Front Page Headlines
Creditors are knocking on the Famagusta Municipality’s door
It has emerged the Famagusta Municipality owes €820,000 the sewage treatment facility and $797,000 to the water treatment facility. The two companies have presented the municipality a written warning concerning the money they are owed. They warned that a disaster awaited Famagusta if the municipality did not pay the money owed.
- Tufan Erhürman speaks out on Maraş (Varosha): “We need steps which will not push us away but bring us closer to international law”
- Fikri Toros: “Maraş (Varosha) can only be opened under UN control and if the properties are returned to their legal owners”
“Turkish Cypriots will decide their future themselves”
Metin Feyzioğlu, head of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations talked about the Maraş (Varosha) initiative. He emphasized the future of the Turkish Cypriots can only be decided by the Turkish Cypriots themselves and added the political will on the fenced-off town is with Turkey and the TRNC.
- Tatar: “Turkey’s guarantees a must for a secure future in Cyprus.”
- Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Erhürman will hold contacts in Istanbul.
The state has failed to catch up with technology
The statistical data listed in the websites of many state institutions are outdated by months and in some cases by years. It is very difficult to obtain accurate and current statistical information from websites belonging to the Health Ministry, Economy Ministry, Finance Ministry and others.
- Debts and grant money the only hope for education – Education unions claim that the Education Ministry’s budget of ₺1.1bn will only be sufficient to cover personnel and transportation costs as well as the needs of universities. Building new schools or even repairs will depend on loans or grants from Turkey.
“We fear for our lives”
Dr Umut Öksüz, head of the Turkish Cypriot Pharmacists’ Association, highlighted the problems experienced by the pharmacists. He said the overnight duty for pharmacies was extremely dangerous as foreign students demand opiates and threaten pharmacists when they fail to provide the required prescriptions.
- Both exports and imports hit bottom low – According to data from the Trade Department, the TRNC exports valued at $77,1m between January and November of 2019 whereas its imports reached $1.2bn.
Too many candidates
There are as many citizens who say they will not vote as there are who will be supporting the different candidates. Many members of the public are confused. While some say they will vote for who will solve the Cyprus Problem, others say they want a leader who will maintain relations with Turkey at the highest level. Others have expressed the view that there are too many candidates and that the best option would be to switch to a presidential system.
- Greek Cypriot army wants F-35s – Greek General Parayudakis proposed to purchase more arms to ‘save’ Cyprus.
- ‘Challenge’ – Maraş (Varosha) meeting sparks reactions in South Cyprus
The stench from rotting
Even (Turkish Vice President) Fuat Oktay complained of Maraş (Varosha) being abandoned to rot all these years. Oktay who attended the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative meeting said that negotiations for a solution have been continuing for half a century, the Greek Cypriots were allowed to join the European Union (EU) during this period, no pressure was exerted on the Greek Cypriots and Maraş (Varosha) was abandoned to its fate.
Main News
CTP criticizes Maraş (Varosha) roundtable
Yenidüzen
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman criticized the timing of the roundtable meeting held on Maraş (Varosha) on Saturday.
In a statement on Sunday, Erhürman said that it was wrong to organize such a meeting a short period before the presidential elections.
He also argued that such a meeting needed to be held in universities and with the participation of academics if it were to be scientific.
“Another issue is the participation of politicians. If politicians are invited it should be from all across the political spectrum. You make sure that the timing is right and the correct methods are used,” he said.
The CTP leader said that any steps on Maraş (Varosha) should not push Turkish Cypriots away from the international community or international law but should serve to bring them closer to both.
“All Turkish Cypriots concern is to end the uncertainty, to achieve lasting peace and stability and to become part of the international community and international law,” he said.
CTP MP Fikri Toros in a statement on Sunday argued that the fenced-off city can only be opened by returning it to its lawful owners under the UN’s administration.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) clearly states who the legal owners are, said Toros adding that the government’s latest political move would only serve to keep Maraş (Varosha) closed.
He also said that any move to be taken by the government can only carry meaning or serve its purpose if it made in consultation with the president and political parties through dialogue.
“Only then can such an important decision can be recognized as an initiative in line with international law and serve as a game-changer for efforts to solve the Cyprus Problem. Using the Maraş (Varosha) initiative as campaign propaganda will only serve to deepen distrust between the two communities, will make it harder to resume solution efforts and will lay the burden of responsibility on the Turkish Cypriot side,” Toros added.
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Timing of Maraş (Varosha) meeting wrong.
>> Such meetings need to be held at universities with academics if it is to be scientific.
>> Politicians from all across the political spectrum need to be invited. Timing & methods need to be right.
>> Any steps on Maraş should not push TCs away from int’l community or int’l law.
Toros (CTP)
>> Maraş (Varosha) can only be opened by allowing lawful residents to return.
>> Legal owners defined by ECHR decisions.
>> Any move on Maraş (Varosha) can have meaning if it’s carried out in consultation with president & political parties.
>> Failure to do so will serve to deepen distrust between communities, make solution efforts harder & will result in TCs bearing the responsibility.
Turkey’s guarantees a must for a secure future in Cyprus
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
External Security
OVERVIEW
Leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), Prime Minister and presidential candidate Ersin Tatar said Turkey’s guarantees safeguarded a secure future in Cyprus.
He also underlined the need for two sovereign equal states on the island which could exist side-by-side.
Addressing a group of party supporters in Güzelyurt (Morphou) on Sunday, Tatar said the UBP was the TRNC’s assurance.
Tatar also argued that the upcoming elections in the north are important for the future of the TRNC and better relations with Turkey.
“Contrary to those deceiving the people about a federal solution which is not possible, we will work towards developing policies based on the realities of the island,” Tatar stressed.
He claimed that his view was in line with Turkey’s policies.
Tatar added that Turkish Cypriots needed a president who will be able to make their voice heard in the world and who was committed to preserving the TRNC.
KEY ACTOR
Tatar (UBP)
>> Turkey’s guarantees safeguard a secure future in Cyprus whereby two sovereign equal states live side-by-side.
>> The UBP is the assurance for the TRNC.
>> The upcoming elections in the north are important for the future of the TRNC and better relations with Turkey.
>> Contrary to those deceiving the people when a federal solution is not possible.
>> Will develop policies based on the realities of the island, which is in line with Turkey’s policies on Cyprus.
>> A president who will be able to make the voice of the TCs heard in the world and who will reflect his/her loyalties with the TRNC at the office of the presidency must be elected.