Front Page Headlines
(Finance Minister) deconstructed the findings and is stepping down in due time
The first structured response by the finance minister. He said the findings of the investigation committee for the collapse of the Co-op bank were “wrong and unfair”. He said it was fake news that he had appointed the members of the Co-op committee.
Bull in a china shop
Harris Georgiades strikes back and undertakes the deconstruction of the investigation committee. The President said earlier that Iphigeneia (from Homer’s Iliad) would not be sacrificed just because the three members of the committee “said so.” Intervention by the Attorney-general: “Their degrading references downgrade institutions.”
- EU-Turkey Association Council: Slaps to Cavusoglu by (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica) Mogherini
- ‘Citizenships’ by the dozen from occupation regime
- The presence of US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Jerusalem is now official
The government and the President hit rock bottom
The government is in an unstoppable freefall. The finance minister even found “fake news” in the findings (on the collapse of the Co-op bank). Attorney-general: “They are downgrading the institution and its purpose.”
Shock, disgust after NZ attack
Forty-nine dead and dozens injured after shooting at two mosques in Christchurch.
Explosive cocktail
Frontal attack on institutions, political spats and resignations (soon), on the ruins of the Co-op bank. President against investigation committee, parties against the President, Harris against a member of the committee and the Attorney-general against everyone.
- EU support on Cyprus’ EEZ: Cold shower to Cavusoglu by Mogherini
- US State Department: Officially announced Pompeo’s participation in the trilateral
- Famagusta within the walls: Two more restored monuments are being handed over on Wednesday
Main News
EU censures Turkey over Cyprus
Alithia, Phileleftheros
EU Matters, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Nicosia expressed satisfaction with the stern stance of the EU as regards Turkey’s accession obligations concerning Cyprus, especially on the island’s exclusive economic zone.
Phileleftheros, citing sources, said that during the closed-door meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on the EU to implement its commitments to lift the ‘isolation’ of the TCs, and criticised the bloc of a one-sided stance after he was reminded of Turkey’s obligations to Cyprus.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini read the common position of the EU28 as regards Cyprus’ EEZ that calls on Turkey to show self-restraint and respect the Republic’s sovereignty within its EEZ . It also expressed great concern over the recent statements by Ankara on scheduled drilling activities there.
The EU called on Turkey to refrain from such illegal activities and warned that it would respond accordingly and in full solidarity with Cyprus, the daily said.
Turkey said the statements by EU officials on Cyprus were not helping, adding that their support to Cyprus was ‘disappointing and one-sided’.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn read one of Turkey’s obligations on the recognition of all member states for the application of the protocol and a lift of Ankara’s embargo against Cyprus and reminded of its obligation to stop the flow of refugees also to Cyprus.
Cavusoglu said the European Parliament’s position on the suspension of Turkey’s accession process was ‘unacceptable’, the daily reported.
Mogherini kept the same stance also during her joint press conference with Cavusoglu and Hahn later on, the daily said.
She said at the press conference that the EU is in full solidarity with Cyprus as regards the recent statements by Turkey on scheduled drilling within the Cypriot EEZ.
Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said that the references in the joint statement by the EU28 on the Cyprus problem, on the trade embargo and the Cypriot EEZ were very important, Phileleftheros and Alithia report.
KEY ACTORS
Mogherini (EU)
>> The EU is in full solidarity with Cyprus as regards Turkey’s stated intention on scheduled drilling activities within the island’s EEZ.
Debate on population in the north
Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros
Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
The occupied areas grant each month ‘citizenships’ by the dozen with the obvious aim of increasing the population number, Phileleftheros said.
The population in the north is estimated at 350,000 although Mustafa Akinci and ‘Foreign Minister’ Kudret Ozersay each give different data, it said.
According to the Cyprus Mail, the TC leader said that it seemed the number of ‘citizens’ increased by 130,000 over the past three and a half years to 350,000. Addressing an event, Akinci said that around 400 to 500 people were being granted ‘citizenship’ every month by the current ‘administration’ and stressed the need for a population census and preparing a ‘citizenship law’.
Akinci said that the previous ‘administration’ used to grant ‘citizenships’ to around 1,000 people a month, whereas his ‘government’ grants between 400 to 500. These ‘citizenships’, he said, are granted by authorities following the due procedure.
Phileleftheros said that Akinci tried to send out the message that the situation has now improved as the previous ‘government’ used to grant more ‘citizenships’.
Ozersay said there were currently 351,000 ‘TRNC citizens’, 61,000 of whom live abroad, the dailies report.