GCC Press Review 25 May 2019

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Mobile reception all over Cyprus

Interoperability between (mobile phone) networks by the end of June. The decisiveness of the two leaders a catalyst for CBM implementation. Interconnection made possible through telecommunications hub in Switzerland.

  • Pre-election period ends in subdued tone: What are they after and what are they afraid of?
  • Quitting brought tears: Theresa May another victim of Brexit – She leaves from Downing Street on June 7
  • Turkish Cypriots head to the polls

Phileleftheros

Party cadres court each vote

Party leaders appeal to sensitivities in their final statements. They gave their all to increase participation.

  • Record number of voters and candidates: A fragmented European Parliament
  • TCs make a mint with taxis at (Larnaca) airport
  • A bitter farewell from May who left in tears

Haravgi

A strong AKEL for Cyprus and the people

AKEL: No wasted votes, no wrong choices. Will we reward them or reproach them? Time to say enough of the “best of the best”.

  • Edges of Nicosia a dumping ground
  • Council of Europe rejects creation of far-right political group
  • Turkey continues unopposed, threatening to survey more blocks of the Cypriot EEZ

Cyprus Mail

Brexit became May’s Waterloo

Tearful PM will resign on June 7, Johnson stakes leadership claim

  • Russian ambassador chastises Ozersay
  • Cyprus: All ready for Sunday’s Euro elections
  • Europe: Pro-EU Dutch parties see surprise EU election gains

Alithia

Abstention will be key

The curtain on the most divisive Euro-election campaign fell at midnight. President Anastasiades: “On Sunday we will not be holding presidential elections but European elections, where the stakes for those that dream of a united Europe is a Europe that is more effective, more social, with more solidarity”. TC press: Turkish Cypriots who will vote in Euro-elections will number in the thousands.

  • Britain: May quit with tears
  • President-Spehar: No news from Lute regarding negotiations
  • Osadchiy leaves Ozersay hanging: He went for hair and left with a haircut

Main News

Parties send messages on abstention and Turkish Cypriots ahead of polls

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters

OVERVIEW

All newspapers lead with their perspective ahead of Sunday’s elections for the European Parliament with the role of Turkish Cypriot voters and statements on the divisive climate being some of the themes highlighted. Also, multiple newspapers have short stories on the political issues on a European level and the issues in other member states, while Cyprus Mail gives a story on Dutch Labour’s surprise win a place on the front page.

Phileleftheros points out that in their final messages before the elections, party leaders found ways to mobilise their own supporters in order to gain the maximum of votes, leading into yet another spat between the Presidency and AKEL. Politis points out that the parties attempted to soften the tone of the pre-election campaign, adding that the level of abstention will be most decisive to the outcome.

All newspapers point out that Turkish Cypriot voters are an unknown variable, with Phileleftheros pointing out that the importance of this variable is tied to the importance of abstention, without further explanation. Chief Returning Officer Kypros Kyprianou stated, when asked, that all measures are being taken so that Turkish Cypriot participation is not impeded. The newspaper also includes a story on the increased security measures to ensure the safety of TC voters.

Politis features a story in which Turkish Cypriot men and women on the street share their thoughts on the European Elections and on their intention to vote. One person is quoted as saying that it is the first time that TCs feel optimistic about the future. Politis also feature a story on the fight between EDEK and ELAM for attracting votes in Paphos, as well as the contribution of EU citizens living in Cyprus to the election trends.

In related news, Phileleftheros features a short interview by head of the European Commission’s Representation in Cyprus, Ierotheos Papadopoulos, on the funding provided by the EU for public works in Cyprus and investments in the quality of life and development.


Formula on phone interoperability to be applied by June’s end

Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Politis
CBMs

OVERVIEW

Politis reports that the long process of finding a way to enforce the decision by the two leaders on interoperability of mobile phones on both sides has reached an end, and that subscribers of Cyprus-based companies will be able to have reception north and south of the island by the end of June at the earliest.

The newspaper report is based on information that was confirmed off the record by politicians on both sides of the divide. According to the report, Cyta, MTN, Telsim and Turkcell will need a few weeks to proceed. Interconnection will be achieved by the companies signing individual deals with a telecommunications hub in Switzerland. Politis notes that the issue was brought up once more by Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci in February, adding that this CBM has been discussed since 2013.

In other CBM news, Politis and Cyprus Mail host stories on an initiative by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to use Instagram in order to encourage youth to become more aware of issues of cultural heritage and the work done by the bicommunal committee. Haravgi features a short story on a bicommunal initiative in Famagusta regarding the prevention of garbage disposal in the sea.


Russian ambassador chastises Ozersay over publication of meeting

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, Energy, External Security

OVERVIEW

Cyprus Mail reports that Russian ambassador to Nicosia Stanislav Osadchiy chastised TC “foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay, after Ozersay posted an announcement on the TC “ministry’s” official social media profile of a meeting between the two. The post, according to the newspaper, said that ‘minister’ Ozersay exchanged views with the Russian ambassador on recent military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean region, in particular with regard to tension-raising activities, including the armament of the Greek Cypriot side.

They also discussed other issues, it said, such as problems and demands of Russian citizens living in the breakaway regime as well as the latest phase of the Cyprus problem.

Osadchiy responded underneath the same post saying, “Mr Ozersay you know very well that the Russian Federation recognises only the Republic of Cyprus”, pointing out that their meeting, which he wrote was held in a restaurant, was unofficial and had the nature of a meeting with the leader of a party. “I consider your publication about our meeting as an attempt to discredit me personally,” he added.

Phileleftheros gives less attention to the issue, reproducing Ozersay’s original post and Osadchiy’s statement. Politis also gives little space to the story, with the title “They spoke in secret” and pointing out that Osadchiy was “annoyed” by Ozersay’s post.

In other Cyprus Problem related developments, all newspapers report on Elisabeth Spehar’s visit to President Anastasiades. According to Phileleftheros, the discussion recorded the existing problems, with Anastasiades pointing out to Spehar the ways in which Turkish actions in the sea west of Cyprus impedes efforts for negotiations. In public statements Spehar was brief, saying that multiple issues were discussed ahead of the UN Security Council’s discussion on UNFICYP, adding “All’s well”. Cyprus Mail reports that Anastasiades underscored to Spehar the need for UNFICYP’s continued presence.


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