Turkey and TRNC to accept each other's driving licences

[iancrumpy]

It probably won't affect many on this forum, because you could always drive up to 90 days in Turkey on your TRNC licence ... or indeed on, say, your UK licence. However, if, at any time in the future, you decided to settle in Turkey, then you wouldn't now have to get a Turkish licence ... you could continue using your TRNC one ... until it expired of course.

However, it is very significant for TCs moving to or staying semi-permanently in Turkey ... and of course for Turks coming here to Cyprus. In one way, it is a little surprising though, because it will mean that the government here will lose a valuable source of revenue - no longer will the mainlanders have to buy TRNC licences. Perhaps compensation for this was discussed today in meetings with ministers from Ankara coming for the 20 Temmuz celebrations.

It is all part of initiatives for more coordination between Turkey and TRNC in such areas as social security, etc

Source : https://www.gundemkibris.com/kibris/sur ... 78552.html

[Hector]

"It is all part of initiatives for more coordination between Turkey and TRNC in such areas as social security, etc"

If I was of a suspicious nature, which I'm not obviously, one could start to think that slowly but surely the TRNC is being absorbed. Nah, can't be happening.

[iancrumpy]

"It is all part of initiatives for more coordination between Turkey and TRNC in such areas as social security, etc". If I was of a suspicious nature, which I'm not obviously, one could start to think that slowly but surely the TRNC is being absorbed. Nah, can't be happening.

There are many Turkish Cypriots that resent these closer ties with Turkey. But probably more than half welcome the security it brings. Naturally the mainland-Turks here and indeed most of the expats are very happy to have closer ties.

[Reyntj]

My thoughts are that its inevitable that e become part of turkey was probably always the plan . The rest has just been a charade . Im thinking it will happen sooner rather than later .

If we become part of tutkey things like furniture will become a lot cheaper from turkey as they should in theory scrap the import charge .

[iancrumpy]

My thoughts are that its inevitable that we become part of Turkey.

https://www.gundemkibris.com/kibris/tc- ... 78564.html

Another deal signed today related to finance and the economy. Some might say we're already Turkey's 82nd province ...

[Reyntj]

If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck its probably a duck...

[jofra]

....and indeed most of the expats are very happy to have closer ties.

And how would (possible) absorption/assimilation into/as part of Turkey affect such aspects as residency, "citizenship", and etc. for permanent expat inhabitants? And would visitors require Turkish visas? For the former, a very careful and thorough examination of expats' experiences in Turkey may be advisable....

[iancrumpy]

A very careful and thorough examination of expats' experiences in Turkey may be advisable....

I've never made a "thorough examination", however I know a few expats, who I worked with in Istanbul, have bought properties in places such as Fethiye. They sometimes complain, but on the whole they seem happy.

And would visitors require Turkish visas?

Yes, they do (currently $20 for any 90 days within a 180-day period) or get residence permits. However, I wouldn't think expats here would have to purchase visas ... at least not for the forseeable future.

Unfortunately Jofra one has to say what good will a "thorough examination" do - is anyone really likely to listen the opinions of the expats

The main reason I suggested that such developments would be to the liking of many expats here was simply because the cost of living would become cheaper here. Also though, with these closer ties to Turkey, properties here become more secure ... or in the worst-case scenario, money from Ankara is more likely to pay for any possible compensation claims.

In any case, nothing drastic will happen in, say, the next 20 years. What did they say about Hong Kong in the early 1980s? "One country, two systems." Here, I feel, we are gradually going towards "Two countries, one system" ... but where you won't have to pay for a visa to get in

[Laura B]

The one thing many expats here won't like is the much higher price of alcohol as seen in TR. Also how will the casinos be squared with TR law.

As for properties being more secure.....maybe a closer look at what has been and is happening over the water may be advisable! And compensation from Ankara? You must be joking!

Don't forget also that any car owned by a foreigner in TR has to have ''foreigner's'' number plates and can only be driven by the owner stated on the log book.

Another little excitement could be having to register one's property with the local police if one intends letting family use said property when the owner is not in residence.

Many many differences between living in TR and living here as an ex-pat.

[waddo]

What's the big panic now? "In order to overcome the growing structural and economic problems resulting from the the banking crisis in the TRNC which occured at the beginning of 2000, economic development programmes were adopted as of 2000 and Economic and Financial cooperation protocols were signed to enable Turkey’s financial and technical support to these programmes." All of a sudden you are worrying about Turkey because once again - and for the 19th year since 2000 - Turkey and TRNC have signed their annual Financial and Technical agreement. So they have accepted the TRNC driving license as well - shock horror, think I will sell up and move back to Brexit land - maybe not! There are problems wherever you live and you just get over them or move on. It is a beautiful day, sun is shining and the glass is half full!!!

[Hector]

I don't sense any sign of panic. As an expat, whilst there may well be benefits if Turkey eventually annexes NC, my immediate concerns are over the possible sanctions that may be imposed on Turkey over the current political situation and the possible repercussions on NC and expats.

[iancrumpy]

The one thing many expats here won't like is the much higher price of alcohol as seen in TR.

Pretty much everything else is cheaper on the mainland though Laura. Petrol used to be cheaper here, but even that's about the same price now.

And compensation from Ankara? You must be joking!

Unfortunately many of the expats here have bought property on what was originally GC land. Often though that land has been bought and sold many times since 1974. If ever compensation is to be paid out, it is indeed more likely to come from Ankara than from TRNC coffers.

Don't forget also that any car owned by a foreigner in TR has to have ''foreigner's'' number plates and can only be driven by the owner stated on the log book.

Yeah, I owned such cars for 15 years - you're right - selling the car on was particularly a hassle. However, like the visa payments, I can't see that happening here for the forseeable future.

But with closer ties with Turkey on social security, the economy, etc the northern part of the island is slowly but surely drifting more north ... and short of leaving, there is nothing much you can do about it Laura.

[Laura B]

Iancrumpy. I am not suggesting I can, or want to do anything about it. I was merely pointing out that life in TR for the average ex-pat (immigrant) is very different from here.

[iancrumpy]

II was merely pointing out that life in TR for the average ex-pat (immigrant) is very different from here.

Indeed it is different Laura_B, but I don't feel it is as badly different as the picture you are painting.

From what I understand you lived somewhere on the Aegean or Mediterranean - I lived on and off in Istanbul for over 20 years. It's interesting what you wrote about "having to register one's property with the local police if one intends letting family use said property when the owner is not in residence." I've never heard of that, but maybe it's a requirement in areas close to the coast, popular with "immigrants".

From a personal point of view, I was glad to read of closer ties on areas such as social security etc. You see, I'm hoping, that when I get to drawing my pension in a few years' time, it will now be easier to combine the National Insurance contributions made in both Turkey and TRNC. I should add that I also have TRNC citizenship through my wife. Sorry, this last paragraph has no real relevance to most on this forum. Hey ho, have a nice day.

[Laura B]

With ref the giykimbil system in TR: https://yellali.com/blogs/article/598/c ... bil-system.

[iancrumpy]

With ref the giykimbil system in TR: https://yellali.com/blogs/article/598/c ... bil-system.

Thanks Laura B - it looks as though it was introduced in 2016, would that be about right? (http://www.konaksis.com/dosyalar/Giykimbil_SSS.pdf) One presumes the Turkish authorities felt that some individuals were renting out summer houses as a business ... and no doubt some were actually doing just that, without of course paying their dues for being licensed as a business. And from the Turks' perspective it would be difficult to ascertain, particularly amongst the yabancıs, who was taking advantage of this. Of course, if you, as the house owner, are in the house or close by when a check is made, then it's not an issue. Who knows? Maybe the giykımbil system will be introduced here in the future ... that seems to be the trend these days ...

[Laura B]

Yes exactly that Iancrumpy. Hotels were losing trade to the yabancıs renting out their villas, having the money paid in their own currency to their home bank accounts. Not a good situ for the local economy so, as you say, the law was introduced in 2016 so far as I remember. If the home owner lives in TR there is, so far as I understand it, no reason for them to register on the system but otherwise the owner has to be in residence (or close by!) when there are any visitors there whether it is family, friends or paying guests.

[iancrumpy]

If the home owner lives in TR there is, so far as I understand it, no reason for them to register on the system.

It would seem that the locals would be expected to at least *register* - If you click on that link in msg 16, and then translate the third paragraph in the document you get "With the GİYKİMBİL system, criminals can be followed up rapidly. Also internal migration and tourism movements can be monitored." It seems related to the concern, post the attempted coup of July 15th 2016, as to who could be hiding in summer houses along the coast. And then someone also probably suggested the system could be used to clamp down on foreıgners renting out their properties.

[Laura B]

Yes anyone owning a property rented out short-term has to register on the system, then anyone staying in that property short term has to be reported daily to the polis or gendarme (depending on area) exactly the same as hotels have to report guests on a daily basis. It may have come from the 2016 coup attempt but really it was only bringing short term rentals into line with hotels etc.