Minister of Employment & Social Security Andreas Moushiouttas yesterday rejected allegations by Turkish-cypriot leader Raouf Denktash, and confirmed that Turkish Cypriot citizens registered with the Social Security Fund of the Republic of Cyprus will continue to enjoy the same benefits as Greek Cypriots. Mr. Denktash had recently alleged that the Greek-Cypriot government was promoting legislative changes whereby Turkish-cypriots who had not contributed to the Fund for ten years would not receive any more benefits. Mr. Moushiouttas categorically rejected such claims and stated that there is no intention whatsoever of excluding Turkish-cypriots from the Fund.

At present the Social Security Fund contributes over CYP 7 mln in the form of pensions and other benefits to 4,104 Turkish-Cypriots, out of which 3,376 live in the occupied north of the island and the remainder in other countries.