Front Page Headlines
Call to demonstrate “determination”
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman sends a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the trilateral summit in Berlin. Erhürman drew attention in his letter to tensions and deadlock in the Eastern Mediterranean, conveyed his concerns and recalled the principle of political equality which is mentioned in all UN resolutions.
- Best outcome: Agreement on the Terms of Reference (ToR) – Expectation of experts watching developments on the Cyprus Problem closely is for all sides to demonstrate a constructive will at the Berlin meeting.
- Peace rally ahead of the summit
Perhaps sooner than 2025
Turkish Cypriot Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy said following the water supply project from Turkey, a natural gas pipeline project to the north could be implemented by 2025 the latest. He added, “It could even be earlier.” Prof Dr Gürkan Kumbaroğlu, head of the International Energy Economy Association said the natural gas pipeline project could be finalized before 2025.
- Fatih in its third drilling – Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez announced.
Fear of aflatoxin
The risk of aflatoxin in raw milk, which resulted in the dumping of 500 tons of milk in 2018, has reemerged. The Cattle-farmers’ Association together with SÜTEK (TC Milk Board) and Animal Husbandry Department have warned the farmers.
- Peace supporters submitted a letter to the two leaders
If CTP does not win, the problem remains unsolved
Former president Mehmet Ali Talat spoke to Havadis regarding the upcoming presidential elections and the Cyprus problem. Talat said if the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman wins the presidential elections, he will set up a good team and manage the negotiations well. Talat also continued his criticisms towards Mustafa Akıncı.
- Take steps towards a swift solution – Nearly 80 organizations in favour of peace and reunification from both sides of the island held a bicommunal event. The organizers submitted a letter to the two leaders emphasizing the people’s demand for a solution.
Threats and blackmailing
Three Greek Cypriot MPs have submitted a bill proposing the withdrawal of the Republic of Cyprus citizenship from Turkish Cypriots who recognise the TRNC and who currently hold property belonging to a Greek Cypriot. Signed by Diko MPs Pavlos Mylonas and Zaharias Koulias and Edek MP Costis Efstathiou, the proposal provides that people applying for Cypriot citizenship and those who already have it, must submit a written declaration that they do not recognise the TRNC, hold an office there or hold any property belonging to a Greek Cypriot.
- Emphasis on ‘political equality’ – UN Security Council (UNSC) calls on leaders to demonstrate political will.
Are the instructions from the embassy?
The truth behind the efforts to ban the use of the word ‘invader’ when referring to Turkey and making it a punishable offence. Did Prime Minister Ersin Tatar who said he had given instructions to the Attorney General’s office to make the necessary legal arrangements act on orders from the Turkish embassy? It has been revealed that legal actions against our paper in the past were taken through written instructions given to the Prime Ministry by the Turkish embassy.
Main News
Natural gas pipeline from Turkey could be ready before 2025
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, Economy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“A natural gas supply project from Turkey can be finalized even before 2025,” Turkish Cypriot Energy and Economy Minister Hasan Taçoy said on Friday.
Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası, Taçoy noted that his ministry has intensified the ongoing work regarding the pipeline project, which will be built adjacent to the pipeline, already supplying water to the north from Turkey.
“Our goal is to reduce the usage of fossil fuels on the island,” Taçoy said. He added they will continue to work with Turkey due to the isolations imposed on the north.
Also speaking to the paper, Prof Dr Gürkan Kumbaroğlu, head of the International Energy Economy Association, said the natural gas pipeline will give the Turkish Cypriot side a significant advantage at the negotiating table.
He noted that 2025 is an important date because the Greek Cypriot side, which rejected all the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals on collaboration, had recently signed an agreement and announced they will also start producing natural gas in 2025.
“The only way to make the Greek Cypriot side’s agreement profitable is to use the Turkey-TRNC natural gas pipeline,” Kumbaroğlu said, adding that the pipeline could be completed before that date.
He said it will be possible to reverse the flow of the natural gas and transfer the gas from the north to Turkey as and when there is production on the island.
“This is the only profitable way to transfer the island’s natural gas to Europe anyhow!” Kumbaroğlu argued. He added, “once the pipeline is built, those producing natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean will have to collaborate with the TRNC and with Turkey.”
In a separate statement on Friday, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez said the efforts to provide the north with electricity via cable from Turkey and to build a natural gas pipeline were underway.
Dönmez, speaking at the budget planning meeting at the Turkish Parliament, refrained from giving a date.
The Minister also noted that the Fatih drillship had been deployed to the Mediterranean on 30 October 2018 and it has already carried out two drillings.
“Fatih is currently off the coast of Cyprus, carrying out drilling at the Magosa-1 (Famagusta-1) well,” Dönmez said.
Dönmez stressed Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities are in line with international law. “In the name of protecting the interests of the Turkish Cypriots, hydrocarbon activities in the areas licensed by the TRNC and Turkey will also continue without making any concessions on our legitimate rights,” Dönmez said.
Dönmez noted that the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa and Oruç Reis seismic research vessels have already surveyed an area of 37,000m2.
He said the second drillship Yavuz has already completed its first drilling off the coast of the Karpaz peninsula. “Yavuz is currently carrying out it’s second drilling at Güzelyurt-1 (Morphou) location on the west of the island,” Dönmez said.
Dönmez concluded by noting that Turkey is planning on carrying out five separate drills in 2020. “We always maintained a position that the natural resources should be an element of peace and stability in the region than a reason for conflict,” Dönmez concluded.
Expectations from Berlin low, hopes on a five-party meeting
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
“At this critical juncture, it is vital to successfully conclude the trilateral meeting in Berlin to pave the way a five-party conference,” Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman said in his letter sent to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the trilateral meeting in Berlin.
Erhürman handed the letter to Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar with whom he met on Friday.
Highlighting that there has not been an agreement in the terms of reference (ToR) yet, Erhürman said the absence of an agreement not only delayed the resumption of the talks but with the escalating tension over hydrocarbons, deepened the deadlock on the island.
The CTP leader also expressed concern over the increasing imbalance in the region due to the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities and signing agreements with international companies.
Erhürman also noted Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades has adopted an uncertain attitude towards political equality, which has been defined in all convergences, since Crans Montana.
“The Greek Cypriot leader’s attitude is the very basis of his timid approach to a results-oriented process and is the reason for not reaching an agreement on ToR,” Erhürman argued.
Erhürman added: “It is of vital importance to hold a successful trilateral meeting to pave the way for a five-party meeting, which will create the opportunity to discuss all issues regarding the ToRs.”
Erhürman said the two leaders first and foremost must display unconditional determination towards a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution based on political equality. Once the declaration is made by the two leaders, the way forward should be designed in a close-ended negotiations process, Erhürman noted.
He said the goal of the new process must be to reach a political agreement in a short period.
“I would like to request your engagement to open the path towards a comprehensive political settlement,” Erhürman concluded his letter.
Additionally, Yenidüzen spoke with representatives of civil society organizations, politicians and influential figures on the Cyprus Issue, all of whom believe that the best outcome to emerge from the trilateral meeting would be an agreement on the ToR and a date for a five-party meeting.
AKEL MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek told Yenidüzen, “The best outcome from the trilateral meeting in Berlin would be to fully agree on the terms of reference but it does not look possible.”
He added that was because of the cross-negotiations principle in the negotiations methodology.
He noted the sides would want to see their give-and-take options on divergences.
“As a result, I do not expect the leaders to reach a full agreement on the ToR but I at least expect them to show enough flexibility to open the path for a five-party meeting,” Kızılyürek said.
Kızılyürek also said the United Nations have a responsibility to put forward to bring the positions of the two sides closer.
“Additionally, the UN must also inform the Cypriots about what the sides did. This is an important point for me,” Kızılyürek concluded.
CTP MP Fikri Toros also highlighted the hope that an agreement will be reached on ToR within the framework of UN resolutions and parameters.
He added the leaders must first affirm their commitment to UN resolutions and a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution.
Toros also urged the UN Secretary-General to convey the urgency of the two leaders reaching a strategic agreement in Cyprus.
Famagusta Initiative spokesman Okan Dağlı said, “The best result to be obtained from the summit would be a clarification of the Guterres framework and its acceptance.”
Dağlı noted that he sees the ToR as an obstructive element in the negotiations process. He urged the two leaders to display a constructive attitude towards the trilateral meeting otherwise, “It will not be any different from the past summits,” Dağlı stressed.
UniteCyprusNow activist Kemal Baykallı noted the expectations from the trilateral meeting are low on both sides. “Any possible agreements in Berlin will depend on the Secretary-General’s effectiveness and determination,” Baykallı said.
He added if the two leaders and the UN display the necessary determination, it might be possible to reach an agreement on the ToR, which might lead to a five-party meeting. Baykallı also argued that should there be an agreement on the ToR, it will be difficult for the sides to reject a five-party meeting.
“If there is no development in Berlin, other powers might force the Cypriots into other solutions leaving the Cypriots out of the picture,” Baykallı warned, expressing the view that the best outcome from the trilateral meeting would be an agreement on the ToR.
UBP MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu pointed out that the Berlin trilateral was going to be an informal meeting and that he did not expect anything of substance to emerge.
“The biggest problem in the negotiations is the Greek Cypriot side’s lack of desire to share power and wealth with the Turkish Cypriot side,” Hasipoğlu said.
“The Turkish Cypriot leader should not prolong the process and he should display the courage to announce the process is over should the Greek Cypriot side continue to display intransigence,” Hasipoğlu concluded.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) member Evrim Benzetsel said he expects a positive outcome from the trilateral meeting in Berlin. “Given the upcoming presidential elections, the outcome of the meeting in Berlin will be all the more important. I hope the trilateral meeting will pave the way for a five-party meeting,” Benzetsel said.
PRIO (Peace Research Institute Oslo) researcher Mete Hatay also told Yenidüzen he did not have any expectations from the trilateral meeting in Berlin.
He noted that the UN has adopted a different route through its special envoy Lute.
“I believe it will not be possible to reach a profound outcome from the meeting in Berlin,” Hatay noted and added, “My expectation from the two leaders is to take steps that will transform Cyprus.”
Meanwhile Unite Cyprus Now (UCN) warned that “there may be no more opportunities after the trilateral meeting in Berlin for Cypriots to shape the future of the island,” in a written statement issued on Friday.
UCN called on the two leaders to be aware of the realities on the ground.
It noted that the Cyprus problem has become an international issue that stands as a threat to the stability of the European Union.
“If Cypriots cannot agree on the terms of reference for a resumption of negotiations, it is clear that others with equally pressing but different interests will dictate the future of Cyprus for Cypriots,” UCN statement said.
This, UCN argued could range from a de facto Taiwanization or a permanent partition of the island.
“Whatever shape it takes, a pseudo-solution shaped by outsiders may ‘end’ the Cyprus problem but it will not bring peace,” UCN warned.
UCN recalled the recent survey results proving the Cypriots’ desire for a solution on the island and said: “The people are ready for a solution.”
UCN concluded its statement by urging all Cypriots to do their part towards the solution and quoted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “…the prospects for peace ultimately lies in the hands of the two sides.”
On the other hand, nearly 80 civil society organizations and trade unions from both sides of the island participated in a mass march in support of the two leaders ahead of the trilateral meeting in Berlin.
The Bicommunal Peace Initiative, which organized the event, presented the two leaders with a letter demanding from them “to do whatever is necessary to reach the desired solution.”
“Cypriots want to live in an independent island and in freedom,” KTÖS (TC Teachers’ union) general secretary Şener Elcil said on Friday outside the presidential office.
He added the solution to be found on the island must comply with the UN parameters and must respect the past convergences and it must be for a federal and united Cyprus.
Elcil urged the two community leaders to display the required political will for solution during their meeting in Berlin.
Attempt to use sports for ugly provocation
Yenidüzen
Human Rights, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Yenidüzen reported on Saturday of the Dörtyol (Prastio) Football Club’s plan to hold a protest action in response to the attack on the TRNC flag by the far-right ELAM.
The paper reported that the football club was planning to hang up Turkish and TRNC flags, banners and signs at the match to be played with Girne Halk Evi (GHE -Kyrenia) who’s goalkeeper is Greek Cypriot.
Athos Chrysostomou is the only Greek Cypriot football player playing in the north.
Even though the managers of the Dörtyol FC insisted that the Girne Halk Evi players also hold flags before the kick-off, Veli Esendağlı, president of GHE – Kyrenia refused to attend the ceremony.
Speaking to the paper, Esendağlı said he is not going to risk his goalkeeper or his family, who reside in the south.
The Turkish Cypriot football federation also prohibited Dörtyol FC from holding such a reciprocal event before or during the match.