Front Page Headlines
Difficulties in the registration of specialist doctors
HIO (Health Insurance Organisation) mulling various scenarios. The price lists for specialists published. Between €84 to €109 for lung ultrasound.
- Cyprus-France: Infrastructure not bases
- Occupied areas: Niyazi (Kizilyurek) has supporters and opposers
Photovoltaics everywhere
A special spatial plan is pending since 2010. They spring up everywhere without criteria. Meeting of relevant services raised the alarm over serious, negative and cumulative impact on environment.
- (Kudret) Ozersay has called for the intervention of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) on energy – Ozersay has requested the intervention of the OIC against the Republic of Cyprus at the organisation’s ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, in order to force the GCs to put the issue of energy on the table.
They build towers instead of houses for the many
They cut programmes of the land development agency. The government has proven itself to be socially insensitive. Government announcements on (social) housing are empty promises.
- Andros Kyprianou: “What the UN Secretary-General said in Crans-Montana shields us.” The risk of partition is visible.
BoC chief exec: a new chapter
Hourican hands in resignation, says bank has made ‘huge strides’
- President at Buckingham Palace
- Top artists’ works among those to be returned
He points the finger at Eide
President Anastasiades on the confusion around the Guterres Framework. “His document is unacceptable and with distortions,” says the President. “We do not have to engage in unnecessary public confrontations with anyone,” AKEL comments, while DIKO celebrates because “after two years the President agrees with (the party’s) position that the Guterres Framework of June 30 is unacceptable.”
- Defence Minister: “We are not creating bases, we are upgrading existing infrastructure.”
Main News
Anastasiades: Eide’s document unacceptable
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades briefed on Sunday the GC diaspora on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.
Anastasiades, who was in London to attend an event at Buckingham Palace in honour of Cyprus in the framework of the Commonwealth, also had a meeting with members of the GC diaspora living in the UK.
He said that he has met with UN envoy Jane Holl Lute three times so far as part of efforts for the resumption of the talks, as have competent officials in Greece, the UK and EU.
A lot will depend on Turkey’s third meeting with Lute, which is currently pending, particularly regarding what is discussed on the content of the terms of reference for the resumption of talks, he said.
The president said some debates in Cyprus over the terms of reference are unnecessary. He reiterated the importance of the July 4 minutes that contain clarifications on the UN Secretary-General’s Framework presented to the sides on June 30.
He said that a parameter stipulating that the anachronistic system of guarantees and the right to intervene must be abolished is one thing, while the document prepared by the then UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide, stipulating that the right to intervene was being abolished, hints that guarantees remain but without the right to intervene.
Anastasiades said the document presented by Eide was “unacceptable”. Luckily some kept detailed minutes of the July 4 meeting where clarifications were given to the June 30 document.
For a creative dialogue, the terms of reference ought to not only define the issues to be discussed but also what is acceptable and what is unacceptable, he said.
He also expressed concerns that the decisions will not be taken by the TCs but by Turkey, pointing out the dependence of the community on Ankara. For that reason political equality and the right to a positive vote are accepted by the GC side only when decisions by the majority negatively affect the minority community, he said.
As regards energy, Anastasiades said the choice of energy companies was a successful one, adding that the latest developments encouraged the involvement of the US in the upcoming trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
He said all these actions do not however turn against anyone, especially the TCs. He also mentioned the hydrocarbons fund: “When the Cyprus problem is solved, the Turkish Cypriot community will receive its share.”
AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou expressed disappointment over Anastasiades’ speech to the diaspora, arguing that it is obvious he does not realise where things are headed, Haravgi reported.
The more time passes by, the faster things lead to a partition of the island, he said.
Anastasiades risks going down in history as the ‘president of partition’, Kyprianou said.
He called on Anastasiades to take initiatives for the resumption of talks, without that meaning he is in favour of making any concessions just for the sake of progress.
Kyprianou said AKEL expects Anastasiades to work to resume substantive negotiations on the basis of the procedure laid down by the UN Secretary-General, which is very clear and must not cause the GC side any concern.
“What the UNSG said in Crans-Montana shields us. We don’t need to spend time engaging in unnecessary confrontations with anyone from the moment that what the UNSG said is satisfactory for our side,” said Kyprianou.
Alithia reports that DIKO expressed satisfaction with Anastasiades’ statements that the Guterres Framework, as presented on June 30, was unacceptable.
The party said it was feeling vindicated that two years after DIKO first expressed this opinion Anastasiades agrees with them.
It remains to be seen however if he will be able to get out of this document and whether he will be able to convince that there is another document that nullifies the Guterres Framework, as it has been adopted in the latest UN Secretary-General’s report, DIKO said.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> A lot depends on Turkey’s meeting with Lute regarding the content of the terms of reference.
>> The (June 30) document presented by Eide was unacceptable as it hinted that guarantors remain but have no right to intervene.
>> For a creative dialogue, the terms of reference ought to not only define the issues to be discussed but also what is acceptable and what is unacceptable.
>> Political equality & right to positive vote on all matters would mean decisions would be taken by Turkey given the dependence of the TC community on Ankara.
>> The Republic’s energy programme and trilateral agreements do not turn against anyone, especially the TCs.
>> TCs will get their share of hydrocarbons when the Cyprob is solved.
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Things are headed toward partition & Anastasiades risks becoming the ‘president of partition’.
>> Anastasiades must take initiatives for the resumption of talks, without making any concessions just for the sake of progress.
>> Efforts must be made to resume substantive negotiations on the basis of the procedure laid down by the UNSG, which is clear & must not cause the GC side any concern.
>> The UNSG’s statements in Crans-Montana act as a shield & are satisfactory to the GC side.
DIKO
>> Anastasiades has finally adopted DIKO’s opinion that the Guterres Framework, as presented on June 30, is unacceptable.
‘Security agreements also help efforts for Cyprus problem solution’
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
Defence Minister Savvas Angelides stressed on Monday that agreement with France to use Cyprus’ naval base does not provide for setting up bases on the island but for upgrading existing infrastructure.
Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC radio, Angelides said that efforts to upgrade relations with France in the field of security, as with other European countries, are part of aspirations to become a pillar of stability in the region.
Cyprus’ participation in the programmes of PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) is a commitment but at the same time yields many benefits which concern the security of the country and of the region.
Only through this security will stability, peace, growth and prosperity come, he said.
He stressed that Cyprus is not creating military bases but is upgrading its infrastructure to be able to claim the dominant role it wants in the region.
These actions do not hinder efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, on the contrary, they help, said the minister.
Cyprus, he said, will continue to be an EU member after the solution and will continue to play a part in the region with regard to security.
He said that Cyprus’ defence agreements with other EU countries have to do with the security of Europe and not aggression against anyone.
The agreement with France is not intended for the protection of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone. Cyprus does not expect other countries to protect its sovereign rights, he said.
Meanwhile, the German defence minister is expected on the island on Tuesday for a meeting with Angelides, Phileleftheros reports. The two ministers will discuss matters concerning PESCO and bilateral relations.
KEY ACTORS
Angelides
>> Cyprus seeks to become a pillar of stability in the region through such security agreements.
>> Not creating military bases for France but upgrading infrastructure so Cyprus can take on this role in the region, both now and after a Cyprob solution.
>> Defence agreements with other EU countries have to do with security of Europe, not aggression against anyone.
>> Agreement with France not intended to protect Cypriot EEZ. Cyprus does not expect other countries to protect its sovereign rights.
Ozersay: Set up an international hydrocarbons fund managed by both sides
Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
TC ‘Foreign Affairs Minister’ Kudret Ozersay has requested the intervention of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) towards the Republic of Cyprus to force the GCs to put energy on the table.
Ozersay’s intervention at the ministerial meeting of the members of the OIC, in Abu Dhabi, had as its main objective to get both the organisation itself and individual Islamic states to get involved in the matter, Phileleftheros said.
According to the TC press, Ozersay said that things have reached a point of no return regarding the natural gas of Cyprus and that no state which pays attention to peace and stability in the region should remain unresponsive to this.
He said that either they will become involved and persuade the GC side to sit at the negotiation table on the issue of natural gas or the TC side will protect their own rights with the steps to be taken.
Ozersay said cooperation between the two
sides on the issue of natural gas will be the most rational attitude both in
terms of the future of Cyprus and peace in the region. If the GC side
is given permission to unilaterally use the wealth which also belongs to
the TCs, the unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot side to share
the wealth will be further fuelled, he said.
Ozersay also expressed doubts as to the sincerity of the GC side that the
hydrocarbons fund it has set up would also benefit the TCs.
This fund will only serve the interests of the GCs even if a different image is
being sought, he said.
Ozersay proposed the establishment of an international fund which would be administered both by TCs and GCs.
While in Abu Dhabi, Ozersay had meetings with the FMs of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and the deputy FMs of Turkey and Kosovo.
KEY ACTORS
Ozersay
>> Either the international community will persuade the GC side to sit at the negotiation table on the issue of natural gas or the TCs will protect their own rights.
>> Cooperation between the two sides on gas is the most rational approach for the future of Cyprus and peace in the region.
>> If GCs unilaterally use hydrocarbon wealth, this will strengthen its unwillingness to share it with the TCs.
>> The hydrocarbons fund will only serve the interests of the GCs despite reassurances.
>> An international hydrocarbons fund could be set up to be administered both by TCs and GCs.
Greek, Turkish MPs discuss the Cyprob during NATO event
Alithia, Haravgi
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
A discussion between Greek and Turkish deputies focused also on Cyprus during a meeting of the sub-committees of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly in the Greek Parliament in Athens on Monday.
Turkish MP Ahmet Yildiz said that Turkey is the last to blame for what is going on in Cyprus, arguing that tension between Ankara-Athens-Nicosia was caused by the unilateral actions of the GC side concerning energy.
Yildiz said that exploitation of hydrocarbons should take place after the solution of the Cyprus problem and following a joint agreement by the two communities.
Greek MPs, Christos Karayiannides and Costas Douzinas, replied that the issue was not on the agenda, but that the two sides must compromise and find a solution. Douzinas said that Cyprus is under occupation and that proceeds from the exploitation of natural gas will go to a sovereign fund which will benefit a united Cyprus, the dailies reported.
Buckingham Palace holds Cyprus event
Cyprus Mail
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales on Monday evening to celebrate the ties between Cyprus and the UK, as well as the UK Cypriots’ contribution to British public life, the Cyprus Mail online reported on Tuesday.
Guests included more than 150 scientists, businessmen, artists, academics, professionals and other members of the Cypriot diaspora that have excelled in their area.
Among them were Christopher Pissarides, Kypros Nicolaides, Theo Paphites, Toukar Souleyman, Tracey Emin, Linda Papadopoulos, members of the Leventis and Lazari families and others.
In his speech, Anastasiades thanked His Royal Highness for the invitation and the hospitality for the special event, which marked the first time the Cypriot diaspora and the bilateral ties were celebrated at Buckingham Palace in such a way.
He said those bonds were also celebrated last year, on the occasion of the centenary since the end of the First World War, during which 16,000 Cypriots fought alongside the British.
During the Second World War, he added, more than 60,000 Cypriots joined the struggle against fascism, among whom former president Glafcos Clerides.
He then stressed the important and dynamic relations between the Cypriot and the British people, as demonstrated by the more than 300,000 people of Cypriot descent living in the UK and the more than one million annual British visitors to the island.
Anastasiades expressed the hope to see the Cypriot cultural treasures preserved in the UK exhibited one day in a reunited island.
The Prince of Wales started his speech by praising the “indispensable contribution” of UK Cypriots to the UK and the Commonwealth.
He noted that the island of Cyprus has been capturing the imagination of British who have been falling in love with it, that is has been a crossroad of civilisations and that its influence over the years has been felt far and wide.
He then commented, jokingly, that when shortages of halloumi cheese were reported in the UK last summer the situation was considered to be “nothing short of a national crisis.”
AKEL candidate loved and loathed in the north
Politis
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The majority of TCs in favour of a solution eye positively the participation of academic Niyazi Kizilyurek in AKEL’s ballot for the European Parliament elections, although many in the nationalist circles criticise him, Politis reports.
Kizilyurek, according to estimates from his circle in the TC community, is expected to attract the largest number of TCs ever to vote in the elections. They also believe he will attract the most voters in both communities, the daily said.
The TC academic however, has been under fire by nationalists who do not agree with his candidacy. Volkan newspaper on one occasion characterised Kizilyurek as being “Greek” and accused him and the ‘prime minister’ of turning a blind eye while AKEL was exercising propaganda against the ‘TRNC’.
These actions, according to Volkan, areagainst a ‘law’ forbidding third countries campaigning within the occupied areas, Politis reports. Citing sources, Politis said that this ‘law’ does not apply in this case as TCs are EU citizens and the campaign concerns European elections.
Cultural exchange on the same date
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Politis
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The TC head of the Technical Committee on Culture, Kani Kanol, said that in total 218 paintings will be returned to their GC owners on the same date when the GC side will hand over archive material of state broadcaster CyBC concerning TC artists.
Speaking to the TC ‘news agency’, Kanol said that some of the paintings have been made by well-known GC artists such as Pol Georgiou, Stelios Votsis and Christophoros Savva. Many of the paintings do not have artist signatures on them or the signature is difficult to read.
The issue of the cultural exchange will be discussed at a meeting of the Committee next week, he said. Kanol said the Committee had asked in the past for the return of this artwork to its owners but there was no political will at the time.
Leaders portrayed as couple in street art
Alithia
Energy, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The discovery of hydrocarbons in Glafcos has inspired local street artist Christos Kakoullis to create a piece of art depicting TC leader Mustafa Akinci on his knees proposing to President Nicos Anastasiades. Instead of a ring, Akinci is offering Anastasiades occupied Cyprus, the daily reports.
Kakoullis said that the discovery of natural gas in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus has changed the essence of things in the Cyprus problem. He added that Akinci has already suggested through his statements the joint management of natural wealth.
The street art portrait is located near the new Nicosia town hall in the old part of the town.