ANKARA TDN Parliament Bureau


Property sales to foreign investors in strategic military zones will require approval from the Chief of General Staff and district command according to an amendment made to the law regulating property sales to foreigners yesterday.

A parliamentary commission discussed the much-debated law yesterday and approved the proposed amendments. The opposition argues property sales to foreigners contradict national interests and is trying to block the law in Parliament. The law was discussed last week in the General Assembly but was taken back to the commission at the last minute due to opposition pressure.

According to one of the amendments opening up properties in prohibited military zones and strategic regions (lands) to foreigners will only be possible through permission obtained from military authorities. Furthermore property sales to foreigners in special security zones will require the governor's authorization. Any request will be decided after an evaluation of the acquisition's conformity with the country's security and operation field.

A military representative who participated in the commission meeting explained why the Chief of General Staff was against property sales to foreigners in strategic military zones. “We cannot estimate in which direction these foreign companies which purchase properties in these strategic zones will develop their activities. At the beginning they could remain loyal to their contracts but how will we take precautions if afterward they change their field of activities?” Col. Erol Dursun told the commission. “These zones are vital to us” he added.

The law enables private business enterprises in Turaaa launched or contributed to by foreign investors to exercise rights to immovable and limited property for conducting their operations enumerated in their main contracts.