Front Page Headlines
‘Going north’ no excuse for police
Though some domestic workers cross to the other side authorities still been lax say migrant groups.
- EU and Moscow ‘concerned’ about Turkish plans to drill in Cyprus EEZ
- Cyprus expects first Aphrodite gas by 2025
Turkey has informed the UN that it will drill in (Cypriot) EEZ
Torpedo under the efforts for the resumption of the negotiations process on the Cyprob. In a letter to the UN Ankara said it will carry on with seismic research followed by drilling in blocks 1, 3, 8, 9, and in parts of 13 and 12 of the Cypriot EEZ (exclusive economic zone).
- (EDEK leader) Marinos Sizopulos: We will win the bet for a seat and percentages
- (ELAM leader) Christos Christou: We want to construct a new Europe
- Opinion: The diplomacy of the sons-in-law
- Andreas Pentaras: The ‘Conqueror’ invades the Cypriot EEZ (opinion piece)
- Nicos Katsourides: Three steps before the Euro-elections (opinion piece)
- Ankara: Israel’s radars create rough seas in the Blue Homeland
- Turkey: ‘Prison’ and ‘cemetery’ for journalists
The profile of a serial killer
What led Nicos Metaxas to committing so many murders? At first, everyone started spreading fake news on his nationality and background. Confrontation followed on his political and ideological beliefs. In the end, we all got frightened because he proved to be the guy next door.
- Cyprob: How Cyprus reacts to Turkey’s move? – The ‘Conqueror’ has arrived to change the paradigm for good. Turkey proceeds with drilling off Paphos with the Cyprob and the Mediterranean as a backdrop.
Cyprus is in a stranglehold
Moves by Turkey aimed at imposing faits accomplis at sea and on land. Drilling in the EEZ, Islamisation of the occupied areas.
- Erdogan strikes again with a double front
- Window of opportunity for a few months: message by the UN Security Council
- (DIKO leader) Nicolas Papadopoulos: Increase of percentages and disapproval of the government
- Eastern Mediterranean: Energy as a window of opportunity for Cyprus
- The US–Turkey relations and the Republic of Cyprus: What’s next
- Angelos Chrysogelos: The advance of the far right in the Euro-elections (opinion piece)
Toward (cabinet) reshuffle in the autumn
The backstage goings-on of (Justice Minister) Ionas Nicolaous’ resignation and developments that marked a new government crisis.
- Cyprob: Turkey has rejected the possibility of an informal meeting – It wants a Belgian model solution with sovereign Turkish bases.
- These elections are important for the future of the EU
In a state of panic, they forget they are ruling
DISY and President Anastasiades, in a state of panic, forgot they are ruling and engaged yesterday in dark propaganda against AKEL while exercising opposition to … those who came before them! Cornered by the public outcry on the disappearances of the migrant women and children, they put the blame on those criticising them after Cyprus was found exposed internationally! The disgrace is that the president spoke again of the ‘borrowed votes’ of the TCs and put AKEL’s criticism down to pre-election expediencies.
- The forgotten of the war: How did you remember us?
PROVOCATION!
Turkey, disregarding reactions, materialises its threats on drilling within the Cypriot EEZ, a big chunk of which has been reserved with a Navtex until September 3. Strong reactions by Cyprus, Greece and the EU. Intervention also by Russia. Anastasiades: Turkey’s actions do not facilitate the resumption of the talks. Actions have been launched against the attempted Turkish drilling, says the foreign ministry. Federica Mogherini calls on Turkey to respect Cyprus’ sovereign rights.
- (DISY leader) Averof (Neophytou)-Anastasiades lambast AKEL
- Analysis: Militarisation of the Cyprob and the truth about the S-300 missiles
Main News
EU calls on Turkey to stop illegal actions within Cypriot EEZ
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Politis, Simerini
Energy, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The government said that Turkey’s intention to drill for gas in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone is not in line with the UN Security Council call to refrain from actions that could hamper resumption of talks. Meanwhile, the EU, Russia and Greece called on Ankara to respect the island’s rights, the papers reported on Sunday.
Politis reports that President Nicos Anastasiades said that the illegal actions of Turkey contradict the suggestion of the UN Security Council to avoid actions that negatively affect the resumption of talks.
Most papers report that after Turkey issued a Navtex reserving an area within Cyprus’ EEZ off Paphos and sending its drillship Fatih there, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in a written statement that Turkey should refrain from illegal activity to which the bloc would respond appropriately.
Mogherini expressed grave concern over Turkey’s announced intention to carry out drilling activities within the island’s EEZ.
We urgently call on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus in its exclusive economic zone and refrain from any such illegal action to which the European Union will respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus, Mogherini said.
Meanwhile, the government said action against Turkey is already being undertaken at legal, political and diplomatic levels, utilising all possibilities, and in particular within the framework of the EU.
This provocative action by Turkey constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus according to International and European Union Law,” a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry said.
At the same time, it said, it serves to reveal the real intentions of Ankara in relation to the Cyprus question and explains why Turkey has rejected the proposal for an informal meeting, in a ‘Crans Montana format’, to discuss the Cyprus problem.
The Russian ministry of foreign affairs also said in an announcement they are deeply concerned about information regarding the escalation of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
We firmly believe that any economic activity should correspond to the norms of international law. We call upon Turkey not to undertake actions that could cause tension and create additional obstacles on the way to the settlement of the Cyprus Problem, it said.
According to Politis, the reaction of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was particularly strong. Tsipras expressed his country’s readiness to defend the law both in the Aegean and in Cyprus, in whatever way, “either by ourselves or with our allies,” he said, Politis reported.
Tsipras made it clear that Greece has the power and will do so if necessary to send a message of determination “to those who think they can act as the cowboys of the region,” the daily reported.
The Greek foreign ministry also called on Turkey to stop any actions that undermine stability in the region and the resumption of talks.
Phileleftheros, in an opinion piece by Costas Venizelos, said that it is obvious that Erdogan is materialising plans for full control of the island through the presence of the Fatih drillship in the Cypriot EEZ which aims at averting Cyprus’ energy programme and challenging the Republic’s sovereign rights. Turkey also attempts to do through its effort to Islamise the occupied areas, the daily said, by altering demographics and by enforcing the Islamic culture through education.
Among the measures the Cypriot government is taking, Phileleftheros reported, is to seek legal action against companies that cooperate with Turkey in its drillings within Cyprus’ EEZ and against those involved in the seismic research carried out by Barbaros.
At the same time, the ground has been prepared for decisions through the EU, that would cause financial cost to Turkey, the paper reported.
As regards the Cyprus problem, the daily said that escalation of tension is affecting any efforts by the UN Secretary-General. Citing sources, it reported that Antonio Guterres had thought of inviting the two leaders to a joint meeting. This however, will depend on Turkey’s stance, since Nicosia will not agree to a resumption of talks while Turkey is carrying out drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ, and on TC leader Mustafa Akinci’s response, Phileleftheros reported.
According to Simerini, Turkey has officially informed the UN of her intention to carry out drilling within specific blocks of the Cypriot EEZ. It has illegally reserved with a Navtex an area west of Paphos and sent the Fatih drillship in an area where the continental shelves of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt meet. At the same time, in an effort to ‘cut off’ the region, it also reserved a second area east of Rhodes and south of Kastellorizo islands for armed exercises.
Kathimerini said that Ankara gears up for a hot summer, testing the reflexes of Athens and Nicosia by sending the Fatih drillship south of Cyprus and the research vessel Oruc Reis within the Greek EEZ in August.
The fact that both Greece and Cyprus did not submit the coordinates of the delimitation agreed between them of their EEZs creates legal difficulties for Athens, the daily said.
It added that despite the fact Ankara is illegally reserving the area in question, it seems that Turkey will use the pretext of its influence, in its opinion, within the zone of the occupied areas.
The pressure exerted through Ankara’s nautical presence in the Eastern Mediterranean aims basically to nullify the positions of Athens and Nicosia on the two countries’ adjoining EEZs. The two countries are informing Brussels and Washington on Turkey’s latest moves that aim at escalating tension.
Athens and Nicosia are trying to coordinate their actions in various ways, the paper said, adding that the Greek Defence Minister, Evangelos Apostolakis, will be in Cyprus on Wednesday for a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart, Savvas Angelides.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Turkey’s illegal actions contradict the suggestion of the UN Security Council to avoid actions that negatively affect the resumption of talks.
Mogherini (EU)
>> Concerned over Turkey’s announced intention to carry out drilling activities within the island’s EEZ and warned that the EU will respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus.
>> Calls on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus in its EEZ and refrain from any illegal action
Russia
>> Concerned about information on escalation of situation in East Med and calls on Turkey to refrain from actions that could cause tension and create additional obstacles to Cyprob solution.
>> Any economic activity should correspond to the norms of international law.
Tsipras (Greece)
>> Greece is ready to defend the law in the Aegean and in Cyprus either by itself or with its allies.
>> Greece has the power and will do so if necessary to send a message of determination to those who think they can act as the cowboys of the region.
AKEL: DISY spreads fake news
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
A war of words broke out on Saturday between President Nicos Anastasiades and DISY leader Averof Neophytou on the one hand and main opposition AKEL on the other.
Speaking before DISY’s congress, Neophytou said TC participation in the elections sent a message of respect and recognition of the Republic of Cyprus and disregard of the breakaway state. He went on to challenge AKEL to clearly say if it agrees with this position. The DISY leader said that AKEL was promising TCs that election of an MEP would mean representation of the TC community in the European Parliament and lifting of the embargo on the breakaway state.
Neophytou said AKEL has adopted a dangerous practice in the past two years, launching daily attacks against the president and creating the false impression that it was the Turkish side that wanted a solution while Anastasiades was the obstacle.
For his part, Anastasiades accused AKEL of trying to capitalise on the serial murders by politicising the issue but in doing so the opposition party committed a faux pas, since it forgot the Mari victims. “I have expressed my regret, I have expressed my apology, we dared to apologise regardless of the victims being foreigners. Some people didn’t want to and haven’t even apologised yet to the 13 heroes who were literally led to their death by their actions and omissions. And these are the people judging us.”
In response, AKEL said that the dark propaganda communicated by DISY and the president reveals they are in panic mode.
AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said that DISY was calling on him to respond to fake news they are fabricating themselves. Until recently, he said, Niyazi Kiziyurek, the TC academic that runs on an AKEL ticket in the Euro-elections, was an advisor to Anastasiades. Did they suddenly remember that Cyprus was at risk from Niyazi Kiziliyurek, he asked, adding that this is a man who has been living in the free areas for 31 years, and who is in favour of the bizonal, bicommunal federal solution and is consistent in his support of Greek-Turkish friendship.
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou
>> Wants AKEL to say if it agrees that TC participation in the elections means respect and recognition of the RoC and disregard of the breakaway state.
>> AKEL promises TCs that election of a TC MEP would mean representation of the TC community in the European Parliament and the lifting of the embargo on the breakaway state.
>> AKEL has adopted a dangerous practice in the past two years by launching daily attacks against the president and creating the false impression that it was the Turkish side that wanted a solution and Anastasiades was the obstacle.
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> DISY & Anastasiades have resorted to propaganda because they are in a panic mode. DISY is fabricating fake news.
>> The government suddenly remembered that Cyprus is at risk from Kiziliyurek who until recently was an advisor to Anastasiades, supports a BBF and has lived in the free areas for 31 years.