Front Page Headlines
‘Where did you find it’ From where?
A draft law on the origin of acquired property and wealth (Financial Accountability Law) prepared during the four-party coalition’s term in government and which is ready to be sent to parliament is kept waiting due to other ‘urgent’ matters. The draft law has been pending for months to be taken up by the Committee for Legal, Political and Foreign Affairs. The head of the committee Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu says he does not know when the draft law will be taken up.
- ‘Federation is still at the table’ – Leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman spoke during a meeting on the budget of the Office of the President.
- “Political equality should be reaffirmed” – CTP met with DISY (Democratic Rally Party).
- 302,000 from Derinya (Deryneia), 25,000 from Aplıç (Lefka/Apliki) – Thousands have used the crossing point in the past year.
“Ciklos (Kyklos) Disaster Committee’ a disaster on its own
The special parliamentary committee set up to investigate the deaths of four people swept away during a flash flood in Ciklos (Kyklos) had waited for seven months during the previous government’s term in office to hold its first meeting. Following that meeting, a statement was issued stating that there was no result. It’s been ten months since that meeting and still, there is no outcome or development.
Ciklos (Kyklos) report almost completed
The work carried out by the parliamentary committee responsible for investigating the death of four people who had been swept away by floodwaters in the Ciklos (Kyklos) area near Kyrenia has finally reached the stage where findings will be complied into a report. It took 11 months to reach this stage. The report will include several suggestions on possible measures to be taken to avert such a disaster in the future.
The noose around Taşyapı’s neck is tightening.
The Minister for Public Works and Communication Tolga Atakan has said the government’s patience on the construction of the new Ercan (Tymbou) airport terminal building is running out. He said that they will invoke clauses in the contract with Taşyapı if the construction is not completed by May 2020.
- Berlin diplomacy from CTP – CTP continued its contacts ahead of Berlin trilateral by visiting DISY.
Young peoples’ priority is getting a government job
While there are claims of unemployment in the country, companies in the furniture business complain they cannot find skilled labour.
Who pressed the button?
Associates and circles close to Bulut Akacan did not find the two-year prison sentence given to him by Kyrenia Criminal Court to be fair. They claim that the court acted upon instructions from somewhere at the top. The arrest of his father-in-law and father just as his sentence was being read out has been perceived by some to be part of a wider operation to bring down the Akacan and Altınbaş families.
- Ministry approves “I’m your teacher Refika” comic book – It’s been announced that the previous education minister Cemal Özyiğit had approved the distribution of the book.
Main News
Erhürman: “Political equality must be reaffirmed”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power sharing
OVERVIEW
The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman said on Wednesday that the most important outcome that could be achieved from the trilateral meeting in Berlin would be to pave the way for a five-party meeting.
Erhürman words came during a visit paid to DISY in the South as part of contacts launched by the CTP ahead of the Berlin meeting.
The CTP delegation included Executive Committee members Çiçek Göçkün Bayramoğlu, Fikri Toros and Armağan Candan.
“To pave the way for a five-party meeting, it is important that all sides accept the principle of political equality which is one of the fundamental parameters repeatedly highlighted in UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The sides also need to accept past convergences and agree on the results-oriented and time-framed methodology which has been repeatedly highlighted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres following the talks in Crans Montana ,” he said.
Erhürman said that political equality could not be linked to other issues where divergences remained.
“It is important to reaffirm past convergences on rotating presidency, effective participation in decision-making processes and the minimum requirement of one positive vote in decisions taken at the federal level,” he said, adding that this was extremely important in terms of paving the way for a five-party meeting as well as finalizing the Terms of Reference (ToR).
In a separate statement on Wednesday, the National Unity Party (UBP) MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu claimed that President Akıncı had been unsuccessful in solving the Cyprus Problem.
Speaking during discussions on the budget of the Office of the President, Hasipoğlu said Akıncı’s failure to settle the Cyprus Problem was not his fault.
“It is the Greek Cypriot side which does not want a solution. We need to see this. A federal settlement is a fantasy. We need to remove our pink glasses and focus on realistic solution models,” he said.
Hasipoğlu also questioned parliament’s strategy on the negotiations.
“We need to be consulted before a position is presented at the table. Parliament should be more proactive. Let’s show everyone that a federal settlement is not possible and demand from the UN to announce that the process has collapsed,” he said.
Also addressing parliament, UBP MP Özdemir Berova argued that there has been nothing left to discuss at the negotiating table in terms of a federal solution.
“Everything regarding a federal settlement has been discussed. The federal thesis does not have any meaning,” said Berova, claiming that the conjuncture had changed and that new parameters had emerged.
“The Greek Cypriots have also started to warm up to the idea of a two-state solution,” he said.
Berova said that Greek Cypriots needed to explain why a federal solution was not happening.
“They refuse to admit the reasons, they don’t see us as their interlocutors and are always blaming Turkey,” he added.
Erhürman in his response to Hasipoğlu and Berova reminded that federation was still the only solution model at the table.
“The federation solution model which you so confidently say is over is still what is accepted as the basis for a solution by the United Nations (UN),” Erhürman said.
He reminded that the office of the president was based on the status of the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“It is with this title that the president conducts negotiations. And contrary to remarks by UBP MPs, it is not the parliament but the people who grant the president that authority,” he added.
The CTP leader also questioned how issues such as territorial adjustment, property and other bicommunal matters will be solved in a two-state solution which the government insists on.
“Talking about removing pink glasses and adopting a more realistic approach. You need to answer all these questions if you want to talk about alternatives,” he said.
Erhürman pointed out that even the Greek Cypriot leader, despite voicing different views, had not abandoned the federal framework when presenting the UN with any documents.
“Mr Guterres should stand behind his earlier words and should defend those positions so that the way for a five-party meeting can be opened,” he stressed.
Erhürman also said that there was much the president could do for the Turkish Cypriot community in the absence of a settlement.
“The sole function and duty of this post are not the negotiations,” he concluded.
Speaking at the meeting CTP MP Fikri Toros criticized the government’s position on the Cyprus Issue.
He argued that the government’s steps had cast a shadow on the Turkish Cypriots’ credibility at the negotiating table.
Toros warned that the current conditions in Cyprus were not sustainable and that a non-solution would not only bring instability to the island but the region as well.
He accused the government of using the Cyprus Issue for domestic politics.
“All these moves are just weakening our negotiating power,” Toros added.
He said that all political forces in the country should focus their energy on the upcoming trilateral meeting as well as an unofficial five-party meeting.
Toros warned that tensions could rise in the New Year.
“The trilateral meeting should not be linked in any way to the presidential election,” he said.
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Most important outcome to be achieved at the trilateral meeting is paving the way for a five-party meeting.
>> Accepting principle of political equality, past convergences, a results-oriented process t & time-framed process essential for five-party meeting & finalizing ToR.
>> Political equality cannot be linked to other issues where divergences remain.
>> Federation solution model is still what is accepted as the basis for a solution by the UN.
>> Office of the president is based on the status of the leader of the TC community. TC leader conducts negotiations based on this status.
>> It is not parliament but the people who grant authority to the president.
>> Questions on territory, property & other bicommunal issues need to be answered when talking about alternative solutions.
>> UNSG should stand behind his views on parameters so that the way for a five-party meeting can open.
>> There is much a president could do for the TC community in the absence of a solution. The sole function and duty of this post are not the negotiations.
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> Akıncı’s failure to solve Cyprob is not his fault.
>> Absence of a solution is because GC side doesn’t want one. A federal settlement is a fantasy.
>> There is a need to focus on more realistic solution models.
>> Parliament’s views & consent should be sought before a position is presented at the table.
>> Parliament should be more proactive. It must prove to everyone that a federal settlement is not possible & demand the UN to announce that the process has collapsed.
Berova (UBP)
>> There is nothing left to discuss at the negotiating table in terms of a federal solution.
>> Conjuncture has changed & new parameters have emerged.
>> GCs have also started to warm up to the idea of a two-state solution.
Toros (CTP)
>> Government’s moves on Cyprob has cast a shadow on the TCs’ credibility at the negotiating table.
>> Current situation in Cyprus is not sustainable & a non-solution will not only bring instability to the island but the region as well.
>> All political forces should focus their energy on the upcoming trilateral meeting & an unofficial five-party meeting.
>> Trilateral meeting should not be linked in any way to the presidential election,” he said.
Tatar slams EU decision to impose sanctions on Turkey
Havadis
Energy, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said on Wednesday that the Greek Cypriots’ rejection of a Turkish Cypriot proposal to form a joint committee to co-manage the island’s hydrocarbon resources and to continue their activities unilaterally was unacceptable.
Speaking to CNN Türk in Istanbul, Tatar said that Turkey and the TRNC had adopted a joint position in the Eastern Mediterranean as a result of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s determined stance.
“Such a move was inevitable when you consider the quantity and size of the island’s natural resources,” he added.
Tatar also criticized the decision adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council to impose sanctions on Turkey for its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“We need to continue our struggle in the Eastern Mediterranean with our all persistence and determination. We will prevail and win our rights through a struggle similar to one we waged when establishing the TRNC,” he added.
Commenting on the forthcoming trilateral meeting in Berlin, Tatar pointed out that the meeting was an unofficial meeting.
“I don’t think any outcome will be reached at the meeting,” he said, adding that no new developments had taken place in the talks for the past two years.
“How can we expect new developments if the basis of the talks hasn’t changed,” he added.
Tatar complained that the Greek Cypriot side did not display the same goodwill displayed by the Turkish Cypriots side.
He added that the Greek Cypriots were demanding unacceptable preconditions such as an end to the system of guarantees and Turkey ceasing its drilling activities in the region. “These are two things we shall never accept,” said Tatar, adding that it had been a big mistake to open the issue of guarantees to discussion during the last conference held in Crans Montana.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> GCs’ rejection of a TC proposal for co-management of island’s hydrocarbon resources & their insistence to continue unilateral drilling activities unacceptable.
>> Quantity & size of the island’s natural resources made Turkish & TC action inevitable.
>> Struggle in East Med needs to continue.
>> No outcome expected from Berlin trilateral. No new developments have taken place for the past two years.
>> No developments expected as long as basis remains the same.
>> TC side will never accept GC side’s unacceptable preconditions to resume talks.
Turkey’s opposition slams AKP, says Ankara isolated itself in East Med
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s main opposition party on Wednesday criticized the Turkish Justice and Development party’s (AKP) policies in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“We are at a point where we are unable to defend the TRNC’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean as a result of the framework adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council for imposing sanctions on Ankara over its drilling activities,” Engin Altay, deputy group chair of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), told reporters in parliament.
The sanctions will include freezing of bank accounts or assets as well as travel bans, he added.
Altay argued that Turkey had isolated itself in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“This decision may at first glance may seem directed at Turkey, the Turkish nation and the TRNC but in fact, it serves Erdoğan’s policy of self-isolation. Neither the EU nor Turkey will benefit from this situation. Turkey under no circumstance should make any concessions from its and the TRNC’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
Distribution of controversial history comic book starts
Kıbrıs Postası, Afrika
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
A history comic book which has been at the centre of controversy for the past week has started to be distributed at primary schools, Kıbrıs Postası reported on Thursday.
The book prepared by an association aimed at perpetuating the thoughts and ideas of former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş has been approved by the Turkish Cypriot Ministry of Education, the daily reported.
Afrika had reported earlier this week that the comic book whose main character is a female Turkish teacher named ‘Refika’ incited racism and hatred towards Greek Cypriots.
The character secretly teaches Turkish Cypriot children and women during the island’s colonial period Turkish and verses from the Kuran after determining that they had been assimilated by Greek Cypriots and christian traditions.
The paper had reported that the distribution of the book which is not part of the school curriculum had sparked a backlash from parents as well as some teachers.
The president of the association Latif Akça in a written statement on Wednesday said that the book aimed at reinforcing historical awareness, knowledge and a sense of identity.
“We are promoting heroes who left their mark during the national struggle years. The book has been prepared according to pedagogical format and arranged in a way which shows sensitivity to child psychology,” he said.
Akça also recalled that the publication of the book had started during the former Education Minister Cemal Özyiğit’s term in office.
Thousands cross through Derinya (Deryneia) and Aplıç (Lefka/Apliki)
Yenidüzen
CBMs
OVERVIEW
Yenidüzen reported on Thursday that a total of 327,620 entry and exits have taken place through the Derinya (Deryneia) and Aplıç (Lefka/Apliki) crossing points since they first opened up a year ago as part of confidence-building measures.
The majority of crossings have taken place through the Derinya (Deryneia) crossing point in Famagusta, the daily reported.
A total number of 302,177 crossings took place through Famagusta while 25,443 crossings were registered at the Aplıç (Lefka/Apliki) crossing point.
Of the 302,177 crossings in Derinya (Deryneia) 93,270 were vehicle crossings, the majority from South to North. A total of 6496 vehicles crossed through Aplıç (Apliki).
45,541 of the 93,270 vehicles using the Derinya (Deryneia) crossing points travelled from the north to south while the remaining 47,729 crossed from south to north.
3,478 vehicles crossed from north to south and 3018 vehicles crossed from south to north at the Aplıç (Lefka/Apliki) crossing point.
208,907 persons crossed through Derinya (Deryneia) while 18,947 persons crossed through Aplıç (Lefka/Apliki). Of those persons, 104,550 crossed south while 104,357 crossed from south to north.