Front Page Headlines
‘I looked to people around me for the cabinet ’
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar gave his first interview to Yenidüzen. Prime Minister Tatar spoke to Meltem Sonay and Mert Özdağ, responding to claims on the fine-tuning polemics and the cabinet being determined by Turkey.
- Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Başçeri: “Yes we talked about it but it’s not what you think” – Yenidüzen Editor-in-Chief Cenk Mutluyakalı writes that Turkish ambassador admitted meeting with UBP before the announcement of the new government.
- Elias Demetriou: “(Niyazi Kızılyürek) decided to run to see if more than 15,000 Turkish Cypriots will vote or not” – Coordinator for AKEL (Progressive Party of the Working People) Elias Demetriou speaks to Yenidüzen on upcoming European elections.
Emphasis on continuity at hand-over ceremonies
New ministers of the UBP-HP coalition assumed their duties. Almost all the new ministers emphasized continuity and highlighted completing unfinished projects.
- Isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots are the biggest violation – FM Kudret Özersay sent a letter to US Secretary of State Pompeo.
- Turkey will continue to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean – Turkish VP Fuat Oktay spoke on the hydrocarbons issue.
Funds must be audited
Corruption Perceptions in North Cyprus 2018 recommends the authorities to take steps towards removing the perception that executive payments and funds are not subjected to financial auditing.
- The word ‘fine-tune’ not used for Akıncı – PM Ersin Tatar said his remarks were misconstrued and that what he meant was Akıncı should revise his views on the negotiations process in view of the developments and in light of the formation of the new government.
Tender directly delivered to the address
The Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent held a tender process by invitation to organize (iftar) fast-breaking dinners under Evkaf Administration’s sponsorship. The bidding for the tender, worth 3,158,100 TL ended and the tender was quietly given to four companies. One of the companies owes 66,391.44 TL to the Tax Department, 36,254.25 TL to the Provident Fund and 130,854.43 TL to Social Security Department.
- Lorem Ipsum
Dörtyol (Prastio) turns into a battlefield. There are nine wounded
80-year-old foreign national collided head-on with car driven by Fatma Abay after losing control of his vehicle, creating havoc and destruction.
- Warships to arrive – Greek Cypriot Defence Minister (Savvas) Angelides said that the Evangelos Florakis naval base will be expanded in line with the agreement reached with France.
The status quo will collapse with your votes
Just one day left to the European Parliament elections. The Greek Cypriot side, unable to predict how many Turkish Cypriots will vote, is in a panic. Around 5,000-10,000 Turkish Cypriots are expected to vote in the elections.
- Hala Sultan Book Days… Religious propaganda on the rise – Publishers and writers react to an event being organised by the Evkaf Administration. Actor Yaşar Ersoy said that the Evkaf Administration was carrying out Islamic propaganda under the name of charity.
Main News
Özersay: “Isolation of TCs biggest human rights violation in Cyprus”
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Human Rights, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said on Thursday that the biggest violation of human rights in Cyprus was the unjust isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.
Özersay sent a letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding the US State Department’s ‘Cyprus 2018 Human Rights report’.
He said that the failure to mention the unfair and inhumane isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots was an important shortcoming of the report.
Özersay said the isolations, which affect the lives of the Turkish Cypriots in all aspects, resulted in deepening the crisis of trust and confidence that existed between the two sides and obstructed a negotiated settlement.
“The efforts of the Greek Cypriot administration to prevent Turkish Cypriots in areas such as tourism, arts and sports were included in the report as a result of our ministries’ efforts. We welcome this,” he said.
Özersay said despite the fact the Turkish Cypriot side could not be a party to international human rights instruments due to the unacceptable status quo, the issue of human rights was very important for the Turkish Cypriot side.
He said that the Turkish Cypriot side was doing all it could to improve the standards in the north.
“We are ready to directly collaborate with our neighbour, the Greek Cypriot side and other international actors”, Özersay said.
He added the North is already collaborating with the US, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other international actors on human trafficking, fighting terrorism, gender equality, and domestic violence. He reiterated the North is ready to further these relations with them.
KEY ACTOR
Özersay
>> Biggest violation of human rights on the island is isolations imposed on TCs.
>> TC side willing and working on improving its standards on human rights.
>> TC side not included in international human rights instruments due to the status quo.
>> TC side ready to collaborate with GCs and already collaborating with US, UN and international actors on human trafficking, fight against terrorism, gender equality, and domestic violence with international actors.
Tatar comments on alternative solution models
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, EU matters, Regional/International Relations, Energy
OVERVIEW
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said that alternative solution models could include a two-state solution under a European Union (EU) umbrella.
In interviews to Yenidüzen, BRT and TAK news agency, published by the dailies on Friday, the new Turkish Cypriot PM said that Turkish Cypriots were already EU members which was why his party did not find it right to break the Turkish Cypriot community’s ties with Europe.
He added, however, that such a two-state solution could not exclude Turkey’s active and effective guarantees in Cyprus.
“We need to discuss all these issues with Turkey and other actors as well. We could take concrete steps if we see there is a possibility of such a solution,” he said.
Tatar said his remarks regarding President Akıncı had been misconstrued and that he had not meant to criticize Akıncı for his efforts to achieve a federal settlement.
“In fact, I commend him for his efforts and beliefs but what I told him was that a partnership will never be established as long as the Greek Cypriot side’s stance remains the same. There is no light. I spoke with (Tufan) Erhürman on Wednesday and he said the same thing. The Greek Cypriots have no intention of sharing a partnership, wealth or power with us,” he said.
What he meant to say was that the president should review his position regarding a settlement in light of the current situation and realities, explained Tatar.
It was wrong to continue insisting on a federal settlement under the current conditions just because UN parameters dictated so, he added
“The Cyprus Problem continues to evolve. Cyprus and the Cyprus Problem is not what it used to be,” said Tatar, adding that developments in the region, the discovery of hydrocarbons and drilling activities by different actors including Turkey were proof of this.
He added that whatever happens, the Turkish Cypriot side had to act together with guarantor Turkey to deal with developments in the region.
In response to a question on HP (the People’s Party’s) position on the Cyprus Problem, Tatar said that the views of UBP (National Unity Party) and HP on the Cyprus issue were close.
Tatar also criticized the Greek Cypriot administration for providing a naval base to France, describing this as a violation and shameful act.
He said that three guarantor countries had a say on the matter.
KEY ACTOR
Tatar (UBP)
>> Alternative models could include two-state solution under EU umbrella, which cannot exclude Turkey’s guarantees.
>> TCs have EU membership & strong ties with Europe. It would be wrong to break those ties.
>> Concrete steps could be taken on two-state solution under EU if the possibility arises.
>> Remarks concerning Akıncı were misconstrued. Akıncı should review his position on a settlement in light of current developments and realities.
>> No chance of reaching a federal settlement with GCs. They do not want to share wealth or power with TCs.
>> No point on insisting on a federal settlement just because this is what UN parameters dictate to us.
>> Cyprus Problem continues to evolve. Regional developments and hydrocarbon drilling prove this. TCs have to act together with Turkey regarding regional developments.
>> UBP and HP’s views on Cyprus Problem close.
>> Naval base provided to France a violation and shameful act. Three guarantor countries have a say on the matter.
Turkey to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Diyalog
Energy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Turkey is determined to protect Turkish Cypriots’ and Turkey’s rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean during an iftar (fast-breaking) dinner for ambassadors hosted by the Turkish Presidency on Thursday.
He added the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities threatened regional security and stability.
Oktay reminded of Erdoğan’s criticism of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and invited all countries to join forces to fight against Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism.
Touching on the upcoming European Parliament
(EP) elections, Oktay said it is their expectation that European citizens will
not allow populist and discriminatory tendencies to take over the parliament.
Oktay underlined that Turkey’s EU membership remains a strategic goal for
Ankara and that the government is loyal to the reform process at the highest
political level.
Countdown to EP elections almost complete
Yenidüzen, Afrika
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Excitement is running high on both sides of the divide as Cyprus prepares to vote in Sunday’s European Parliament elections. Parties in the South are anxious and curious about the possible turnout of Turkish Cypriot voters, Yenidüzen and Afrika reported on Friday.
Coordinator for AKEL’s (Progressive Party of the Working People) Bureau for Reconciliation Elias Demetriou told Yenidüzen on Friday that Niyazi Kızılyürek’s candidacy under AKEL was a symbol of the party’s commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation, power-sharing and political equality of the two communities.
He said that Kızılyürek was running for the EP to see whether or not more than 15,000 Turkish Cypriots will be voting in the elections.
Demetriou also said that Kızılyürek was one of the most popular candidates within the Greek Cypriot community.
He said that Kızılyürek’s election as a Turkish Cypriot would deal a heavy blow to the far right and its arguments.
“We have the opportunity to send a strong and joint message in this direction on May 26,” he said.
Demetriou said that elections were crucial as the votes of the Turkish Cypriots will determine whether or not a far right neo-Nazi party will win a seat in the European Parliament or a Turkish Cypriot will be elected as an MEP for the first time.
Yenidüzen also interviewed a dozen Turkish Cypriots who voiced their support for the elections.
The participants all voiced the common view that it was important for Turkish Cypriots to vote, to elect a Turkish Cypriot into the European Parliament and to prevent the election of a far-right candidate in the South.