Front Page Headlines
(Government) insists on a three-year bonus for local government leaders
The government deems as necessary the postponement of local government elections until 2024. No issue was raised of violation of the Constitution during the vetting of the bill. It is important for the interior ministry that the reform is implemented by the mayors and councils that approved it.
- With Turkey, without Greece – Summit on Libya in Berlin. Athens wanted to participate but Merkel said ‘No’.
- Limassol-Piraeus €130
Crucial milestone for GESY
The proposal for the €70m in guarantees for the inclusion of private hospitals tabled at Cabinet. Crucial 48 hours for the scheme’s second phase.
- Seven countries meet in Egypt tomorrow – Cooperation for management of hydrocarbons reserves enters in deep waters.
- Lawsuit against Ataoglu by GC refugees
- Refugees in 1974, enclaved in 2020 (in their apartments due to lack of elevators)
- The cost of travelling to Greece on a ship
- Haftar throws bombs, Erdogan is shouting, the rest are running around
GESY did not derail financially
Proceeds of the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) from contributions and co-payments for GESY increased by €30m while expenditure since the implementation of the scheme, June 1 until the end of 2019, was reduced by around €50m compared to the initial estimates. The overall budget is €1bn or around €80m per month.
- The sea revealed human remains – They could belong to a missing person since 1963-’64.
- One infant and children are among the 101 rescued refugees
Close to deal on US visa waivers
Cyprus has long sought visa-free travel to US in line with most EU countries.
- 101 Syrians picked up off Cape Greco
- Greece ferry ticket to cost €130 return, plans for service to be ready by summer
- Turkey issues threat to Libya general Haftar
Turkey is the main player in our region
Due to her moves in the Libyan war. With the way she handled things managed to exit any isolation she was in and get a leading role in the peace efforts for Libya. Greece will be absent from the Berlin summit on Sunday.
- New headache: New arrivals of irregular migrants
- Natasa Pilides: The ferry link between Limassol and Piraeus (would cost) €130
Main News
Anastasiades calls for more EU involvement in East Med
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday called for more involvement by the EU in the region and said the government is doing whatever is necessary through diplomatic means in order for international law, stability and peace to prevail.
He made those statements after signing the book of condolences for the death of the Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said at the Embassy of Oman in Nicosia.
On developments in the region and the issue of Libya, the president referred to government actions such as meetings with countries in the region and the trilateral cooperation schemes but also “our insistence that the EU is alert and present, the very close cooperation with Greece, and the efforts we exert so that big countries, such as the US and Russia are mobilised.”
On DIKO’s proposal on the need to establish a strategic council between Cyprus and Greece, Anastasiades said there was no need to take legislative measures.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed on Monday with Greece is sufficient to provide the guidelines and the frameworks for Nicosia’s close and excellent cooperation with Athens, he said.
Anastasiades also expressed deep sorrow for the death of the Sultan of Oman, a country with which Cyprus has friendly ties, as is the case with the rest of the Arab world, he said.
Phileleftheros reports that Anastasiades threw the ball in the EU’s court while he appeared reassuring as regards developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the measures taken by Nicosia to help preserve peace and stability in the region.
In the meantime, Politis, Alithia and Phileleftheros report that Turkey has managed to use the Libyan crisis to pass off as a main regional player, while Greece was left out of the summit set to take place in Berlin on Sunday over Libya.
Alithia, that has the story as its main item, reports that Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis had expressed wish to be invited to the summit but Berlin argued that it cooperates only with states that have direct influence over the situation in Libya. The paper said that this means that Greece stays, once again, outside of developments while Turkey has the opportunity to promote her positions. The paper also cites Greek online news portal 24ores.gr saying that this can prove very detrimental for Greece, not just as regards Libya, but mainly because if Erdogan wins the game of Libya he can win the game in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The paper also reports that Turkey has become the main actor in the region due to her well-calculated moves as regards the Libyan civil war.
All political analysts argue that developments in the Mediterranean and Middle East have helped Turkey lift any isolation she was in since all countries recognise but also accept her leading role in the region, the daily reports.
It added that at the same time Greece and Cyprus are completely absent from these dramatic developments that affect the region. In fact, the two countries’ position that Turkey is isolated and that they coordinate as regards the EU sanctions over her illegal activities in the Cypriot EEZ raises questions, the daily said.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Calls for more involvement by the EU in developments in the East Med.
>> Cyprus, in cooperation with Greece and through close relations with neighbouring countries is doing what is necessary to help bring stability & peace in the region.
>> Rejects DIKO’s proposal on establishing an institutional cooperation with Greece through a strategic council arguing that the MoU signed with Athens this week is sufficient enough to provide the guidelines of this cooperation.
US-Cyprus to expedite visa waiver procedure
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
According to the papers, US and Cyprus agreed to expedite procedures for the inclusion of Cyprus in the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
The issue was discussed during the visit to Nicosia by Assistant US Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch who had a meeting on Tuesday with Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris and Justice Minister Giorgos Savvides.
It was agreed that a working group would be set up to expedite the Republic of Cyorus’ longstanding bid to join the US’ VWP.
The working group, comprising officials from the two countries will be established immediately in order to “speed up efforts aimed at bringing the process to fruition as soon as possible”, the foreign ministry said.
Cyprus Mail, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that discussions with the US have been ongoing for several years and that Cyprus had been expected to conclude various agreements with Washington before it could be considered eligible for the VWP.
It would appear Cyprus has met most or all of those criteria, the same sources said, adding that the current visit of the Assistant US Secretary of State for Consular Affairs indicates that “we may be at the final stage”, the paper reported.
Cyprus joins neighbouring countries in EastMed Gas Forum
Phileleftheros
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Cyprus, along with Greece, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Palestine and Israel will meet on Thursday in Egypt for the EastMed Gas Forum aiming to discuss the management of the region’s natural wealth, the paper reports.
During the summit, a presentation will be made by the World Bank on the options of utilising the region’s natural gas, their risks and benefits.
According to the paper this forum essentially marks the cooperation dialogue between the countries of the region to enter dynamically the global market for natural gas compared to its main competitors; Russia, the US and Qatar. It also reports that Cyprus would rather have more than one options so as not to have all its eggs in one basket.
GC refugees sue TC political leader over property in Famagusta
Phileleftheros
Property, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that GC refugees are suing Fikri Ataoglu, former ‘minister’ and head of TC Democratic Party over the use of their properties in occupied Famagusta.
According to the paper the Thomaides family is suing Ataoglu, his wife and daughter for using property in Famagusta owned by Thomaides Group (Holdings) Ltd.
The lawsuit was filed at the Famagusta district court . The hearing was to take place on Wednesday.
The Thomaides family are claiming compensation for the illegal use of their property and his family since 2005 and a court order allowing the rightful owners freely enjoy their property.
Ataoglu was asked to present in court through an email in Turkish but did not respond or present in court.
This is the first lawsuit against an official of the occupation regime and political leader, the paper reported.
Remains found on Larnaca beach could belong to a missing person since the 1963-’64 events
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
According to the dailies, human remains that have been found in a beach in Pervolia in Larnaca recently could belong to a person missing since the 1963-’64 bicommunal troubles.
Some remains were found on December 27 and on January 5 in a beach in Pervolia. It is believed they were buried in the sand and were revealed due to rough waters.
They were sent to the Nicosia general hospital where they were examined by a state pathologist and an anthropologist who found out they belong to a man but could not define his age as more parts of the skeleton are missing.
According to Alithia, the Committee on Missing Persons was also notified, though police believe the man could have been placed there prior to that period.
Politis reports that the remains are now at the Institute of Neurology and Genetics for DNA tests.
A police source told the daily they would try to match the DNA results with those of all missing persons, but said they are looking all possibilities.
No bullet wounds or other injuries were found on the remains, the paper reports.
Syrian migrants arrived in Protaras from Turkey, more could follow
Alithia, Cyprus Mail
Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that authorities led a boat carrying 101 Syrians spotted off Cape Greco to Protaras on Tuesday afternoon.
The boat containing six children, an infant, 88 men and six women was escorted to the Protaras fishing harbour. The boat arrived from Turkey.
In the meantime, authorities were put on standby for the possible arrival of a second boat, this time in the Tyllina area after the police radar in Kato Pyrgos showed a vessel moving towards the Kokkina enclave. In the afternoon, police confirmed the boat was spotted, but that it had started moving towards the north.
According to Alithia, authorities are alert nevertheless, because it is believed the migrants could disembark in the north and try to cross to the government-controlled area by land.