Front Page Headlines
We don’t want ‘tension’, we want a ‘solution’
Tensions are escalating as a result of developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Statements turn to warmongering. The Turkish Foreign Ministry: “The EU Foreign Affairs’ Council’s decisions will not affect Turkey’s determination to continue energy activities in the region.” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said: “We have three ships in the Eastern Mediterranean and we shall be sending the fourth.” Greek Cypriot political parties which met in Limassol rejected Akıncı’s proposal on hydrocarbons on the grounds that it was a distraction from the essence of the Cyprus problem and the need for immediate resumption of substantive negotiations. It has been announced that the Oruç Reis research vessel will be sent to the Mediterranean.
- CTP (Republican Turkish Party): All sides will bear consequences of conflict –“Greek Cypriot side must cease its hydrocarbon activities if it wants to focus on a solution process and must help prepare the ground for a results-oriented process which will not be open-ended as stated by the UN Secretary-General.”
- The EU imposes sanctions on Turkey – EU suspends negotiations on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, reduces pre-accession assistance to Turkey for 2020, invites the European Investment Bank to review its lending activities in Turkey and agrees not to hold further meetings of the EU-Turkey high-level dialogues.
Fourth vessel Oruç Reis on the way
Turkey announced it will be deploying a fourth vessel, the Oruç Reis, to the Eastern Mediterranean in response to EU’s sanctions against Turkey. Oruç Reis is expected to carry out its activities in areas conflicting with those claimed by the Greek Cypriot side.
- “I am astonished by the reasons for its rejection” – President Akıncı’s hydrocarbon proposal rejected by Greek Cypriot political parties.
- Protect our rights before everything else – Democratic Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktaş urges political parties and civil society organizations to defend the Turkish Cypriot side’s rights.
Can human life be so cheap?
Yet another unexploded mortar shell was discovered in Yuvacık (Chrysiliou) as a result of the military exercises carried out in the area. This is the second one in the area in 18 days. No lessons were drawn from the death of a boy seven months ago who had come in to contact with an unexploded mortar shell.
- Reactions pour in against the European Union
- Akıncı’s proposal rejected
- KIBTEK’s price hike rejected – The Council of Ministers rejected the Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority’s (KIBTEK) request to raise the unit price of electricity by ₺0.06. KIBTEK rejected claims it was demanding the price hike and said they were only informing the economy and energy ministry on their production cost calculations.
Retaliation to the sanctions
As the tense situation in the Eastern Mediterranean bears the risk of turning into a full-blown crisis every passing day, Turkey is getting ready to take threatening steps against the EU. Turkey is getting ready to deploy its fourth vessel to the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said the Greek Cypriot side is the spoilt child of Europe and accused the EU of acting irrationally in the name of solidarity as well as taking worthless decisions following pressure from Greece and the Greek Cypriot side.
- Greek Cypriot side preferred tension – President Mustafa Akıncı evaluated Greek Cypriot political party leaders’ rejection of his hydrocarbon proposal.
Debts not being paid
There are currently 16,655 pending court cases on unpaid debts and loans. Such cases have increased by 50 per cent in the past year. Last year, 228 people lost their homes or businesses due to unpaid loans or debts and 3,000 people had their cars confiscated.
- Akıncı: Greek Cypriots’ stance not serving peace
- The fourth ship to be sent as well – Çavuşoğlu said the EU knew that its decisions against Turkey were not possible to implement and added that Turkey will not take a step back.
- Colourful contribution to Tourism – South Cyprus’s fourth casino opens up in Ayia Napa.
The spirit of national solidarity resurrected
Mustafa Akıncı expressed disappointment over the rejection by Greek Cypriot political parties of his proposal to set up a joint committee on hydrocarbons. He said the Greek Cypriot side had opted for a policy of tension. However, he is extremely pleased that his proposal has the support and approval of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration in Turkey.
- Another unexploded armament in Yuvacık (Chrysiliou) – An 18mm mortar shell found in a field belonging to a farmer. Are they trying to kill us?
Main News
Ankara and TCs condemn EU’s decision to impose sanctions on Turkey
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The European Union’s (EU) decision to curb contacts and funding for Turkey over its drilling for gas and oil off Cyprus was met with fierce criticism and condemnation from Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials.
The EU’s sanctions will not affect its determination to continue energy activities in the region, the Turkish foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
The EU published a final declaration on Monday following a meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council which was attended by foreign ministers of its member states.
The Turkish foreign ministry said the EU’s failure to mention Turkish Cypriots in its decisions, taken on Monday, “showed how biased and partisan the EU is on the subject of Cyprus”.
The EU suspended negotiations on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement and agreed not to hold further meetings of the EU-Turkey high-level dialogues for the time being.
It also endorsed a proposal to reduce the pre-accession assistance to Turkey for 2020 and invited the European Investment Bank to review its lending activities in Turkey, notably with regard to sovereign-backed lending.
It added that the decision was the latest example of how Greece and the Greek Cypriot side abused their EU membership in line with their maximalist positions and how other EU countries become an instrument for carrying out this abuse.
“The decisions will not affect in the slightest our country’s determination to continue hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry statement said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday that it will increase its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and will send its fourth ship to the region in response to EU sanctions against Ankara, at a news conference in North Macedonia.
A similar statement was issued by Turkey’s energy minister Fatih Dönmez.
“The MTA Oruç Reis seismic research ship, which has been conducting seismic surveys in the Black Sea and Marmara since August 2017, will be sent to conduct seismic surveys in the Mediterranean Sea,” Fatih Dönmez said in a Twitter post. Dönmez said Turkey possessed the capability to search, exploit and transport resources in the region to international markets.
In a written statement on Tuesday, President Akıncı’s spokesman Barış Burcu said the EU’s stance did not contribute to a solution nor was it fair or acceptable. The EU resorted to an approach of punishment rather than encouraging partnerships through dialogue, Burcu stressed.
He added the EU not only obstructed attempts to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean but also failed to make a positive a contribution to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.
Burcu said the acceptance of Akıncı’s proposal would be in the best interest of the EU, which is in search of alternative energy sources and energy security.
Reacting to the EU’s decision to impose economic and political sanctions on Turkey, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side would continue to walk on its righteous path.
In a written statement on Tuesday, Tatar said the EU’s decision disregarded the political will of the Turkish Cypriot people.
“The decision is the latest of a long list of biased EU decisions in favour of the Greek Cypriot side,” Tatar said, adding that it served the Greek Cypriot side’s interest of maintaining the status quo by leaving the issue unresolved.
“The EU should have taken into consideration the proposals put forward by the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot people rather than taking these decisions against Turkey,” Tatar added.
Condemning the EU, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said the EU decision disrespected the Turkish Cypriots’ political will.
“This is the latest example of the EU’s lack of foresight which ignores the Turkish Cypriots’ will and rights over natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Özersay said in a post on social media.
He said the fact that no mention of Turkish Cypriots proved once again that the EU could not be impartial on the Cyprus Issue.
Özersay also said that the EU’s attempt to sideline the Turkish Cypriots by suggesting that Turkey should discuss the matter directly with the Greek Cypriot side was incomprehensible.
The steps taken by the EU instead of encouraging the actors involved to cooperate was only making matters in the region worse, Özersay warned.
He added it would be wrong to assume that the Greek Cypriot side would enter a process of reasonable dialogue on the Cyprus Problem and the hydrocarbons issue following the latest encouragement it received from the EU.
Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean cannot be preserved this way, Özersay added. “We have been proposing since 2011 to cooperate and co-manage the island’s natural resources. It seems now that we will be waving to each other from our respective gas platforms stationed a stone’s throw away from each other. The Turkish Cypriot side will continue its peaceful but determined operations in areas licensed to Turkey,” he said.
KEY ACTORS
Turkish MFA
>> EU’s sanctions will not affect Turkey’s determination to continue energy activities in the region
>> EU’s failure to mention TCs in its decisions shows how biased and partisan it is on the subject of Cyprus.
>> Decision latest example of how Greece & GC side abuses their EU membership & how other EU countries become an instrument of this abuse.
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkey will increase its activities in the Eastern Med. & will send its fourth ship to the region in response to EU sanctions.
Dönmez (Turkey)
>> MTA Oruç Reis seismic research ship to be sent to conduct seismic surveys in the Mediterranean.
>> Turkey has the capability to search, produce and transmit resources in the region to international markets.
Akıncı
>> EU’s decision does not contribute to a solution nor is it fair or acceptable.
>> The EU resorted to punishment rather than encouraging partnerships through dialogue.
>> EU has not only hindered attempts to reduce tensions in the region but also failed to make a positive contribution to efforts to solve the Cyprob.
>> Acceptance of proposal on the joint committee would be in the best interest of the EU which seeks alternative energy sources and energy security.
Tatar (UBP)
>> EU’s decision disregards the political will of the TCs.
>> EU’s decision is the latest in a long list of biased decisions in favour of GCs. It serves the GC side’s interest in maintaining the status quo by leaving the issue unresolved.
>> EU should have taken into consideration proposals put forward by TC representatives rather than adopting steps against Turkey.
Özersay (HP)
>> EU decision disrespects the Turkish Cypriots’ political will.
>> Decision latest example of EU’s lack of foresight which ignores TCs’ will & rights over natural resources issue.
>> No mention of TCs proves once again that the EU cannot be impartial on the Cyprus Issue.
>> EU’s attempt to sideline TC’s by suggesting Turkey should discuss the matter directly with the GC side is ‘incomprehensible’.
>> EU decision will only make matters in the region worse.
>> It will be wrong to believe GCs will enter a process of reasonable dialogue on Cyprus Problem and hydrocarbons issue after latest encouragement from EU.
>> Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean cannot be preserved this way.
TCs disappointed over GCs’ rejection of hydrocarbon proposal
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot side expressed disappointment and regret on Tuesday over the rejection by Greek Cypriot political parties of Akıncı’s proposal to set up a joint committee on hydrocarbons.
In a written statement on Tuesday, Akıncı said he was disappointed his proposal had been rejected.
He said that contrary to the Greek Cypriot side’s claim, the proposal was not a distraction from the essence of the Cyprus Problem but would shorten the path to a settlement.
“It is regretful to see that the Greek Cypriot leadership has opted for a policy of tension over cooperation and dialogue which would aid efforts for a solution,” said Akıncı.
He said that he was astonished on the grounds on which the proposal was rejected by the Greek Cypriot parties.
“The Greek Cypriot parties argued that the proposal could not be accepted because it was a distraction from the essence of the Cyprus problem and the need for immediate resumption of substantive negotiations. As everyone knows Turkish Cypriots suffer the most from the continuation of the status quo. This has been proven in the 2004 referendum and at the conference in Crans Montana in 2017,” he said.
Akıncı accused the Greek Cypriot side of the absence of a result-oriented negotiations process.
He said there were currently no talks because the Greek Cypriot side rejected the political equality and effective participation in decision-making processes of Turkish Cypriots.
The proposal furthermore aims to enhance cooperation between the two communities and to serve common benefit, said Akıncı.
“The Greek Cypriot side’s actions do not serve peace and stability in the region,” Akıncı stressed.
General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersan Saner also expressed his party’s disappointment over the rejection of Akıncı’s proposal.
“The rejection of the proposal to form a joint committee to deal with the hydrocarbons is a new blow to efforts to solve the Cyprus Problem,” Saner said in a written statement on Tuesday.
He added that the rejection proved that the Greek Cypriot leadership and political parties did not support a mutually acceptable, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem.
“The Greek Cypriot side is closing the doors for collaboration between the two peoples on the island,” he said.
Saner also said that the Greek Cypriot leadership’s call for the immediate resumption of talks was a waste of time and the sole purpose of this was to prolong the status quo which worked in its interest.
Meanwhile, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) also expressed its disappointment over the Greek Cypriot side’s rejection of Akıncı’s proposal.
In a written statement on Tuesday, the CTP drew attention to the dangers of escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
All actors in the region, including the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will bear the negative consequences if a conflict breaks out in the region, the statement warned.
The CTP said that the Greek Cypriot side must cease its hydrocarbon activities if it wants to focus on a solution process, as it claims.
“The Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal for a joint committee on hydrocarbons aims to settle the issue by removing tensions. The argument put forward by the Greek Cypriot side that the proposal was a distraction from the essence of the Cyprus Problem and need for immediate resumption of substantive negotiations is not a valid one. If the Greek Cypriot side truly wants to focus on a solution process it must cease hydrocarbon activities and must heed the UN Secretary-General’s call to prepare the ground for the return to result-oriented negotiations which are not open-ended,” the statement read.
It also said that issues of political equality and effective participation in decision-making processes must be included in any such process.
The CTP also expressed the view that the island’s natural resources cannot be effectively exploited as long as the Cyprus Problem remains unresolved.
“The sides need to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions and must work together to find a joint formula on the issue,” the statement concluded.
Democratic Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktaş on Tuesday urged political parties and civil society organizations to defend the Turkish Cypriot side’s rights and to work together to produce a joint statement on South Cyprus’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities.
Denktaş said the sanctions imposed by the EU against Turkey immediately after Akıncı’s constructive proposal, was unacceptable.
“Nonetheless, the international actors have ignored the separate statements issued by the Turkish Cypriot politicians,” Denktaş said.
He complained that the Greek Cypriot side continued its intransigent policies despite calls for collaboration from both Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials.
“Some members of the international community in view of their interests and collaboration with the Greek Cypriot side have disregarded Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriots’ rights transforming the Eastern Mediterranean into an area of tension,” Denktaş said.
Denktaş said he had spoken with all heads of Turkish Cypriot political parties and civil society organizations in the country on drafting a joint statement outlining a united position on the issue.
He added the joint statement will then be addressed and sent as a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council; to Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; to David-Maria Sassoli, president of the European Parliament; and to Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission.
Denktaş said the letter will reiterate Turkish Cypriots’ rights over the island’s natural resources and stress that Turkey’s actions to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots emanate from international law and Turkey’s status as a guarantor country.
The letter will also point out that a delineation agreement on the island’s disputed exclusive economic zone (EEZ) does not exist, he said. “The solution to the regional problem over hydrocarbon resources can only be achieved through dialogue and collaboration,” Denktaş concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Rejection of proposal disappointing.
>> Contrary to GC side’s claim, the proposal is not a distraction from the essence of the Cyprus Problem but would shorten the path to a settlement.
>> Regretful to see GC leadership opted for a policy of tension over cooperation & dialogue that would aid solution efforts.
>> Astonishing on which grounds the proposal was rejected. TCs suffer the most from the status quo.
>> GCs to blame for the absence of a result-oriented negotiations process due to their rejection of TCs’ political equality and effective participation in decision-making processes.
>> Proposal aimed to enhance cooperation between the two communities & to serve common benefit.
>> GC side’s actions do not serve peace & stability.
Saner (UBP)
>> Rejection of proposal a new blow to efforts to solve Cyprob.
>> Rejection proves GC leadership and political parties do not support a mutually acceptable, just & lasting solution to Cyprob.
>> GC side closing doors for collaboration between two communities.
>> GC leadership’s call for immediate resumption of talks a waste of time. The sole purpose is to prolong the status quo which works in the interest of GCs.
CTP
>> All actors including TCs & GCs will bear consequences if conflict breaks out.
>> TC proposal aims at settling hydrocarbon issue by removing tensions.
>> Argument put forward GC side that proposal is a distraction from the essence of the Cyprus Problem is not valid.
>> If the GC truly wants to focus on a solution process it must cease hydrocarbon activities and focus on returning to result-oriented talks which are not open-ended.
>> Political equality and effective participation in decision-making processes must be included in any new process.
>> Island’s natural resources cannot be fully and effectively exploited as long as Cyprob remains unresolved.
>> The sides need to act in dialogue to reduce tensions and must work together to find a joint formula on the issue.
Denktaş (DP)
>> The political parties & CSOs must protect Turkish Cypriot side’s rights on hydrocarbons over anything else.
>> TC politicians & CSOs should draft a joint statement outlining united position against GC side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities.
>> EU’s sanctions against Turkey immediately after Akıncı’s are unacceptable.
>> GC side continues its intransigent position despite calls for collaboration from both Turkish and TC officials.
>> The joint statement will highlight TCs’ rights & positions regarding the island’s natural as well prove Turkey’s actions emanate from international law & guarantor status.
>> The solution to the regional problem over hydrocarbon resources can only be achieved through dialogue and collaboration.
Tatar warns GC side to be afraid of conflict
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Greek Cypriot administration should be afraid of any conflict, since it will lose, in case of an escalation, the Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, told Anadolu News Agency on Tuesday.
Tatar said the Greek Cypriot side was treating Cyprus as a Greek island and was dreaming of uniting it with Greece.
“There is no place for Turks in Greek geography. They have always seen us [Turks] as a minority,” he said.
Stressing that the “dream” of the Greek Cypriot administration was the accession of Cyprus to the EU and withdrawal of Turkey from the area, he said, they also wanted the elimination of the Turkish Cypriot people by reducing them to a minority.
“As long as our resistance and determination continue, it is not possible for them to realize their dreams,” he said.
He said the Turkish Cypriots in general support strengthening of the TRNC as a state, with Turkey as a guarantor.
Tatar pointed out that the TRNC’s position on hydrocarbon resources in the region is that the Turkish Cypriots should enjoy similar rights as the Greek Cypriots over the island’s resources.
He added that during the UN-mediated talks with the Greek Cypriot side, the TRNC had suggested on numerous occasions to set up joint committees, for the evaluation of all the natural resources in the region.
He added that these proposals were never accepted.
“The Greek Cypriot side sees themselves as the sole sovereign of Cyprus. It does not intend to share with Turkish Cypriots, neither the administration nor the natural resources,” Tatar said.
Tatar also said that preparations were underway for the signing of a financial protocol between Turkey and the TRNC in July, which will cover the remaining part of 2019.
He said by October the TRNC and Turkey will draft a three-year protocol from 2020 to 2022. He recalled that the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay was recently appointed as the official to coordinate [activities] with the TRNC.
KEY ACTOR
Tatar (UBP)
>> GC side should be afraid of any conflict, since it will lose, in case of an escalation.
>> GCs treating Cyprus as a Greek island and dream of uniting it with Greece.
>> TCs in general support strengthening of the TRNC as a state, with Turkey as a guarantor.
>> TCs should enjoy similar rights as the GCs over the island’s resources.
>> GCs have no intention of sharing the island’s wealth or power with TCs.
Töre says Maraş (Varosha) should be opened for settlement and tourism
Kıbrıs Postası, Diyalog
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Cypriot parliament Zorlu Töre said on Tuesday that Maraş (Varosha) should be opened for settlement and tourism under Turkish Cypriot administration
Töre was speaking during a visit paid to the General Director of the Evkaf Administration İbrahim Benter on Tuesday.
Töre said it was important for the Evkaf Administration to claim and protect its properties in the fenced-off city.
“Following the inventory study, we desire to see Maraş (Varosha) reopened for settlement under the jurisdiction of the Famagusta municipality by granting the rights to both property owners and property users,” Töre said.
Benter for his part highlighted that Maraş (Varosha) had been constructed on Evkaf land but that the former Greek Cypriot residents also had user rights over the property in question.
He said the right to use of property and ownership of plots of land had been recognized in past court verdicts. “Right to use [of a property] is different from proprietorship rights,” Benter concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Töre (UBP)
>> Maraş (Varosha) should be opened for settlement and tourism under TC administration.
>> Evkaf must protect & claim its properties in the fenced-off city.
>> Following the inventory, Maraş (Varosha) should be reopened for settlement within the jurisdiction of the Famagusta municipality.
>> Rights to both property owners and property users must be granted.
Benter (Evkaf)
>> Maraş (Varosha) is a town built on Evkaf owned land.
>> GCs have rights as property users in the town.
>> The right to use of property and ownership of plots of land had been recognized in past court verdicts.
>> Right to use of a property is different from proprietorship rights.