GCC Press Review 04 Jan 2020

Front Page Headlines

Politis

The former President of the Supreme Court is suing the state

He is asking for compensation over unequal distribution of the invasion burden. The lawsuit is linked with loss of the use of property in Famagusta. The lawsuit of the Kaoulla couple preceded which was turned down.

  • Nicos Anastasiades: The (EastMed) pipeline is a response to Turkey
  • Drilling: Delay as regards Cronos (target)

Phileleftheros

Five EastMed stages until 2024

There are agreed plans. Main goal is to find a buyer for the natural gas.

  • Umbrella warding off Turkish expansionism – Mobilisation in the Mediterranean.
  • The big geopolitical challenges in 2020

Haravgi

The US have ignited flaming issues in the region

Tensions are running high in the wider Middle East area after the assassination of the Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani during an American raid in Baghdad. Various states have taken a different approach as regards developments. Russia strongly criticised this assassination by the US.

  • Lawsuit against the state over loss of use of property in the occupied areas
  • Common concerns by AKEL-Social Democrat Party
  • TC pupils welcomed group of GC teachers with songs

Cyprus Mail

Iran promises harsh revenge

US kills Tehran’s top general. Trump says there was a plot against US. Americans urged to leave Iraq.

Alithia

Tensions in our neighbourhood

The assassination of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani on Donald Trump’s orders and the dispatch of Turkish military forces to Libya threaten the peace and stability in the whole region. The US are urgently sending 3,500 soldiers in the Middle East.

  • EastMed: Italy’s signature is now expected
  • Demetris Hadjihambis: He is claiming equal distribution of burden and compensation

Main News

Anastasiades: Erdogan is unpredictable

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process, External Security

OVERVIEW

President Nicos Anastasiades said agreement by Cyprus, Greece and Israel for the construction of the EastMed natural gas pipeline is a response to Turkish provocations in the area, the papers report.

The project has been welcomed by the EU and the US, but Turkey said it is a futile attempt. If all goes according to plan, the project is expected to be completed by 2024.

Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros and Politis report that Anastasiades said during an interview with Greek state television channel ERT that the planned construction of the EastMed pipeline “is a response to Turkish provocations in the area.”

He also said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “is an unpredictable leader with an agenda that goes beyond the aspirations of leaders who would like good relations with their neighbours”.

Anastasiades added that as a result of Turkey’s behaviour the US has revaluated their strategic partners in the region. It used to be Turkey, but today, as a result of Erdogan’s actions there has been a shift, he said, adding that based on the intervention in Syria and Iraq, he is a destabilising factor.

Anastasiades also said the project has the backing of the US and the EU, which is also co-financing certain aspects of it.

On the Cyprus problem, Anastasiades said that the goal was a final solution so that the risks and the faits accomplis attempted through Turkey’s provocative actions can be avoided.

He said he respects and values TC leader Mustafa Akinci who, if he was left to act independently, his main concern would have been Cyprus. He was forced, however, to compromise with what Turkey wants, Anastasiades said.

Phileleftheros, Alithia and Haravgi report that Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis said that Italy is expected to also sign the agreement soon.

The minister also stressed the importance of the agreement at political and economic level since it is a recognition of the sovereignty of each country involved, while, investment-wise, it also provides for agreements of millions of euros. He said that feasibility studies will follow. As regards financing, the EU will pay 40 per cent of the cost, 35 million euros, while the rest will be paid by the companies, he said.

He added there was still a long way to go, but the main goal is to find a buyer for the natural gas.

Haravgi reports that the Turkish foreign ministry said the signature of the agreement on the EastMed natural gas pipeline project is the latest instance of futile steps, aiming to exclude Turkey and TCs in the region. Any project disregarding Turkey, who has the longest coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean and the TCs, who have equal rights over the natural resources of the island of Cyprus, cannot succeed, the ministry said, accoridng to Haravgi.

Alithia also reports that the East Med agreement was not welcomed by the TC ‘foreign ministry’.  

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
The EastMed agreement is a response to Turkish provocations in the region.
>> Erdogan is unpredictable & a destabilising factor since his agenda is not one of a leader wishing good neighbourly relations.
>> Turkey, through her behaviour has pushed the US to reevaluate its strategic partners in the region.
>> A final settlement to the Cyprob would put an end to the risks and the faits accomplis attempted through Turkey’s provocative actions.
>> Believes that if Akinci, whom he respects & values, was left to act independently, his main concern would have been Cyprus but he was forced instead to compromise with what Turkey wants.

Lakkotrypis (Energy minister)
>>
The EastMed agreement is a recognition of the sovereignty of each country involved and, at the same time, could yield millions in revenue.

Turkey (MFA)
>>
The EastMed agreement is yet another futile attempt to exclude Turkey and TCs in the region.
>> Warns that any project disregarding Turkey, who has the longest coastline in the East Med & TCs, who have equal rights over the natural resources of Cyprus, cannot succeed.


Former Supreme Court president sues government over his property in Famagusta

Alithia, Haravgi, Politis
Property, Human Rights

OVERVIEW

According to the dailies, former Supreme Court President Demetrios Hadjihambis,73, is making a claim for loss of use of his property in Ayios Memnonas in Famagusta, which he estimates to reach several hundreds of thousands in euros.

He appealed to the administrative court to claim damages for loss of use of his property. The hearing is set on February 4, 2020.

Citing Hadjihambis’ statements to the Cyprus News Agency the dailies report that the former judge said that according to the law and as long as the Cyprus problem is not resolved, the state is obliged to distribute the loss of use as a public charge to all citizens.

Since 1974, however, only the displaced owners have carried the burden of the Turkish occupation, with multiple consequences that led them even to poverty, despite repeated calls to the state for an even distribution of this burden.

The former supreme court president also made a reference to the Restitution laws passed in 1950 in West Germany following the Nazi period for the payment of property damages.

“Unfortunately for 45 years, the Republic did not take any measures to distribute the loss of use as a public charge to all citizens,” he said.

Politis, citing the opinion of legal circles, reports that this move is seen as an interesting development since Hadjihambis filed in a court of the Republic of Cyprus, compared with other cases filed before Turkey’s Immovable Properties Commission in the north.

Another similar case was filed in the past by the Kaoulla family, also from Famagusta, but their appeal was rejected, Politis reported.


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