TCC Press Review 26 July 2019

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

“The understanding is let’s sign it and then we’ll deal with it”

Former Prime Minister and leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman speaks to Yenidüzen on the “protocol” and “memorandum of understanding” signed with Turkey. Erhürman: “A large section of the protocol was prepared during my government’s term in office. I have to state there have been changes made regarding collective agreements and various state-run institutions which I believe will create problems.”

Kıbrıs Postası

The public and investors will take a breather but the foreign exchange rates still source of concern

Economists gave a positive forecast for the TRNC after the Turkish Central Bank lowered interest rates. The Eastern Mediterranean University academic, Prof. Dr Mustafa Besim, said the Turkish Central Bank’s decision was expected and described it as a positive development. Economist Assoc. Prof. Dr Hüda Hüdaverdi said the TRNC Central Bank will also consider reducing interest rates, which will have a positive and an immediate effect on the TRNC economy. Economist Okan Veli Şafaklı said people will now be able to draw out and pay back loans more easily.

  • Fieldwork commences at Maraş (Varosha)
  • “We intend to reopen Maraş (Varosha) under Turkish Cypriot administration” – PM Ersin Tatar said following his routine meeting with President Mustafa Akıncı.
  • Five months sufficient to deliver the measures in the protocol – Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said.

Kıbrıs

Becoming a desert

Arable land is increasingly becoming scarce due to uncontrolled development and climate change. At the same time, the country is faced with a serious risk of desertification. Experts warn the country needs forestation and not new construction areas. ÇEKOVA (Environment Protection Foundation) President Rifat Siber emphasized the importance of environment protection.

  • General strike and general resistance to be staged – Trade Unions’ Platform has agreed to stage “a general strike and general resistance for communal existence” and called on the public to support the strikes planned to take place in the coming days.
  • “We intend to reopen Maraş (Varosha) under Turkish Cypriot administration” – PM Ersin Tatar said following his routine meeting with President Mustafa Akıncı. He added he is not able to give a date yet.
  • Three people tested positive for “West Nile Encephalitis Virus” – Health Ministry announced in a statement. It added the virus cannot be spread through human contact.

Havadis

Only to commit a crime in the TRNC

The criminal court in north Nicosia gave an unprecedented verdict to Emre Yalçın, who came to the north as a hitman. He injured Serkan Kısa, brother to Yusuf Kısa, who is the owner of Yeni Bakış newspaper. The court sentenced him to 15 years in prison for coming to the north with the sole intent of committing a crime and disregarding the state’s authority.

  • General strikes at the doorstep – Trade Unions’ Platform rejects economic protocol signed with Turkey.
  • Signed the protocol without thinking – Democratic Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktaş warned the economic protocol agreement will create communal unrest and will harm the country’s democracy.
  • Lefka’s “Venetian” embarrassment – Restoration of the aqueduct dating back to the Venetian period, which used to supply water to Lefka, has been pending for ten months.

Diyalog

A night of horrors

A Pakistani national who stabbed three people living in his apartment building walked away from the scene freely. One of the injured who had his throat slit is in serious condition.

  • The time has come – Invite former residents back to live under Turkish Cypriot administration and let’s save the invaluable city of Maraş (Varosha) from destruction.

Afrika

Ankara get off our back

It was the Bağımsızlık Yolu (Road to independence) movement which took to the streets first to protest the protocol signed with Turkey. The movement which staged a protest in front of the Prime Ministry on Thursday laid a black wreath in front of the building. The writing on the wreath read “Ankara get off our back”. A statement issued at the protest stressed that the Turkish Cypriot community’s rights to education, health, shelter, transportation and communication were being usurped.

  • Commander’s visit to TRNC cancelled – Turkish Defence Minister and other force commanders cancelled their trip to the TRNC

Main News

Tatar says progress on Cyprus talks unlikely

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Thursday said his expectations were low regarding future talks on the Cyprus Problem.

Tatar was speaking to reporters following his routine meeting with President Akıncı during which the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem and domestic issues were discussed.

“The (Cyprus) negotiations may start again but the Greek Cypriot side’s stance is clear. The president said he will be in New York in September but my understanding is that there won’t be serious negotiations or developments,” he said.

Responding to a question Maraş (Varosha), Tatar said that teams tasked with conducting an inventory of immovable properties in the fenced-off city were continuing their work.

He said that the inventory was not only recording the buildings in the area but also compiling a record of all documents and title deeds of properties belonging to the Evkaf as well as former residents.

Tatar said that there were recorded inventories conducted in the past but many new documents had come to light as a result of the latest study.

“Work is being carried out by both the Evkaf administration here and other centres such as Ankara,” he added.

Tatar reminded that the government will decide how to proceed once the inventory is completed but refrained from giving a deadline for the completion of work.

“All I can tell you is that we shall be taking steps after the inventory is completed. We intend to open the fenced-off city to settlement under Turkish Cypriot administration once the inventory is completed,” he added.

Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Thursday repeated the government’s position on Maraş (Varosha), stating that a decision on how to proceed with the fenced-off city will be determined once an inventory of both movable and immovable properties is completed.

Speaking to the Turkish news channel NTV, Özersay said that older inventory records on Maraş (Varosha) existed but it was important to update these records.

“The important issue is to conduct work without any detriment to the property rights of former residents and by taking the Evkaf Administration’s property claims into consideration,” he added. 

He said the commission tasked with conducting the inventory will be divided into sub-groups, each of which will focus on different areas.

Özersay also pointed out that the commission is made up of experts, architects, engineers, archaeologists, environmentalists, and officials from both the municipality and the armed services.

“The inventory commission is tasked to conduct comprehensive research on both immovable and movable properties; to identify the types of buildings (housing, touristic, administrative, commercial), infrastructure needs (electricity, water, telephone), environmental concerns and others. Maraş (Varosha) was the economic centre of the island pre-1974,” Özersay said.

He noted that there are bank safes and other valuables among the movable properties.

Asked about a possible deadline for the inventory, Özersay said “It’s not possible to say exactly when the current work will be completed. What I can say is that the current situation cannot continue.”

He added the government has decided to change the status quo.

“We have not taken this decision for the sake of making a decision,” Özersay stressed, adding that it was out of the question to leave Maraş (Varosha) untouched.

He stressed that civilian life must return to the fenced-off city while also protecting the rights of the property owners. “Maraş (Varosha) cannot go on as a military zone, excluding the people, who have connections with the area,” Özersay concluded.

On Thursday, Özersay posted photos from the commission’s first field trip to the fenced-off area to launch the inventory.

“This is the first time in 45 years that such a big group conducted a study visit to the site,” Özersay wrote in his post.

He added there will be additions to the commission from various institutions in the coming days.

“Maraş (Varosha) could very well be a fresh breath of air for both Famagusta and Cyprus,” Özersay posted.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Cyprus talks could start again but serious negotiations unlikely.
>> Maraş (Varosha) Inventory Commission working in the field and compiling documents & title deeds.
>> Previous records & inventories on Maraş (Varosha) exist but it is important to update these records.
>> Government will decide how to proceed on Maraş (Varosha) once inventory is completed but not possible to give a deadline for completion of its work.
>> Government intends to open the fenced-off city to settlement under Turkish Cypriot administration once inventory is completed.

Özersay (HP)
>> Government to decide on how to proceed with Maraş (Varosha) once the inventory of both movable and immovable properties is completed.
>> Older records exist but it is important to update these records.
>> Important to conduct the work without any detriment to the property rights of former residents & by taking the Evkaf Administration’s property claims into consideration.
>> The commission will be divided into sub-groups, each of which will carry out specialized work.
>> Not possible to say exactly when the current work will be completed but the current situation cannot continue.
>> Government has decided to change the status quo. Government’s decision not taken for the sake of making a decision.
>> Out of the question to leave Maraş (Varosha), which had become the symbol of the status quo on the island, untouched.
>> The fenced-off city must be part of civilian life while protecting the rights of property owners. It cannot remain as a military zone excluding people who have connections with the area.
>> Commission to be expanded in the coming days with experts from various institutions.
>> Government will carry on implementing decisions re-introduce city to civilian life


Zincir: “Turkish Armed Forces will continue to protect Turkey’s & TRNC’s rights in East Med”

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, External Security, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

Head of the Current Affairs Section of the Turkish National Defence Ministry, Colonel Tamer Zincir said on Thursday that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will continue to protect Turkey’s and the TRNC’s rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking during a press conference, he said the Turkish Armed Forces continued to be the assurance of security and peace in the TRNC with rights emanating from the international law and alliance treaties.

“Within the framework of Turkey’s legitimate rights stemming from international law, our hydrocarbon and natural gas activities in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue with determination. We shall continue to protect the rights and interests of Turkey in its continental shelf as well as protect the TRNC’s principal rights around the island of Cyprus,” Zincir said.

He added frigates, corvettes, assault boats, submarines, UAVs and patrol planes were providing coordinated close protection to the Turkish vessels.

Zincir said the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are following developments in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean closely, adding: “TSK’s main approach to the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus is to solve the current problems through peaceful means.” He said Turkey is in favour of good neighbourly relations.

Zincir stressed everyone must comprehend that TRNC has rights over the natural wealth around the island and act accordingly.

“No decisions taken without Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean or the Aegean will be valid or lasting as Turkey will not allow any fait accompli,” Zincir concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Zincir (TSK)
>> TSK will continue to protect Turkey’s & TRNC’s rights and interests in the East Med.
>> TSK continues to be the assurance of security and peace in the TRNC with rights emanating from international law and alliance treaties.
>> Within the framework of legitimate rights stemming from international law, Turkey’s hydrocarbon & natural gas activities in the East Med will continue.
>> Turkey determined to protect rights & interests of Turkey in its continental shelf as well as continue to protect TRNC’s principal rights around the island of Cyprus.
>> Turkish Armed Forces following developments in the Aegean & East Med closely.
>> TSK’s main approach to the Aegean, East Med & Cyprus is to solve the current problems through peaceful means. Turkey is in favour of good neighbourly relations.
>> Everyone must comprehend that TRNC has rights over the natural wealth around the island & must act accordingly.
>> No decisions taken without Turkey in the East Med or Aegean, will be valid or lasting. Turkey will not allow any fait accompli.


Akıncı discusses UNFICYP and GSM rates

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs

OVERVIEW

President Mustafa Akinci met UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Thursday.

The two exchanged views on confidence-building measures.

Akıncı also conveyed his views regarding the operations of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Earlier on Wednesday, Lacroix had met with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

The papers also reported on Friday that Prime Minister Ersin Tatar will instruct his government to carry out work to bring down the GSM per minute rates to more reasonable levels for consumers and to extend the same tax reduction given to tariffs between the GSM companies to individuals, as part of an agreement reached with Akinci during their routine meeting on Thursday.


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