Front Page Headlines
Finance Ministry gives instructions for austerity
The external funds promised when the National Unity (UBP)-Peoples’ Party (HP) coalition was formed has yet to arrive. All eyes have now turned to austerity measures. The measures include cutting down on petrol expenditures, overtime payments, phone calls and other expenditures.
- Rhea Bailey: “It was like the painting was dead but it came back to life that day” – Simge Çerkezoğlu spoke with the Greek Cypriot artist, who was reunited with her work after 46 years. Read about it in Yenidüzen’s extra, Adres Kıbrıs, tomorrow (Sunday).
We cannot get married
The age for marriage is getting higher and higher while the ratio of new marriages has dropped by half in the past ten years. The main reason for the drop in the number of marriages is economic. Experienced psychologist Nihal Salman says the community’s perception towards marriage has changed. More importantly, young people who get by on minimum wage salary cannot afford rent with their incomes.
- “The only institution that stands before the masterplan is the UBP” – Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars said.
- All eyes on Maraş (Varosha) today (on Saturday).
- Ertuğruloğlu: “Akıncı cannot go to Turkey.”
- Özersay: “The election is above political parties. We will win with the people’s support.”
- Akıncı: “Any state that respects freedoms is reputable and respectable.”
- “TRNC’s geopolitics means Anatolia’s geopolitics” – Retired Admiral Cem Gürdeniz said in an interview with Kıbrıs Postası.
The price of plane tickets will soar
Atlasglobal Airlines officially announced its bankruptcy and ceased all its flights. Tourism sector representatives, who highlight the need for a new airline company for the north, warn about the consequences of Atlasjet’s announcement.
- The high-level meeting in Maraş (Varosha) to be held today (Saturday) – Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, Turkey’s Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül and Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca will attend the roundtable meeting titled “Legal, Political and Economic Aspects of the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative”.
A free press is a must
President Mustafa Akıncı and other leading politicians in the north shared their views on Havadis during the celebrations marking the daily’s 11th anniversary. Akıncı said Havadis was committed to the freedom of expression and is an extremely reputable media organisation. Sami Özuslu, head of the Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Association, warned that freedom of media is under threat in the north. He listed the problems faced by the Turkish Cypriot media which include difficulties in finding qualified journalists as well as lack of financial or technical means by media organisations.
10,000 people waiting in line
Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars said that over 6000 people have been granted citizenship in the past two years. She added that over 600 new people have applied in the last 40 days. Speaking to Diyalog, Baybars said that they were working to introduce ‘White’ and ‘Green’ IDs to curb citizenship applications and were waiting for the UBP’s decision on the matter. Baybars did not mention any expectation that the bill will be passed by parliament before the presidential elections.
- €1bn giant investment – An Israeli firm will be building a new tourism and commercial marina in Larnaca.
Maraş (Varosha) provocation
A protest with the slogan “No to a provocation in Maraş (Varosha) is to be staged in front of the Revenues and Tax Department building in Famagusta at 10 am today (Saturday). Several political parties and civil society representatives will be protesting the roundtable meeting concerning the Maraş (Varosha) initiative. The Famagusta Initiative, the Left Movement, the New Cyprus Party (YKP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP), the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS), the Press Workers’ Union (Basın-Sen), the Revolutionary Workers’ Union (Dev-İş) and the Hayata Dokun (Touch Life) Movement.
- Fuat Oktay arrives – The Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay is to attend the Maraş (Varosha) meeting.
- Another support comes from Communal Liberation Party-New Forces (TKP-YG) – Support to Akıncı is growing. The Communal Liberation Party-New Forces decided to support Akıncı in the upcoming presidential elections. The party’s assembly which convened for an extraordinary meeting approved the decision unanimously.
Main News
UniteCyprusNow calls for an end to ‘lynch campaign’ against Akıncı
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal peace organisation UniteCyprusNow (UCN) on Friday condemned what they called “the lynch campaign” against President Mustafa Akıncı.
Akıncı came under constant fire from Ankara the past week for comments he made to, the Guardian, concerning prospects of Turkey’s annexation of the north.
The Turkish Cypriots were opposed to the notion of becoming a minority to Greek Cypriots or becoming slaves of Turkey.
“We would like to remind Turkish officials that Cyprus is the common homeland of Turkish and Greek Cypriots and it is only Cypriots who should decide the fate of their own country,” the organisation said in a written statement.
“Mr Akıncı simply expressed the views and feelings of each and every sane Cypriot who believes in a peaceful future, when he said that any annexation of the northern part of our country to Turkey, like that of Hatay province in the late 1930s, would be a disaster,” said UniteCyprusNow.
“Unfortunately, this has triggered another lynch campaign against Mr Akıncı because he `disrespected history’. This is a clear indication that the establishment in Turkey cannot tolerate any dissenting view or narrative, either locally and internationally.”
The organisation described the attacks against Akıncı as “unjustified”, not only because annexation would be horrible for all Cypriots, but also because attacks from official quarters constitute a direct challenge to the democratic rights of the Turkish Cypriots to choose a leader who represents their views.
“As an added effort to undermine Mr Akıncı, Turkish officials, in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot coalition parties, have announced that a conference will take place to determine the future of the fenced-off district of Maraş (Varosha), at a time when the campaigns for elections in the north are in full swing,” the organisation added.
UCN, in cooperation with the other Famagusta civil society organisations, the statement said, has stated numerous times that town belongs to its lawful owners and it should be a place for cooperation, not conflict. Any initiative for Maraş (Varosha) should respect the relevant Security Council resolutions.
“Needless to say, attempts to bypass Mr Akıncı, the elected leader of the Turkish Cypriots, on such a vital issue, means undermining the efforts to reignite talks under the auspices of the United Nations,” it said, adding that the organisation was expressing its solidarity with the elected leader of the Turkish Cypriots “and applauds his determination to stay true to the federal cause, which is the only realistic solution of the Cyprus problem”.
It calls on all peace-loving Turkish Cypriot compatriots “in the face of attacks from nationalistic circles” and invites all Greek Cypriots to “stand by our compatriots in this difficult hour”.
“Cyprus belongs to all Cypriots and it is only we who have the ultimate right and responsibility to decide the future of our country. And this future is none other than a united country for all Cypriots when being in the European Union; we will be able to enjoy peaceful relations and cooperation with all our neighbours,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Erhan Arıklı on Friday said that Turkey’s annexation of north Cyprus was neither on Ankara’s or Turkish Cypriots’ agenda.
Arıklı, speaking on Bayrak TV, argued that Mustafa Akıncı had made those remarks to the British daily deliberately, well aware of the reactions it would cause.
“It was not an innocent interview. The questions asked were prepared in advanced and so were the responses. He is trying to steal votes from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP),” Arıklı claimed.
He further argued that Akıncı was attempting to polarizing Turkish Cypriot society by fuelling anti-Turkey sentiments.
Arıklı, however, reacted to some of the criticisms directed at Akıncı and urged for respect to the office of the presidency.
“Instead of debating what Akıncı has achieved in the past five years, we were also drawn into an artificially created debate,” Arıklı said.
He also argued there was no point in resuming talks on a federal solution because the Greek Cypriot side’s refusal to recognize the political equality of Turkish Cypriots had not changed.
“We are seeing a shift in Turkey’s policy on Cyprus. At this point, we have to announce to the whole world, using our right to self-determination that we have exhausted efforts to reach a federal settlement,” Arıklı stressed.
“If I am elected president, I will ask the people to choose between talks for federation or a two-state model whereby the TRNC is internationally recognized. In my opinion, the answer will be the two-state model. It is our right to exercise our self-determination,” Arıklı said.
KEY ACTORS
UCN
>> Cyprus is the common homeland of Turkish and Greek Cypriots and only Cypriots who should decide the fate of their own country.
>> Akıncı simply expressed the views and feelings of every sane Cypriot who believes in a peaceful future.
>> The establishment in Turkey cannot tolerate any dissenting view or narrative, either locally & internationally.
>> The attacks against Akıncı are unjustified not only because annexation would be horrible for all Cypriots, but also because attacks from official quarters constitute a direct challenge to the democratic rights of the TCs to choose a leader who represents their views.
>> Maraş (Varosha) roundtable meeting is called to undermine Mr Akıncı at a time when the campaigns for elections in the north are in full swing.
>> Maraş (Varosha) should be a place for cooperation not conflict and any initiative for it should respect the relevant UNSC resolutions.
>> Attempts to bypass Mr Akıncı, on a vital issue like Maraş (Varosha), means undermining the efforts to reignite talks under the auspices of the UN.
>> UCN expresses its solidarity with the elected leader of the TCs and applauds his determination to stay true to the federal cause, which is the only realistic solution of the Cyprob.
>> Calls on all peace-loving TC compatriots in the face of attacks from nationalistic circles and invites all GCs to stand by the TCs.
>> Cyprus belongs to all Cypriots and it is only Cypriots who have the ultimate right and responsibility to decide the future of the country, which is a united country for all Cypriots under the EU.
Arıklı (YDP)
>> Turkey’s annexation is not on Ankara’s or TCs’ agenda.
>> Akıncı’s remarks to the British daily were deliberately made.
>> Akıncı is polarizing TC society and playing to anti-Turkey sentiments.
>> Office of the President should be respected.
>> Discussions should focus on Akıncı’s failings/accomplishments rather than an artificially created agenda.
>> No point in resuming talks for a federation as GC side refuses to recognize political equality of TCs.
>> Turkey’s Cyprus policy has shifted changed. TCs’ need to announce to the int’l community based on the right to self-determination federal talks have been exhausted.
>> If elected, I will ask the people to choose between federation or two-state solution.
Turkey’s responsibility is to open the way forward for the TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Property, Territory, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Turkey’s responsibility is to open the way forward for the Turkish Cypriots; not to allow the Greek Cypriots to rule over the Turkish Cypriots and to lift the obstacles Turkish Cypriots face,” Metin Feyzioğlu, president of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations said on Friday.
Feyzioğlu, speaking to Bayrak shortly after his arrival in the north on Friday to attend the roundtable on Maraş (Varosha), said Cyprus continued to remain a national cause for Turkey.
He added that maintaining close relations between the two countries was of utmost importance.
Feyzioğlu also said it was high time the unfair embargoes on Turkish Cypriots were broken.
He said that developments over the past few years have shown no change in the Greek Cypriot side’s positions or intentions regarding a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF).
The parameters for a solution have also changed since the 2004 Annan Plan, he said.
“The goal of the Greek Cypriot administration is to keep the Turkish Cypriots as a minority under their rule. As a result of the Greek Cypriot side, the reunification talks have become meaningless,” Feyzioğlu said.
He added that the word’s refusal to see this reality did not change the facts on the ground.
“The initiative to open the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) should be evaluated in this regard,” Feyzioğlu underscored.
Highlighting that the Greek Cypriot side wanted to prolong the negotiations process, Feyzioğlu said the uncertainty caused by endless talks only served to increase the Turkish Cypriot community’s despair.
“The feeling of hopelessness must be disposed of with a new road map that takes the Turkish Cypriots’ prosperity at its core,” Feyzioğlu stressed.
Feyzioğlu, regarding the roundtable, said the meeting was the continuation of the international symposium that was held in September last year on the initiative to re-open the fenced-off town.
“Since the Greek Cypriot side perceives itself as superior to the Turkish Cypriot side and refuses to reunite under equal conditions, the handover of Maraş (Varosha), which is often raised at the reunification talks, has lost all meaning,” he said
“Without doubt, it is ultimately the Turkish Cypriots who will have the final say,” Feyzioğlu stressed. He added that the future of the Turkish Cypriots can only be decided by the Turkish Cypriots themselves.
“Turkey’s responsibility is to open the way forward for the Turkish Cypriots; not to allow the Greek Cypriot administration to rule over them and to lift the obstacles before the Turkish Cypriots’ prosperity,” Feyzioğlu stressed.
He argued that re-opening Maraş (Varosha) under Turkish Cypriot control would create an unprecedented economic opportunity for Turkish Cypriots.
He claimed that the fenced-off town is under the sovereignty of the TRNC and not the United Nations (UN).
Feyzioğlu also rejected the jurisdiction of the UN Security Council 550 over the fenced-off town and said: “It is out of the question for any Turkish Cypriot to recognize the UNSC resolution, when the UN’s Security Council does not recognize the Turkish Cypriots’ independent and sovereign state.”
“Nonetheless, Turkey’s or the TRNC’s goal over Maraş (Varosha) is not to reoccupy the abandoned buildings. On the contrary, the goal is to bring life back to the town with its previous residents or with their heirs. The town will create new trade and employment opportunities for the Turkish Cypriots. It will then be possible to accelerate the TRNC economy,” Feyzioğlu stressed.
Feyzioğlu concluded by reiterating that the roundtable meeting does not have anything to do with the daily politics in the TRNC. “It is an honour for the Turkish Union of Bar Associations to be part of a historical process for the prosperity and the future of the Turkish Cypriots.”
Turkish Cypriot Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy on Friday said that any steps to be taken on the issue Maraş (Varosha) will be in line with international realities”.
In a written statement, he said it is possible to transform the ghost town into an important regional economic centre.
“In addition to taking the international law and UN parameters into consideration, the rights of the property owners will not be violated in any way,” Taçoy added.
Taçoy noted that the roundtable meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday in the fenced-off city will be a milestone and the decisions that come out of the meeting will generate positive prospects for the Turkish Cypriot economy.
Taçoy also called on the Greek Cypriot side to support the efforts to reopen the fenced-off city. “I wish to appeal to our Greek Cypriot neighbours. A political step in line with international law will be taken in Maraş (Varosha). Let’s all support the steps taken not only for the Turkish Cypriot people but also for the regional peace,” Taçoy concluded.
In the meantime, it was reported on Friday that several organisations will stage a protest just outside the fenced-off city.
The protest titled “No to provocations in Maraş (Varosha)” will be held in front of the entrance of the fenced-off city which is controlled by the military.
A joint statement issued by the Famagusta Initiative, Left Movement (Sol Hareket), New Cyprus Party (YKP), KTÖS (TC Teachers’ Union), BASIN-SEN (TC Media workers’ union), DEV-İŞ (TC Revolutionary workers’ unions’ federation) and Touch Life Movement (Hayata Dokun Hareketi), said they rejected the meeting, pointing out that Maraş (Varosha) can only be reopened to the town’s former residents under the UNSC 550.
“The fenced-off town must be returned to the UN’s management. Moreover, there is a general understanding that Maraş (Varosha) will be part of the Greek Cypriot constituent state as and when a solution is reached,” the statement said.
The statement also rejected the proposal of opening the town under the Turkish Cypriot administration. “The decision to open Maraş (Varosha) under the Turkish Cypriot administration is a serious deviation from the existing agreements,” the statement read.
Highlighting that Maraş (Varosha) will be a milestone in the reunification of the island, the organisers said “We see Maraş (Varosha) as an important basis for the reconciliation of the two communities. Maraş (Varosha) is an issue that can be solved with the consent of the two communities without having to wait for the comprehensive settlement,” the joint statement read.
Referring to the roundtable meeting to be held in the town, the organisers noted that any steps to be taken without the consent of the communities will create new problems.
The statement said that Maraş (Varosha) presented a unique opportunity before the two communities to listen, understand, apologise forgive each other.
“We see this move a provocation,” the organisers stressed, adding “the said roundtable meeting will result in opening a new page in anti-solution policies.”
KEY ACTORS
Feyzioğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkey’s responsibility is to open the way forward for the TCs; not to allow the GC administration to rule over the TCs and to lift the obstacles before the TCs prosperity.
>> Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey which is why it is important to maintain close relations between two countries.
>> It is high time embargoes on TCs are broken.
>> All the parameters in Cyprus have changed since the outcome of the Annan Plan.
>> It has been proven once again that the GC side does not have any intentions to agree to a BBF state in which the TCs will be equals.
>> The goal of the GC side is to keep the TCs as a minority under their rule which is why reunification talks have become meaningless.
>> The world’s refusal to see this reality does not change the facts on the ground.
>>The uncertainty caused by prolonging solution talks resulting in despair within the TC community.
>> The feeling of hopelessness must be disposed of with a new road map that takes the Turkish Cypriots’ prosperity at its core.
>> The return of Maraş (Varosha), which is often raised at the reunification talks, has lost all meaning.
>> TCs will have the final say. The future of the TCs can only be decided by the TCs themselves.
>> The re-opening of Maraş (Varosha) under TC control presents an unprecedented economic opportunity for TCs.
>> The fenced-off town is under the sovereignty of the TRNC & not the UN.
>> It is out of the question any TC to recognize the UNSC resolution 550 when the UNSC does not recognize the TCs’ independent & sovereign state.
>> Turkey’s or the TRNC’s goal over Maraş (Varosha) is not to reoccupy the abandoned buildings but to bring back life to the town.
>> The town will create new trade & employment opportunities for the TCs accelerating the TRNC economy.
>> The roundtable meeting does not have anything to do with domestic TC politics.
Taçoy (UBP)
>> Steps on Maraş (Varosha) will be in line with int’l realities.
>> It is possible to transform the ghost town into an important regional economic centre.
>> In addition to taking int’l law & UN parameters into consideration, the rights of property owners will not be violated.
>> The roundtable meeting will be a milestone & decisions that come out of the meeting will generate positive prospects for the TC economy.
NGO’s
>> No to provocations in Maraş (Varosha).
>> Maraş (Varosha) can only be reopened for the town’s former residents under UNSC 550.
>> The fenced-off town must be returned under the UN’s control.
>> It is generally accepted that the Maraş (Varosha) will be part of the GC constituent state at the time of the solution.
>> The decision to open Maraş (Varosha) under the TC administration is a serious deviation from existing agreements.
>> Maraş (Varosha) will be a milestone in the reunification of the island, as an important basis for the reconciliation of the two communities.
>> Maraş (Varosha) is an issue that can be solved with the consent of the two communities and without having to wait for the comprehensive settlement.
>> Maraş (Varosha) presents an opportunity for two communities to listen, understand, apologise and forgive each other.
>> Any steps to be taken without the consent of the communities will create new problems.
>> The roundtable meeting is a provocation & will result in opening a new page in anti-solution policies.
CMP announces remains found in Famagusta
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) has recovered the remains of one person in Famagusta, it announced on Friday.
According to the CMP, excavation at the site will continue over the next few days.
“The CMP would like to extend its warmest sympathy to the families of the missing persons and, once again, is making a plea to all communities on the island to support the Committee’s efforts by providing information on possible burial sites,” the announcement said.
The total number of Greek Cypriot missing persons following the events of 1963-64 and 1974 was 1,510, of whom 700 have been identified and returned to their families, while 810 are still missing.
Of the total 492 missing Turkish Cypriots, 223 are still missing.
Over 10,000 applications for TRNC citizenships
Diyalog
Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars said that over 6000 TRNC citizenships have been granted in the past two years.
Speaking on Diyalog TV on Friday, Baybars said they were an increase in the number of applications.
She said that they had received more than 600 applications in the first 40 days of 2020 alone.
“There are those who earn the right to citizenship through marriage or birth. Around 4000 of these applications belong to people who were born or who live here in Cyprus. Their applications are pending at the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers granted 2,314 citizenships in 2018 and 3,700 in 2019. We have given out 650 citizenships since January 2020,” Baybars said.
She also said that not everyone was happy with the number of citizenships granted.
“There are those who claim we are giving out too many citizenships while others claim we’re not giving out enough. There is a steady and growing demand. Over 10,000. People are applying because the law allows them to,” said Baybars.
She complained that the coalition partners, the National Unity Party (UBP) was dragging its feet on legislation to introduce ‘White’ or ‘Green’ IDs which would enable foreign nationals to reside in the country without having to renew residency permits or set up businesses without requirements tied to citizenship.
Baybars added that such ID holders would be able to vote in municipal elections but would not be able to vote in general or presidential elections.