Front Page Headlines
Operation Obscurity by Syllouris-Koulias
They do not directly ask for names-clues on the loans of political persons. Serious criticism by MPs over the letter-riddle sent to (Central Bank governor) Erodotou. It is my right to send letters without asking MPs, (House President Demetris) Syllouris reportedly said.
- The TCs are going to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport ) – Appeal with support from Ozersay.
- Missing persons: What did the sea wash up?
- Akinci: In the lead despite the ‘war’ (against him)
GESY is going well and improving
Positive, first overview. Budget posting surplus. Doctors for all specialties. Drugs shortages remain a complicated problem.
- The president asked help from Merkel
- Deluge of statements from Andros (Kyprianou) against Christodoulides
- The remains of hero commando commander Georgiou Katsani are being repatriated
- Refugees in Pervolia are in a wretched situation – Some residences are falling apart.
OEB (Employers & Industrialists Federation) has demanded and the government bowed down
Following pressure by the employer organisations over provisions of the bill on provident funds, the government, since it was not able to pass its position, was forced the last minute to withdraw it. All this just days before the bill is led to parliament and after the necessary consultations with the social partners.
- They are talking about shielding (of the EEZ) but there is none
- Andros Kyprianou: DISY should learn to dialogue and not twist words
Talk of division is played down
President has full trust in his minister.
- Photo caption (President Anastasiades with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, with whom he had an ‘extremely interesting conversation’ in Jerusalem)
We are shooting ourselves in the foot
We were publishing online on our own the information on block 8 and then we were wondering how Turkey got to possess them. Turkey did not steal top national security information concerning research in the Cypriot EEZ’s blocks. Based on a law voted by parliament, we used to publish them on the websites of the labour inspection department and the environment department.
- (Akinci) leaves Tatar behind by 20 points – New poll in the occupied areas is showing Akinci clearly in the lead. Turkish website is attacking Tatar claiming he fooled Ozersay and Turkey.
- Foreign Minister: Full presidential support but new attacks by AKEL
- Cavusoglu: We will not comply with EU sanctions over the EEZ
- Azerbaijan: It is asking the arrest of Eleni Theocharous through Interpol
Main News
Anastasiades discusses Turkish provocations with foreign leaders
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy, Regional/International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades asked German Chancellor Angela Merkel to convey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the message that Ankara needs to immediately stop her illegal actions in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the papers report on Friday.
Anastasiades also had the opportunity to discuss Turkey’s provocations in Jerusalem with many leaders pledging their support to Cyprus.
The dailies report that Anastasiades had on Thursday a telephone conversation with Merkel who was due in Ankara for a meeting with Erdogan on Friday. During their conversation, Anastasiades asked Merkel to call on Erdogan to immediately end Turkey’s illegal actions in the Cypriot EEZ and for Turkey to finally comply with the “myriad decisions and conclusions of the European Council”.
Anastasiades also reiterated his determination and readiness to resume a dialogue, away from threats, leading to the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Merkel reassured him that she would convey his message to the Turkish president and would also stress the EU’s positions, the papers report. She also said she would brief Anastasiades in the coming days about the results of her meeting with the Turkish president.
In the meantime, Anastasiades on Thursday had the opportunity to speak to a number of leaders on the sidelines of the fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem.
He spoke, among others, with French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President of the European Council Charles Michel, the presidents of Portugal and Romania, and Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
An announcement of the presidency said Anastasiades held an “extremely interesting conversation” with Pelosi.” It also said Pelosi was fully up-to-date on Turkey’s provocative acts in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and expressed to Anastasiades her complete support to the Republic of Cyprus and to Nicosia’s efforts to reach a settlement based on UN resolutions, international law and respect for human rights.
The statement also said that Anastasiades informed his interlocutors on the recent violations committed by Turkey and the dangers posed by Turkey’s conduct not only to Cyprus, but to Europe itself as well as to the Eastern Mediterranean region. The foreign leaders conveyed to president their support to Cyprus’ sovereign rights, the papers reported.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Wants Merkel to tell Erdogan that Ankara must stop her illegal actions in the Cypriot EEZ & finally comply with the numerous decisions and conclusions of the European Council.
>> Reiterates his determination & readiness to resume a dialogue, away from threats, leading to the solution of the Cyprob.
Pelosi (US House of Representatives)
>> Expresses her support to the RoC over Turkish provocations & efforts for the solution of the Cyprob.
Debate on whether Turkey has info on offshore blocks continues
Alithia, Haravgi, Cyprus Mail
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that government spokesman Kyriacos Kousios on Thursday clarified that he had not meant to imply that the information Turkey is believed to have obtained on offshore block 8 had been stolen.
Kousios said on Thursday he had mistakenly used the word ‘theft’ and attributed the whole issue to a slip of the tongue.
The spokesman told media that he used the wrong word to describe the situation, reiterating he was not suggesting the information was leaked by any of the energy companies active in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
He also said the government did not have any concrete information that Turkey had obtained data regarding block 8 from studies carried out by the energy companies.
Kousios also pointed out that Turkey’s
research vessel Barbaros was scouring the area near block 8 for around two
years collecting information.
The dailies also cite the head of the environment department, Costas
Hadjipanayiotou, confirming reports that studies on block 8 had been posted in
2017 online by his service.
Cyprus Mail reports Hadjipanayiotou said the studies had been published online for a few days but were taken down after objections from ENI and the government, clarifying they did not provide information on the reserves but on environmental aspects. He added that after 2018, the law changed and the publication of studies linked with issues of national interest was now forbidden.
Alithia, that had the story as its main item, reported that the Republic shot itself in the foot by publishing those studies online and that Turkey did not have to steal anything as such top national security information was public for everyone to see.
KEY ACTORS
Kousios
>> Admits it was wrong to use the word ‘theft’ to describe how Turkey may have obtained info on block 8.
>> The government has no concrete information that Turkey obtained data from energy companies’ studies concerning offshore blocks.That info could have been obtained from Barbaros’ research.
Spokesman: President has full trust in the foreign minister
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the government backed Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides against attacks by main opposition AKEL.
Citing statements by government spokesman Kyriacos Kousios to the Cyprus News Agency, the papers report that the actions of Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides are in full harmony with the instructions of the president. Kousios also said the president has full trust in the foreign minister.
On AKEL’s statements, Kousios said the EEZ is shielded through bilateral and trilateral agreements the government signed, the agreement on the EastMed pipeline and support expressed on the issue of Turkish provocations by the EU, Russia, the US and major European countries including the UK.
The spokesman also said it would be best for everyone in the country to focus on “Turkey’s attack on the Republic’s sovereign rights and EEZ and avoid the blame game or creating issues with no substance.” The spokesman said cooperation and national unity was imperative in order to deal with Turkey’s expansionist policy.
The dailies report that AKEL continued criticism on Thursday, with its leader Andros Kyprianou posing the question: “Where is this political and legal shielding? And how has it stopped Turkey from engaging in these provocations at the expense of the Republic of Cyprus?”
Kyprianou also said that trilateral partnerships were positive, as were statements made by officials of the US, Britain and other countries but asked whether all this was enough to halt Turkish provocations.
He also recalled that during the presidency of Demetris Christofias (2008- 2013) “without any fanfare we went ahead with drilling and when Turkey threatened to intervene, it had to back down due to the reaction of the international community.”
Cyprus Mail reports that despite evidence to the contrary, the government insisted Thursday there was no disconnect between the president and the foreign minister in their respective remarks on whether Turkey was suffering consequences over its incursions into Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
Phileleftheros reports that AKEL’s attacks against Christodoulides is also due to that he is considered by many as DISY’s possible candidate for the presidential elections despite that he never voiced any such thoughts.
Phileleftheros and Alithia also report that Kyprianou, when asked by Alpha TV on Thursday of the possibility, said he had no problem with Christodoulides being a candidate for the 2023 elections but rather his concern was that some things that are being voiced by the government are misleading and have nothing to do with reality.
KEY ACTORS
Kousios
>> The president has full trust in the foreign minister who does exactly what Anastasiades tells him.
>> Confirms that the EEZ is shielded through bilateral & trilateral agreements the government signed, the EastMed agreement & support expressed on the issue of Turkish provocations by the EU, Russia, the US and major European countries including the UK.
>> Calls for cooperation & national unity against Turkey’s expansionist policy & avoid the blame game or creating meaningless issues.
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Insists the EEZ is not politically and legally shielded & calls for proof if that’s the case.
>> Believes that trilateral partnerships & statements by US, UK officials and other countries are positive, but wonders if all this was enough to halt Turkish provocations.
>> The Christofias government was dealing with the energy issue and Turkey’s threats much better than the current one.
>> Has no problem with Christodoulides being a candidate for the 2023 elections. His problem is that the government makes misleading announcements that have nothing to do with reality.
Russia denies rumours on recognition of north
Alithia, Haravgi
Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Russia denied rumours she would recognise the ‘TRNC’.
Citing statements by the Russian foreign ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the papers report that Russia does not intend on make any agreements linked with the recognition of the ‘TRNC’.
Zakharova said that Russia has always had a principled position as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem, which is based on the relevant UN Security Council decisions that provide for the creation of a bicommunal, bizonal federation and to the benefit of preserving the effective mandate of UNFICYP, the dailies reported.
The Russian diplomat also said that it was obvious that behind these rumours and fake news were powers that wish, at any price, to harm Russia’s relations with Cyprus.
She also expressed hope that whoever was behind these rumours would not seek to nurture discord in the Eastern Mediterranean but rather focus on ensuring security and stability in that fragile part of the world.
KEY ACTORS
Zakharova (Russian MFA)
>> Dismisses reports that Russia would recognise the ‘TRNC’ as attempts by some to harm the country’s relations with Cyprus.
>> Russia has always supported a BBF solution in Cyprus based on UNSC decisions & for the preservation of the UNFICYP mandate.
>> Hopes that whoever is behind these rumours would not seek to sow discord in the East Med but rather focus on ensuring security and stability in the region.
Developments on missing persons cases, CMP continues work
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The papers report on a number of issues concerning missing persons on Friday.
Almost all of them report that the remains of Greek army officer, commando commander Georgios Katsanis, will be sent to his family in Greece after they were identified recently by a centre in the US.
His remains were found in a mass burial site in the occupied areas, Presidency Commissioner Photis Photiou said. Katsanis was killed on July 21, 1974 during a battle in the area of Ayios Ilarionas in Kyrenia by the bullet of a Turkish sniper, the papers report.
In the meantime, the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) announced on Thursday it has taken custody of the remains of a person found recently on a beach at the village of Pervolia/Bahceler, while during excavations there since Wednesday, more was discovered belonging to the same person.
The CMP also said that upon completion of the excavation, it would carry out anthropological and genetic analyses to identify the remains. It also made a plea to all communities on the island to support the Committee’s efforts by providing information on possible burial sites.
The papers also report that GC member of CMP Leonidas Pantelides told the Cyprus News Agency that there is a continuous flow of information for possible burial sites of missing persons, while information given in the past is also retrieved to be used in the framework of the Committee’s work. “We have an intensive working programme for 2020 and we will continue our work in full speed”, he said, according to the papers.
Pantelides said that currently the CMP crews are working in Karavas, occupied Nicosia, the buffer zone and Trachonas in the occupied areas, as well as in Pervolia, Larnaca, where remains of a person were found at the shore which may belong to a missing person.
He also said there was no risk of having no information or not having any work to do, adding they have eight teams of experts that will continue to work intensively throughout the year, the dailies reported.
‘CTFA cannot unilaterally appeal to CAS’
Politis
Regional/International Relations, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily, citing the TC press, reports that the TC Football Association (CTFA) plans on appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have the embargo against TC clubs playing matches with teams from abroad lifted.
Also citing the head of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), Giorgos Koumas, the daily reports that the CTFA cannot appeal to the CAS since it is not recognised as an association of any state.
Koumas told the paper that UEFA only recognises one football association in each country. But even if TCs appeal to the CAS, UEFA will refer them to the CFA for permission which is not possible since the CTFA has yet to submit to the CFA the document it had requested on its establishment, Koumas said. Thus, their request to join the CFA cannot be accepted, he added.
Legal circles also told Politis that it would be difficult if not impossible for the CTFA to see its appeal leading anywhere because according to the CAS’ regulations both sides need to file for arbitration. In this case, the CTFA needs to agree with the CFA they disagree so that they can jointly turn to the CAS, they said, according to the paper.
Authorities arrest TCs operating illegal casino in the south
Politis
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
According to the daily, four TCs were remanded for two days on Thursday after being arrested on Tuesday for operating a casino in an apartment in Nicosia in the government-controlled areas.
The four suspects told police they were the employees and authorities are now looking for the whereabouts of the owner, also a TC. The establishment was offering illegal betting services, games of chance and casino games.
Police believe the casino started operating on December 4, the paper reported.