GCC Press Review | 2 Mar 2019 |

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Political and criminal responsibilities over demise of Co-op bank

The findings will not be made public, the Attorney-general will decide. A team from the legal service will study the findings. The investigation committee points to long-standing responsibilities.

  • Leaders: New meeting in Pyla
  • Hydrocarbons: Not a cent to the debt

Phileleftheros

A stop to Turkish drilling vessels

Participation of key subcontractors in illegal drilling by Ankara considered a casus belli. Catalytic actions also from hydrocarbon companies in the Cypriot EEZ.

  • Strong messages from the foreign minister: “The US will participate in the tripartite meeting with Israel”
  • Hydrocarbon Fund for future generations – After Glafcos, the fund for natural gas revenue is finally here. Parliament, after amending the bill and removing any interconnection with the public debt, passed it into law. All the proceeds will go to future generations.
  • He will talk again with Lute after her trip to Ankara – President Anastasiades last Monday had a phone call with Lute, who reported that she carries on with her efforts. He will be in contact with her again after her visit to Turkey.

Haravgi

Incompetency and greed led to the Central Cooperative Bank’s demise

(Head of the investigation committee Giorgos) Aresti: “We have carried out a kind of coroner’s inquiry…” Team of state lawyers studies the multi-page findings. Definite political and criminal responsibilities.

  • Work on the terms of reference: New positions by the two leaders

Cyprus Mail

‘Negligence and greed’ at Co-op

Probe findings handed over to the AG, possible civil and criminal offences led to bank’s downfall.

  • House approves hydrocarbons investment fund

Alithia

En route to Block 7

Glafcos defines and marks our next energy moves and goals. Within next week, the results of the drilling on Calypso will most probably be delivered by ENI-TOTAL.

  • Akinci: Rules out opening of Kokkina crossing. “No one recognises us,” he said.
  • President: Had telephone contact with Lute, briefed the National Council

Main News

Leaders comment on Cyprob ahead of bicommunal football match

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, CBMs

OVERVIEW

The two leaders are to attend a bicommunal football match on March 19 in Pyla between Nea Salamina and Magusa clubs, Politis reports.

The event, organised by Peace and Sport and Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, will be also attended by Sir Stelios Hadji-Ioannou and president and vice-president of Peace and Sport, Joel Bouzou, and Didier Drogba, respectively.

Meanwhile, all dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades briefed the National Council on Friday on his meeting with TC leader Mustafa Akinci last Tuesday but also on a telephone conversation he had with Lute last week.

According to Phileleftheros, Anastasiades had a telephone conversation with Lute on February 25, noting they will talk again after her visit to Ankara.

Anastasiades told reporters later on Monday at the inauguration of the new Nicosia Town Hall that the aim was to conclude the terms of reference “that will pave the way for a creative dialogue to bring results”.

On his telephone conversation with Lute, Anastasiades said the UN official does not like publicity.

Mostdailiesreport Akinci saying on Thursday that Anastasiades went back on what was agreed at the talks in Crans-Montana in 2017. He said in an interview with Bayrak TV that Anastasiades had at the time agreed on a TC positive vote. Now, Anastasiades goes back on that, Akinci reportedly said.

Akinci said that he explained to the GC side there is no possibility for the opening of a crossing in Kokkina since it is a military area, adding it cannot be moved or have any other arrangements made there, Alithia reports.

He also said that no other country recognises the ‘TRNC’ other than Turkey, not even Muslim countries that have friendly relations with Turkey such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Alithia reports.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
The aim is to conclude the terms of reference that will pave the way for a creative dialogue to bring results.

Akinci
>> Anastasiades backtracked on his agreement to the TC positive vote.
>>
There can be no crossing at Kokkina.
>> No country other than Turkey recognises the ‘TRNC’.


Cyprus warns drilling companies of illegal activities in its EEZ

Alithia,Phileleftheros
Energy, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The government has warned large companies that undertake subcontracts for deep sea drilling that in the case they carry out illegal activities within Cyprus’ EEZ, they risk facing prosecution, Phileleftheros reports.

The daily, citing sources, said that the aim of the government is to discourage  the possibility of drilling activities on behalf of Turkey within the Cypriot EEZ.

Energy giants that are currently operating within the Cypriot EEZ have also warned their associates in the industry (subcontractors) that involvement in actions that violate Cypriot and international law will lead to the interruption of their cooperation, the daily reports.

The Italian-French consortium ENI-TOTAL have filed for a licence for Block 7, according to Alithia. The Cabinet has already given the green light to the energy and finance ministers to immediately proceed to negotiations with the consortium, the daily said.


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