Front Page Headlines
Alarm bells for 2020
Former Economy and Energy Ministry Undersecretary Erkan Okandan compared the 2019 and 2020 state budgets for Yenidüzen. “Energy prices, risk posed by rising foreign exchange rates and more importantly possible delays in financial assistance from Turkey will create serious problems,” he said.
- Tatar: “Fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) will come to the agenda at the end of 2020. The return of former residents is something the United Nations (UN) will support.
- Erhürman: “What is the government’s plan? Does the government have one? How is the property issue in Maraş (Varosha) going to be solved? Has the UN been consulted?”
Poly Peck case not closed Mr Tatar
While the debate continues as to whether or not Prime Minister Ersin Tatar can travel abroad, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said that the Poly Peck case which Tatar claimed had been closed remains open.
- Erdoğan: “We shall continue to stand with Turkish Cypriots”
The course of the real estate case is changing
The forged document case involving businessman Mehmet Eminoğlu, the notary Serdar Özbekoğlu and architect Muammer Uğursöz took a different turn after two people, claimed to have threatened Eminoğlu, were caught and arrested.
Bogged down in debt
While the 2020 annual budget for the TRNC is ₺8.8bn, money owed to banks by individuals and companies as of the end of September has reached ₺23,128,828,464.
- We shall continue to support the Cyprus national cause – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a message, congratulating the TRNC on its 36th anniversary of establishment.
He gave courage
President Erdoğan said, “We shall exert all efforts to make sure that the TRNC’s flag flies with pride not only on land but on the seas as well.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a special message on 15 November.
- The people would never accept it’ – Akıncı said that security of Turkish Cypriots could not be endangered after all that has been experienced.
- ‘A united Cyprus’ – (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security) Frederica Mogherini said that the trilateral meeting on November 25 was an opportunity to reach an agreement on future steps.
15 days in prison for nothing!
Mustafa Kenan Sivri’s who had taken his neighbour İbrahim Başarır to court five years ago for a dispute over a parking spot won the case. İsmail Başarır was sent to prison for a month. However, shortly afterwards, Mustafa Sivri himself was arrested on charges of insulting Başarır’s son. He was put in the same jail cell with Hüseyin Havalar who was suspected of murdering his wife. Sivri was sent to prison for 15 days after being accused of hitting Havalar who allegedly assaulted him.
Main News
Akıncı highlights the importance of a solution
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı said on Thursday that Turkish Cypriots want to live freely while preserving their own identity.
Akıncı’s words came during a televised address at noon on Thursday marking the start of celebrations of the 36th anniversary of the declaration of the self-proclaimed Turkish Cypriot state.
Akıncı started his speech by pointing out that Turkish Cypriots who as a community had learned the value of peace by experiencing war and which was well aware of the need for a just and equitable solution would continue to walk the path of peaceful and modern values set by Atatürk.
He said Turkish Cypriots will never abandon their freedom, their unique character and identity as well as their equality.
Neither will they allow any move which will threaten their security, he added.
Akıncı recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue its efforts towards the goal of achieving a settlement in cooperation with the United Nations (UN) as stated in the TRNC’s declaration of independence.
“Within this framework, I shall be meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades upon an invitation by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on November 25 in Berlin,” Akıncı said.
He added that the Turkish Cypriot side will be demonstrating political will and acting with determination to achieve progress on the road to peace.
“We shall be adopting a constructive approach by defending our legitimate rights and interests to build a future that safeguards our political equality, security and freedom,” he said.
We shall expect our interlocutors to do the same. I hope that this meeting will be productive and will produce positive results,” Akıncı added.
Akıncı expressed the view that a settlement on the island will be beneficial to all concerned parties.
“Nevertheless, life continues in the absence of a solution and there are many issues that need to be addressed. These issues range from traffic to education, from tighter inspections and controls to improving the country’s infrastructure. Whether it is the environment or the health sector, we are all required as a community to show a concerted effort in addressing the problems we face in these areas,” Akıncı noted.
On the issue of hydrocarbons, Akıncı pointed out that efforts to exclude or sideline Turkey and Turkish Cypriots from the energy equation had not helped de-escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Efforts are being made to implement unrealistic and economically or commercially unviable projects just for the sake of excluding Turkey and the TRNC,” he stressed.
Akıncı underlined the importance of cooperation which would pave the way for mutual benefit to all parties involved.
“I would like to use this opportunity to repeat that our offer to establish a joint committee to co-manage the island’s hydrocarbon reserves still stands,” he added.
He reminded that there were three options regarding the issue of hydrocarbons which were agreeing on a moratorium to cease all activities until a settlement is reached, to establish a joint mechanism to co-manage these resources and to distribute the wealth equitably or for both sides to conduct their separate operations.
“Unfortunately, the first two options are being rejected by the Greek Cypriots,” he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side desired the rationale way to proceed which was cooperation.
Akıncı also said that it was wrong to punish the Turkish Cypriot side which had no other option left but to protect its rights and interests in the face of the Greek Cypriot side’s rejectionist stance.
Akıncı also touched upon global humanitarian crises, rising global poverty and unequal distribution of wealth.
He said it was important to stop military spending and to use this money on addressing these issues.
Meanwhile, various ceremonies were held in the north on Friday celebrating the anniversary of the declaration of the TRNC.
State and government officials issued messages highlighting the importance of the occasion.
Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay was also on the island representing Turkey during the celebrations.
KEY ACTOR
Akıncı
>> TCs’ want to live freely while preserving their own identity
>> TC community has learned the value of peace by experiencing war &is well aware of the need for a just and equitable solution.
>> TCs will never abandon their freedom, their identity & their equality. Neither will they allow any move which will threaten their security.
>> TC side will continue its efforts towards the goal of achieving a settlement in cooperation with the UN.
>> TCs shall continue to adopt a constructive approach by defending their legitimate rights & interests.
>> A settlement on the island will be beneficial to all concerned parties.
>> Other domestic issues have to be addressed during the absence of a settlement.
>> Excluding Turkey & TRNC from energy equation has not helped de-escalate tensions in East Med.
>> Cooperation on hydrocarbons is important. It will pave the way for mutual benefit.
>> TC’s proposal for co-management of hydrocarbon resources still on the table.
Tatar says aim is to open Maraş (Varosha) by late 2020
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Thursday the UBP-HP government planned to open Maraş (Varosha) by the end of 2020.
Speaking on a morning news programme at FOX TV in Istanbul, Tatar said the government’s plans regarding the fenced-off city was moving forward as planned.
“As you know we brought this issue to the agenda. Maraş (Varosha) will be opened because it has been abandoned to its fate for the past 45 years. The return of its former residents is something the United Nations (UN) will support from a humanitarian point of view,” he said.
Tatar pointed out that the town’s former residents which included Greek Cypriots and British nationals, as well as the Evkaf Administration, had rights over the area.
Tatar in response to a question as to when Maraş (Varosha) could be opened said that the target was the end of 2020.
On the upcoming trilateral meeting in Berlin between the two leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tatar said he did not expect anything would come out of it arguing that there hasn’t been any shift in positions and no progress for the past two years.
Tatar also said that it was a big mistake that the issue of the abolition of the guarantees was even brought up in Crans Montana in 2017.
Turkish Cypriots, he said, “will never abandon Turkey’s guarantees.”
In the meantime, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman on Thursday criticized Tatar for his remarks on Maraş (Varosha).
In a post on social media, Erhürman questioned Tatar’s sincerity on opening the fenced-off city by the end of 2020.
“What is the government’s plan? Does it have one? How is the property question to be addressed? Have there been any consultations initiated with the UN? Has the government informed parliament or the president?” Erhürman asked. The CTP leader expressed the view that such a serious issue needed to be addressed more seriously.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Maraş (Varosha) plans to proceed as planned.
>> Maraş (Varosha) will be opened because it has been abandoned to its fate for 45 years.
>> UN will not object to the return of former residents from a human rights aspect.
>> Former residents, British nationals & Evkaf Administration have rights in Maraş (Varosha).
>> Target to reopen Maraş (Varosha) by the end of 2020.
>> Trilateral meeting is not expected to produce any results because there has been no shift in GC side’s positions.
>> Big mistake had been made by bringing up the abolition of Turkey’s guarantees.
>> TCs will never abandon Turkey’s guarantees.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Serious issues such as Maraş (Varosha) needs to be addressed seriously.
Erhürman: “Political stability not achieved in 36 years”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
CTP leader Tufan Erhürman on Thursday underlined the need for planning in the north in all areas ranging from population to development, tourism and higher education.
In an interview with the TAK news agency, Erhürman said the Turkish Cypriot state in the north had failed to overcome the problem of political stability since its establishment 36 years ago.
“The country’s need for planning, programming and projects were not addressed. This is an issue that we must deal with,” he added.
Erhürman pointed out that many of the problems experienced were the result of the uncertainty created by the Cyprus Problem.
“Efforts to solve the Cyprus Problem over the past 36 years has failed to achieve its goal. Turkish Cypriots have not achieved the desired level of representation at international platforms,” Erhüman added.
He, however, noted that Turkish Cypriots, at least on an individual basis, had been successful in many areas despite limited conditions.
“I don’t find it right to be pessimistic even if we haven’t been able to transform these individual successes in a collective success story for the Turkish Cypriot community,” he added.
Regarding solution efforts, Erhürman said that all efforts needed to focus on achieving a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Problem as soon as possible.
The CTP leader, however, said he did not agree with the view that nothing can be done to address the problems faced before a solution was reached on the island.
“Changing the conditions under which we live in and solving the Cyprus Problem is no doubt our top priority. However, a solution is not just up to us as we have seen this in the past,” he said.
Erhürman pointed to the need to implement confidence-building measures (CBMs) and to pursue a proactive foreign policy to further integrate Turkish Cypriots with the international community.
“Despite our non-recognition, we need to establish good relations with the European Union (EU), the UN, Turkey and other countries,” he stressed.
Regarding concerns Turkish Cypriots have about their existence, Erhürman said that this was a justified concern which needed to be taken seriously.
“We as Turkish Cypriots need to show effort towards creating conditions for good relations with other identities while preserving our own identity. I believe the Turkish Cypriots’ concern for existence since the beginning of the 1900s is still very valid,” he concluded.
In a similar interview with the TAK news agency on Thursday, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister and leader of the Peoples’ Party (HP) Kudret Özersay said the self-proclaimed Turkish Cypriot state had earned Turkish Cypriots a stronger and more institutional form of administration.
He said that the biggest failure of the current state structure was to achieve economic self-sufficiency but that despite all its shortcomings, the TRNC was still a success story.
“Nevertheless, we still have a long way to go. It would be wrong to isolate ourselves from the problems we experience. The state is always seen as the scapegoat when politicians, governments or administrations run the country poorly. To do this harms loyalty and dedication to the state and the struggle to establish identity. Everyone has the responsibility to contribute to the state,” he said.
Özersay said that many of the problems experienced in the country were also the result of the international community’s unfair or unjust approaches towards Turkish Cypriots.
“Turkish Cypriots have just as much a right as Greek Cypriots to have their own state. The isolations and restrictions imposed on Turkish Cypriots with the goal of pleasing Greek Cypriots have been a factor in not being able to reach the level we desire,” he added.
Özersay underlined the need to take steps which will earn the Turkish Cypriot state a more respectable place both domestically and in the internationally. “The more steps we take the more the world will see us and will cooperate with us,” he said.
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> TC state has failed to overcome the problem of political stability for 36 years.
>> Many of the problems experienced are a result of the uncertainty created by the Cyprob.
>> All efforts need to focus on achieving a comprehensive solution to Cyprob as soon as possible.
>> Solving Cyprob is a top priority but this does means problems should not be addressed until a solution is reached.
>> There is a need to implement CBMs and to pursue a proactive foreign policy which will further integrate TCs with the int. community.
>> Despite their non-recognition, TCs need to establish good relations with the EU, UN, Turkey & other countries.
>> TCs concerns about their existence is justified & needs to be taken seriously.
Özersay (HP)
>> TCs have gained a stronger administrative basis as a result of the declaration of the self-proclaimed state.
>> Biggest failure of TC state is its inability to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
>> Despite shortcomings, TC state still a success story.>> It is wrong to blame the existence of the state for the failures of political parties to govern the country properly.
>> Problems experienced by TC state also the result of the unfair approach of int. community.
>> TCs have as much a right as GCs to have their own state.
>> Isolations imposed on TCs to please GCs has been a factor in TC state’s failure to achieve the desired level.
>> Steps need to be taken to earn TCs a more respectable place domestically & internationally.
‘Federation is a Turkish thesis’
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı’s Undersecretary Gürdal Hüdaoğlu on Thursday said it was wrong for those who argued in favour of bringing new alternative solutions to the negotiating table to demonize a federal settlement.
In a written statement, Hüdaoğlu recalled that the federation solution model was first introduced a basis for talks by Turkish Cypriots who had declared the Turkish Cypriot Federated State.
He also reminded that the goal of a federal settlement was included in the 1983 Declaration of Independence (DOI).
“It would be a great mistake for Turkish Cypriots to abandon their own thesis just because the Greek Cypriots don’t want it. Talks for a federal settlement have been going on for 40 years and Turkish Cypriots during that time have acquired many gains in terms of a comprehensive settlement,” he said.
Hüdaoğlu argued that what Greek Cypriots were having difficulty accepting was not a federal solution model itself but the idea of sharing power with Turkish Cypriots.
“If the Greek Cypriots are running away from something it is a solution. The problem is not the solution model. What is important is not proposing a new model but preserving what has been gained and persuading the Greek Cypriots to a solution based on political equality,” he stressed.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Wrong to demonize the federal solution model first introduced as a basis for talks by the TC side.
>> Goal of a federal statement included in 1983 DOI.
>> It would be a great mistake for TCs to abandon federal solution model because GCs don’t want it.
>> What GCs have difficulty accepting is not solution model but sharing power.
>> What is important is preserving gains while persuading GCs to a solution based on political equality.
Erdoğan: “Turkey will never let TCs’ rights be extorted”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a congratulatory message for the 36th anniversary of the establishment of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, issued late Thursday, said Turkey will never let the rights of Turkish Cypriots be extorted.
“We will never allow the extortion of Turks Cypriots’ rights over the hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
“As the guarantor state, we will continue to stand with the Turkish Cypriots, and uphold our national Cyprus cause,” Erdoğan added.
“No one, especially the European Union, has the right to turn Turkish Cypriots into captives of Greek Cypriot games,” he stressed.
Erdoğan also said the Greek Cypriot side had failed to support all efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.
“Turkish efforts for a just, sustainable political solution in Cyprus have not been reciprocated on the Greek Cypriot side,” he added.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Turkey will never allow extortion of TCs’ rights over hydrocarbon resources.
>> Turkey will continue to stand with TCs & uphold national Cyprus cause.
>> No one, especially the EU, has the right to TCs into prisoners of GC agenda.
Fatih returns to Cyprus for new drilling
Yenidüzen
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Turkish drillship Fatih, which was in Mersin, Turkey for refuelling and maintenance has returned to Cyprus waters, Yenidüzen reported on Thursday.
The ship which anchored 13 nautical miles off the coast of Kaleburnu (Galinoporni) in the Karpaz (Karpasia) is expected to carry out drilling in a new location in the area.
According to an announcement by Turkish Maritime services, Fatih will be carrying out activities in the area until 23 February 2020.
The Fatih will be accompanied by the platform support vessels Siem Korkut, Siem Altan and Siem Sancar.
Restoration work on Nicosia’s old walls begin
Yenidüzen
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Work on repairing and restoring sections of the Nicosia’s Venetian walls has commenced, the co-chair of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage Ali Tuncay announced via social media on Thursday.
Parts of the ramparts had collapsed earlier this year.
Tuncay said that the repair of the collapsed section of Quirini Bastion had started with the technical assistance provided by the UNDP team.
He added that the repairs were expected to take five-six months to complete.
Tuncay also said that the section of the walls stretching from Kyrenia Gate to Mula (Zahra) Bastion will also be cleared of vegetation using special methods.
The section of walls between Mula (Zahra) Bastion and Yiğitler (Roccas) Bastion which collapsed last winter will also be repaired.