Front Page Headlines
Serious measures must be taken
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a global emergency concerning the coronavirus. All eyes are now turned on the measures we have taken.
Became rich with a forged lottery ticket only to be arrested 23 years later
Lokman Gümüşpala had won ₺12.5m from Turkey’s New Year lottery draw in 1996 by altering the last number on his ticket. He was arrested on Friday as he was taking his son to see a doctor in Turkey at the Ercan (Tymbou) airport. It was a shock to arrest him 23 years later but what was more shocking was that he did not have any business with the police for 23 years.
- “We have to discuss a partnership based on collaboration” – FM Kudret Özersay spoke to Anatolian News Agency (AA) reporter in London.
- President Mustafa Akıncı declared his wealth
Virus scare
The people of Cyprus are very concerned about the deadly coronavirus, which was first found in and spread to the world from China and the resurrected Lassa virus, which originates from Nigeria.
It cannot be that easy
Doctors are outraged with the news of the TRNC being granted a license for medical specialisation training at medical faculties. Contrary to the global medical authorities’ recommendation on not opening up a medical faculty in areas with less than two million population there are now seven universities with medical faculties in the TRNC.
- He does not have a single property under his name – President Mustafa Akıncı declared his wealth.
Businesses are bust
The drop in the number of visitors to Cyprus has hit the tourism city Kyrenia hard. Shopkeepers in Kyrenia who spoke to Diyalog said that business was slow and that they were finding it difficult to pay their rent. They also voiced the need for the authorities to do something to attract more tourists to the country and to lower prices.
- ‘Brexit will be an opportunity’ – Özersay who evaluated his contacts in London said that they launched an initiative to restart direct trade with the UK.
Don’t declare your wealth
General Secretary of KTÖS (Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union) Şener Elcil makes a call to public servants. Elcil said that public servants should not make a declaration of their wealth before the president, his family, the presidential candidates, deputy prime minister, MPs and all appointed politicians and government officials declare their wealth.
- Coranavirus alarm in the south – An individual of Chinese origin is being kept under observation at the Nicosia hospital.
- Joint action against corona virus – Akıncı and Anastasiades discussed ways to tackle the coronavirus. A joint committee is meeting on Monday.
- Akıncı declares wealth –Mustafa Akıncı announced all his of wealth, that acquired before his election five years ago and his current finances.
Main News
Ankara criticizes UNSC resolution extending UNFICYP mandate
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday criticized the latest United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) on the extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
A written statement issued by the ministry said the fact that the UN had once again not sought the consent of Turkish Cypriot authorities on UNFICYP was a serious deficieny of the resolution.
“Turkey supports the statement made yesterday (30 January) by the Deputy Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) concerning the resolution,” the statement read.
It pointed out that the situation was against the UN’s own rules and principles.
“UNFICYP still operates in the TRNC territory within the context of TRNC authorities’ constructive and bona fide approach, without a legal basis. Nevertheless, the Council’s reference to the UNFICYP’s freedom of movement in the TRNC territory is an extremely contradictory attitude,” the statement said.
Ankara said that it expected the necessary legal framework to be completed between the UN and the Turkish Cypriot authorities as soon as possible with a view to ensure that UNFICYP’s duties on the island continue properly.
Furthermore, the foreign ministry said that the wording in the resolution did not contribute for a settlement in the Cyprus issue.
“As long as the Greek Cypriot side’s will not to share political power and wealth as equal partners with the Turkish Cypriots continues, any negotiation process to be launched will still fail. If progress is expected on the Cyprus issue, the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots first should reach an agreement on the political equality including all its elements,” the foreign ministry said.
It added that Turkey supported the idea of convening an informal 5+UN meeting at an appropriate time where all options regarding settlement will be on the table.
“We would also like to remind that reducing the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean is only possible when the Greek Cypriot side ends its unilateral hydrocarbon activities and establishes cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots,” the statement concluded.
KEY ACTORS
MFA (Turkey)
>> UN’s failure to seek consent of TC side regarding UNFICYP deficiency of resolution.
>> Ankara supports statement made by TC MFA on resolution.
>> UN resolution contradicts its own rules & principles.
>> Ankara expects necessary legal framework between UN & TC authorities to be completed as soon as possible to allow UNFICYP to operate properly.
>> Wording of resolution does not contribute to a settlement of the Cyprob.
>> Any negotiating process to be launched will fail as long as the GC side refuses to share political power & wealth with TC as equal partners.
>> TCs & GCs should first reach an agreement on political equality & and all its elements if progress is expected on Cyprus issue.
>> Ankara supports convening an informal 5+UN meeting at an appropriate time where all solution options will be discussed.
>> Escalation of tensions in East Med only possible when GC side ceases its unilateral hydrocarbon activities & cooperates with TCs.
Urgent cooperation against coronavirus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The leaders of the two communities will meet on Monday to be briefed about the best ways of cooperation to tackle the coronavirus, it was announced on Friday.
According to a presidency announcement, President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades will meet at the Ledra Palace hotel on Monday at 7pm to discuss joint measures against the virus.
The meeting will take place 30 minutes before their scheduled appearance at an event hosted by the bicommunal technical committee on culture.
The bicommunal technical committee on health will be meeting at the Ledra Palace 6pm upon the request of the two leaders
It followed a phone call between Akıncı and Anastasiades, who voiced concerns over the risks posed by the coronavirus and the need to put measures in place to protect people on both sides of the divide.
The committee will then brief the leaders about the best ways of cooperation and the measures that need to be put in place for the best possible protection of the population.
Solution to the Cyprob will bring stability to the East Med.
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
EU Matters, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region can only be established through the solution of the Cyprus Problem,” Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Armağan Candan said in his written submission to the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE).
National Unity Party (UBP) MP Özdemir Berova and Candan had attended the meeting entitled “Latest developments in the Middle East and in Libya” at the PACE.
Candan warned that the ongoing Libyan conflict could threaten the regional stability.
“The Libyan crisis, together with hydrocarbon exploration activities and conflicts over identifying exclusive economic zones (EEZ), has further escalated instability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Candan stressed.
He added “Cyprus is in the very centre of the escalating competition over natural resources.”
He urged for the utilization of the natural resources to bring peace and to create conditions conducive for collaboration.
“The solution of the Cyprus problem is possible if the required political will is displayed,” Candan said and added all relevant parties are fully aware of this fact.
“The solution between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots would not only end the conflict between the two but also will reinstate regional peace and stability,” Candan stressed.
He urged the European Council should encourage the two sides on the island and all other relevant parties to display a determined stance towards solution and towards establishing stability in the region.
“The international conjecture has reached the point to discuss new ideas on the Cyprus problem instead of the known ones,” Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Kudret Özersay said. He added that “Even the Greek Cypriot leadership has started to question the alternative options behind closed doors.”
Speaking with Anatolian News Agency (AA) reporter in London, Özersay argued that in addition to lack of trust between the two communities, they only have a short experience of a federation that ended bitterly from 1960 to 1963. Furthermore, he noted that the Greek Cypriot leadership does not want to share power or governance with the Turkish Cypriot side.
“Anything is possible in Cyprus including the federal solution if only these conditions were to change on the island,” Özersay and added the international community must utilize all the tools it has in its hands for conditions to become conducive for a solution. “However, if they refrain from doing so, the two sides on the island must discuss a partnership based on collaboration instead of a federal one,” Özersay concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Candan (CTP)
>> The Libyan crisis, together with hydrocarbon exploration activities and conflicts over identifying EEZ, has further escalated instability in the East. Med.
>> Cyprus is in the very centre of the escalating competition over natural resources.
>> The utilization of the natural resources should bring peace and should create conditions conducive for collaboration.
>> The solution of the Cyprob is possible if the required political will is displayed and all relevant parties are fully aware of this fact.
>> The solution between the TCs and the GCs would not only end the conflict between the two but also will reinstate regional peace and stability.
>> The EC should encourage the two sides on the island and all other relevant parties to display a determined stance towards solution and towards establishing stability in the region.
Özersay (HP)
>> The int’l conjecture has reached the point to discuss new ideas on the Cyprob.
>> Even the GC leadership has started to question the alternative options behind closed doors.
>> Anything is possible in Cyprus including the federal solution if only the current conditions were to change on the island.
>> The int’l community must utilize all the tools it has in its hands for conditions to become conducive for a solution otherwise the two sides must discuss a partnership based on collaboration instead of a federal one.