Parliamentary committee criticizes government delays regarding refugee compensation regulations

On October 20, 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees expressed significant concern regarding ongoing delays in submitting regulations related to the 0.4% fee for the loss of use of land located in occupied territories. The Committee, led by AKEL Member of Parliament Nikos Kettiros, characterized the government's handling of the issue as a deception, noting that the Ministry of Finance has repeatedly promised to submit these regulations for months without delivering.

The session also covered the 2027 budget for the Central Agency for Equal Distribution of Burdens, along with broader concerns about the funding of refugee support schemes and the efficiency of application processing. Mr. Kettiros stated that the Ministry of Finance has consistently failed to provide a clear timeline for the regulatory process despite repeated inquiries.

As a follow-up action, the Committee decided to summon the Minister of Finance to its next session—the final one before the upcoming state budget debates—to demand a definitive update on the government's intentions. The Committee seeks to clarify whether the administration plans to move forward with the regulations or if the delay represents a permanent failure to support displaced landowners.