Front Page Headlines
Sealed and abandoned
The construction site was sealed off and the workers abandoned to their fate. The plight of the 250 workers at the construction site which was brought to the public’s attention by Yenidüzen continues. The workers are now asking: “Where are we going to stay? Please help us.”
- 62 per cent of Turkish Cypriots and 89 per cent of Greek Cypriots are happy with their lives – The European Commission’s latest Eurobarometer survey results on Cyprus.
- Every tourist ‘entering’ the north contributes to a record rise in the south’s tourism figures. 112,000 tourists arrived, accommodation figures 62,000 – According to the Department of Statistics in the south a 4.5 per cent rise has been recorded in tourist numbers for January compared to the same period last year. While a 6.3 per cent rise has been recorded in tourists ‘entering’ the north, the northern half of the island has failed when it comes to accommodation numbers.
We will either buy medicine or starve
Turkey raised the Euro value in its regulation on pricing medication from ₺3.4037 to ₺3.8155 for €1. As a result, the price of medicine increased by 12 per cent in Turkey. The price hike, as 80 per cent of medication is imported from Turkey, will be implemented in the north as well. Umut Öksüz, head of Turkish Cypriot Pharmacists’ Association, said: “We have to develop a medicine industry in our country and not be dependent on other countries like we are with every other product.”
- Akıncı: “I have never had feelings of enmity towards Turkey.”
- Siber: “State officials should not act like activists.”
- Erhürman: “We have to be in dialogue with Turkey instead of telling each other off.”
- Özersay: “What I promise is a unifying leadership.”
12.1 per cent increase in the price of 12,000 different medicines
Turkish Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency revised and updated its medicine prices. Umut Öksüz, head of Turkish Cypriot Pharmacists’ Association announced that the prices for all medication imported from Turkey have increased.
- The north is cheaper than the south by 34 per cent – The Supermarkets’ Association compared the retail prices of items sold at supermarkets in the north and in the south. The prices of frequently sold items come up to ₺300 (approx. €46) in the north whereas the same items cost €68.29 (approx. ₺450) in the south
- An 81mm unexploded mortar shell found and detonated.
At the bottom of Europe
According to Eurobarometer 92 research, Turkish Cypriots rank third up from the bottom in the happiness index. Compared to the average of 84 per cent in the European Union on the happiness index, it is 62 per cent in the Turkish Cypriot community. According to the results of the research, Turkish Cypriots are most concerned with the increase in prices, inflation and unemployment. The Cyprus problem is listed in fifth place with 11 per cent. Turkish Cypriots also trust the European Union (EU) according to the research results. The level of trust towards the European Parliament (EP) is 51 per cent among the 28 European countries; the results show 58 per cent of Turkish Cypriots trust the EP. Compared to 47 per cent of Europeans trusting the European Commission (EC), 59 per cent of Turkish Cypriots expressed trust in the EC.
Luxurious life
1494 new cars were sold in the past year in the TRNC. The list was topped with the sale of 246 Mercedes Benz cars. While the country continues to struggle with an economic crisis, it emerged that the sale of brand new cars in 2019 had reached the 2018 figures. According to figures obtained by Diyalog, a total of 1547 brand new cars had been sold in 2018. Following a VAT discount in 2019, 1494 new cars were sold. The most sold brand in 246 was Mercedes followed by BMW with 210. Three very expensive Porsche cars were also sold in 2019. A car dealer talking to Diyalog said that no one could deny there was an economic crisis in the country but added that a certain segment of society was still able to spend money on luxury items.
Talk Pilli
Our news report on a case of nepotism has sparked a public reaction. The Public Service Commission provided an explanation concerning the matter to our paper but the health ministry has remained silent over the issue. While, Simge Ayalar who was not hired despite receiving the highest score in an entrance exam for a position at the state hospital, continues to seek justice, reactions to the incident involving nepotism are growing. The public service commission told the paper that it was not them but the health ministry which had opened the position.
- A person in the south burned to death – One person lost his life in a fire that broke out in a farm to the south of Nicosia.
Main News
Akıncı reveals his reasons for running for re-election
Kıbrıs Postası
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Property, Territory, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı said on Wednesday that the reason why he had decided to run for a second term was the trilateral meeting held in Berlin last November.
Akıncı, speaking on a live programme aired jointly by Bayrak, Kıbrıs Genç TV and Kıbrıs TV, said that vital elements of political equality such as effective participation in decision-making processes and rotational presidency had made its way into the statement issued after the meeting.
“Furthermore, it has been understood that the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be more involved in the process.
He also mentioned that the time for endless talks is over and that any new process needs to be results-oriented,” he added.
Akıncı added that the opportunity for a solution had once again presented itself in Berlin which is why he had decided to run for a second term.
He also warned that failure to push for a federal settlement will result in the permanent division of the island.
Akıncı said that advocating alternative solution models was unrealistic as the Greek Cypriot side will never recognize the TRNC.
He also highlighted the need for a five-party conference after the elections in the north to decide the process forward.
Commenting on the issue of Maraş (Varosha) Akıncı said that he had not seen any support on the issue from either Turkey or South Cyprus.
“Ankara told me that they saw Maraş (Varosha) as part of a comprehensive solution. My view is that it would be very good if Maraş (Varosha) was opened under the control of the UN,” he added.
Akıncı pointed out that the fenced-off city was not an internal issue but had an international dimension.
That is why it is important that all aspects of the issue are considered before making any moves, he said.
Akıncı also said any steps taken on the fenced-off city should not be in conflict with the UN.
He reminded that the issue had been discussed at a meeting ten days after Crans Montana on July 10, 2017.
Akıncı said that it was decided at that meeting which was also attended by high-ranking Turkish officials to decide on a roadmap for the future of the fenced-off city at a separate meeting in the near future.
“That meeting never took place and one day we were informed by the new coalition government that they were going to conduct an inventory. It seems that this inventory has yet to be completed,” he added.
Regarding the roundtable meeting held on Maraş (Varosha), Akıncı said that the reason for organizing such a meeting just two months before the presidential election was obvious.
Akıncı claimed that Maraş (Varosha) was being used as an election ploy and that excuse made not to invite him to the roundtable meeting was not convincing.
Akıncı also recalled that the issue of Maraş (Varosha) had come up in Crans Montana but that it had been agreed to give priority to the Maronite initiative.
Akıncı asked whether he expected the government to take any new steps on Maraş (Varosha), said he didn’t but that what the right course of action would be to discuss the matter at a meeting attended by all involved parties.
He warned that the partition of Cyprus was being consolidated by all means and that most important motivational force for the Greek Cypriot side to work towards a solution would be to see the realities.
Asked whether it had been necessary for him to raise the issue of annexation during a recent interview with The Guardian, Akıncı said his response was taken out of context by some circles.
“I was asked whether a scenario similar to the one in the Crimea could take place in Cyprus. All I said was that such a scenario would not be beneficial for either Turkish Cypriots or Turkey,” he said.
Akıncı went on to say that he never fostered or will foster any feelings of enmity towards Turkey.
He also said that he meant no insult to Tayfur Sökmen, who was the last president of the state of Hatay before it became part of Turkey with a referendum in 1939.
Akıncı added that his remarks that he wouldn’t be a second Sökmen were directed at statements by former Turkish presidential advisor Yiğit Bulut who argued that the north should be declared a Turkish province as well as articles in several Turkish dailies.
He reminded that even the late Turkish Cypriot president Rauf Denktaş who was devoted to Turkey had expressed the view that Turkey’s annexation of the north would spell disaster.
“Our goal is to exist as a civilized European State where everyone can live humanely and where all rights are respected as well as to create geography that is friendly to Turkey,” he said.
Turkey, however, he added, should not forget that there is a Turkish Cypriot identity in North Cyprus.
He reiterated that the relationship of the north with Turkey must not be subordinate.
“There must be an equal relationship,” he said. “We need civilised relations with Turkey while trying to do our own homework well.”
On the issue of hydrocarbons, Akıncı said that Turkish Cypriots will continue to seek their rights with the support of Turkey.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Opportunity for a solution once again presented itself in Berlin.
>> Failure to push for a federal settlement will result in the permanent division of the island.
>> Advocating for alternative solution models is unrealistic as the GC side will never recognize the TRNC.
>> It is necessary to convene a five-party conference after the elections to decide the process forward.
>> Maraş (Varosha) not an internal issue but has an international dimension which is why all aspects need to be considered before making any move.
>> Any steps taken on the fenced-off city should not be in conflict with the UN.
>> It would be very good if Maraş (Varosha) was opened under UN control.
>> Right course of action would be to discuss the matter at a meeting attended by all involved parties.
>> The partition of Cyprus is being consolidated by all means & most important motivational force for the GC side to work towards a solution would be to see the realities.
>> No feels of enmity towards Turkey.
>> Relations with Turkey must be civilized and based on equality.
>> Turkey must acknowledge there is TC identity in the north.
>> Relations with Turkey must not be subordinate.
>> TC side needs to do its own homework.
>> TCs will continue to seek their rights on hydrocarbons with support of Turkey.
Turkey announces purchase of third drilling vessel
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Ankara announced on Wednesday the purchase of its third drilling vessel.
Announcing the news at a parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the new drilling ship was a 6th generation ultra-maritime drillship that could drill to a depth of 11,400m.
He said that the ship which will arrive in Turkey in March will join the Fatih and Yavuz in conducting exploratory drilling for Turkish Petroleum later this year.
Regarding Turkey’s activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdoğan said that countries involved in the region, particularly Greece had started to accept Turkey’s determined stance and status in the Mediterranean.
“The balances in the Mediterranean are shifting in our favour after signing the deal with Libya. The European Union (EU) does not have the authority to make any decisions concerning Libya, whether it is on land or at sea”, he said.
“Any solution excluding Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in the region could not be implemented,” the Director-General for Bilateral Political & Maritime-Aviation-Border Affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Çağatay Erciyes said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a conference entitled “Turkey’s maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean and its foreign policy on the energy issue” organised by the Turkish Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C., Erciyes argued that no one could ignore the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean, despite the fact the north was not recognized by other countries.
Erciyes also argued that Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are based on legitimate rights.
Touching on the agreement signed between Turkey and Libya, Erciyes said: “the lines drawn as a result of this agreement outlines Turkey’s continental shelf.”
Speaking at a different panel discussion organised by the Global Policies Institute, Erciyes criticised the European Union (EU) for its statements against Turkey.
“It is not fair for the EU to call on Turkey to stop its hydrocarbon activities and to respect one of its member states’ sovereign rights,” Erciyes said.
He added that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled recently that the Union does not have any authority in identifying maritime borders.
“The most optimal was for the solution of the problems in the Eastern Mediterranean is through dialogue,” Erciyes stressed and reiterated that “no agreement can be successful without Turkey.”
“Both Turkey and Greece can change the current situation to a win-win situation through dialogue,” Erciyes said.
“It is not right to blame Turkey on this issue. We are only protecting our rights. We are determined to protect both the rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots,” Erciyes concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Countries involved in the region, particularly Greece have started to accept Turkey’s determined stance & status in the Med.
>> The balances in the Med are shifting in Turkey’s favour after signing the deal with Libya.
>> The EU does not have the authority to make any decisions concerning Libya, whether it is on land or at sea.
The north is cheaper than the south by 34 per cent
Kıbrıs, Havadis
Economy
OVERVIEW
“The north is cheaper than the south by 34 per cent according to a research conducted by the Supermarkets’ Association,” some dailies reported on Thursday.
Head of the association Fuat Nalcıoğlu told a press conference on Wednesday that a comparison of basic consumables and staple food items was conducted in supermarkets across the divide in their research.
The result of the research revealed that a shopping cart in the north amounted to ₺300 (approx. €46) while the same items cost €68.29 (₺450 approx.) in the south.
Nalcıoğlu noted that the association believes the 10 per cent VAT (Value added tax) decrease had contributed to making the north more affordable. “We believe the remaining 20 per cent is the result of the competition in the sector,” he added.
Also speaking during the press conference, Turkish Cypriot Economy Minister Hasan Taçoy drew attention to the contribution of the increase in the number of Greek Cypriots who shop in the north had on the north’s economy.
He added there is a 0.5 per cent increase in the Net Domestic Product (NDP).
Taçoy also said the goal of the government is to achieve 1.8 per cent economic growth in 2020.
TCs not the happiest in Europe, reveals Eurobarometer
Yenidüzen, Havadis
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriots ranked third place from the bottom in the happiness index according to Eurobarometer 92 research, several dailies reported on Thursday. Compared to the average of 84 per cent in the European Union (EU) and 89 per cent in the south on the happiness index, it is 62 per cent in the Turkish Cypriot community.
Turkish Cypriots believe that rising prices and the economic situation are the most important issues facing their community and personally themselves.
According to the Eurobarometer survey, the majority of Turkish Cypriots, or 55 per cent, judge the economic situation in their community to be bad, while 38 per cent say they expect the economy to stay in the same condition for the next 12 months. 22 per cent expect the economic situation to improve in a year.
According to the results of the research, Turkish Cypriots are most concerned with the increase in prices, inflation and unemployment. The Cyprus problem ranked fifth place with 11 per cent among the list of issues of concern.
Turkish Cypriots also trust the European Union (EU) according to the survey. While the level of trust in the European Parliament (EP) is 51 per cent among the 28 European countries, the results show that 58 per cent of the Turkish Cypriots trust the EP. Compared to 47 per cent of Europeans trusting the European Commission (EC), 59 per cent of the Turkish Cypriots expressed trust in the EC.
Poor figures in the north, ‘record’ increase in the south
Yenidüzen
Economy
OVERVIEW
Even though a 6.3 per cent increase in tourist arrivals had been recorded in the month of January in the north, figures of overnight stays at hotels are disappointing, Yenidüzen reports.
In January 2020, 112,000 tourists have arrived in the north compared to 85,000 in the south.
Speaking to Yenidüzen, Orhan Tolun, head of Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents’ Association noted that the increase in the number of arrivals did not mean the tourism sector was booming.
“When one compares overnight stays at hotels, it can easily be seen that the south is three times ahead in tourism figures,” Tolun said, adding that only 62,000 of the 112.232 tourists who visited the north actually stayed in any of the hotels.
Tolun noted that there is an increase in the number of arrivals of Turkish tourists, whereas in the same period 318,696 people of different nationalities had crossed to the north through the crossing points.
“Tourism is the only economically sustainable sector in the north,” he and urged the state to increase its subsidies and publicity activities.
Tolun also urged the state to also fight against the grey economy in tourism as well. Tolun noted that the state only monitors the number of overnight stays at hotels but there are not any clear figures on home-rentals or other types of accommodation.
“There are many homes purchased by Russians and Brits in İskele (Trikomo) or Kyrenia which are rented out to other foreigners. Such off-the-books economic activity is a major loss of income for the state,” Tolun said.
According to data from the Greek Cypriot statistics department, the south with a 4.5 per cent increase recorded 85.622 arrivals in the month of January.
Among the arrivals, 57.6 per cent came to the south for a holiday, 22.9 to visit family or relatives, and 19.2 for business purposes.