Front Page Headlines
“They offered me a ministerial position a day before”
National Unity Party (UBP) Famagusta MP Resmiye Canaltay blasts party for leaving her out of the cabinet at the last minute. UBP Kyrenia MP İzlem Gürçağ: “I strongly criticize the fact that there are no women in the government cabinet.”
- Another ‘meeting’ crisis – Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay announced he met with Russian Ambassador to Cyprus. According to CNA, Russian Ambassador Stanislav Osadchiy reacted strongly after the meeting. “Mr Özersay you know very well that the Russian Federation recognises only the Republic of Cyprus. Our meeting at the restaurant had an unofficial character as with the leader of any [political] party. I consider your publication about our meeting as an attempt to discredit me personally,” Osadchiy said.
- “Criminals seeking refuge is a bleeding wound for both sides” – Police Department speaks to Yenidüzen for the first time on the growing problem of criminals on the island who flee to the North or the South after committing crimes.
Accreditation crisis has risen from the dead
Dozens called Kıbrıs Postası newspaper complaining that the diploma accreditation crisis has returned. They complained their diplomas are not registered online. Kıbrıs Postası reported that the Turkish Higher Education Board (YÖK) suspended thousands of Turkish citizens’ diplomas obtained from Turkish Cypriot universities.
- 72 candidates competing for six seats – European Parliament (EP) elections will be held on Sunday.
- Greek Cypriot side is acting like a spoilt child – Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay spoke to Turkish daily Akit regarding the natural gas issue in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Four injured: three in critical condition
The scene of the accident, which occurred on the Kyrenia-Nicosia road past midnight, resembled a war zone. The driver of one of the vehicles got stuck in the car.
- Please see us – Civil society organizations (CSOs) from Morphou and Lefka regions urge the new government to pay them the necessary attention. CSOs remind the government: we are also districts like others!
Drugs trap
Two girls aged 14 and 17 were arrested while smuggling drugs from the south to the north. Their young age, the fact they are involved in the drugs trap, and bringing drugs from south to north, are a horrific example of the size of the drugs problem in the North.
- Ballot boxes ready – EP elections will be held on Sunday. 72 candidates will compete for six seats in the European Parliament. Voting starts at 7am.
Don’t waste our hopes
Diyalog spoke to a significant number of mukhtars who believe that the new government will be successful. They want road repairs to be the government’s top priority.
- Dangerous scenarios – Greece’s Foreign Minister (Georgios) Katrougalos said there was the possibility or an armed conflict breaking out between Turkey and South Cyprus.
Big support to Jasmine
The Jasmine Movement will be the voice of the Turkish Cypriot community which has been isolated from the world for years. There is a boom in the number of Turkish Cypriots who are going to vote a day before the election. Members of the public have been calling our newspaper to ask where they can vote. Two buses from Kyrenia arranged by the Jasmine Movement will carry voters who want to come to Nicosia.
Main News
Özersay’s post angers Russian embassy
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav Osadchiy on Friday chastised Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay after the latter posted on the official social media profile of his ministry an announcement saying he had met the ambassador to discuss a number of issues.
Citing CNA as the story’s source, the dailies reported that Özersay, drew Osadchiy’s ire following a post on the Deputy Prime Minister’s office and Foreign Ministry Facebook page announcing that Özersay had met with the Russian Ambassador making it sound like an official meeting.
The post said that Özersay 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 North as well as the latest phase of the Cyprus problem.
Underneath the post, Osadchiy said in response: “Mr Özersay you know very well that the Russian Federation recognises only the Republic of Cyprus.”
“Our meeting at the restaurant had an unofficial character as with the leader of any [political] party,” he said, adding that on the day of their meeting Özersay was not there in any ‘official’ capacity.
“I consider your publication about our meeting as an attempt to discredit me personally,” Osadchiy said.
Yenidüzen newspaper reported the incident as another failed PR stunt for Özersay and his ministry.
Lack of TC & GC police cooperation an open wound for both sides
Yenidüzen
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The lack of cooperation between police forces on both sides and the number of fugitives fleeing from one side to the other is a growing problem, head of the criminal justice department Zafer Zaifer told Yenidüzen.
In an exclusive interview with the daily published on Saturday, Police Director Zaifer said that both sides were experiencing problems with catching or bringing to justice criminals due to the lack of cooperation between the police forces of the two sides.
He underlined the importance of extraditing criminals who flee to the other side.
“Our liaison with the South is carried out through an information exchange office. Both sides experience the same problem and we need to do something about this. Criminals who commit crimes are easily fleeing and hiding on opposite sides of the divide. This has become an open wound for both sides,“ Zaifer said.
Zaifer said the crime rate in the North had gone up at an alarming rate over the past few years and lack of monitoring equipment was making it difficult for the police to maintain public security.
He also said that the absence of a DNA lab in the North was slowing down investigations.
Nevertheless, he said that the public’s confidence and trust in the police force was high.
Oktay: Greek Cypriot side acting like a spoilt child
Kıbrıs Postası, Havadis, Kıbrıs
Energy, International/Regional Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said the Greek Cypriot side is acting like a spoilt child regarding the Eastern Mediterranean during an interview with Turkish daily Akit.
Oktay underlined the Turkish Cypriot side has as much right over the natural resources as the Greek Cypriots. He noted that the Turkish seismic vessels continue their activities in the area, adding that Turkey will not allow anyone to attempt to stop them.
Oktay said the Greek Cypriot side is undertaking natural gas explorations in the area, as a result of an agreement signed among Israel, Egypt, Greece and south Cyprus. Turkey has also signed an agreement with North Cyprus and is carrying out hydrocarbon research in the area, including in North Cyprus’ EEZ.
Oktay said Turkey will continue its search, highlighting that Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) acquired a licence to do so a long time ago. The seismic research vessel Barbaros is currently in the area known as Block 9.
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have rights over the natural resources, Oktay said, adding that Turkey will not allow anyone to attempt to usurp those rights. “We are also giving clear messages to Greece as well,” he said.
KEY ACTOR
Oktay
>> GC side acting like a spoilt child over hydrocarbons in the East Med.
>> TCs have as much right as GCs over natural resources.
>> Turkey & TC side have agreement in place with TPAO for hydrocarbon research.
>> Turkey will not allow anyone to usurp Turkey’s or Turkish Cypriots’ rights in the East Med.
>> Turkey gives clear messages on Turkey’s determination to Greece.