Front Page Headlines
‘They’re foreigners to education’
Families of thousands of children studying at primary and secondary schools who can’t speak Turkish try to voice their problems. Children of foreign workers who come to the country to work are faced with a language barrier at schools. Speaking to Yenidüzen, the families shared the problems their children experience at school.
- He carried the Maronite issue to the European Parliament’s agenda
- (ECHR) European Court of Human Rights postpones hearing on Maraş (Varosha) and Kırklar (Tymbou) to January 27
The construction of this airport will never end
A company named Çuharoğlu which was supposed to do siding for the Ercan (Tymbou) airport terminal building, abandoned the project and island after not being paid by Emrullah Turanlı. The German Thyssen company also left the island without installing the boarding bridges. The deadline to complete the airport by May 2020 is nothing but a dream.
- A technical formula is needed to solve the issue of direct flights – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said it is possible to overcome the direct flights issue through a model reported by Kıbrıs Postası via a new FIR to be announced by the SBA.
- Erdoğan: “We might increase the number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport.
Report abuse and negligence immediately
Aydan Başkurt, Director of the Social Services Department, urged people to report any incidents of abuse and/or negligence immediately. The increase in child abuse cases has caused concern among the public.
- Discussed security and economy – PM Ersin Tatar and his deputy Kudret Özersay met with Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay in Ankara.
- Erdoğan: “We might increase the number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport.
Demilitarization rather than militarization
Following confirmation of the news on establishing a naval base in the heart of the tourism in İskele (Trikomo), residents have expressed their concerns and demands. Mustafa Öztörel, spokesman for the İskele Citizens’ Initiative warned that building a naval base in the area would be very dangerous.
- Orders given, funds uncertain – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay held meetings in Ankara on the economic protocol and flow of funds.
- Erdoğan: “If needed, the number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport could be increased.”
2019 ends but the ₺200m hasn’t arrived yet
The issues of financial assistance, Maraş (Varosha) and the IPC (Immovable Property Commission) was put on the table in Ankara. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay met with Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay in Ankara during which they discussed the economic protocol, Maraş (Varosha) and problems experienced with the IPC. According to information obtained from Diyalog, the meeting was not requested by Ankara but by the TRNC government ten days ago.
F-16s next
Fighter jet to use Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport. Turkey continues to increase its military presence on the island following the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The airport is being upgraded to allow the landing and take-off of F-16 fighter jets.
- Tayyip Erdoğan: The number of UAVs will be increased – (Turkish President) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, “ We can increase the number of UAVs at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko).
Main News
More UAVs could be deployed
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday said that the number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deployed in Cyprus could be increased if such a need arises.
“Everything may change depending on our needs. This process will continue at the same speed,” Erdoğan told a press conference in Geneva after attending the Global Refugee Forum.
The Turkish President also said that the recent deal signed with Libya complied with international law and that the government as working on additional measures.
“The steps we have taken have reversed the negative effects of the Treaty of Sevres. It is a matter of survival and is a matter of history. That is how important it is for us,” he said.
Erdoğan also said Turkey will provide military support to Libya’s internationally recognized government and will support joint steps to be taken in the eastern Mediterranean.
The pact with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) was signed on Nov. 27 and passed by Turkey’s parliament on Dec. 5. The pact is in two parts. The first part is on the maritime delineation between the two countries and the second part is an agreement on military cooperation including Turkey sending troops to Libya if needed and requested.
“Turkey will start working on licensing for oil and gas exploration and production in the region once the agreement signed with Libya is approved and registered by the United Nations (UN),” Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez said on Wednesday.
He expressed the belief that the process should commence in the early months of 2020.
Meanwhile, according to a claim by Turkish daily Yenişafak, Geçitkale (Lefkoniko) airport in the north which recently allocated to the Turkish military to be used as a base for UAVs could be upgraded to house F-16 fighter jets if the need arises.
Yenişafak, known for its close affiliation with the government in Turkey, reported that control systems for UAVs were transported to the north shortly after the Turkish Cypriot authorities gave the green light.
The paper reported that the necessary investments and improvements will be made at the airport to allow F-16s to use the base when needed.
The daily also points that the airport had been off-limits to fighter jets for a very long period due to high voltage power lines close to the runway.
It stated that UAVs are however not affected by the power lines.
Havadis on Thursday reported on the concerns and demands expressed by residents of İskele (Trikomo) following confirmation of plans to establish a naval base in the area
Mustafa Öztörel, spokesman for the İskele (Trikomo) Citizens’ Initiative warned that building a naval base in the area would be very dangerous.
Öztörel also said the silence over the issue by Turkish Cypriot politicians was disappointing.
He called on all to join forces to oppose the idea.
“The people will be squeezed in between military zones in İskele (Trikomo),” Öztörel said, arguing that the other remaining beachfront property had been allocated to quasi-religious investors to build hotels. He questioned what the residents of İskele (Trikomo) were expected to do after being pushed out of the area.
Havadis also spoke with local businesses in the area.
Hüseyin Sayılı pointed out that the majority of the investors in the area are foreigners.
“It is not wise to build a naval base in the area because it will cause concern among the investors,” he added.
Another resident from the area, Hasan Kıraner urged the authorities to intervene and revoke the decision.
He said the foreigners preferred the area for its tranquillity and its beaches.
Sadık Bozkırlı, another shopkeeper from the area, said the not just İskele (Trikomo) but the entire country needed to be demilitarized or cleared of military elements.
“This is a very negative development for the area,” he said, adding that there is no need to build another military base in the area.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Number of UAVs at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) could be increased if the need arises.
>> Everything may change according to changing needs. The process will continue at the same speed.
>> Turkey-Libya deal complies with int’l law. Ankara working on additional measures.
>> Steps taken has reversed negative effects of the Treaty of Sevres.
>> Turkey will provide military support to Libya’s internationally recognized government & will support joint steps to be taken in the East Med.
Dönmez (Turkey)
>> Turkey to start work on licensing for oil & gas exploration & production in the region once the agreement signed with Libya is approved and registered by the UN.
>> The process should commence in the early months of 2020.
TC & GC parties reaffirm commitment to solving Cyprob
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Representatives of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriots met on Wednesday for their routine round-table meetings hosted by the Slovakian Embassy in Cyprus, Yenidüzen reported on Thursday.
They expressed opinions on the issue proposed by the hosting party, the Democratic Rally/DISY: “Can political parties in Cyprus assist the process to reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem?”
According to a joint communiqué read out at the end of the meeting by Slovakian Ambassador Jan Skoda, participants agreed that political parties could assist the process to solve the Cyprus Problem by taking specific actions that will enhance trust between the two communities and will create positive climate towards the peace process itself.
“Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Political Parties agree that the implementation of new CBMs that will ease personal contact between ordinary people, political support to the important role and work of the bi-communal Technical Committees, the encouragement of meetings and cooperation between political parties of the two communities, and the encouragement of participation and interest of the youth, are important steps in our common effort to assist to the peace process,” the communiqué read.
The parties also committed themselves to avoid actions or rhetoric that increases the distance and mistrust between the communities and repeated their support for the resumption of meaningful negotiations through the understanding that was reached between the two leaders in Berlin, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The next regular meeting of the leaders and the representatives of the political parties will be held on 26 February 2020 at the Ledra Palace.
Ankara slams US national defence bill
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
External Security, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
With 86 votes in favour and eight against, the plenary of the US Senate voted on Tuesday the budget for National Defence, which includes a provision to lift the arms embargo imposed on Cyprus in 1987.
US President Donald Trump has said that he will be signing the Act, which is already in his office.
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the massive $738 billion defence spending bill that includes a handful of anti-Turkey measures.
The defence spending bill was packed with additional measures aimed at Turkey that include a prohibition on transferring the fifth-generation F-35 joint strike fighter, or its parts, to Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-air missile system, and calls for Trump to implement sanctions on Turkey over the acquisition under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
It further provides the Pentagon with some $30 million to purchase the F-35 aircraft initially bought by Turkey.
Turkey’s acquisition of the advanced Russian air-defence system prompted the Trump administration to remove Turkey from the F-35 program in July. The U.S. maintains that the system could be used by Russia to covertly obtain classified details on the jet and is incompatible with NATO systems.
The defence spending bill further lifts the U.S. arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot administration of southern Cyprus and imposes sanctions on vessels used to construct the Turkstream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
Turkey on Tuesday warned that the attempts to lift the US arms embargo on Cyprus would hamper efforts towards a settlement on the island and create a dangerous escalation.
The Turkish foreign ministry on Tuesday said that, once again, the Draft National Defence Authorization Act for 2020 includes hostile aspects against Turkey.
It said that the bill demonstrates that the Congress persists in disrespecting Turkey’s sovereign decisions and in adopting an irrational hostile attitude by unfairly blocking its participation in the F-35 programme despite having fulfilled all its obligations.
“Furthermore, attempts to lift the US arms embargo on the Cyprus island in favour of the Greek Cypriot Administration will have no outcome other than hampering efforts towards a settlement on the Island and creating a dangerous escalation,” it said in a written statement.
The language of threats and sanctions will never dissuade Turkey from resolutely taking steps to ensure its national security, it said. “No one should doubt that necessary measures will be taken against these initiatives targeting Turkey,” it added.
KEY ACTOR
MFA (Turkey)
>> Attempts to lift the US arms embargo on Cyprus will hamper efforts towards a solution & create a dangerous escalation.
>> Draft National Defence Authorization Act for 2020 includes hostile aspects against Turkey.
>> Bill demonstrates that Congress persists in disrespecting Turkey’s sovereign decisions.
>> Language of threats & sanctions will never dissuade Turkey from resolutely taking steps to ensure its national security.
A technical formula required for direct flights
Kıbrıs Postası
Economy, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
“A technical formula is needed to overcome and solve the issue of direct flights to the north,” Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası web TV programme from Ankara, Tatar said the direct flights issue has been occupying the government’s agenda for some time now.
“It is no doubt a violation of human rights,” he added.
Tatar, confirming the possibility of implementing such a model through the FIR (Flight information region) to be declared by the Royal Air Force stationed at the Sovereign British Bases, said nearly four million people are flying into Ercan (Tymbou) airport from all over the world but mainly from the UK.
“Following Brexit, the UK will be second guarantor nation that is not in the European Union (EU),” Tatar said, adding that it is highly unlikely the Cyprus problem which has been continuing for the past 45 years will be solved anytime soon.
“There is no meaning to deprive people’s freedom of travel any longer,” Tatar said.
He also pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots living in the UK have been making their demands on direct flights heard at every possible platform including the highest political levels. Kıbrıs Postası had reported on Wednesday that the TRNC government is planning on bypassing the obstacles on direct flights through the new FIR to be announced.
The paper, citing a high-level official as its source said that planes that fly over the new FIR under the control of the British bases, will not be subjected to any sanctions or any international obstructive measures.
KEY ACTOR
Tatar (UBP)
>> A technical formula is needed to overcome & solve the issue of direct flights to the north.
>> Direct flights issue has been on government’s agenda for some time.
>> Issue is a direct violation of human rights.
>> No meaning of depriving TCs freedom of travel any longer. Government is looking into achieving direct flights through new FIR for RAF based in Cyprus.
Return of Maronites to their homes on EC’s agenda
Yenidüzen, Havadis
Human Rights, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek announced on Wednesday he has brought the issue of the Maronites wanting to return to their homes to the attention of the European Union (EU) with a question he posed to the European Commission (EC).
Kızılyürek in his question to the EC said the promise made to the Maronite community regarding resettlement into their villages has not been kept. He also asked the EC to clarify what the EC has done until now and what it plans to do in the future regarding the issue.
He noted nearly five thousand Maronites are living in the south.
500 kilos of meat seized
Kıbrıs Postası, Havadis
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Narcotics and Anti-smuggling police units seized 500kg of lamb meat in İnönü (Sinde) village on Wednesday. The meat is believed to have been smuggled from the south. According to the information given by the police, a 37-year-old Turkish Cypriot was arrested in a police operation carried out. Police seized the meat and charged the man with violating customs. The police investigation continues.