Front Page Headlines
Amnesty after 19 years: ₺60 million expected
In the event, the Bill on amnesty is passed the “Social Insurance Amnesty Bill” prepared by the labour ministry is expected to cover 7000 employers. Speaking about the amnesty to Yenidüzen, the ministry said that it will cover a period of 19 years. The Revolutionary Workers’ Union (Dev-İş) reacted to the amnesty on grounds it will be giving amnesty to employers who committed crimes.
- Tripartite meeting in Berlin on November 25
“Turkey’s drilling carried out by Fatih is in line with the law”
Bilun Elmacıoğlu, a Turkish Cypriot lawyer specializing in international maritime law, evaluated Turkey’s jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean, the concepts of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone to Kıbrıs Postası.
- Tripartite meeting to be held on 25 November
- Akıncı: Cypriot Presidents know what to say for which purpose.
We do not learn
2019 has started with floods due to heavy rains. Months have passed since the previous winter and now the torrential rains are back but the authorities have just started to clear the riverbeds.
- Tripartite meeting to be held on 25 November in Berlin – President Mustafa Akıncı responds positively to the invitation extended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to hold a tripartite meeting.
The real owners are the Turkish Cypriots
President Mustafa Akıncı spoke to German state media Deutsche Welle (DW) regarding the latest crisis. He, in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said the sole authority on who decides who sits at the presidential seat is the Turkish Cypriot people.
- These efforts are not enough – SRSG Elizabeth Spehar politely warned the two leaders, who were among the other guests during the UN Day reception she hosted at the Ledra Palace.
- Tripartite to be held in Berlin – President Mustafa Akıncı responded positively to the invitation extended by UN Secretary-General to hold a tripartite meeting on 25 November.
The government should do its duty
Interest rates applied by local banks still very high. While interest rates in Turkey have dropped, local banks are still charging between 21 to 26 per cent interest on loans. The public is expecting the government to intervene. According to research carried out by Diyalog, the high-interest rates charged by local banks is also affecting business investments negatively.
- Leaders ready – Tripartite meeting set to take place in Berlin on November 25.
Genocide
Erdoğan filed a complaint against the famous French “Le Point” magazine which wrote that Turkey targeted civilians in Syria and used white phosphorous against the Kurds. The Editor-in-Chief of the magazine responded immediately calling Erdoğan a dictator and a murderer.
- I’ve never broken my ties with the public – Akıncı spoke to Deutsche Welle.
Main News
Akıncı says only TCs can elect their leader
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations, Energy, Property, Territory, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“Only Turkish Cypriots decide who represents them,” President Mustafa Akıncı told Deutsche Welle (DW) in an interview published on Friday.
Akıncı talked out the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem, Turkey’s operation in north-eastern Syria, the issue of Maraş (Varosha) and his intentions regarding a second term.
Asked to comment on his earlier remarks on Turkey’s operation in Syria, Akıncı said that officials in Ankara had overreacted to his statement.
“Had they known me when reading the statement their reactions wouldn’t have been this harsh,” he said, adding that it was not the first time he had referred to Turkey’s 1974 military operation in Cyprus.
He expressed regret that his remarks had been distorted, misunderstood and misconstrued.
“I did not say that the operation should or shouldn’t have taken place. All I did was draw a reference between the two operations,” he said, adding that the reference was based on his personal experience that wars, no matter on which grounds they are fought, involved blood and suffering.
Akıncı also defended his argument in favour of diplomacy.
“I did not imply that Ankara should negotiate with terrorists. States decide who to negotiate with. All I wanted to point out was that we are extremely close to the conflict in Syria,” he added.
Akıncı said that Turkish Cypriots did attach importance to the fight against terrorism and wanted to see Turkey free of it.
Asked to comment on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that the post he occupied was a favour granted by Turkey, Akıncı said that that Turkish Cypriot democracy is strong.
“Only Turkish Cypriots decide who represents them, said Akıncı, adding that what the Turkish president meant was that North Cyprus stood on its feet with the support and contributions of Turkey.
“That’s true and you won’t find a single Turkish Cypriot who will deny it. But it is a serious mistake to ignore and undermine the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle waged for many years. Above everything else Turkish Cypriots have stood on their own feet through their struggle,” he said.
Akıncı complained that most of the insults and threats made against him following the remarks were orchestrated by various circles.
Akıncı highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in response to a question on regional developments.
He pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side had forged new alliances with Egypt and Israel after Ankara broke off diplomatic relations with both countries.
“The same goes for the EU. Currently, there is strong anti-Turkish sentiment within EU institutions,” he said.
Akıncı argued that Turkey’s poor relations with its neighbours were not to the benefit of Turkish Cypriots.
“Starting with Syria, Turkey needs to improve or re-establish relations with its neighbours. This will be beneficial not only for Turkey but for Turkish Cypriots as well,” Akıncı argued.
Answering a question on the impact of superpowers on the Cyprus Problem and the Eastern Mediterranean, Akıncı said that US and Russia are still competing with each other despite the end of the Cold War.
He expressed the view that both sides in Cyprus should pursue their common and joint interests rather than those of the greater powers.
“I only hope that the Greek Cypriot side adopts a more realistic and rational approach towards Turkish Cypriots, embracing the fact that Turkish Cypriots have as much a say as Greek Cypriots in Cyprus and its resources. Only then can we establish the grounds for peace in the period ahead,” he said.
On the issue of hydrocarbons, Akıncı said that the Turkish Cypriot side approved and supported Turkey’s policy in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“As I have stated before we support Turkey’s policies because it is not possible to exclude Turkey or the Turkish Cypriots from the energy equation,” he said.
Akıncı recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly proposed for the establishment of a joint committee to co-manage the island’s natural gas resources.
He said that the other two alternatives were to either solve the Cyprus Problem or for the two sides to proceed with their activities.
“We have been saying from the very beginning that we should transform the current situation into an area of cooperation. The current path is not the one we prefer. The path we prefer is the one which involves cooperation and dialogue,” he added.
Akıncı pointed out the Greek Cypriot side insisted on claiming sovereignty over areas which overlapped with Turkey’s continental shelf.
“More importantly the Greek Cypriots are trying to see this as a matter separate from the negotiations. This is a big mistake. But our proposal has started to receive support from the international community. A few EU countries have been stating that it is not so easy to kill off this proposal and that it shouldn’t,” he said.
Asked about his expectations from the new EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Akıncı said he expected the head of the EU Commission to establish a healthier dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot community and its representatives.
Commenting on Maraş (Varosha), Akıncı said that the Maraş (Varosha) initiative belonged to the government and was a move initiated without consulting his office.
He said that the government’s initial plan involved updating an existing inventory of movable and immovable properties.
Any steps to follow are extremely important, Akıncı added.
“I have repeatedly stated that any move regarding the fenced-off city should not violate UN resolutions and international law. The issue needs to be discussed seriously with the government, the opposition, my office and Turkey. Otherwise, it will be Turkey more than us which will be suffering the serious consequences particularly with the European Court of Human Rights,” he said.
Regarding his intention to run for a second term, Akıncı said that he will announce his decision towards the end of the year.
He said that all his energy and efforts were currently focused on preparations for a possible tripartite meeting in November.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Only TCs decide who represents them.
>> Officials in Ankara have overreacted to my remarks. It was not the first time referred to Turkey’s 1974 military operation in Cyprus.
>> I did not imply that Ankara should negotiate with terrorists. States decide who to negotiate with. All I wanted to point out was that Cyprus is extremely close to the conflict in Syria.
>> TCs give importance to the fight against terrorism & desire a Turkey free of it.
>> TC democracy is strong. Only TCs decide who represents them.
>> It is a serious mistake to ignore & undermine the TCs own struggle waged for many years.
>> Most of the insults & threats made were orchestrated by various circles.
>> Turkey’s poor relations with its neighbours does not benefit TCs.
>> Turkey needs to improve or re-establish relations with its neighbours starting from Syria. This will be beneficial not only for Turkey but for TCs as well.
>> TCs & GCs should pursue their common & joint interests rather than those of the greater powers.
>> To establish the grounds for peace, the GC side should adopt a more realistic & rational approach towards TCs, accepting that TCs have an equal say in Cyprus & its resources.
>> TC side approves & supports Turkey’s policy in the East Med regarding hydrocarbons.
>> It is not possible to exclude Turkey or the TCs from the energy equation.
>> TC side has repeatedly proposed to co-manage the island’s natural gas resources.
>> The current situation on hydrocarbons should transform into an area of cooperation. The path we prefer is the one which involved cooperation and dialogue.
>> GC side sees hydrocarbons as a matter separate from the negotiations.
>> TC side’s proposal has started to receive support from members of the int’l community.
>> TCs expect the new head of the EU Commission to establish a healthier dialogue with them & their representatives.
>> The Maraş (Varosha) initiative belongs to the government & was initiated without consulting the presidency.
>> Any move regarding the fenced-off city should not violate UN resolutions & international law.
>> The issue needs to be discussed seriously with the government, the opposition, the presidency & with Turkey.
>> Turkey will suffer the most serious consequences particularly with the ECHR on Maraş (Varosha) issue.
Tripartite meeting to be held in Berlin on 25 November
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı responded positively to the invitation extended by the UN Secretary-General to hold a tripartite meeting in Berlin on 25 November, all six dailies reported on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Friday, Presidential Spokesman Barış Burcu said Akıncı will meet with UNSG Antonio Guterres and with the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr Nicos Anastasiades in a meeting to be hosted by Guterres in Berlin on 25 November.
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar has stressed the need for the two leaders to redouble their efforts to conclude the terms of reference and return to the negotiations.
The two leaders Mustafa Akıncı and Nicos Anastasiades attended a reception on Thursday evening at the Ledra Palace hotel in Nicosia’s Green Line on the occasion of the UN Day where they spoke briefly.
Speaking at the event, Spehar said, that the leaders still had an opportunity to take a mutually acceptable solution to the finish line, but they will need to be ready to explain it to, and promote it with, their constituencies. The UN, including the Secretary-General himself, is ready to play its part.
All parties will need to do the same, she added.
The UN diplomat said that with a continuing hiatus in the talks, Cypriots were still facing uncertainty about their future and concern about what will come next.
Moreover, she said that “we must acknowledge that, while the talks have stalled, the world has not stopped around us. Changes are happening, with important implications, on and around the island, in this region and on a global scale. The current environment is challenging,”.
Spehar said that there were positive moments in 2019 as the leaders reached out to each other on several occasions, under the auspices of the UN, to work on reconciling their positions and paving the way back to the negotiating table while these efforts are still very much in progress.
She further said they also agreed on and actively facilitated the implementation of various, substantive confidence-building measures, including the interconnectivity of the electricity grids and the interoperability of the mobile phones, marking the full implementation of the leaders’ agreement of 2015.
“Civil society actors who support a mutually beneficial settlement of the Cyprus problem further raised their voices in 2019, calling for progress and a successful conclusion. All involved parties to the Cyprus problem have confirmed their interest in and willingness for a negotiated solution,” Spehar said.
She went on to note that the bicommunal Technical Committees “are working more consistently on initiatives to improve the daily lives of Cypriots in the many fields that they are designed to work on, from cultural heritage to environment, from health to humanitarian affairs, from crime and criminal matters to crossings, from gender equality to education” adding that the volunteer peace education initiative, ‘Imagine’, which, as she said, has shown promising results.
“While the leaders bear the primary responsibility for the talks and will need to redouble their efforts to conclude the terms of reference and return to negotiations, we should recall that successful peace processes tend to include multiple levels of engagement that help build the foundation for success. All Cypriots clearly have a stake in their own future here, and perhaps young people more than any,” the UN diplomat concluded.
Turkish & Greek defence ministers discuss Cyprob & East Med
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
External Security
OVERVIEW
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and his Greek counterpart Nikolas Panagiotopoulos discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem; the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea during their meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday.
In a statement issued by the Turkish Defence Ministry, during the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the second day of NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting, Akar emphasized that the problems between Ankara and Athens will be resolved within the framework of good neighbourly relations and the international law.