Front Page Headlines
This hospital is not enough for the population
Long queues form at the hospital, starting in the very early hours of the morning. The Burhan Nalbantoğlu state hospital, which is the only fully-equipped public hospital in the north, can no longer meet the needs of the growing population. Neither the hospital’s infrastructure nor the army of doctors stationed 24 hours a day can cope with the number of patients.
Morphou retailers waiting for the students
Retailers, who spoke to Kıbrıs Postası, say tourists do not substitute for university students. They are waiting for the arrival of students and the opening of the new academic year.
- Erdoğan: “TRNC will take its rights based on the population ratio”
- Controls intensify, 7,500 people denied entry into the country in 19 months – People’s Party (HP) General Secretary Yenal Senin said.
Significant increase in traffic fines
Traffic fines have been increased in line with the increase in the minimum wage. Some fines are as high as the gross minimum wage.
- Public school students moved to a private school – Three classes from the 23 April Primary School have been temporarily moved to a private school in Kyrenia due to shortage of classrooms at the school.
- Nearly 40 unexploded ordnances found – As a result of the blasts from the ammunition depot in Çatalköy (Agios Epiktitos) shrapnel and other debris have been scattered all around.
We are like brothers with the HP
National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary Ersan Saner spoke about presidential elections, KIBTEK (TC Electricity Authority) and privatization. He said UBP and HP do not have any differences.
- Erdoğan: European Union (EU) is a guest guarantor in Cyprus – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke to Reuters.
Credit card instalments worked
A family with two children spend ₺5000 (approx. €800) on school uniforms and supplies.
El-Sen (TC Electricity Authority Workers’ Union) cuts off power only to be brought back by Onurhan
The electricity supply of the Akbel construction company which owes the Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority (KIBTEK) ₺398,000 (approx. €63,000) was cut off by El-Sen only to be reconnected upon instructions from the President of KIBTEK Erdal Onurhan. Özgün Faruk who owns a factory in Morphou owes KIBTEK ₺150,000 (approx. €23,800). His electricity supply, cut off by El-Sen, was also reconnected by Onurhan.
- North to get its share according to population ratio – Does Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan know our population? Erdoğan who reminded of the outcome of the Annan Plan referendum is now demanding the island’s natural gas should be shared according to the population ratio.
Main News
Erdoğan says GCs must share natural gas with TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday accused the Greek Cypriot side of not wanting to share natural gas with the Turkish Cypriots.
“From then [Cyprus talks in Burgenstock] until now the approach is unjust. The approach does not recognise the rights and law and threatens peace in the world,” Erdoğan told Reuters in an exclusive interview.
Commenting on Cyprus negotiations, Erdoğan said the EU had unfairly allowed South Cyprus to join the EU and leave the north out following the failure of the referendum to back the solution reached in 2004.
Regarding energy, Erdoğan said there are areas around Cyprus where Turkey is researching and there are areas to the south where South Cyprus is researching.
He added that international law dictates, whatever is produced from this research or taken out of the sea must be shared.
Erdoğan also said that the EU was some form of a guest guarantor in Cyprus but that the three guarantors were Turkey, Greece and the UK.
“What are they doing? They want to deprive Northern Cyprus of its rights. In international law, there is no such thing. Anything discovered must be distributed according to the population ratio of the two sides. Whatever are the rights of South Cyprus, those it will take. But countries that have no place are trying to have a say in these seas. The problem is here,” Erdoğan added. Asked if there is a chance for cooperation, Erdoğan said anything can happen. He said there are currently two drillships in Cyprus’ waters and a third was on its way.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan
>> GC approach on hydrocarbons unjust, ignores rights of TCs & threatens peace.
>> International law dictates whatever is produced from hydrocarbon exploration must be shared.
>> Distribution of natural gas must be taken as a percentage of the population.
Political will to bargain displayed ahead of negotiations
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory, Energy
OVERVIEW
Prof. Dr Ahmet Sözen said the recent week-long meetings held by UN Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute with both leaders revealed that both sides showed the political will to start a process of bargaining before holding negotiations.
In an interview with Yenidüzen published on Sunday, Sözen said that a process was underway even though there was no clarity on the methodology of the negotiations. “I believe that the next stage will entail high-level bargaining because the UNSG will be personally involved,” Sözen stressed.
He said meetings in New York will be definitive in the evolution of the process first to a tripartite meeting and then to a five-party conference. “The chances of this happening are 50-50 and the UNSG’s and relevant parties’ attitudes will be a determining factor,” Sözen noted.
On the Turkish Foreign Minister’s latest visit to the north, Sözen said that it had become clear as day that there were differences of opinion between Çavuşoğlu and Akıncı.
“Turkey is trying to give the message that it controls the north and it takes all the decisions,” Sözen said.
He added that this ongoing struggle between Ankara and the North on who called the shots was deeply problematic.
Sözen also said that it had become clear which political actors in the North were perceived by Ankara as allies.
He recalled that the president, that is Akinci, was elected directly with a popular vote and this must be respected.
“There could be differences, however the problems should be solved behind closed doors and without creating a public spectacle,” Sözen said.
He argued that Turkey is projecting to the world how strong a country it is but Ankara is actually weakening its position in Cyprus.
“The more Ankara disrespects elected Turkish Cypriot leaders and the more it gives the message that it calls all the shots in the north, its positions on a federal or two-state solution model become weaker,” Sözen argued, adding that this raised questions regarding Turkey’s sincerity in the process.
Sözen also argued that the rhetoric on tabling alternative models is not a valid argument. “The basis of the talks is very clear – a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF),” Sözen said but added that some of the Turkish Cypriot politicians have been tricked by the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades’ delaying tactics following the collapse of talks in Crans Montana.
Sözen argued the main problem in the talks is how the security-guarantees and governance-power sharing chapters will pan out.
“The Greek Cypriot side knows very well it cannot reduce Turkish Cypriots’ political equality but wants to see first which concessions it might get on the issue out of guarantees before taking the first step,” Sözen said.
Responding to a question, Sözen said there are several factors for the increase in the momentum in the Cyprus problem. “The first reason for the increased momentum is the fact that the Cyprus problem remains unsolved and nothing will be normal unless it is solved,” Sözen said.
He noted the second reason was the possible problems Turkey will face regarding property rights violations in Maraş (Varosha). “In this respect, Turkey is trying to dodge possible property claims on Maraş (Varosha) at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the government-led initiative on the island while, at the same time it is trying to take reciprocal steps in the Eastern Mediterranean in response to the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Sözen said.
This has escalated tensions in the region, Sözen added.
On the issue of hydrocarbons, Sözen said the natural resources around Cyprus were not of sufficient quantity and might not be enough for everyone.
“What is ideal is for all the countries in the region is to act collaboratively instead of competing over sovereignty, solving the Cyprus problem and for Turkey to normalize its relations with Egypt and Israel.”
Sözen argued that stability and zero risks of conflict were essential for utilizing natural resources most effectively and profitably.
7,500 people denied entry following tighter controls
Kıbrıs Postası
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
People’s Party (HP) General Secretary Yenal Senin said on Saturday that 7,500 people have been denied entry to the North in the past 19 months as a result of tightened security checks at ports of entry.
He said that contrary to the widespread perception that everyone wishing to visit the north was allowed to enter, figures showed that this was not the case.
In a post on social media, Senin added that a new regulation on residency permits and visas was being implemented to intensify controls. He recalled it had become mandatory for all students to register with the relevant authorities.
Touching on the increase in crime, Senin said that CCTV cameras were being installed in public spaces in cities to curb crime.
He also recalled the government’s decision to recruit an additional 100 police officers and 40 immigration officers to be stationed at the crossing points.
Senin said that hundreds of illegal residents in the north had been found and deported as a result of numerous raids and operations.
He stressed it has been possible to exchange criminals with the south as a result of initiatives taken by the foreign ministry.