Front Page Headlines
For the sake of ‘democratic’ appearances
Talks for the new government have begun. Leader of National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar visited all the parties. Tatar claimed that “clean society, clean politics and transparency were principles always defended by UBP.” He said that there was nothing that they couldn’t agree with in principle with the Peoples’ Party (HP). Later in the day, Tatar said there was no agreement with HP and that this was just a created perception. (HP leader Kudret) Özersay said that chances of forming a coalition with UBP were just the same as not forming a coalition with UBP.
- Erhürman: “There has been a formula for quite some time now. I would like to wish them success” – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman says there is no need for his party to evaluate Wednesday’s meeting with UBP and that a government formula (UBP-HP) exists.
Tour of formality completed
Ersin Tatar completed the formality tour of political parties on Wednesday. Tatar repeated the same message on alternatives: either UBP-CTP or UBP-HP coalition. The third option is to hold early elections.
- KIBTEK introduces summer tariffs – TC Electricity Authority introduced the new summer tariffs and hours applicable for subscribers.
- People want the new government to fix the economy – Kıbrıs Postası speaks with the people on the streets. People demand economic improvement.
Systematic attack on our universities
Foreign students studying in the north also complain about the devaluation of the Turkish Lira and expensive plane tickets. Some groups use these external factors to carry out campaigns against the universities. YÖDAK (TC Higher Education Accreditation Board) to bring universities together for collective action against such negative propaganda.
- We must not be at the point of demanding more – UBP leader Tatar completed the first round of meetings with political parties, highlighting two possible coalition options while adding that everyone must act responsibly and do whatever is necessary to form a government.
- Judiciary preparing for the new judicial year – The Supreme Council of Judicature announced new promotions among judges and members of the Serious Crimes Court.
Either UBP-HP or an early election
CTP, TDP (Social Democratic Party) and DP (Democratic Party) came out clearly against being in a new coalition, leaving UBP with the only option of entering a coalition with HP. If not, there will be an early election.
- Turkey will drill in TRNC licensed areas – Turkish FM Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu underlined Turkey will continue hydrocarbon drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean with determination both in its continental shelf and in areas licensed by the North.
Off to the ballot boxes if agreement can’t be reached with HP
Tatar completes tour by visiting all political parties in one day.
- No taking steps back – Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu gave a message to countries reacting to Turkey’s activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Drilling threat – Tspiras claims EU will be imposing economic sanctions on Turkey.
- In the semi-final – Greek Cypriots’ hope in Eurovision Tamta.
Decision to be taken today
Nicosia district court to announce today its verdict on cartoon case filed against Afrika newspaper. The decision will be read out by judge Cenkay İnan. The case had been filed following a complaint by former Turkish ambassador Derya Kanbay on “behalf of Turkish Cypriots”. Kanbay had failed to testify in court despite being called up as a witness.
Main News
Tatar seeks views of political parties to form a coalition
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
National Unity Party (UBP) leader Ersin Tatar held separate meetings on Wednesday with leaders of all the other five parties in the Turkish Cypriot parliament in line with his mandate to form a new government.
The UBP leader told reporters on Wednesday the visits were preliminary meetings aimed at seeking the views of all the parties. Tatar said that coalition possibilities were limited to an UBP-CTP (Republican Turkish Party) or UBP-HP (People’s Party) government or to an interim government until early elections.
CTP leader Tufan Erhürman on Wednesday pointed out that there was currently nothing for his party to evaluate and that the most likely scenario was an UBP-HP government.
HP leader Kudret Özersay told reporters after Wednesday’s meeting that they had mainly listened to what UBP had to say. He said it was too early to say anything and that a clearer picture would emerge in the next few days.
Özersay said what was discussed at the meeting will be taken up thoroughly within HP’s authorised bodies. Commenting on the possibility of an UBP-HP coalition, Özersay said the chances of an UBP-HP coalition were the same as the chances of not entering a coalition with UBP.
Tatar, after meeting with Democratic Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktaş, highlighted the urgency to form a government due to the economic crisis in the country. He also said that the current government should refrain from taking political decisions that require the approval of the cabinet.
Denktaş said the Democratic Party expressed his party’s readiness to remain in opposition in the new period.
He also pointed out that an UBP-HP coalition was the most likely coalition scenario and urged Tatar to speed up the process as “life continued”.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit also expressed the view that the most likely coalition scenario was an UBP-HP coalition.
He repeated his earlier remarks that those responsible for breaking up the four-party coalition now had a responsibility to form the next coalition.
During the meeting between UBP and Re-birth (YDP) Party, both YDP leader Erhan Arıklı and Tatar highlighted that they focused on the need to change the existing election law. Arıklı urged Tatar to seal the coalition deal with HP as soon as possible because people do not have the luxury of wasting time during a difficult economic period.
Turkey to continue hydrocarbon drilling in licensed areas
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Wednesday Turkey has demonstrated to everyone its capability of carrying out its own hydrocarbon drilling. He underlined that the Foreign Ministry has briefed the ambassadors of the Permanent Five (P5) members of the UN Security Council and EU member states on Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities.
He added that Turkey will continue its hydrocarbon drilling in areas licensed by the Turkish Cypriot side.
Çavuşoğlu’s remarks came after a meeting with Angel Tilvar, President of the European Affairs Commission of the Romanian Parliament.
The Turkish FM said Turkey was carrying out drilling activities on its own continental shelf and EEZ declarations by any country, especially one they do not recognise, does not mean they are valid declarations.
He added that Turkey had communicated the extent of its own continental shelf to the United Nations.
“Despite our warnings – despite the fact that we warned the EU and the international community – the Greek Cypriot administration is conducting unilateral drilling operations without guaranteeing the rights of the Turkish Cypriots,” said Çavuşoğlu
He said that the island’s natural reserves could only be fully utilized if there is a collaboration between the two sides.
“This problem needs to be resolved. Instead of making statements against Turkey, the problem must be solved from its root. And then the hydrocarbons around Cyprus can be evaluated and channelled through Turkey into the international market. If instead of adopting this logical approach they take unilateral steps then we do what we have to do and do.”
Çavuşoğlu, in response to a question on meetings between Greek Cypriot and Azerbaijani officials, said Azerbaijan’s approach to the Cyprus problem is important.
He added, however, that he too on occasion meets with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades in an unofficial capacity.
What’s important here is Azerbaijan’s attitude on the Cyprus issue and Azerbaijan has always been on Turkey’s side, Çavuşoğlu concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu
>> Turkey to continue hydrocarbon drilling in its continental shelf and in areas licensed by TC side.
>> EEZ declarations by any country, especially one Turkey does not recognise, does not mean they are valid declarations.
>> Turkey registered extent of its continental shelf with the UN.
>> Despite Turkey’s warnings to EU & international community, GC side continues unilateral hydrocarbon drilling without ensuring rights of TCs.
>> Island’s natural resources can only be fully utilized if there is collaboration between the two sides.
>> Instead of making statements against Turkey, problem needs to be resolved from its root.
>> Then hydrocarbons around Cyprus can be evaluated & channelled through Turkey to the international market.
>> If GCs do not take this logical approach, but insist on unilateral steps, then Turkey will do what it has to do.