Front Page Headlines
She ‘departed’ violently from life in a suitcase of horror
The body of the eight-year-old Elena was found at the bottom of the Red Lake. Nicos Metaxas is also suspected of the rape of a 19-year-old woman. He denies guilt. The community of Mitsero honoured the memory of the seven victims.
- The start of the drilling is a matter of hours
- Everyone bade farewell to (Savvas Liasis) with love
- (Paphos Mayor) Phedonas (Phedonos): He continues the demolitions
Second suitcase of death
In search of the third suitcase and a report of a rape and its video recording. Police would not confirm information that the body found in the lake belongs to the eight-year-old girl.
- Responding to the ‘Conqueror’ with the EU as shield – Diplomatic actions climax. International arrest warrant against the crew. Reaction by the US and Russia against Turkey. Ankara responds with war cries.
- The white house that paled in the occupation
- Bus over cliff off Ayios Fanourios (cave): Under the surprised eyes of pilgrims (in the area of Ayios Giorgos Kyrenia)
Inundated with evidence on ‘Orestis’
Complaints to the police on ‘Orestis’ increase daily. Yesterday a small child’s body was found in the Red Lake and is believed to belong to Livia Bunea’s eight-year-old daughter. Also a complaint has been revealed on the rape of a 19-year-old woman, which the 35-year-old allegedly recorded on video. The suspect, who confessed to seven murders, denied rape accusations.
- AKEL General Secretary: “A clear message to be sent out”
- Dark propaganda by Presidential Palace-DISY against Niyazi Kizilyurek and AKEL
- Last farewell to Savvas Liasis who was guarding Thermopylae in Karpasia for 45 years
Emotion, tears, apologies, party squabbles
The nightmarish action of the serial killer. After 22 days of investigations, the suitcase with the body of little Elena was found in the Red Lake. A week ago, her mother’s body was found in the same place…
- Government warning: The negotiations cannot resume with Turkish violation of the EEZ – More criticism of Turkey on its illegal actions in the Cypriot EEZ.
Main News
Cyprus ups diplomatic effort against Turkish drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The government will raise the issue of Turkey’s provocations within the island’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) at the informal EU Council meeting in Romania on May 9, as more international actors condemn Turkish actions, the papers reported.
Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodormou told the media on Saturday that the government is taking preventive measures which have already been implemented but that it would not be beneficial to say in public what these were.
On whether the Republic
would issue an international arrest warrant for those involved in the
activities of the Turkish drillship Prodromou said that individuals who are
engaged in illegal activities have personal responsibility and they may be held
accountable. This is one of the measures the government is taking, he said,
adding that all those involved in the violation of the EEZ of Cyprus may certainly
be prosecuted by international justice.
He said the government would take all measures at its disposal through its international
relations, Cyprus’ membership to the EU and international law.
The government would deal with this situation responsibly, he said, adding that Cyprus’ energy programme will proceed as planned.
Regarding whether Anastasiades would be willing to attend a Crans Montana-type meeting, with a Turkish drill ship present in Cyprus’ EEZ, Prodromou said that this is a hypothetical question and if the UN extended such an invitation, the government would examine the prevailing conditions and act accordingly.
A meeting, however, in line with the Geneva and Crans Montana format, with the participation of the EU, brings Turkey vis-à-vis its obligation to take a stance concerning the termination of the occupation of Cyprus, the withdrawal of troops and the abolition of guarantees and intervention rights, he said.
Our intention, he said, is to resume negotiations for a Cyprus settlement. However, negotiations are not possible with Turkish ships violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and creating tension.
Phileleftheros reports that Nicosia is satisfied by the reaction of the EU and of the international community on Turkey’s announced intension of drilling within the Cypriot EEZ. The government will up its diplomatic activity at EU level so that Turkey pays the consequences of her actions, said the paper.
Citing government sources, the daily reported that President Nicos Anastasiades will raise the matter to European leaders at the upcoming informal EU Council meeting.
At the same time, Nicosia is in open communication with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, EU countries and neighbouring states while the foreign minister will travel to Paris on Tuesday for contacts.
At the moment, Turkey’s Fatih drillship and its three auxiliary vessels are located around 40 nautical miles east of Akamas and 83 nautical miles from the Turkish coast. The area in question falls within the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, the daily said.
Egypt also issued a statement late on Saturday calling on Turkey to stop its provocative actions of drilling in the Cypriot EEZ which is a violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, the daily reported.
A State Department spokesperson said the US is deeply concerned by Turkey’s announced intentions to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by Cyprus as its EEZ. “This step is highly provocative and risks raising tensions in the region. We urge Turkish authorities to halt these operations and encourage all parties to act with restraint,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros said, Turkey maintains its war rhetoric despite intense international reactions.
The country’s Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, said that Turkey is determined to defend her rights in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean stemming from international law and the rights of the people of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said that it rejects the statement of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini. Turkey’s hydrocarbons activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are based on its legitimate rights derived from international law, the ministry said, and it will protect both its rights and interests on its continental shelf as the country with the largest coast, but also those of the ‘TRNC’.
The Turkish foreign ministry also said that it is the GCs, who, irresponsibly, do not hesitate to put at risk the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean, by ignoring the basic rights of the TCs on natural resources.
So far, despite warnings, the GCs did not abandon unilateral activities, said the Turkish ministry.
A logical approach, it said, would be for all protagonists outside the East Mediterranean to accept the fact that Turkey and the TCs cannot be excluded from the energy equation in the region and to stop providing unconditional support to the GCs.
Politis reports that Cypriot authorities estimate that the drilling will start on Tuesday the latest. Despite reports in the occupied areas that the drilling already started, authorities insist that up to Sunday afternoon, preparations were still underway for the drilling.
Citing sources, the daily reported that the staff of the drillship are most probably Turkish nationals trained by foreign companies.
A government source, called by Politis to comment on information that the government had intended to officially invite Turkey in a dialogue on demarcation of the two countries’ EEZs, said that an invitation had been made by Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides about six months ago, but Turkey had declined as it does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.
The daily also published the message Cyprus sent to Fatih through Radio Cyprus. The message informed the vessel that it was conducting illegal operations in the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus and that its actions are violating international law and maritime safety procedures while committing serious criminal offences.
The message continues by saying that any individuals and companies working and/or providing services, assisting and soliciting to support the illegal actions of ‘Fatih’ are violating the rights of the Republic of Cyprus, international law and maritime safety procedures. Therefore, it said, they will face all consequences according to European and international law and an international arrest warrant will be issued against them. We hereby demand to immediately cease your illegal actions, the message said.
KEY ACTORS
Prodromou
>> The government is taking preventive measures such as international arrest warrants for those involved in Turkey’s drilling activities.
>> The government will deal with this situation responsibly. Cyprus’ energy programme will proceed as planned.
>> If the UN invites parties for an informal meeting like in Crans Montana the government would examine the prevailing conditions and act accordingly. Such a meeting would mean bringing Turkey before its obligation to take a stance concerning the termination of the occupation, the withdrawal of troops and the abolition of guarantees and intervention rights.
>> The government’s intention is to resume negotiations for a solution but negotiations are not possible with Turkish ships violating the sovereign rights of the RoC.
Egypt
>> Calls on Turkey to stop its provocative actions of drilling in the Cypriot EEZ which is a violation of the sovereign rights of the RoC.
USA
>> Concerned by Turkey’s announced intentions to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by Cyprus as its EEZ.
>> This is highly provocative and risks raising tensions in the region.
>> Calls on Turkey to stop these operations and encourages all parties to act with restraint.
Turkey
>> Rejects Mogherini’s statement and argues that Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities in the East Med are based on its legitimate rights derived from international law.
>> Turkey will protect both its rights and interests in its continental shelf but also of those of the ‘TRNC’.
>> It is the GCs that do not hesitate to put at risk the security and stability of the East Med by ignoring the basic rights of the TCs on natural resources and by not abandoning their unilateral activities, despite warnings.
>> Calls on countries outside the region to accept fact Turkey and TCs cannot be excluded from the energy equation in the region and to stop providing unconditional support to the GCs.