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Heading towards limitless casino permits
Preparations for new legislation on casino permits are underway. The draft law on chance games which was urgently brought to parliament’s agenda by the National Unity Party (UBP)-Peoples’ Party (HP) government on Monday aims to remove a provision in the current law which limits the number of pre-authorisation applications to five establishments at a time.
- Supreme Court: “1974 title deed records valid for Maraş (Varosha)”
Supreme Court’s ruling pleased both the Evkaf and the Greek Cypriot plaintiff!
The Supreme Court which convened under the chairmanship of Narin Şefik unanimously rejected an appeal filed against the Famagusta District Court decision in 2005 claiming that Maraş (Varosha) was Evkaf property. However other aspects which the court’s ruling drew attention to has raised questions. The court in its ruling also stated that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) must take 1974 title deeds as a basis when producing decisions on properties concerning Maraş (Varosha) irrelevant of irregular or wrong decisions taken in the past.
Akacan gave the order verbally and with hand gestures
Lawyers defending businessman B.A and his bodyguards claimed that it wasn’t sufficient information as to what his clients were being accused off. Senior prosecutor Mustafa Atakara reminded the court that the businessman had given instructions to his bodyguards verbally and with hand gestures to attack the defendant.
- Akıncı, Erhürman, Hasipoğlu, Denktaş – CMIRS (Centre for Migration, Identity and Rights Studies) in its September 2019 survey continued to sound out the political climate regarding the forthcoming presidential elections. Compared to another survey conducted three months ago, the top two possible candidates preserved their place but changes have taken place in other rankings.
“I just laugh and move on”
(CTP MP) Doğuş Derya who hosted us at her cosy little apartment flat in Kyrenia shared the unknown details of her life with us. She told us that she wasn’t affected anymore from deliberate and systematic attempts to discredit her.
- 1974 title deeds in Maraş (Varosha) – The Supreme Court announced its ruling regarding the decision of the lower court claiming that Maraş (Varosha) belongs to the Evkaf.
₺452 million [loaned] to 200 companies
The Development Bank has launched an initiative to collect from companies which borrowed money but haven’t made a single payment in years.
We don’t want someone who obeys orders
Chauvinist circles who think that Akıncı will not be elected if the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) doesn’t support him carried (Mehmet Ali) Talat’s remarks to their headlines. Talat’s remarks also drew the reaction of Greek Cypriots who currently see Akıncı as the “most courageous and peaceful leader.” Talat’s remarks were seen as an attempt to tarnish Akıncı’s reputation.
Main News
Supreme Court’s ruling on Maraş (Varosha) interpreted differently
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Havadis
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
There were mixed interpretations on Monday regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on an appeal filed against the Famagusta District Court’s 2005 dated decision stating that properties in Maraş (Varosha) belong to the Evkaf Administration.
The Supreme Court which convened on Monday under the head of the Supreme Court Narin Şefik unanimously rejected an appeal filed against the Famagusta court’s 2005 ruling by a Greek Cypriot plaintiff.
However, the court also stated that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), irrelevant as to whether or not any fraudulent actions were taken in past, had to take the 1974 title deed records as a basis when evaluating any case on Maraş (Varosha).
While some interpreted this as a blow to the Evkaf’s claims over Maraş (Varosha), the head of the Evkaf Administration İbrahim Benter welcomed the court’s decision.
Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası, Benter said that the Supreme Court had not rejected the Famagusta court’s 2005 dated decision as the Greek Cypriots had hoped for.
“Secondly the court’s ruling has opened the way for Greek Cypriots to apply to the IPC. Their 1974 dated title-deeds will be taken into account when they apply to the IPC. We want the IPC to function properly. There is a good system in place that works and which allows Greek Cypriots to apply. They should apply to the IPC. We will make our defence on Maraş (Varosha). The courts should decide who will be right,” he said.
Murat Hakkı, who represents the owner of the Argo Hotel in Maraş (Varosha) Stelios Ioannou, said on Monday that despite the court’s rejection of his client’s appeal, its recognition of 1974 title deeds was extremely important.
Commenting after the ruling, he said that the decision not only reaffirmed the IPC as an effective domestic remedy but will also have a positive impact on Turkey’s defence on Maraş (Varosha) at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
“The Supreme Court’s recognition of the 1974 title-deeds as a basis in decisions to be produced on Maraş (Varosha) by the IPC is very important. The decision states the IPC cannot look back at past practices. In other words, these title-deeds are valid, irrelevant as to whether or not any irregularity was carried out during the British period. As a result, what the court decision tells us is that no harm has come to the rights of property owners with the Famagusta District Court’s 2005 dated decision,” he said.
Hakkı argued that the court’s ruling had drawn a framework for Maraş (Varosha) property cases, instructing the IPC to focus only on 1974 title deeds and nothing else.
In the meantime, Yenidüzen reported on Tuesday that another property owner in the fenced-off town, K.V. Mediterranean Tours Ltd. has applied to the ECHR. The plaintiff is claiming that IPC had lost its effectiveness as a result of the 2005 Famagusta District Court’s decision and the inclusion of the Evkaf Administration of Cyprus into the cases on Maraş (Varosha).
KEY ACTORS
Benter (Evkaf)
>> Supreme Court’s ruling positive.
>> The Supreme Court did not reject Famagusta District Court’s 2005 dated decision as GCs had hoped for.
>> The Supreme Court’s decision has opened the way for GCs to apply to IPC for cases in Maraş (Varosha).
>> Evkaf supports GC applications to the IPC.
>> Decision will help Turkey’s case at the ECHR.
BFI expresses concern on Maraş (Varosha) and Cyprob
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Property, Territory, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Bicommunal Famagusta Initiative (BFI) members convened at a meeting to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, and the possibility of opening of Maraş (Varosha), the dailies report.
In a written statement issued by the Initiative on Monday, BFI also touched on the property claims made by the Evkaf Administration regarding the fenced-off town.
“Members of BFI have expressed their disappointment in both the Cyprus problem and on the Maraş (Varosha) issue,” the statement said.
The statement expressed support to UN Secretary-General’s latest initiatives on the Cyprus negotiations process and urged the leaders to return to the table.
“Otherwise, our concerns regarding the future would deepen,” the statement stressed.
“The leaders’ goal should be to reach a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution based on political equality as specified in relevant UN resolutions,” the statement added.
BFI reiterated its stance on the properties in Maraş (Varosha) and said: “as it can be proven with records at the Famagusta Title Deed office, the properties in the fenced-off town must be returned to their lawful owners while complying with UN Security Council resolutions 580 and 786.”
The initiative also reaffirmed its vision for the city of Famagusta (the Great Famagusta Vision), a unified region that extends from Derinya (Deryneia) in the South, to Salamis in the north to be managed by a single body comprised of members from the two communities.
“Such a solution would support a model for bi-communal cooperation throughout Cyprus and promote better relations between the two communities,” BFI concluded.
KEY ACTOR
BFI
>> Leaders’ goal should be to reach a BBF based on political equality as specified by UN resolutions.
>> Properties in Maraş (Varosha) should be returned to their lawful owners while complying with UN Security Council resolutions 580 and 786.
Turkey reiterates determination in East Med
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Regional/ International Relations, Energy, External Security
OVERVIEW
“The developments both in Syria and in the Eastern Mediterranean prove that incorrect calculations are doomed to fail,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said.
Addressing the TRT World Forum in Istanbul titled “Globalization in Retreat: Risks and Opportunities,” Erdoğan on Monday said Turkey had no intention to annex Syrian territory nor did it have an “eye on the independence and interests of any nation.”
Erdoğan also criticized those who withdrew from the TRT World Forum to protest Turkey’s operation in northern Syria, accusing them of supporting terror organizations.
Erdoğan highlighted that Turkey will continue to maintain its firm stance against terrorists and will never negotiate with them.
Also addressing the TRT World Forum on Monday, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey’s goals were to protect its borders, prevent a terror corridor in northern Syria and ensure the safe return of displaced Syrians.
Akar, touching on the hydrocarbons issue, said Turkey as a guarantor state will continue to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
“TRNC cannot be left out of the energy equation in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Akar added.
“International interest in the region has grown due to the discovery of hydrocarbon resources. Therefore, Turkey will protect its legitimate rights and interests,” Akar concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Developments in Syria & the East Med. prove that incorrect calculations are doomed to fail.
>> Turkey has no intention of annexing Syrian territory. It has no intentions over the independence & national interests of any nation.
>> Turkey will continue to maintain its firm stance against terrorists & will not negotiate with them.
Akar
>> Turkey’s goals are to protect its borders, prevent a terror corridor in northern Syria & ensure the safe return of displaced Syrians.
>> Turkey as a guarantor state will continue to protect the rights of the TRNC.
>> TRNC cannot be left out of the energy equation in the East Med.
Akıncı remains favourite for forthcoming 2020 elections
Kıbrıs
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Akıncı continues to be the favourite for the forthcoming presidential elections in 2020, according to the September 2019 survey conducted by the Centre for Migration, Identity, and Rights Studies (CMIRS).
According to the survey, Akıncı’s popularity fell from 33 per cent to 31.8 per cent compared to a previous survey conducted three months ago but he remained at the top of the list of possible candidates who are expected to run in the elections.
Akıncı is followed by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman whose popularity went up by one per cent to 17 per cent compared to CMIRS’s survey in June 2019.
Peoples’ Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay previously ranking third in popularity fell to fifth place losing his spot to the National Unity Party’s (UBP) likely candidate Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu (8.2 per cent) and Democratic Party’s (DP) likely candidate Serdar Denktaş (7.8 per cent).
Özersay’s popularity fell from 11.4 per cent to 4.8 per cent.
The popularity of the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı who also made his way into the survey also dropped from 2.2 per cent to 1.8 per cent compared to three months ago.
Another interesting finding was the steep increase in percentage of those who either responded as no comment or will not vote from 20 per cent to 28.6 per cent within the three month period.