot, Mr Saveriades. The European Court of Human Rights in its Judgments of 22 September 2009 (Case 16160/90 Saveriadcs. v. Turkey} found Turkey responsible for violations of the European Convention on Human Rights on account of the complete denial of Mr Saveriades · right to accl!SS to anti control, usl! and enjoyment of his property.

iv. Ownership status of the iJJegal operating "universities''. situated in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cvprus

I ."Eastern Mediterranean University" is situated in the occupied city of Ammochostos (Famagusta). Part of its premises comprise the usurped buildings and land of the Center of Higher Studies ofFamagusta (Known as Saveriades K.A.S.A College).

2."Girme American University" is situated in Kerynia and built on Greek Cypriot .owned land. Its "Campus" situated in Karpasia peninsula, on land belonging to Greek Cypriots.

3."Cyprus International Universitv" is situated in the occupied part of Nicosia. built on land belonging-to Greek Cypriots.

... 4."European University of Leflce" is built on land owned by a Greek Cypriots_

5."Middle East Technical Universitv Northern Cyprus Campus" (branch of a Turkish universitv) is situated in the village of Kapouti in Morfou. It is built on land owned by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and Greek Cypriot citizens.

6."Near East University" is partly built on Greek Cypriot land.

7."Universitv of Mediterranean Karnasia". Located in_ Nicosia on land belonging to Greek Cypriots. .. ·-

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·. 8."istar.bul Technica~ un.iversitv cainous''(branclt of a Turkish univer-sitvl. Its headquarkrs are Jocated in- Istanbul, Turkey. It is built on the land of the oM Famagusta hospital and on laoo belonging to Greek Cypriots. (Agios Andronikos Karpasias village}.

9."University. of Keryaja ... It's located in Ketynia. Part of it is. built on land belonging to Greek Cyp1iots.'

JO."American Universitv of Cvprus". It is located in the occupied part of Nicosia on land belonging to Turkish Cypriots.

I !."Cyprus Health and Social Sciences Univcrsitv". Located in Morfuu on land belonging to Greek Cypriots.

12."Ataturk Paedagogical A·~ademy';. Located in Nicosia on. land belonging to Greek Cypriots.

13."Final International University". Located in Kazafani/ Agios Epiktitos in K yrenia on land belonging to Greek Cypriots.

14."Cyprus Science Universitv (KJU)... Located in Kazafanion land that is unregistered and in Dikomo on land belonging to Greek Cypriots.

. 15."C~rus Universitv of Social Sc;nc~ fKISBU)". Located in Mia Milia (Nicosia district on land belonging to Greek Cypriots).

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