TCC Press Review 11 Dec 2019

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

What kind of construction permit is this?

The Ombudsman’s report revealed another environmental embarrassment for İskele (Trikomo) municipality, which had rejected the development masterplan for the area. Ombudsman’s report reveals the municipality has granted “construction permits” to many housing projects without the EIA – Environment Impact Assessment reports.

  • Status quo means lack of solution – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman said his main goal is to safeguard Turkish Cypriots’ presence, culture and identity on the island.

Kıbrıs Postası

Three days to approve the GC state budget with a surplus but ten days for a budget with deficits

The Greek Cypriot side’s budget for 2020 is eight times bigger than the TRNC’s but it takes three days for the Greek Cypriot parliament to approve it compared to ten days in the north. The budget envisages a €700 million surplus.

  • Presidential budget turned into an election campaign – The parliamentary assembly which convened to discuss the budget of the president’s office turned into a platform for political parties to express their opinions about who should be the next president. The session on Tuesday lasted for nine hours.

Kıbrıs

Akıncı and Tatar in the second round

COMAR polling company sounded the public’s tendency on the presidential election in its December 2019 survey. COMAR asked the question “which candidate would you vote for if we had presidential elections next week.” Akıncı who was among the six candidates listed received 25.4 per cent while Ersin Tatar trailed second with 18.2 per cent.

Havadis

Vaccine crisis

A vaccine crisis has erupted at the Health Ministry. The parents who wanted to take advantage of the Health Ministry’s free-HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine are being sent away. Nurses at the polyclinics say they do not have any vaccines left in their stocks.

  • The balance in the region changed, causing panic – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu spoke about the Turkey-Libya agreement.

Diyalog

No taking steps back

(Interior) Minister Ayşegül Baybars said that the (Famagusta, Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios), İskele (Trikomo)) masterplan is at a stage where it is ready to be brought to life. “We have launched legal action against those who claim that we have been making political favours,” she said.

  • Foreign trade debt of South Cyprus has reached €3.8bn. Exports have dropped

Afrika

The indicator in Cyprus points at actual annexation

Some Turkish writers can see and write about the facts. Cengiz Aktar wrote about Cyprus and the dangers in our region, making predictions about the near future. Aktar said that President Mustafa Akıncı who is the last obstacle in way of annexation will most likely not be elected in the next elections and the TRNC will fall under the complete control of Ankara.

  • Akıncı and Anastasiades…They refrained from meeting – Both Akıncı and Anastasiades who were expected to attend the 10 December UN Human Rights Day reception at the Ledra Palace Hotel yesterday (Tuesday) evening informed the UN at the last minute they would not be attending. Both said they would not be attending because of their busy schedules.

Main News

The budget debate turns into Cyprob debate

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Energy, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The Cyprus Problem topped discussions in the Turkish Cypriot parliament on Tuesday as the political parties debated the annual budget for the President’s Office.

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman who addressed the plenary said: “the status quo only means lack of a solution for Cyprus.”

He added, “our main goal and effort is to carry the Turkish Cypriots’ presence, identity and culture to the future.”

Erhürman noted that the status quo for CTP meant not being able to conduct direct trade; not having direct flights; keeping Maraş (Varosha) closed; Turkish Cypriot artists and athletes being prevented from competing at international events; the problems in the tourism and higher education and more.

He pointed out the importance of acting collaboratively within the Turkish Cypriot community to break the status quo.

The CTP leader noted that more than two years had been wasted between Crans Montana and Berlin trilateral.

Erhürman in response to criticisms against the federal model noted that none of the other proposed models was realistic.

“It is necessary to strongly express that the Turkish Cypriot side’s determination and political will continue towards a federal solution,” Erhürman stressed and added it is vital to be more proactive.

CTP MP Asım Akansoy said the Cyprus problem should be perceived a vital issue and not a political one. “Steps must be taken in Cyprus to end the problems of the two communities,” Akansoy said.

He added the Cyprus problem is deeper than sharing of hydrocarbon reserves.

He pointed to the upcoming presidential elections in the north and said it is important to carry the Turkish Cypriot community’s interests further.

“A joint policy must be identified in the Cyprus problem and it must be agreed what needs to be done at the time of no-solution,” Akansoy said.

Akansoy also recalled that federation was the Turkish side’s position which had first been tabled in 1955.

Regarding the outcome of the Berlin trilateral meeting, Akansoy said the CTP was pleased that the meeting had taken place but was not satisfied with the outcome.

“We wanted a positive outcome with concrete results as we believe that the status quo is no longer sustainable,” Akansoy said.

CTP Fikri Toros on Tuesday highlighted the importance and urgency of a federal settlement in Cyprus.

Addressing the session, Toros said the meeting in Berlin was important but that there were disappointing aspects of the statement issued afterwards.

“A five-party meeting is hinted after the presidential elections. Our view was that the five-party meeting should have taken place right after the trilateral meeting.

A comprehensive settlement is too important to be linked to presidential elections. This has disappointed us. The fact that we have to postpone a five-party meeting for five months for such an urgent matter is truly disappointing,” he said.

CTP MP Özdil Nami in his address said the negotiations process was being carried out in collaboration with Turkey.

“Ankara does not interfere with the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team but they have a say in the guarantees chapter,” Nami added.

In this process, the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish sides protected the rights of the Turkish Cypriots but the Greek Cypriot side tried to make the Turkish Cypriots look bad in the process to deflect the pressure that was building on them.

“The government with their statements help the Greek Cypriot side,” Nami added and criticized uncoordinated voices from the cabinet.

“The goal must be to end the status quo on the island and a unified voice from the north would put pressure on both the United Nations (UN) and the Greek Cypriot side,” Nami concluded.

Also addressing Tuesday’s session of parliament, National Unity Party (UBP) MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu reminded that it was 10 December Human Rights Day and pointed out that Turkish Cypriots continued to be subjected to inhumane embargoes.

He said Greek Cypriots could not tolerate Turkish Cypriots establishing contact with the outside world whether it was for commercial, cultural or sports purposes.

“Unfortunately, we are trying to reach an agreement with such a neighbour,” Hasipoğlu said.

The UBP MP said that a federation was based on sharing but that the Greek Cypriot side lacked the spirit of such cooperating.

“The Turkish Cypriot side should put forward its own will and should refrain from policies and positions that are dependent on the Greek Cypriot side’s mood.

The Greek Cypriots do not want to share governance or wealth with us. There are serious problems regarding this issue,” he added.

Hasipoğlu also criticized President Akıncı, claiming that he had failed to reaffirm the past convergences, the results of which could be seen today.

He said that contrary to claims, the negotiations process remained open-ended.

“We need to develop a strategy to ensure that the negotiations process is results-oriented. Crans Montana was the last phase of the process but we failed to achieve results because of the Greek Cypriot side’s stance. We are trapped in a process that is shaped by the Greek Cypriot side’s will,” he added.

Touching upon the issue of Maraş (Varosha), Hasipoğlu said the initiative to open the fenced-off city contradicted Akıncı’s position at the negotiating table.

“It will continue to be so,” he added.

Hasipoğlu also said that Akıncı had made a big mistake by submitting a map at Crans Montana.

On the issue of hydrocarbons, Hasipoğlu said the Turkish Cypriots’ rights needed to be respected, that the issue could be an opportunity for a solution but that partition could also be an alternative.

He said the agreement signed between Turkey and Libya was very important and that Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side was on the right track.

“The model we need to discuss is two sovereign states inside and single international identity,” he said.

UBP MP Zorlu Töre repeated his known-stance on the Greek Cypriot side and urged everyone to work towards strengthening Turkey’s effective guarantees on the island.

“Have the Greek Cypriots extended us a peaceful hand?” Töre asked and continued to criticise the Greek Cypriot side especially on the recently proposed amendments to the implementation of the Green Line regulation.  

Also speaking in parliament on Tuesday, the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı said he did not agree with the analogy that the Cyprus Issue was back on track as Akıncı claimed.

Arıklı said there has been no shift in the Greek Cypriot side’s position.

He added that there were serious developments taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean and that some countries were trying to exclude Turkey from the region.

Arıklı pointed out that the demarcation agreement signed with Libya had upset the balances and games tried to be played in the region.

“The TRNC and Turkey will be in all equations from now on. That is why presidential elections are important. We need to elect a president who will work in harmony with Turkey and who will support a two-state solution,” he added.

The YDP leader said the time had come to work for the recognition of the TRNC, providing examples from Taiwan and Kosovo.

He argued that it was not right to open to debate the issue of security and guarantees which was a sine qua non for Turkish Cypriots.

“Stability can only be achieved through a solution to the Cyprus problem,” Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit said in his address.

He added the models proposed as an alternative to the federal solution do not carry any weight among the international community.

Özyiğit argued that the solution process has reached its final phase following the trilateral meeting in Berlin and said the five-party meeting will convene following the elections in the north.

He also noted “culture of peace” has become a concept being debated in the two communities even though there is a nationalist education system in the Greek Cypriot side.

The TDP leader also touched on the economic benefits of the opening of new crossing points.

Democratic Party (DP) MP Serdar Denktaş expressed his belief that the decades-long negotiations processes under the auspices of the UN will not deliver the desired solution to Cyprus. “The fact that the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) is under the occupation of the Greek Cypriot side must be told to the UN and its member states,” Denktaş said.

He also criticized the Berlin meeting for being a downgrade from the Crans Montana’s five-party set-up.

“The talks must be held with the participation of five relevant parties otherwise it is not possible to conclude the process,” Denktaş concluded.

People’s Party (HP) MP Gülşah Sanver Manavoğlu argued the Greek Cypriots usurped the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in her address in parliament on Tuesday.

“The international community turns a blind eye to the Greek Cypriots,” Manavoğlu said.

Manavoğlu also targeted Akıncı in her statement and said the president must refrain from polarizing statements.

“It is vital to speak in the best interest of the Turkish Cypriot community and must be proactive in seizing Turkish Cypriots’ rights,” Manavoğlu stressed.

KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> The status quo only means lack of a solution for Cyprus.
>> Our main goal & effort is to carry the TCs’ presence, identity & culture to the future.
>> The status quo for CTP means not being able to conduct direct trade; not having direct flights; keeping Maraş (Varosha) closed; TC artists & sportspeople not being able to compete in int’l arena; the problems in tourism & higher education and more.
>> Acting collaboratively within the TC community to break the status quo is important.
>> More than two years had been wasted between Crans Montana & Berlin trilateral.
>> None of the other proposed models as an alternative to federation are realistic.
>> It is necessary to strongly say the TC side’s determination & political will continue towards a federal solution.
>> Vital to be more proactive.

Akansoy (CTP)
>> Cyprob should be perceived as a vital issue & not a political one.
>> Steps must be taken in Cyprus to end the problems of the two communities.
>> Cyprob is deeper than sharing of hydrocarbon reserves.
>> A joint policy must be identified for Cyprob & it must be agreed what needs to be done at the time of no-solution.
>> Turkey did not propose any other model but federation since 1955.
>> The Turkish side had displayed a very strong pro-federation position in Crans Montana.
>> CTP is pleased with the outcome of the Berlin trilateral but not satisfied with the outcome.
>> CTP wants a conclusion because the status quo is no longer sustainable.

Toros (CTP)
>> Federal settlement in Cyprus is important & urgent.
>> The meeting in Berlin was important but that there were disappointing aspects of the statement issued afterwards.
>> A five-party meeting is hinted after the presidential elections in the statement issued after the Berlin trilateral.
>> CTP’s view was that the five-party meeting should have taken place right after the trilateral meeting.
>> A comprehensive settlement is too important to be linked to presidential elections.

Nami (CTP)
>> The negotiations processes are being carried out in collaboration with Turkey.
>> Ankara does not interfere with the TC negotiating team but it has a say in the guarantees chapter.
>> The government with their statements help the GC side.
>> The goal must be to end the status quo on the island & a unified voice from the north will be able to put pressure on both the UN & the GC side.

Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> TCs continued to be subjected to inhumane embargoes.
>> GCs could not tolerate TCs establishing contact with the outside world whether it was for commercial, cultural or sports purposes.
>> Any federation is based on sharing but that the GC side lacked the spirit of such cooperating.
>> The TC side should put forward its own will and should refrain from policies & positions that are dependent on the GC side’s mood.
>> The GCs do not want to share governance or wealth with the TCs.
>> Akıncı had failed to reaffirm the past convergences, the results of which could be seen today.
>> The negotiations process remained open-ended.
>> Need to develop a strategy to ensure that the negotiations process is results-oriented.
>> Crans Montana was the last phase of the process but failed to achieve results because of the GC side’s stance.
>> TCs are trapped in a process that is shaped by the GC side’s will.
>> The initiative to open Maraş (Varosha) contradicted Akıncı’s position at the negotiating table.
>> Akıncı had made a big mistake by submitting a map at Crans Montana.
>> TCs’ rights needed to be respected on the hydrocarbons issue. It could be an opportunity for a solution but that partition could also be an alternative.
>> The TC side was on the right track regarding hydrocarbons.
>> The agreement signed between Turkey and Libya was very important.
>> The model we need to discuss is two sovereign states inside and single international identity.

Töre (UBP)
>> Everyone should work towards strengthening Turkey’s effective guarantees on the island.
>> The GC side did not extend a peaceful hand.

Arıklı (YDP)
>> The demarcation agreement signed with Libya had upset the balances and games tried to be played in the region.
>> The TRNC and Turkey will be in all equations from now on.
>> Need to elect a president who will work in harmony with Turkey & who will support a two-state solution.
>> The time has come to work for the recognition of the TRNC.
>> Not right to open to debate the issue of security & guarantees which was a sine qua non for TCs.

Özyiğit (TDP)
>> Stability can only be achieved through a solution to Cyprob.
>> The models proposed as an alternative to the federal solution do not carry any weight among the int’l community.
>> The solution process has reached its final phase following the trilateral meeting in Berlin. The five-party meeting will convene following the elections in the north.
>> Culture of peace has become a concept being debated in the two communities even though there is a fascist education system in the GC side.
>> There are economic benefits of the opening of new crossing points.

Denktaş (DP)
>> The decades-long negotiations processes under the auspices of the UN will not deliver the desired solution to Cyprus.
>> The fact that the RoC is under the occupation of the GC side must be told to the UN and its member states.
>> The Berlin meeting being a downgrade from Crans Montana’s five-party set-up.
>> The talks must be held with the participation of five relevant parties otherwise it is not possible to conclude the process.

Manavoğlu (HP)
>> GCs usurped the rights of the TCs and int’l community turns a blind eye to the GCs.
>> The president must refrain from polarizing statements.
>> It is vital to speak in the best interest of the TC community and must be proactive in seizing TCs’ rights.


Contest will be between Akıncı and Tatar

Kıbrıs
Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

Incumbent President Mustafa Akıncı and UBP leader Ersin Tatar would make it to the second round if we were to hold presidential elections next week, the December 2019 survey conducted by the Kıbrıs Media group owned COMAR polling company revealed.

The research company asked 2189 participants to choose among six candidates if there were to be presidential elections held next week.

25.4 per cent said they would vote for Akıncı, while 18.2 per cent said they would vote for Ersin Tatar.

CTP leader Tufan Erhürman came third with 10 per cent trailed by HP leader Kudret Özersay in fourth place.

Özersay would be followed by YDP leader Erhan Arıklı with 4.6 per cent and Serdar Denktaş with 3.7 per cent.

15 per cent of the respondents said they would not vote while 11.5 per cent said they were undecided.

Five per cent of the participants did not respond at all.

According to the survey, Akıncı would win against Tatar in the second round with a narrow margin.

37.2 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for Akıncı in the second round while 35.4 per cent said they would vote for Tatar.

18.4 per cent of the respondents said they would not vote while 9 per cent said they were undecided.

The survey also showed that Akıncı is the strongest in Nicosia district while Tatar is the strongest in the Lefke (Lefka) district. Erhürman and Özersay are strongest in Famagusta while Denktaş has the strongest support in Kyrenia.

Also, COMAR’s poll reveals that the only political party which doesn’t support its candidate is the CTP. The results show that the majority of CTP voters will support Akıncı and not Erhürman.


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