Front Page Headlines
It’s going to be difficult keeping warm this winter
The price of bottled gas has gone up. The winter tariffs for electricity are in place. The price of firewood has almost doubled. It’s going to be very expensive warming up this winter.
- The ‘dead-end’ street brings two sides closer – The opening of the Derinya (Dhernyea) crossing point had breath life to Famagusta. Residents and shop owners are happy with the booming business and developing relations.
15,000 incomplete constructions still lay abandoned
The construction sector which had experienced a boom during the Annan Plan process came to a grinding halt after the process failed. An inventory conducted in 2010 revealed that there are 15,000 incomplete buildings. The issue has been pending on parliament’s agenda since 2018.
- “Fenced-off the city of Maraş (Varosha) belongs to Lala Mustafa Paşa” – The General Director of Evkaf Administration İbrahim Benter renewed his claim that the entirety of Maraş (Varosha) belongs to the Evkaf. He said that the area was purchased by Lala Mustafa Paşa following the conquest of Cyprus in 1571 only to be donated later to a foundation established in his name.
- Erdoğan: “Greece’s and South Cyprus’ arguments have been proven invalid”
The shopping basket list which determines the cost of living hasn’t been updated
The announcement for a second consecutive month that the inflation rate In the TRNC was lower than that of Turkey has raised questions. Economist Erdal Güryay evaluated the inflation rate for November which was -0.47 per cent.
- Three important surveys from Kıbrıs Media group’s poll company COMAR – Tomorrow: How has the Berlin trilateral meeting been received by the community? Tuesday: Parliamentary elections. Wednesday: Presidential elections.
- Their plans have been foiled –Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said steps have been taken militarily and to determine maritime jurisdiction boundaries.
- “There were gross human rights violations in Cyprus before 1963” – The report prepared by the first leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Ahmet Mithat Berberoğlu titled “Human Rights in the solution of the Cyprus Issue through legal and peaceful methods” revealed that gross human rights violations had been committed in areas under Turkish Cypriot control prior to 1973. The report revealed that many people had been arrested or tortured. Turkish Cypriots who had been stripped of their freedom of press, freedom to assembly and freedom of expression had been transformed into slaves.
Pursuing justice for the past four years
Four years have passed since the suspicious death of Arik Ummak in Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko). His grief-stricken family claims their son’s death wasn’t his fault and that the reason why the real cause hasn’t been determined is due to the police’s stance.
- PM Tatar: They want to harm the Turkish Cypriot economy
It’s going to be ‘nice’
A ₺9.5m project has been developed for the old Kyrenia harbour.
- The ploy has been foiled – (Turkish) President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan drew attention to the agreement signed with Libya. He said steps had been taken both militarily and determining maritime jurisdiction boundaries.
So Maraş (Varosha) belongs to Lala!
The General Director of Evkaf Administration İbrahim Benter claims that the entirety of Maraş (Varosha) belongs to the Evkaf. He said that the area was purchased by Lala Mustafa Paşa following the conquest of Cyprus in 1571 only to be donated later to the foundation established in his name. During the island’s British rule, the area was sold to Greek Cypriots with fake title deeds.
- We buried Greek Cypriots in the Tekke Bahçesi (Tekke Gardens) – The remains of three Greek Cypriots were found during excavations in the Tekke Bahçesi (Tekke Gardens).
- War drums – Turkey and Greece have come to the brink of war.
Main News
Çavuşoğlu: Turkey will protect its vessels by any means
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Saturday his country does not wish conflict with anyone but would protect its vessels in the eastern Mediterranean by any means necessary if it came to it.
In response to a question from the press after his speech at an event organised by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies in Rome on whether Turkey would use force as regards its activities in the eastern Mediterranean, he said his country was the guarantor of the Turkish Cypriots.
“We have done everything to find a solution, the Greek Cypriot side does not want an agreement,” he said.
He reiterated his country’s position on unilateral activities by Greek Cypriots for hydrocarbons exploration and that the proceeds needed to be shared through a joint committee.
“We promoted this to the Greek Cypriots, Greece, the EU, the UN, everyone, but they don’t want cooperation hence I will send in my ships,” he said.
He said that Turkey does not want to engage in conflict with anyone but would take all measures, whatever they may be, to protect her vessels.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Saturday that the agreement with Libya was sent to the UN after the Turkish parliament approved it earlier in the week.
Erdoğan said the deal — already signed by the president — was ratified by the parliament and published on Dec. 7’s Official Gazette, going into effect.
Speaking at the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) consultation meeting of provincial heads in Istanbul, Erdoğan said Turkey will use its rights under international law and international maritime law.
Erdoğan also slammed Greece over its expulsion of the Libyan ambassador, dubbing it as a “scandalous” move.
“What did you gain from this?” He added that Greece’s and South Cyprus’s plans in the region had been foiled with the deal signed with Libya.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Ankara does not want conflict but will protect its vessels in East Med by any means necessary.
>> Ankara has done everything for a solution. It is the GC side which does not want a solution.
>> Proceeds of hydrocarbons need to be shared through a joint committee.
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Turkey will exercise its rights under int’l law & int’l maritime law till the end on East Med.
>> Greece & GC side’s plans in the region have been foiled following the deal signed with Libya.
Benter: Maraş(Varosha) was purchased by Lala Mustafa Paşa
Kıbrıs Postası, Afrika
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
The General Director of the Evkaf Administration İbrahim Benter on Saturday renewed claims that the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) is Evkaf property in its entirety.
Speaking to the Anadolu News Agency, Benter said that that the area was purchased by Lala Mustafa Paşa following the conquest of Cyprus in 1571 only to be donated later to the foundation established in his name.
He added that they had accessed the title deeds belonging to the Abdullah Paşa foundation and Bilal Ağa foundations.
“We have numerous documents proving that this area belonged to the Evkaf for 300 years. It is seen when examining the title deeds and registers that the area belongs to the Evkaf,” he added.
Benter said that title deeds belonging to the fenced-off area was discovered in a building in the 1990s.
“The Greek Cypriots wanted to get a hold of these documents but were unsuccessful. The Famagusta District Court’s ruling is based on these documents,” he added.
Benter argued that the title deeds had been sold unlawfully by the British during the island’s colonial rule to Greek Cypriots who had then invested in the area.
“We are prepared to sign rent contracts with Greek Cypriots if a political understanding is reached and they accept that the fenced-off city belongs to the Evkaf,” he added.
KEY ACTORS
Benter (Evkaf)
>> Maraş (Varosha) in its entirety belongs to the Evkaf.
>> The area was purchased by Lala Mustafa Paşa in 1571 & later donated to religious foundations. The properties when then unlawfully sold to GCs who invested in the area.
>> Numerous documents, files & records prove the property belongs to the Evkaf.
>> Evkaf ready to lease properties to former GC residents if a political understanding is reached & GCs recognise that Maraş (Varosha) belongs to Evkaf.
Locals happy with Derinya (Deryneia) crossing point
Yenidüzen
CBMs, Economy
OVERVIEW
Residents and shopkeepers on both sides of the Derinya (Dernyeia) crossing point which opened only a year ago are extremely pleased with the move, Yenidüzen reported on Sunday.
The daily spoke with the Mayor of Derinya (Deryneia) as well as locals.
Derinya (Deryneia) Mayor Andros Karayiannis told Yenidüzen said that the crossing point which was once a dead end on both sides had brought life to the area.
He said that both communities were benefitting from the interaction whether it was commercial or social.
Karayiannis argued that more crossing points were needed and that their ultimate goal was a solution in Cyprus.
“Surely when you do something new you face skepticism and negative reactions. But this is not what happened here. Authorities on both sides of the crossing point are working effectively. There are different ideas about the economy. Greek Cypriots cross over to the north to shop and to fill their cars with petrol. Turkish Cypriots cross over for social reasons and shopping. I see and know a lot of Turkish Cypriots who cross over for the Saturday market or to shop in Derinya (Dernyeia). A lot of people turn up to watch our local volleyball team Anagennisi Deryneias play because there is a Turkish Cypriot player on the team,” he said.
Locals are also pleased with the crossing point.
One Turkish Cypriot woman, Kezban Çeltek, told Yenidüzen that the crossing points shouldn’t be seen as an economic tool but as a means to bring the two communities closer.
Another Turkish Cypriot woman, Günay Kesen, said the area was a dead-end before the crossing point opened.
A Turkish Cypriot man named Gökel Özdemir questioned the purpose of not having more crossing points.
A supermarket owner named Melek Özkıraç Yazgı said she had many customers who stopped to buy cigarettes, tobacco and water.
Shopkeepers in Famagusta’s old town are also happy with the crossing point, stating that more people visit the walled city including tourists.
Tatar criticizes GC proposed changes at crossing points
Havadis
Migration & Citizenship, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Saturday said the certain changes proposed by the Greek Cypriot authorities to the Green Line Regulation implementation code was aimed at harming the Turkish Cypriot economy.
He said the Greek Cypriot authorities were disturbed by the increase in the number of Greek Cypriots crossing over to the north to shop and buy fuel.
Addressing an event, Tatar said the Greek Cypriot authorities’ actions contradicted with efforts to reach a settlement.
“Where are the Europeans? Where is the Green Line Regulation? We have taken the necessary measures, bringing the issue to the United Nations’ and European Union’s attention,” he said.
Tatar recalled that the reason why direct flights to the north were not possible was because of the Greek Cypriot side’s veto.
“Turkish Cypriots have a right to live in prosperity. We shall prevail against all these obstacles,” he said.