Front Page Headlines
‘Special status’ for Turkish nationals
An additional directive has been added to the regulation for residency permits and visas to address any problems which might arise for Turkish nationals. Even though the Interior Ministry claimed there were no changes in the regulation, the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı claimed that a directive has been introduced to ease the entrance to the country of Turkish nationals.
- From Akıncı to Turkey: “Our people do not approve of actions that evocate a superior-subordinate relationship.”
- Talat, “Some want a president that can speak up against Turkey. I want a president who can solve the Cyprus Problem.”
- 5100 subscribers activated their mobile phones in the South in three months – We are scared to use our mobile phones in the South! While island-wide mobile interoperability has been achieved, more than half of subscribers did not use their mobile phones to make calls despite activating their phones to be charged at a special rate. All eyes have now turned on call prices.
Too many overlapping authorities for the Industrial Zone
President of the Chamber of Industry, Candan Avunduk complained that there were too many overlapping authorities responsible for the Industrial Area in north Nicosia. He listed the authorities which have jurisdiction: the Prime Ministry, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Energy, the Ministry of Public Works and Communication and the Nicosia Turkish Municipality.
- Visa and residency permit regulation in force
- Arıklı: “Changes needed on the residency permit regulation were made.”
A big scare
Torrential rains and strong winds continued to batter both the north and the south of the island. Trees fell in Limassol and Morphou; roads were closed; homes were flooded. Tons of water flowed into the sea from the Lefke (Lefka) lagoon because the Morphou derivation channels were not cleared in advance.
- The regulation is in force now – The “visa and residence permit regulation” which is designed to address the problem of unregistered people living in the north, is in force without any amendments. However, an additional directive has been issued to ease conditions for Turkish nationals.
Not a natural disaster, just negligence
Meteorology expert Mediha Orun Sarp warned the authorities that it is possible to protect the country from the negative effects of global climate change, which reveals itself as heavy downpours. Sarp urged the authorities to implement measures against unplanned development and to improve the infrastructure.
- A new era for residency permits and visas – Havadis columnist Cenk Diler looks at the details of the “visa and residency permit” regulation. He highlights there are 18 different types of visas for those residing in the north. He also lists the details for conditions to revoke residency permits.
He should be grateful, I gave him ₺40 million
Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu responded to earlier remarks by Public Works and Communications Minister Tolga Atakan who claimed that all roads would be repaired if he were given the ₺150 million collected from road tax. “You haven’t even paid your employees,” responded Amcaoğlu.
- He responded to criticisms – “Diplomacy has prevailed in Syria,” said Akıncı adding that various circles should stop making statements that factionalize others.
Give it up Çavuş(oğlu)
Mustafa Akıncı responded to Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Akıncı: “It is time various circles stop making statements that factionalize others. This does not benefit anyone.”; “The claims that my remarks were aimed at the forthcoming presidential elections are baseless. There is nothing more valuable than human life. Life is not about elections.”; “Our people do not approve of actions that evocate a superior-subordinate relationship. Our people desire a civilized relationship based on mutual respect.”; “Turkish Cypriots desire to be treated as political equals of Greek Cypriots and would under no circumstances accept minority status. They also do not approve of an unhealthy and unbalanced relationship with Turkey.”
- What did Akıncı whisper into Anastasiades’ ear? –The two leaders came together at the Ledra Palace Hotel at a reception hosted by UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar on the occasion of UN Day. Mustafa Akıncı and Nicos Anastasiades had a brief discussion at the reception.
Main News
Akıncı hits back at Ankara
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
External Security, Regional/International Relations, Governance & Power sharing
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı hits back at Ankara on Thursday just a day after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu criticized various circles in the north that failed to express their unwavering support to Turkey’s military operation in north-eastern Syria.
In a written statement, Akıncı said that diplomacy had prevailed in Syria and that the necessity to solve problems through dialogue had once again revealed itself.
He said that despite Washington’s inappropriate language, the positive outcome reached in Syria through diplomacy with the US and Russia was a welcoming development.
“What needs to be done now is to take steps which will preserve the territorial integrity of Syria while ensuring the security of Turkey’s borders,” he said.
Akıncı also expressed the view that re-establishing relations between Ankara and Damascus was the only way of achieving lasting and sustainable peace in the region.
“I believe it is imperative that Turkey improves its relations not only with Syria but with all its neighbours and the European Union. After all, a strong Turkey is of vital importance for Turkish Cypriots,” Akıncı said.
Akıncı added that Turkish Cypriots wished to see Turkey become a secure and prosperous country free from the threat of terrorism.
“There might be different ideas as to how this can be achieved but in no way does this justify threats and insults to those who express different views. No one has the right to do so such a thing,” he said.
Akıncı said that everyone should refrain from making statements that marginalize various circles as this did not benefit anyone.
Akıncı also refuted claims that his earlier remarks were part of a political manoeuvre for the forthcoming elections.
“Such claims are baseless. There is nothing more valuable than human life. Life is not about elections,” he said.
“As I have stated before, Turkish Cypriots want to enjoy political equality, freedom and security on this island through a federal settlement based on two constituent states. They desire a European and modern life while protecting and preserving their unique identity within the norms of international law,” he added.
Akıncı pointed out that Turkish Cypriots desired to be treated as political equals of Greek Cypriots and would under no circumstances accept minority status.
“They also do not approve of an unhealthy and unbalanced relationship with Turkey,” he said.
“From that point of view, the Turkish Cypriot people do not approve of actions or behaviour that evocates a superior-subordinate relationship. Our people desire a civilized relationship based on mutual respect,” he said, adding that both sides had duties and responsibilities in making this happen.
“As Turkish Cypriots, we urgently need to free ourselves from a position where we constantly seek assistance from Turkey. Our priority should be more self-sufficient. It is inevitably our duty and responsibility to create an economically and strong structure for the Turkish Cypriot community, Akıncı concluded.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Özdil Nami on Thursday said that he didn’t believe relations between Akıncı and Turkey were beyond repair.
Speaking on a programme on Bayrak, he said that tensions between governments or heads of state from time to time were natural and to be expected.
“No one can ignore someone else’s political will. There might be differences in opinion but these can be solved through dialogue,” he said.
Nami said that it was not nice for Turkish officials to label certain circles in North Cyprus because they did not share their views.
“I believe Mr Çavuşoğlu’s statements were a reflection of Turkey’s psychology at a sensitive period. Whenever we meet with Turkish officials we always tell them that our priority is to safeguard the future of Turkish Cypriots and to improve their welfare. We have different views within the Turkish Cypriot community. It’s not nice for Turkish officials to label certain circles in North Cyprus because they don’t share their views,” he said.
Nami said that it was important for all sides to exercise caution and to remain calm at such times.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Diplomacy has prevailed in Syria.The necessity to solve problems through dialogue has once again revealed itself.
>> Despite US’s inappropriate language, the positive outcome reached in Syria through diplomacy with the US & Russia is welcoming.
>> Steps aimed at preserving the territorial integrity of Syria while ensuring the security of Turkey’s borders needed.
>> Ankara & Damascus need to rebuild relations as this is the only way to achieve lasting & sustainable peace in the region.
>> A strong Turkey is of vital importance for TCs.
>> TCs wish to see Turkey become a secure & prosperous country free of the threat of terrorism.
>> Differences in opinion cannot justify threats & insults.
>> Statements that marginalize various circles should not be made. This does not benefit anyone.
>> Claims that earlier remarks were part of a political manoeuvre for the forthcoming elections are baseless.
>> TCs want to enjoy political equality, freedom & security through a federal settlement based on two constituent states.
>> TCs desire a European & modern life while protecting & preserving their unique identity within the norms of international law.
>> TCs desire to be treated as political equals of GCs & would never accept a minority status.
>> TCs do not approve of an unhealthy & unbalanced relationship with Turkey. They do not approve of actions that evocate a superior-subordinate relationship.
>> TCs desire a civilized relationship based on mutual respect. Both sides have duties & responsibilities to make this happen.
>> TCs urgently need to seek less assistance from Turkey & become more self-sufficient.
UBP & CTP express reservations about Akıncı
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersan Saner on Thursday said that President Mustafa Akıncı should refrain from entering a new negotiations process ahead of the 2020 presidential elections.
Speaking on Bayrak, Saner said that what was more important than a tripartite or five-party meeting was to identify where the Cyprus Problem was going after 60 years of unsuccessful negotiating.
“We believe that President Akıncı no longer represents the views of the majority of the Turkish Cypriot community. We suggest he refrains from entering a new negotiations process as the country heads to elections next year,” Saner said.
Regarding the UBP’s candidate for the elections, Saner said that it was important to nominate someone who will work for the interest of the country.
He added that this candidate did not necessarily have to be from the UBP.
“We shouldn’t just be thinking UBP. A dialogue or cooperation is possible if another such candidate emerges outside of the UBP. Should the best candidate emerge from the UBP then everyone should support our candidate. However I do believe that a candidate from within the party would receive more support,” he said.
Saner said that the UBP was currently holding public opinion polls and would decide who to nominate in the coming days based on the results of those surveys.
In the meantime, former President Mehmet Ali Talat on Thursday said that the CTP should back a president that can solve the Cyprus Problem.
Speaking on a programme on Bayrak, Talat said that there was a lack of dialogue with all the sides involved following the collapse of talks in Crans Montana.
“Dialogue with Turkey has ended. Meaningful dialogue with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) has ended. If things continue as they are and the UN gets different messages from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side then no results will be achieved even if we have a tripartite meeting. There will be no meetings, no negotiations…nothing,” he said.
Regarding the CTP’s position on the Cyprus Problem, Talat said that the CTP should want back a leader who can solve the Cyprus Problem.
“The president should be someone with the capacity to solve the Cyprus Problem, someone who has the skill to establish a dialogue with all the parties involved. Currently, this is not the situation,” he added.
Talat said that some circles desired a president who stood up against Turkey.
“I want someone who can solve the Cyprus Problem. There are plenty of people who criticize Turkey. Facebook is full of them. They could all run for president,” he said.
KEY ACTORS
Talat (CTP)
>> CTP should back a president who can solve the Cyprob.
>> Lack of dialogue with all the involved sides since the collapse of talks at Crans Montana.
>> No negotiations will take place if the dialogue is not re-established.
>> TC leader should be someone who has the capacity & skills to solve the Cyprob.
Special status granted to Turkish nationals
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
Several dailies reported on Friday that special status has been granted to Turkish nationals through a directive annexed to the “visas and residency permits regulation,” which came into force on October 23.
Yenidüzen, quoting Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı, said that Turkish Cypriot authorities had introduced a directive to ease the entry of Turkish nationals to the north.
The regulation is aimed at preventing illegal residents in the north.
The dailies which list the measures introduced through the directive state that Turkish nationals over the age of 60 will only be required to provide a health report when on their residence permit application. This means that anyone over the specified age who resides in the north for more than one year will no longer be required to submit a health report when applying for an extension.
The directive also allows granting of residency permits to spouses of Turkish nationals that purchased property in the north. Previously only owners of the property were granted residency permits.
The third and perhaps the most important change in the regulation is about the number of relatives persons with residence permits are allowed to invite to stay with them in the country.
The previous regulation limited the number of relatives a Turkish national employed in the north who earns a minimum wage income could invite, to three.
According to Yenidüzen, Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı on Thursday welcomed the changes introduced through the directive.
“We were opposed to the spirit of the regulation,” he said, arguing that placing Turkish Nationals under the same category as nationals from third countries would harm agreements in place between the north and Turkey.
Arıklı said that additional provisions were needed in the regulation which would allow Turkish university students studying in the north to apply for work permits.
Havadis columnist Cenk Diler which examined the regulation in his column wrote that there are 18 types of visas and residency permits for residing in the north.
He said regulation introduces broad changes on the issue, which was last addressed 67 years ago.
Diler says the new regulation will make it easier for authorities to track travel documents including checks on criminal records at the international level; obtaining crucial information concerning visitors, reasons for their stay or whether or not they pose a public health and security threat.
TCs refrain from using their phones in the South!
Yenidüzen
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The majority of Turkish Cypriot subscribers don’t use their mobile phones in the South despite the introduction of island-wide mobile phone interoperability earlier this year, Yenidüzen reported on Friday.
According to figures obtained from the Turkish Cypriot Information Technologies and Communication Authority, 5100 subscribers activated their phones in the south since interoperability became available on July 11, 2019, and September 30 2019. However, only 1800 of them used their phones to make calls. Yenidüzen reported that subscribers are most likely to refrain from using their mobile phones due to the high rates applied.
It says the figures have raised the question of whether or not GSM operators should review charge rates.
Currently, North Cyprus Türkcell charges subscribers ₺4 (approx. €0.60) per minute while Telsim Vodaphone charges its subscribers ₺4.12 (approx. €0.63).