Front Page Headlines
An increase between ₺212 and ₺912
Will the increase in public salaries and wages meet the rise in the cost of living? All eyes have turned to the new public salaries following the announcement of the new cost of living figures by Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu. The salaries of public servants are expected to rise between ₺212 (approx. €32) and ₺912 (approx. €140).
- Serdar Denktaş: I’m not a candidate – DP (Democratic Party) Nicosia MP Serdar Denktaş announced that he will not be running in the presidential election.
- Erhürman: Our will is clear, we want a solution! – “There is no other goal than a solution,” said CTP (Republican Turkish Party) leader and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman.
“Brexit is an opportunity, we have a lot to do”
Brexit presents the opportunity to revitalise the export market to the UK. 80 per cent of citrus and potato exports were made to the UK from 1974 to 1994.
- Denktaş not running as a candidate
- Erhürman: Our will is clear, we want a solution!
- Tatar: “Federal solution has collapsed”
One dead, three injured
The 26-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle near the Korkuteli (Gaïdouras) junction on the Nicosia-Famagusta highway and flew into a river bed. The driver died on the scene and three others were injured. Three people have already died on the roads in the first 28 days of the month of the New Year.
The law is there but it is redundant
The “supervised liberty” law for substance addicts had been in force for four years now but even though three governments have changed since then, none of the law’s requirements on supervision or education has been delivered. For example, the law requires that addicts give blood and urine samples to be tested for drugs but the lab to test the samples has yet to be set up.
- Denktaş not running as a candidate – DP MP Serdar Denktaş announced his final decision on the upcoming elections.
It’s a shame
26-year-old Günay Özürkler lost his life in the accident which took place at the Korkuteli (Gaïdouras) junction. The others were injured in the accident.
- They panicked –The Greek Cypriot side is attempting to prevent the conference to be delivered by Özersay at the London Kings College tonight (Wednesday).
- He’s not in the race –DP MP Serdar Denktaş announced he will not be a candidate in the April presidential elections after carefully evaluating the issue.
- He’s been sent to prison for 45 days – Police who followed the trail of the 27gr of drugs seized in Kyrenia caught Greek Cypriot Andreas Glatrou.
- It should set an example to the Greek Cypriot judiciary – Ali Akçam who stole two cars from a car dealership in the south and smuggled them into the north has been sentenced to two years in prison.
I waited for them but they didn’t show up
Former senior judge Tacan Reynar spoke of what happened on January 23, not January 22. What he told us about what was experienced at the court the day after the incident (attack on Afrika newspaper) will go down in the pages of the country’s legal and judicial history as a dark stain. Reynar said that police had arrested no one. When he asked why the response he got was that no one instructed them to arrest anyone.
- Serdar Denktaş: I’m not a candidate – Serdar Denktaş who wished everyone a good election did not say who he will be supporting. However, he hinted with his nationalist language that it will not be Akıncı.
- He received a two-year sentence – He stole a car from the south. Ali Akçam who stole two luxury cars from a dealership in the south and smuggled them into the north through the Akıncılar (Louroujina) area has been sentenced to two years in prison for breaking and entering, theft and violating a restricted military area.
Main News
UN parameters are negotiable, Tatar claims
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“The United Nations (UN) parameters are negotiable,” Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister and National Unity Party’s (UBP) presidential candidate Ersin Tatar said on Tuesday.
Tatar claimed that he was ready to negotiate if elected.
Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası web TV programme, Tatar said that in spite of everything the UBP also supported a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus problem.
“We nonetheless, do not believe that the federal solution is the only option as all efforts to reach a federal settlement for the past 50 years have failed. Efforts to present it as such is wrong,” Tatar said.
He argued that the UN parameters were not “etched on stone” and were open to negotiation.
Tatar also argued that alternative solution models must be tabled.
“The Greek Cypriot side sees the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority. A federal solution based on political equality sounds nice but it is an empty promise,” he said.
Asked to comment on relations with Turkey, Tatar said any mind-set that leads to disagreements with Turkey would harm the Turkish Cypriot community.
“Turkish Cypriots will end up suffering from any tension between Turkey and the TRNC,” Tatar noted.
He also argued that the biggest obstacle before north’s economic development was the absence of direct flights.
Tatar said he will be visiting the United Kingdom in the coming days to take up this issue with British officials.
He recalled that he had already discussed the matter with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson as well as with friends at key positions within UK’s Conservative Party.
Finally, asked to comment on the outcome of the online poll conducted by Kıbrıs Postası, Tatar thanked participants who supported him in the online poll but urged voters to look at and consider the candidates’ successes and achievements.
Also evaluating the poll to Kıbrıs Postası Web TV on Tuesday, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman said he was more concerned about sharing his vision for the presidency rather than the results.
He expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot leader must be active both internationally and domestically.
“The lack of consistency in the domestic arena is obvious. On the other hand, the hydrocarbons issue is becoming the epicentre of tension,” the CTP leader argued.
He said that his party supported a comprehensive federal solution to the Cyprus Problem.
Erhürman also touched on the importance of the preparation phase regarding the five-party conference.
“What is more important is the preparation phase for the five-party conference rather than holding the conference because the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) initiatives are not sufficient on its own,” Erhürman argued.
Asked to comment on relations with Turkey, Erhürman stressed the importance of carrying out effective diplomacy with Turkey.
He expressed the belief that he possesses enough diplomatic skills to maintain good relations with Turkey.
Erhürman who had visited the villages of Tuzla (Enkomi), Mutluyaka (Stylloi) and Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) on Monday had expressed the same views.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party (DP) MP Serdar Denktaş announced on Tuesday that he will not be running in the upcoming presidential election.
Rumours had it that Denktaş who had stepped down as party leader late last year was intending to run as an independent candidate.
In a written statement, Denktaş said after a process of careful deliberations he had decided that it would be best not to run in the election but to contribute to the Turkish Cypriot community through other means.
He added he will continue to serve the community through his experience in politics.
“It was a difficult decision to make…I am also sorry for disappointing many, who were ready to vote for me,” Denktaş said adding that being a politician required to make difficult decisions at difficult times.
Denktaş said he had dedicated his political career to solving the Cyprus Problem and the development of the Turkish Cypriot state, including facilitating the opening of the crossing points.
As he excused himself from the presidential race, Denktaş expressed the hope for a fair election and the winner to create a platform where all ideas are discussed and shared.
“The office of the presidency is the Turkish Cypriots’ window to the world and the president-elect must be the voice of the Turkish Cypriots in its entirety,” Denktaş said.
He recalled the Annan Plan referendum and its outcome, arguing that the Turkish Cypriots’ political will has ended up in the hands of the Greek Cypriot side.
“Following such an experience, resuming a new round of talks that is dependent on the Greek Cypriots’ political will, would only mean trapping Turkish Cypriots in uncertainty for many more years to come,” Denktaş argued.
He stressed, “This is not the expectation or wish of the Turkish Cypriot community.”
Denktaş concluded by stating that he will be closely following the vision statements put forward by the presidential candidates in the coming period.
“I will contribute to discussing opinions and ideas in the days leading to the elections and contribute to the developments in the Cyprus issue afterwards. I will continue to work for the Turkish Cypriot community to reach a better and more secure future,” Denktaş concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> UN parameters, are not “etched on stone,” and are negotiable.
>> The UBP also supports a negotiated settlement to the Cyprob.
>> Efforts to present a federal solution as the only option for a settlement are wrong. Alternative solution models must also be tabled.
>> A federal solution based on political equality sounds nice but it is an empty promise.
>> Any mind-set that leads to disagreements with Turkey would harm the TC community.
>> The biggest obstacle before north’s economic development is the absence of direct flights.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> The TC leader must be active both internationally and in the domestic front.
>> Hydrocarbons issue is becoming the epicentre of tension.
>> CTP supports a comprehensive federal solution to the Cyprob.
>> Important to prepare well to the five-party conference because UNSG’s initiatives are not sufficient on its own.
>> Important to carry out effective diplomacy with Turkey.
Denktaş (DP)
>> The office of the presidency is the TCs’ window to the world & the president-elect must be the voice of the TCs in its entirety.
>> The TCs’ political will has ended up in the hands of the GC side following the Annan Plan.
>> Resuming a new round of talks that is dependent on the GCs’ political will, would only mean trapping TCs in uncertainty for many more years to come.
>> This is not the expectation or wish of the TC community.
Post-Brexit UK could present opportunities for TCs, says Özersay
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Economy, EU Matters, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriots could conduct trade with the United Kingdom (UK) as they did years ago following Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU), Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said on Tuesday.
Özersay was speaking at a panel organised by the TRNC Friendship Group at the House of Lords in London.
The panel was attended by Lord Maginnis, Lord Kilclooney, Lord Sharkey, Lady Butterworth, Baroness Hooper, MP Andrew Rosindell and several foreign diplomats.
Following a short speech, Özersay responded to questions on the issue of hydrocarbons, direct flights, energy, Hellim (Halloumi) and the Cyprus negotiations process
He argued that the post-Brexit UK could present new economic and financial opportunities for Turkish Cypriots.
On the issue of hydrocarbons, Özersay argued that the Greek Cypriot side had no intention of sharing the island’s natural wealth with Turkish Cypriots.
He said that the Turkish Cypriot side was doing only what the Greek Cypriot side was doing, granting licenses to foreign energy firms.
Özersay pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side had submitted proposals for the co-management of off-shore resources but that the Greek Cypriot side had rejected all offers made.
“The Yavuz is drilling in an area licensed by us for us. Not Turkey. Turkish Cypriots have equal rights over these resources,” said Özersay, pointing out that the Greek Cypriot was trying to create the false perception that Turkey was after Cyprus’ resources.
Regarding efforts to reach a solution, Özersay said that current conditions were not suitable for a federal settlement in Cyprus.
“That is why the two sides should cooperate on certain areas and should establish a different kind of partnership through new and creative ideas,” he added.
Özersay gave the example of the European Coal and Steel Community, stating that the EU had been founded on such partnerships.
KEY ACTOR
Özersay (HP)
>> A post-Brexit UK could present new economic and financial opportunities for TCs allowing the re-establishment of trade between UK & North Cyprus.
>> The GC side has no intention of sharing the island’s natural wealth with TCs.
>> The TC side is doing only what the GC side is doing, granting licenses to foreign energy firms.
>> All ofTC side’s proposals for co-management of off-shore resources have been rejected by GC side.
>> The Yavuz is drilling in an area licensed by the TC side for the TC side and not Turkey.
>> TCs have equal rights over off-shore resources.
>> The GC is trying to create the false perception that Turkey is after Cyprus’ resources.
>> The current conditions are not suitable for a federal settlement in Cyprus.
>> The two sides should cooperate on certain areas, establish a different kind of partnership through new and creative ideas.
Akıncı discusses UNFICYP report with Lute
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı spoke with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Special Advisor to Cyprus Jane Holl Lute over the phone, all six dailies reported on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by Akıncı’s Office, the two evaluated the UN Secretary-General’s latest briefing to the UN Security Council and the report on the extension of the mandate of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The two also agreed to continue to remain in contact in the period ahead, the statement read.
Is Kızılyürek a TRNC citizen?
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Migration & Citizenship, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Akel MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek’s TRNC citizenship was the subject of debate in the Turkish Cypriot parliament on Tuesday, Yenidüzen reported.
The leader of the Rebirth Party Erhan Arıklı who addressed Tuesday’s session criticized Kızılyürek for the question he submitted to the European Commission concerning Turkey’s actions and influence over the north.
Arıklı said that Kızılyürek’s remarks only served to polarize Turkish Cypriot society and that they will continue to react if he continued to keep the issue on the agenda.
The YDP leader also asked Interior Minister and HP MP Ayşegül Baybars if Kızılyürek was a TRNC citizen.
“As far I know Kızılyürek is of Cypriot origin which automatically makes him a TRNC citizen,” she replied.
Let this be an example
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Ali Akçam was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday on charges of breaking and entering, theft and violating a first-degree restricted military area, several dailies reported on Wednesday.
Akçam and his accomplice had stolen two cars from a dealership in the south and smuggled them into the north through the Akıncılar (Lourijina) area on August 19, 2019.
The trial of the second person is continuing.
According to the reports, the owner of the dealership in the south had identified the culprits from security camera footage, had found out that they were living in Akıncılar (Lourijina) and had taken the matter to Turkish Cypriot police which then arrested the two.
Meanwhile, a Greek Cypriot man has been arrested in the north following a police investigation into another person arrested for possession of cannabis.
He was arrested after Turkish Cypriot learned he had sold the drugs found in possession of the other arrested person.
The court sent him to prison for no longer than 45 days pending his trial.