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Government of adjustment
UBP (National Unity Party)-HP (People’s Party) coalition “officially” formed, new cabinet presented to President. ‘Tuning’ crisis between Akıncı and (UBP leader Ersin) Tatar. Shortly after the new government was formed, a crisis erupted between President Mustafa Akıncı and Prime Minister Ersin Tatar over remarks made by Tatar. Prime Minister Tatar said that President Mustafa Akıncı was more supportive of a federal settlement. “As a result, we believe that his views and tone require adjusting,” said Tatar. In response, President Akıncı said Tatar’s remarks had gone too far and that there were issues which the government needed to address, primarily on the economy. “Only the people can decide whether or not I require adjustment,” Akıncı responded.
- Here is the new cabinet – Yenidüzen lists members of the new cabinet.
- Five Prime Ministers in the past five years – Yenidüzen lists all five who served as prime minister in the past five years.
35th government
The 35th government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is established through UBP and HP’s partnership. The cabinet was first presented to the president and then to parliament. A hand-over ceremony was held at the prime minister’s office. The government programme will be read in parliament on 27 May.
- Emphasis on determination and stability – The coalition agreement between UBP and HP emphasises a determined and stable coalition government with people’s needs in priority.
- Polemics over ‘tuning’ – Tatar, speaking to media after presenting the new cabinet to the president, said Akıncı’s view on Cyprus Problem need to be adjusted. In response, Akıncı excused Tatar of being over-excited, and highlighted ‘there are other issues like the economy that require adjusting and fine-tuning!’
Here’s the new cabinet
The 35th government of the TRNC is established through an UBP-HP coalition. Ali Pilli, Olgun Amcaoğlu and Dursun Oğuz are first-time ministers in the new cabinet.
- Bulut Akacan to be tried in Serious Crimes Court – Akacan’s appeal to reverse Kyrenia District Court’s decision to transfer his case to Criminal Court rejected by the Appeals’ Court. Akacan and two of his bodyguards to appear before a criminal court on Thursday.
UBP happy, HP tense
The new cabinet, under Prime Minister Ersin Tatar’s leadership, officially assumed office. UBP is generally pleased but its MPs, whose expectations weren’t met, are not so much. New government caused problems in HP.
- ‘Tuning’ crisis at first meeting – One minute after PM Tatar’s cabinet is approved, Tatar ignites a crisis at the doorstep of the Presidential palace by stating that Akıncı’s view on Cyprus problem needs adjusting.
41 times Mashallah
Tatar’s speed in drawing up the new cabinet shocked everyone. The TRNC’s 13th Prime Minister and head of its 41st government [since 1975] signed a cooperation protocol with HP leader Kudret Özersay at 10am. He submitted his new cabinet to the President at 11am. The new cabinet was read out in parliament at 2:30pm.
- Tornados instead of F-35s – RAF fighter jets to take part in an exercise in Eastern Mediterranean land at Akrotiri.
- Eyes turn to TRNC – Chinese millionaire wanted in Germany disappears after going to Greek Cypriot administration.
Here are Ankara’s new civil servants
The dream of Ersin Tatar, who said they were forming a government which Ankara wanted, has come true. New coalition government, approved unanimously by UBP’s Party Assembly and the majority of HP’s Party Assembly, was presented to parliament yesterday. Government programme to be read out in parliament on Monday 27 May.
- He is going to give Akıncı a tuning – Ersin Tatar overstepped his mark on the first day.
Main News
New coalition’s first day overshadowed by Tatar’s remarks on Akıncı
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process, Energy
OVERVIEW
The new National Unity Party (UBP)-Peoples’ Party (HP) government was swiftly formed on Wednesday after UBP leader and PM Ersin Tatar signed a coalition protocol with HP leader Kudret Özersay. Just an hour later, Tatar presented his cabinet to President Akıncı.
In the afternoon, the new cabinet was read out in parliament as part of the normal procedure. A debate on the new government programme is scheduled to take place on Monday.
Among other issues, the new government protocol touches on the Cyprus Problem.
It states that decades of negotiations have revealed that a federal model of settlement has been exhausted and is unrealistic under the current conditions.
“It is for this reason that the time has come to bring to the table, different, more realistic and attainable models. The government will support cooperation between the two sides in the fields of economy, commerce, tourism, humanitarian issues as well as other issues even in the absence of a settlement,” the protocol reads.
The protocol states that the government will also support the implementation of confidence-building measures in a manner which will not hurt the fundamental positions of the Turkish Cypriot side.
On hydrocarbons, it says that the government believes it is important that hydrocarbon resources which belong to both communities in, must be shared fairly and equally in the spirit of cooperation.
“Within this context, the TRNC government in full cooperation and solidarity with the Republic of Turkey will protect its legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and will raise its just position at the international level at every opportunity it gets,” the protocol states.
Only moments after Tatar presented his new cabinet to Akıncı, a crisis erupted between the two over Tatar’s remarks regarding Akıncı’s stance on the Cyprus Problem.
He told reporters that Akıncı’s views regarding a settlement were more supportive of a federal settlement which was why they believed Akıncı’s tone and views required adjustment.
He repeated the view that the federal solution model had been exhausted and that new models should be introduced in future talks.
He said that although Akıncı regularly consulted with Turkey on the Cyprus Issue, Ankara supported the idea of introducing alternative views to the negotiating table, a view they shared.
Tatar said that Akıncı also needed to listen to what parliament had to say.
He added that UBP and HP’s views on the Cyprus Issue were close and that the government will now act harmoniously, considering that the four-party coalition that collapsed some two weeks ago had different views.
Akıncı responded quickly with his own statement, accusing Tatar of overstepping his boundaries.
He reminded that the Turkish Cypriot community had elected him as its leader to conduct talks on the Cyprus Problem and that the government’s priority should be to address the country’s economic problems.
Akıncı also reminded that he still has one year remaining in office and would continue to work for a settlement until his very last day in office.
On the issue of alternative models, Akıncı questioned these alternatives.
“Let’s talk about alternative models but where are these models? Everyone is saying that this issue can only be settled through negotiations.
“The Turkish Cypriot side should also not find itself in a position where it rejects the principles on which the negotiations are based on. You will be at odds with the international community if you do this and could lose all that has been achieved over the years in a single move,” Akıncı added. Akıncı also criticized the government protocol stating that it failed to state what these alternative solution models were
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Federal settlement model has been exhausted, new alternatives should be introduced.
>> UBP supports Ankara’s view of bringing alternative models to the table.
>> UBP & HP views on Cyprus Issue are close, will act harmoniously on the Cyprus Problem.
UBP-HP
>> Federal solution model exhausted & unrealistic under current conditions.
>> Time to bring more realistic & attainable models to the table.
>> Supports cooperation between two sides of island on economy, commerce, tourism, humanitarian issues & other issues even in absence of solution. >> Supports implementation of CBMs that do not hurt fundamental TC positions.
>> Hydrocarbons belong to both communities. Must be shared fairly & equally in spirit of cooperation.
>> Will protect legitimate rights & interests in East Med in full cooperation & solidarity with Turkey and will raise its just position internationally at every opportunity.
Akıncı
>> No alternative models present. Solution only possible through negotiations.
>> Solution model discussed at the table needs to be mutually acceptable and within UN framework. You cannot invent your own solution model.
>> GCs reluctance towards a settlement must not push TC side to seek a settlement outside UN parameters.
>> Rejecting standing principles on a settlement can put TCs at odds with the international community.
>> All achieved over the years could be lost with a single move.
>> UBP-HP coalition protocol fails to name alternative solution models.
Resources around Cyprus belong to two sides
Havadis, Diyalog
Energy
OVERVIEW
Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik said every attempted attack directed at the rights and interests of Turkey and the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean will be met with determination.
Speaking at the AKP’s Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting on Wednesday, Çelik underlined that the resources around Cyprus, as international law dictates, belong to the two sides.
CMP submits report to Akıncı
Yenidüzen, Havadis, Afrika
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Gülden Plümer Küçük, the Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP), on Wednesday presented President Mustafa Akıncı with a report titled “Needs of families of missing persons in Cyprus”. According to Akıncı’s press bureau, the report, prepared by the CMP and Red Cross, focuses on the psychological, psycho-social, economic and administrative needs of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot family members, whose missing persons have yet to be found.
Kızılyürek calls on TCs to make their voice heard on Sunday
Yenidüzen, Havadis
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot academic and AKEL European Parliament (EP) candidate Niyazi Kızılyürek said he believes the Turkish Cypriots will make their voice heard by voting in Sunday’s EP elections during a visit to Doğancı (Elia), report both papers.
Kızılyürek said his candidacy, a first in history, has overturned the status quo and showed the island that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are not enemies but can achieve anything together.
He underlined there are no Turkish Cypriots or Greek Cypriots anymore but those who want a solution and those who do not. There are people who believe in the federal state and those who don’t.
Kızılyürek highlighted that Turkish Cypriots have remembered their EU citizenship even though there are others in the north asking them not to vote because the two seats promised for the Turkish Cypriots are occupied by Greek Cypriots.
Kızılyürek said they are waiting for TRNC to be recognized before taking part in the EP elections and posed a question for his audience: “How will the Turkish Cypriots be more visible if they are not in the European Parliament?” The passports in our pockets should not be used for travelling purposes only, Kızılyürek said and urged every Turkish Cypriot EU citizen to go to the ballot box on Sunday.
KEY ACTOR
Kızılyürek (AKEL MEP candidate)
>> TCs’ voice will be heard when they vote on Sunday for EP elections.
>> His candidacy has shown the world TCs & GCs are not enemies and can work together.
>> There are no TCs or GCs, only those who support a solution and those who oppose it.
>> TCs need to vote and participate in EU if they are to become more visible.