Front Page Headlines
Clues for a solution
United Nations feels out sentiments of both communities. We’re announcing the results of the survey reflected in the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ report to the UN Security Council.
- Polls show Niyazi Kızılyürek has the advantage
- No tickets cheaper than 569 TL – Skyrocketing adjustment to plane ticket prices for Bayram holiday.
Once honeymoon over, we will end up fighting again
Farmers warn the future government in advance and highlight the need for agricultural policies to be produced rather than managing agriculture on a day-to-day basis. Hüseyin Çavuş Kelle, president of the Farmers’ Union, said neither farmers nor livestock breeders have any patience anymore.
- Araz to remain in police custody for three days – Mehmet Araz, who was caught smuggling 510kg of meat from South Cyprus will remain in police custody for three more days until the police conclude its investigation.
Raining bullets from gunman
A gunman fired 15 bullets on Saturday night at 46-year-old Eray Kenanoğlu, who was in his car at the time of the attack. Kenanoğlu suffered 11 hits on his legs during the attack. The gunman escaped in a rental vehicle.
- We are beautiful because we are colourful – A march held in Nicosia to raise awareness of LGBTI+ individuals’ rights and freedoms.
The trend in tourism heading downwards
Tourism in the north started to decline. According to statistics, the hotel occupancy rate in the first four months of the year has dropped by 16.5% compared to the same period the previous year.
- All colours are equal – Nearly one thousand people held a pride march to mark 17 May International Day against homophobia.
- Armed attack in Kyrenia – 46-year-old Eray Kenanoğlu wounded as a result of the attack. Gunman escaped.
Last three days
UBP (National Unity Party)-HP (Peoples’ Party) coalition talks stuck over the distribution of institutions. Chances of an agreement are diminishing. An agreement has yet to be reached in talks between UBP and HP regarding the distribution of 22 public institutions and offices among the two parties. According to information obtained by Diyalog, HP’s insistence on nine of the 22 institutions and its equal representation in the executive boards of all the institutions caused disquiet within UBP.
- Received great attention – Lusignan prince attends an event at Bedesten (in Nicosia’s old town).
The latest episode at the cowshed
Nicosia’s Mayor (Mehmet) Harmancı denied entry at iftar (fast-breaking) dinner held at Hala Sultan mosque (Mia Millia). Mehmet Harmancı, who went to the event out of official obligation, was denied entry by a three-star ranked police officer on grounds his name was not on the protocol guest list. Harmancı, shocked by the response, left the venue without speaking to anyone.
- Parties in South express support to Afrika – DIKO (Democratic Party), EDEK (Movement for Social Democracy) and the Ecologists’ Movement-Citizens’ Alliance published messages of support to Afrika following the court’s ruling.
- Jasmine Movement makes a difference – Euronews drew attention to the fact the Jasmine Movement has a different stance compared to the other parties contesting the European elections.
Main News
There is desire but no belief – UN survey reveals interesting facts
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
A survey commissioned by the UN on both sides of the island revealed that a majority of Greek Cypriots want the immediate resumption of talks and believe in the urgency of a settlement, Esra Aygın reported for Yenidüzen on Sunday.
A total of 500 Turkish Cypriots and 500 Greek Cypriots took part in the survey aimed at understanding the expectations and concerns of both communities. The survey was conducted in late 2018 by Prologue Consultancy on the Turkish Cypriot side and CyMar on the Greek Cypriot side, involving focus groups and face-to-face interviews.
The survey results were also published in the Greek Cypriot daily, Politis.
While 70% of Greek Cypriots expressed a desire for the restart of negotiations, 62% highlighted the urgency of a solution.
The percentage of Turkish Cypriots who want the restart of the talks stood at 51%. Only 46% of Turkish Cypriot respondents said that a settlement was urgent while 43% expressed an opposing view.
The survey revealed that while desire among Greek Cypriots for the restart of talks was high, belief that the talks could produce a successful outcome was at a low of 21%. Whereas 44% of Turkish Cypriots participants said they believed a solution was possible.
According to the survey, the majority of both communities expressed the view that they were not informed well enough about the process. While Turkish Cypriots said that they wanted to be better informed on the issue of effective participation in decision making and the equal treatment of Turkish and Greek nationals post-settlement, the majority of Greek Cypriots said they wanted more information on the issues of troop withdrawal and guarantees.
Again 75% of Turkish Cypriots and 82% of Greek Cypriots responded that they wanted to live separately in their own respective constituent states. 77% of Greek Cypriots said they did not believe that many Greek Cypriots would move to the north in the event of a settlement while 68% of Turkish Cypriots said they did not believe that many Turkish Cypriots would move to the south in case of a solution. However, 65% of Greek Cypriot respondents believe that many Turkish Cypriots would move to the south in case of a solution.
The survey also revealed that the two communities have different views regarding the potential benefits of a solution.
Turkish Cypriots, according to the survey, believe that the biggest benefit of a solution would be economic growth followed by an end to the uncertainty, exploitation of hydrocarbons, territorial arrangements, protection of culture and return of property to displaced persons.
For Greek Cypriots, the biggest benefit of a solution would be the return of property to displaced persons and territorial arrangement, followed by exploitation of hydrocarbons, withdrawal of foreign troops, economic growth and security.
The survey also examined the fears of the two communities both in the event of a settlement and the absence of a settlement. Both communities fear a possible outbreak of conflict in a post-settlement Cyprus. This is followed by fear of becoming a minority, losing independence in decision making as well as political and social instability.
Apart from the possibility of conflict in a post-solution Cyprus, Greek Cypriots fear the growing influence of Turkey in Cyprus, becoming a minority and social/political instability.
Regarding fears from the failure to reach a solution, Turkish Cypriots fear the economic deterioration of economic conditions, being absorbed by Turkey, loss of employment and political isolation. Greek Cypriots fear de facto recognition of Turkish Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots being absorbed by Turkey, the continuation of the status quo and armed conflict.
The survey results also pointed out that the two communities do not know each other well enough and that strong prejudices still exist between them. While the survey revealed that 51% of Turkish Cypriots and 61% of Greek Cypriots believe they can live together in peace, members of both communities are increasingly positive about having a neighbour or friend from the other community compared to surveys in previous years. While 65% of Turkish Cypriot respondents and 70% of Greek Cypriots respondents are okay with sending their children to a mixed school, a 75%-77% majority are positive about a common university.
Respondents were also asked on the biggest obstacles in the way of contact and communication between the two communities.
The majority of Turkish Cypriots listed according to the rank of importance the lack of trust of Greek Cypriots in Turkish Cypriots, legal obstacles and the desire of Greek Cypriots to live separately from Turkish Cypriots as the biggest obstacles in the way of contact. Interestingly, the Greek Cypriots listed the same reasons as Turkish Cypriots.
A majority in both communities stated that the other community had nothing to fear from them.
Despite the fact there has been a noticeable increase in trust between the two communities over the past 12 years, lack of trust remains an issue, the survey results show.
According to the survey, 46% of Turkish Cypriot respondents and 49% of Greek Cypriot respondents say that they trust the other community. There is a strong desire within both communities in favour of the interoperability of mobile phones, bicommunal trips across the island, cooperation between businesses of the two sides, incorporation of educational materials to be prepared by each side into the curriculums of the two sides, opening of new crossings and student exchange programs.
Both communities are open to cooperation in ecology, environment, sports, water management, electricity and education while the majority of Greek Cypriot respondents are not keen on any cooperation concerning natural gas. The results show 69% of Turkish Cypriots and 36% of Greek Cypriots support closer cooperation concerning natural resources, including oil.
Both sides have equal rights in natural resources
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot Business People’s Association (İŞAD) Foreign Affairs Committee said in a written statement on Saturday that it will continue to object to the usurping of Turkish Cypriots’ rights in natural resources, which both communities have equal rights over.
The issue of natural resources is a matter that the two sides must work on together, the statement said.
The Association stressed that the Turkish side is not bound by the unilateral declaration of EEZs as it is not possible to attempt to prohibit Turkey’s hydrocarbon drilling that is carried out in its continental shelf, which is registered and recorded by the United Nations.
The Association added that Turkey will also carry out hydrocarbon activities in areas licensed by the north.
It reminds of the UN Secretary-General’s call to de-escalate tensions around the island.
İŞAD added that both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have adhered to a consistent policy based on reciprocal steps as long as the Greek Cypriot side refuses to cease its hydrocarbon activities, or unless it chooses to agree to collaborate with the Turkish Cypriot side.
Both sides, which have equal rights in the natural resources, must reach an agreement on the issue and transfer the resources to world markets via Turkey, the statement read.