Cyprus implements ISO 37001 standard in Turkish Cypriot property management

The Cypriot Ministry of Interior has officially launched the implementation of the ISO 37001 anti-bribery management system within the Turkish Cypriot Property Management Service. Announced on September 27 and 28, 2026, the move is part of a broader government reform to ensure transparency, accountability, and objectivity in managing state-held properties.

This initiative follows a significant legislative shift in July 2025, which introduced objective criteria for property allocation and reduced the discretionary powers of the Interior Minister. Minister of Interior Constantinos Ioannou highlighted that over the past three years, the authorities audited 4,032 commercial lease agreements, identifying 512 violations. This resulted in the repossession of 79 properties, with legal and compliance actions currently ongoing for the remaining cases.

The adoption of ISO 37001 aims to modernize administrative practices and combat corruption in property distribution, ensuring meritocracy among displaced persons. The government continues to pursue these reforms to replace outdated management methods that have been criticized for decades, focusing on building an objective system for the equitable distribution of assets.