Front Page Headlines
“€30,000 in income”
The Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) announced the findings of its latest “Peace Dividends” report. According to the report, 100,000 people will find new employment opportunities in the first ten years following a solution. The size of the Cypriot economy which will be worth €40bn if the status quo continues but could grow up to €58bn in the event a solution is reached.
- President Mustafa Akıncı officially announced he will be running as an independent candidate – “There are two choices; either a federal settlement or the reinforcement of the current division.
- Erhürman: “We want a negotiations process different from previous processes which will be results-oriented”
- The 2020 Hrishoma Award is being awarded to the Bicommunal Choir for Peace in Cyprus.
Nicosia traffic to come to standstill
The Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Contractor Companies will be holding a demonstration today (Thursday) by forming a 10km long column of construction vehicles to protest the uncertainty over the development masterplan. The chamber apologized for any inconvenience the protest may cause the public. Head of the chamber, Cafer Gürcafer asked the presidential candidates to postpone their visits to villages to solve the masterplan problem.
- Not going to chase unrealistic dreams which will strengthen the status quo – Mustafa Akıncı announced his presidential candidacy.
- Erhürman: “We want a results-oriented process different from the previous ones.”
- “I am 100 per cent certain I will manage the opening of Maraş (Varosha) – Kudret Özersay said.
Why all this outrage?
12000 homes were given construction permits as a result of the two articles added to the ordinance to halt development during the transition period for the Famagusta-İskele (Trikomo) – Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios) development masterplan. Moreover, it is emphasized that the additional 23000 homes planned for the area, will lead to serious infrastructural and energy problems creating flood risks as well as the destruction of arable land and wetlands.
- Mustafa Akıncı is a candidate – President Mustafa Akincı announced he will run as a candidate in the 26 April elections. He said he will not chase after unrealistic dreams that would serve to strengthen the status quo.
No coronavirus but there is swine flu
Even though similar measures adopted by other countries against the coronavirus are in place in the country, a new swine flu outbreak is being experienced. The H1N1 A-type virus is spreading quietly but swiftly.
- Show of strength from Akıncı – President Akıncı announced his candidacy at an event held under the slogan ‘2020 Night of Trust and Determination’ at Elysium Park in north Nicosia. In his speech, Akıncı said he will not chase after unrealistic dreams that would serve to strengthen the status quo.
Miracle survival
A plane flown by the Turkish Pegasus Airlines skidded off the runway at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökcen airport on Wednesday, crashing into a road and breaking into pieces. Of the 175 passengers which included two infants and six crew members, three people lost their lives. There are those seriously injured.
- High attendance gave morale – Akıncı announced his candidacy at an event packed with enthusiastic supporters.
- No one has a true mission – Politicians running for the presidential election are seeking funds for their campaigns.
- A hundred people in line –There is an increase in the number of Turkish Cypriots seeking the return of their properties in the south returned filing cases against the Greek Cypriot administration.
A blow from Akıncı to the lynch crowd
Mustafa Akıncı announced his candidacy at an event packed with supporters under the slogan “Trust and Determination”. He responded to remarks made by a party leader that the new Turkish Cypriot president should be anyone but him. Akıncı said he did not want the votes of those who embraced a culture of mobbing. “I prefer not to be elected if it is going to be with their votes,” he said
Main News
Akıncı announces candidacy with grand event
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Property, Territory, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Incumbent President Mustafa Akıncı announced on Wednesday night he will be running for a second term of office.
Akıncı has become the fifth candidate along with National Unity Party (UBP) candidate Ersin Tatar, independent candidate Kudret Özersay, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Tufan Erhürman and Rebirth Party (YDP) candidate Erhan Arıklı to join the race for the office of the president, all six dailies report.
“While our efforts to solve the Cyprus problem with determination continues, we will continue to work to introduce new confidence-building measures (CBMs); to address societal issues as well as as maintain our sincere approach in our relations with Turkey based on mutual respect,” Mustafa Akıncı said on Wednesday during an event to officially announce his candidacy.
Speaking to a hall packed with supporters, Akıncı said the assurance of the coming five years was his performance in office over the past five.
“I have always worked towards achieving a reasonable and realistic solution in Cyprus,” Akıncı stressed.
He vowed not to chase unrealistic goals which would only serve to strengthen the status quo.
“We will either work towards establishing a fair and balanced bizonal federal solution, based on political equality in Cyprus that will safeguard Turkish Cypriot people’s rights, equality, freedom and security,” Akıncı said, warning that the absence of a settlement will only increase Turkish Cypriots’ dependency on Turkey.
He added that Turkish Cypriots did not desire to become a minority within a Greek Cyprus not did they want to be governed by Ankara.
“We want our well-deserved place in the international arena,” Akıncı stressed.
Akıncı said his “four-pronged vision”, which he had used in 2015 campaign, will continue to be his guide in the coming period.
He reminded that vision for the presidency was focused on achieving a solution, dealing with communal issues, maintaining a balanced relationship with Turkey based on mutual respect and serving as an impartial and independent president.
Akıncı said he had remained committed to his promises and vision during the past five years and would continue to preserve the trust and confidence of the public if elected for a second term.
“We will continue on our path for peace, not wars; for reconciliation, not conflicts; for tolerance, not violence; for freedom, not obedience; for modernity, not bigotry; and pluralism over the rule of single individuals,” Akıncı concluded.
Meanwhile, CTP leader and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman said on Wednesday that it was no possible to overcome obstacles faced by Turkish Cypriot athletes by sitting in Nicosia
Speaking during a campaign visit to Kyrenia
Erhürman, during a campaign visit in Kyrenia, shared his vision and goals.
He expressed the view that the Cyprus talks process will regain momentum following the elections in the north and underlined the importance of being well-prepared for a five-party conference expected to be organised towards the middle of 2020.
“The next process must be results-oriented,” Erhürman stressed and added managing the coming five-years will be vital for the Turkish Cypriot community.
“Political equality is a sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriot community,” Erhürman said but warned that the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had used this as a pretext to abandon the Conference on Cyprus in Crans Montana.
“It is therefore vital for us to be in contact with all the relevant sides immediately after the elections to resume a results-oriented process. We have to be in Brussels, in New York and Geneva, we have to present everywhere,” Erhürman stressed.
He also argued that the office of the presidency does not have the luxury of ignoring domestic issues concerning the public because of it was the only office of governance in the country which did not change during its five-year term.
He also highlighted the importance of the office of the presidency as the only internationally recognized Turkish Cypriot institution.
“It is of vital importance that the president speaks with the other countries, their representatives and their diplomats…The president must do more than sit in his office in Nicosia because it is not possible to lift the tourism or trade embargoes or even the obstacles faced by our athletes,” Erhürman concluded.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Kudret Özersay on Wednesday vowed to go ahead with plans to open the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) if he is elected.
“The opening of Maraş (Varosha) is no longer just a proposal or idea on paper. I am convinced a hundred per cent that I shall be able to open the fenced-off town for its former residents under the Turkish Cypriot administration,” he said
Speaking on Genç TV, he recalled that he had made the same promise during the 2015 campaign period. “I am happy to see that others have adopted my views,” Özersay noted.
He drew attention to the consequences of the uncertainty the Turkish Cypriots had been subjected to due to the political situation.
“The uncertainty puts strains of our identity and on our economy. I believe it is possible to end this uncertainty. I believe I can very well defend and advocate for the political will of the Turkish Cypriots in our relations with the Greek Cypriot side, with Turkey and with any other country,” Özersay said.
He added that he was confident he could successfully voice the views of Turkish Cypriots at every international platform.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Efforts to solve the Cyprob; introduce new CBMs; addressing societal issues & maintaining relations with Turkey based on mutual respect will continue.
>> The assurance of the coming five years is my performance over the past five.
>> Always worked towards achieving a reasonable & realistic solution in Cyprus.
>> Unrealistic goals to strengthen the status quo will not be pursued.
>> Dependency on Turkey will increase if a solution to the Cyprob is not reached.
>> TCs neither want to be a minority in a Greek Cyprus nor governed by Ankara.
>> TCs want a place in the international arena.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> President-elect must do more than sit in his office in Nicosia to remove economic & other embargoes on TCs.
>> Important to prepare well for a five-party conference as Cyprus talks will regain momentum after elections.
>> The next process must be results-oriented.
>> Managing the coming five-years will be vital for the TCs.
>> Political equality is a sine qua non for the TCs.
>> The office of the presidency does not have the luxury not to touch on the communal issues.
Özersay (HP)
>> Opening of Maraş (Varosha) is no longer a paper-based proposal.
>> Steps will be taken to open the fenced-off town for former residents under TC administration.
>> The uncertainty due to the non-solution puts strains on TC identity and economy.
>> The voice of the TCs will be heard at every international platform
Ankara will take action against EU, if it disregards TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
EU Matters, Regional/International Relations, Energy
OVERVIEW
“Turkey will respond to European Union’s adverse steps in the Eastern Mediterranean if Turkish Cypriots’ rights to hydrocarbon resources are ignored and if the presence of the Turkish Cypriots continues to be denied,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a meeting with ambassadors of European Union (EU) member countries in the Turkish capital Ankara, Çavuşoğlu noted the EU’s decisions for sanctions over Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in Syria and the country’s bilateral deals with Libya have strained relations between Ankara and Brussels.
He also asked for closer communication between Turkey and the EU.
On the issue of hydrocarbon activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Çavuşoğlu called for the EU to adopt a more neutral stance for cooperation to emerge.
“If the EU acts neutral, we can work on a cooperation mechanism to guarantee the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu stressed.
He added should the EU continue to disregard the Turkish Cypriots and their rights, Turkey will reciprocate.
“Nonetheless, we need to take steps to reduce tension not escalate it. We need to take these steps altogether,” Çavuşoğlu concluded.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday, that “Turkey is determined to do whatever is necessary for the security and the future of our country.”
Speaking during a visit to Kırıkkale in Turkey, Erdoğan accused the western countries of objecting to Turkey’s activities in Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean.
“Those who object to Turkey’s legitimate moves in the Mediterranean, do not dare say anything against Israel’s, Greece’ or the Greek Cypriot side’s natural gas activities,” Erdoğan stressed.
He added Turkey will not refrain from doing what is necessary to safeguard its interests both in the country and in the region.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkey will respond to EU’s adverse steps in the East Med if TCs’ rights to hydrocarbon resources are ignored.
>> The EU’s sanctions over Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities in east Med., Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in Syria ’s and bilateral deals signed with Tripoli have strained relations between Ankara and Brussels.
>> Turkey and the EU must be in closer communication.
>> If the EU acts neutral, it is possible to work on a cooperation mechanism to guarantee the equal rights of TCs.
>> Steps needed to reduce tension not escalate it and these steps must be taken all together.
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Turkey is determined to do whatever is necessary for its security & future.
>> Those who object to Turkey’s legitimate moves in the Med., do not dare say anything against Israel’s, Greece’ or the GC side’s natural gas activities.
PRIO: Island’s economy to grow with a solution
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process, Economy
OVERVIEW
“The solution of Cyprus the Cyprus Problem will help the island’s economy grow, help develop many sectors and will provide employment opportunities for tens of thousands of people,” Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) said in its latest “Peace Dividends” report published on Wednesday.
The “Peace Dividend” report, which has been published regularly since 2014, is written by Fiona Mullen, Mustafa Besim and Michalis Florentiadiades.
The report looks at how the island’s economy will be in 20 years in the event of a solution or a non-solution.
According to the report findings, the island’s overall economy will be worth an estimated €40bn if there is no solution in the next 20 years.
However, in the event of a settlement, the size of the island’s post-solution economy could reach an estimated €58bn, with the north seeing most of the benefits of reunification.
The report also states that a solution could create 100,000 new jobs in the first ten years, 30 per cent in the tourism sector.
In terms of employment, the tourism sector is followed by new opportunities in the construction and transportation sectors.
The report also highlights that the Turkish Cypriot companies would seize a significant share from these sectors.
The report also estimates that the income per capita will be €34,000.
The report analyses the revenues from the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean; the opening of Maraş (Varosha); the opening of Turkish ports and markets to Greek Cypriots, direct flights from Larnaca to Istanbul and opening of Ercan (Tymbou) and Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airports to international flights.
Restoration efforts underway at the old walls of Nicosia
Yenidüzen
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Work to restore the collapsed sections of the old walls of Nicosia between Tabya (Quirini) Bastion and the Arabahmet quarter is continuing, Ali Tuncay, co-chair of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage announced on Wednesday.
In a post on social media, Tuncay thanked the experts and the workers contracted for their efforts in the restoration project.
Tuncay wrote, “We are waiting anxiously for the day the project is finalised and the old wall is restored to its former grandeur.”
According to an earlier statement issued by the technical committee on cultural heritage, the project includes reinforcing the sections of the wall that pose the risk of collapse; removing and numbering the stones the wall and replacing them with a temporary filling until the wall’s foundations are reinforced.
Once the foundations are strengthened, the stones will be laid into place bringing the walls to its original state.
In addition to the work being done to reinforce the walls and its foundation, a drainage system for rainwater will also be constructed.
Bicommunal Choir awarded the Hiroshima Prize
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Bi-Communal Choir for Peace in Cyprus has won the 2020 Hiroshima Prize, according to an announcement by the coir on social media on Wednesday.
The choir was established in May 1997 at the initiative of the Bi-communal Citizens’ Group for Peace in Cyprus.
Its members are citizens of the two communities, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots who believe in the unity of the two communities through music.
The Prize amounting to 80.000 CHF will be awarded on May 13, 2020, within the framework of the Peace Forum organised by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).
The Hiroshima Foundation, which was created in 1989, presents awards every second year to women and men in cultural fields who contribute to fostering dialogue, understanding and peace in conflict areas and its aim “is not only to reward past contributions but first and foremost to encourage and support continued efforts.”