Front Page Headlines
Someone is not telling the truth about the two states
Cavusoglu exposes the president on their secret conversations. The Presidential Palace is referring to an interview of the Turkish foreign minister in Politis to prove he is lying. We are not discussing a federal solution, Cavusoglu says.
- (Famagusta Mayor Alexis) Galanos’ funeral: Ozersay being refuted (on Famagusta port claims)
- Students look for housing in the occupied areas
- President’s health: Even athletes need time (to heal)
- Turkey: Threats against EU and US
Meeting with openings
The Anastasiades-Akinci meeting on August 9 is the first step for the five-party conference. Window for gestures on energy issues by the president.
- The Guardian decides on sales of TC land – It blocked the transfer of TC property. GCs bought from TCs in Zygi and Tohni but the Guardian did not approve.
- Consultations at the Security Council on UNFICYP
- All the foreigners left from the ‘Conqueror’ (Turkish drillship Fatih)
- Famagusta bode farewell to her patriot mayor
- Thriller with a Turkish aircraft that landed at Tympou
Behind the scenes to facilitate banks
Intense behind the scenes activity is underway between the government and DISY-DIKO in connection with the referrals by President Anastasiades which aim at overturning laws voted recently by the parliament on foreclosures. The referrals are expected to be voted next Monday by parliament.
- On August 9 the next step
- What Cavusoglu says about Anastasiades
- Alexis Galanos was buried as a refugee with a jar of sand from his hometown
‘Cavusoglu lying about two states’
As leaders agree to meet August 9, Nicosia insists president did not suggest two-state solution to Ankara.
- Galanos buried in Nicosia – Sand from a Famagusta beach in the north a parting gift to the late mayor at his funeral.
Cavusoglu is setting fires
The meeting of the two leaders was officially announced for Friday, August 9. The Turkish foreign minister says ‘Yes’ to the informal five-party meeting but is warning us that if talks take place, they will not go there to carry out talks for a federation but so that everyone’s positions are made known and to see the alternatives. He reiterates his claims that Anastasiades told him in Crans-Montana that the best solution is that of two states because the GCs do not want to share with TCs power, competencies, not even hospitals, and later, in New York, he told him about a confederation. The spokesman responded that what the Turkish FM says about the president is not true. What he claims was never voiced. The spokesman questions the timing of repeating these claims.
- Our students are renting in the occupied areas – Serious revelation by the head of (student body) Pofen on the spiralling rents. They cannot afford the €500-€600 rents.
- The TCs’ rights on natural gas are ensured – Response to Akinci.
- Alexis Galanos: Famagusta’s sand is by his side
Main News
Prodromou: Cavusoglu is not telling the truth
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The main news item in the papers on Tuesday was the government’s rejection of repeated claims by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that President Nicos Anastasiades told him he was in favour of a two-state solution.
The claims come just as the announcement was made that the two leaders are meeting on August 9 at the office of UN Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar, the dailies point out.
Government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Tuesday Cavusoglu was not telling the truth.
“It is with regret that the president heard the statements made by the Turkish foreign minister and all that he falsely ascribed as having been said,” Prodromou said in a written statement.
Earlier in the day, Cavusoglu told Turkish channel TGRT what he had said before, that Anastasiades had told him in Crans-Montana the best solution was a two-state deal because the GCs were not willing to share anything with the TCs, not power, not competencies, not even hospitals.
Cavusoglu said that Anastasiades, later on, said that since he was not able to muster international support for such a solution, a confederation would do.
Prodromou, to prove the Turkish minister was lying, referred to an interview Cavusoglu had with Politis in November 2018 where he said that Anastasiades had been very clear on his position and had even publicly spoken of his proposal for a more decentralised bicommunal federation.
In this entire period after the deadlock at Crans-Montana, it is Cavusoglu and several other Turkish officials who are repeatedly claiming and publicly promoting the idea that the UN framework for a solution has not yielded any results and should be abandoned, Prodromou said.
He added that in the interview with Politis, Cavusoglu had said the federal solution had failed but that Turkey did not exclude this option. Cavusoglu, in that interview, had also expressed his personal view that the sides ought to look at other options together.
“There he referred indiscriminately to a federation, but also to a confederation and a two-state solution,” Prodromou said.
The spokesman said that in order to overcome the impasses that arose during negotiations, Anastasiades had proposed a series of alternative options so that a viable and functioning solution could be found, “but always within the framework of the relevant UN decisions, that is, in the framework of a bizonal bicommunal federation”.
Prodromou also wondered as to the timing of Cavusoglu’s claims, at a time when efforts are being made for a conference between all interested parties in order to assess the prospects for a resumption of talks.
The Turkish side is not hiding its opposition to the resumption of negotiations from where they had left off in Crans-Montana, he said, adding that in any case, the political will, aspirations, and positions of each side will need to be judged on the negotiating table “where we expect Turkey to participate.”
In the meantime, according to Alithia and the Cyprus Mail, Anastasiades expressed readiness by the GC side for a new round of talks and called on Turkey and the TC side to show similar clear intentions in order to soon resume a process with a view to reaching a comprehensive solution.
In his address at an event of Kyrenia refugees, Anastasiades expressed hope the TC side would realise that Turkey’s “provocative actions” in violating Cyprus’ EEZ were “not in line with the resumption of talks and the process of resolving the Cyprus problem, which is what our side seeks.”
Phileleftheros, Alithia, Haravgi and Politis also report that the new Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, said on Monday that the solution to the Cyprus problem was a primary concern and strategic priority for Greece’s foreign policy.
Speaking before the Hellenic Parliament, Dendias said that the only way to achieve a mutually acceptable and beneficial solution to the Cyprus problem was the resumption of the negotiation process, based on the UN Security Council’s resolutions and the full implementation of the European acquis. He added that a necessary precondition for the resumption of the talks was the termination of the Turkish illegal drillings and explorations in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as well as the removal of the Turkish ships from Cyprus’ territorial waters.
In the meantime, Alithia and Phileleftheros report that Britain’s Minister for Europe Sir Alan Duncan who resigned from his post on Monday due to the political situation in the UK, said in his resignation letter, among other things, that it was disappointing that the UK’s efforts to secure an agreement on the future of Cyprus had failed.
Alithia reported that ‘our guy’ Alan Duncan resigned, adding that he had been handling Cyprob affairs for years.
Phileleftheros reports that Cavusoglu is putting mines under the effort for the resumption of talks and was trying to create impressions just before the meeting of the two leaders.
The meeting of the two leaders will take place under the shadow of the double Turkish effort to change the basis of the negotiations and put on the table the issue of energy, the paper said.
Politis, under the headline ‘Someone is not telling the truth about the two states’, said that this is not the first time such allegations are made since Akinci had also hinted on the positions the GC side is projecting behind closed doors. In addition, if one looks around in the Cypriot press, they will find articles based on journalistic information and diplomatic sources with similar allegations, which had not been officially refuted, the paper reported.
According to Haravgi, Cavusoglu is taking advantage of the negative image in the international community created by Anastasiades’ ‘new ideas’ and regressions.
KEY ACTORS
Prodromou
>> Cavusoglu is lying about Anastasiades telling him he preferred a two-state solution or confederation.
>> In interview with Politis, Cavusoglu had said Anastasiades was very clear in his position on a more decentralised bicommunal federation, while he himself preferred a confederation or two-state solution.
>> Cavusoglu & other Turkish officials are the ones calling for a solution outside UN parameters since the deadlock at Crans-Montana.
>> Anastasiades proposed a series of alternative options to overcome the impasse but always within the framework of a BBF solution.
>> Why did Cavusoglu choose to reiterate these claims now when efforts underway for a conference between all interested parties to assess prospects for resumption of talks?
>> Turkish side is not hiding its opposition to the resumption of talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana. But everyone’s political will, aspirations, and positions will be judged at the negotiating table where the GC side expects Turkey to participate.
Cavusoglu (Turkey)
>> Anastasiades told him in Crans-Montana the best way to go was a two-state solution because the GCs were not willing to share anything with the TCs. He later compromised with the idea of a confederation since he was not able to gather international support for first option.
Anastasiades
>> GC side is ready for a new round of talks. Turkey & TCs ought to show similar clear intentions so that a process starts soon.
>> Calls on TCs to realise that Turkey’s provocative actions are not in line with the resumption of talks & process of resolving the Cyprob.
Dendias (Greek FM)
>> Cyprob solution is a primary concern & strategic priority of Greece’s foreign policy.
>> Resumption of negotiation process based on the UNSC’s resolutions & EU acquis is the only way to achieve a mutually accepted solution.
>> For talks to start, Turkey must end illegal drillings and explorations in Cyprus’ EEZ and withdraw her ships from the island’s territorial waters.
Sir Alan (former UK Minister for Europe)
>> Disappointed by failure of UK to secure an agreement on the future of Cyprus.
Anastasiades’ response to Akinci’s proposal delivered
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
All dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades’ response to the proposal by TC leader Mustafa Akinci to form a joint committee on hydrocarbons was delivered on Monday.
According to a written statement by Prodromou, Anastasiades’ response was submitted on Monday to the UN Secretary-General Antoniou Guterres, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
“The letter has also been notified to TC leader Mr Mustafa Akinci,” the announcement said.
According to Politis, in his letter Anastasiades stresses his intention to further deepen the existing convergence in relation to the management of natural gas and the revenue that will result from it in a possible solution.
The aim of the presidency, in addition to analysing the reasons leading to the rejection of the Akinci proposal, was to give an incentive to both Turkey and the TCs to sit in a constructive manner at the negotiations table, the paper reported.
It added that a key pillar of the letter was the need to reopen talks on a comprehensive solution, while Anastasiades reiterated the convergences they have already recorded in the negotiation process over the past few years with regard to gas management. Anastasiades did not simply reject Akinci’s proposal but at the same time he did not analyse in depth any counterproposal, merely sticking to a simple statement that further safeguards could be discussed regarding what has already been agreed, Politis reported.
The letter also refers to the creation of the hydrocarbon fund that was passed by parliament, as well as to the fact that a large percentage of the revenue which the TC side is also entitled to, will be kept aside until the solution of the Cyprus problem.
At the same time, the president clarified that there is no question of adding a new chapter for discussion in the talks which concerns only energy, as only issues related to governance and the allocation of powers can be discussed. There is also a clear reference to all six points of the Guterres framework, Politis reported.
Phileleftheros, citing sources, reported that in his letter, Anastasiades appears willing to make openings on energy issues and expresses readiness for more openings within the framework of a substantive negotiation. These openings concern further reassurances on the proceeds from possible utilization of reserves within the solution framework.
Anastasiades’ approach is that hydrocarbons can be conducive for a solution and not to feed scenarios on two states and partition, Phileleftheros reported.
Kasoulides: Ozersay is lying about GCs turning down study on Famagusta port
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Territory, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The funeral of Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos, who died last week of a heart attack at the age of 78, took place in Nicosia on Monday, the papers report.
Former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides gave a eulogy at the funeral, saying: “We bid farewell to the noble democrat, Alexis Galanos.”
He also took the opportunity to refute claims by TC ‘foreign minister’ Kudret Ozersay who said recently that the GC side had turned down a 2014 proposal on the Famagusta port.
According to Alithia and Politis, Kasoulides referred to the events in 2014 and the failure of the initiative of the then US vice president Joe Biden as regards Famagusta.
The former FM said that Ozersay’s statements that the GC side had at the time turned down a study on deepening the Famagusta port as a parallel initiative for the entry of experts in the closed-off town of Varosha was a lie. “Mr Ozersay is lying,” Kasoulides said, arguing that it was Ozersay who had refused the entrance of GC experts in Varosha, Politis reported.
Galanos’ funeral took place on Monday afternoon at the Church of the Wisdom of God in Strovolos and was buried at the Engomi cemetery. A Cyprus flag and the flag of the Famagusta municipality were placed on his coffin, on top of which lay a jar containing sand from a beach in Famagusta.
Among the attendees of the ceremony were House President Demetris Syllouris, Justice Minister Giorgos Savvides on behalf of president Nicos Anastasiades, Transport Minister Vasiliki Anastassiadou, party leaders and other top officials, including Attorney-General Costas Clerides.
In addition to Kasoulides, eulogies focusing on Galanos’ efforts for the benefit of Cyprus and Famagusta were also given by Famagusta Deputy Mayor Chrysanthos Zannettos, and the son of Galanos, Christos Galanos.
KEY ACTORS
Kasoulides (former FM)
>> Ozersay is lying that the GC side had in 2014 turned down a study on deepening the Famagusta port in exchange for experts entering Varosha. It was in fact Ozersay who had refused the entrance of GC experts in Varosha.
Steep rents force students to seek housing in north
Alithia, Politis
Economy
OVERVIEW
The dailies, citing a story in OmegaLive news portal, report that GC and third-country students rent apartments in the occupied part of Nicosia since they cannot afford the steep rents in the free areas.
Head of student body Pofen, Antonia Frangou, confirmed the reports after it emerged that TCs post ads for rentals on social media mainly for the areas of Ayios Dometios and Kionelli.
Politis, citing a source within Pofen, reported that at least three GCs rented this year apartments in the occupied side of Ayios Dometios because they cannot afford to pay rent in the free areas and the tuition fees for their private university.
The GC students followed the lead of third-country students who have been doing the same for years, the source told the paper.
Frangou told Politis that Pofen would exert pressure on the government to increase the rent allowance to students and further support students in need of financial aid to curb this phenomenon.
Alithia also reports that rents near large universities in Nicosia and Limassol have risen to outrageously high levels. Frangou told the news portal that some students who risk being left homeless are forced to rent in the occupied areas at lower prices, the paper reported.
RoC prevents direct flight from Tympou to Jordan
Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that an airplane of Turkish Airlines that made an emergency landing early on Monday at the illegal airport of Tympou due to a serious health issue of one of its passengers was prevented by Cypriot authorities from flying directly from there to its final destination, Amman, Jordan.
According to the daily, the aircraft that took off from Istanbul notified at around 3.30am on Monday the air traffic controllers of the Republic of Cyprus that one of its passengers was facing a serious health issue. Controllers responded and said they would give it priority to land at Larnaca. But the ‘control centre’ of the occupied areas illegally intervened and gave the aircraft instructions to land at Tympou, the daily said.
On landing, the passenger was picked up, after which the airplane’s captain submitted a flight plan to fly from Tympou directly to Amman, which the Cypriot authorities objected to.
While the plane was about to take off, the air traffic controllers of the Nicosia FIR and other countries over which the plane would pass, forbade the flight plan. The plane remained grounded for an hour and a half during which time a battle was underway between diplomatic and civil aviation authorities of Cyprus and Turkey, the paper reported.
At around 5.30am the Turkish side caved in due to the refusal by Jordan to agree to a direct flight. And so, the plane departed for Antalya, briefly flying over the airport there in circles before changing its flight plan as if it had taken off from there, and then continued its flight to Amman, where it arrived at around 7.30am, the daily reported.
Guardian wins another case on TC property management
Phileleftheros
Property, Economy
OVERVIEW
According to the paper, a recent court ruling said that the Guardian of TC Properties (interior ministry) must give approval for the sale of TC properties by their owners in the government-controlled areas.
The ruling concerns appeals by two GCs who had bought land in Zygi and Tohni from their TC owners but who were not allowed to have the titles transferred to their names by the Guardian.
At the time the GC buyers sued the TC sellers securing legal decisions allowing them to sell that property, but the Guardian refused again to give its consent to any change in the ownership status of the properties thus the case was brought before the administrative court.
The court upheld the Guardian’s decision and rejected the applicants’ arguments that they were denied their constitutional rights, arguing that they ought to know the TC property they bought was under the management of the Guardian.
The court referred to the Constitution and the law of necessity, arguing that the Guardian has the duty to take all necessary measures for the management and protection of abandoned TC properties in the interest of social order, the daily reported.
Peace education conference held in Nicosia buffer zone
Haravgi
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) is hosting the 43rd International Institute on Peace Education (IIPE) Conference, entitled Educating for a Culture of Peace in Divided Societies, History, Dialogue and Multiperspectivity Toward Reconciliation. The event is held at the Home for Cooperation.
German Ambassador Franz Josef Kremp said in his speech that one of the most important things is to de-demonise and de-stereotype the other side, referring to the OSCE glossary for journalists and the reactions that this caused in Cyprus. He said that it was a very honest product but it was strongly politicised.
He added that in order to de-demonize and get rid of the stereotypes “you have to bring people together” and praised the AHDR for its ‘Imagine’ project that brings youngsters of the two communities together, eliminating stereotypes. He said his embassy supported this project and expressed optimism that it would have an even more positive outcome
Ozge Ozogul on behalf of the AHDR said that 15 years ago the Association was established by teachers, academics and educators from across the divide as a non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation with a mission to contribute to the advancement of historical understanding among the public.
Loizos Loukaides, also from AHDR spoke about their ‘Imagine’ project, which travels to all areas in Cyprus and trains students in peace education, bringing them together and engaging them in teambuilding activities. The project managed to bring together almost 3,700 students from both communities in the last two years, the paper reports.