GCC Press Review 14 Mar 2020

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Lack of boldness for measures increased cases

UK and Greece were constantly in and out of the restrictions list. Confirmed cases reached 26, five of which in the occupied areas. About 800 suspicious cases were investigated by Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics.

  • Signal by Commission for wide support: Economy “sneezes” too
  • Schools will remain closed until 10/4: Borders padlocked for 15 days – No provision for Cypriot students
  • Occupied areas under quarantine
  • Greece: They shutter everything

Phileleftheros

Entry prohibited

President announced decisive measures to deal with spread of coronavirus. The entry of foreign nationals is prohibited for 15 days, except for those that are permanent residents of Cyprus, are students or are workers.

  • No one is above the decisions”: The President indicates that Holy Synod should comply
  • Shopping centers and cafes close in Greece
  • Five cases in the occupied areas
  • Interview by the Ecumenical Patriarch to “F”: Ukrainian autocephaly a done fact
  • Frontex deployment at Evros
  • Conspiracy theories, says Niyazi about migration

Haravgi

Doors for tourists closed until further notice…

Schools to remain closed until April 10. Suspension of operations for gyms and KOA (Cyprus Sports Organisation) spaces. All who come from China, Italy, Iran, Korea in quarantine. All match fixtures suspended.

  • They failed over refugee – migration issue

Cyprus Mail

Partial entry ban imposed

President addresses the nation. Seven new cases, total now up to 21. Schools to stay shut until April 10.

  • Europe: Europe is the epicenter of Covid-19

Alithia

Borders closed for 15 days

Only Cypriot citizens and Europeans and legal inhabitants from third countries can travel to Cyprus. Arrival of tourists stops, only Cypriot citizens will cross checkpoints, schools closed until April 10. Eleven more confirmed cases yesterday and three in the occupied areas. We reached 26 in the whole of Cyprus. President Anastasiades and M. Akinci decided boosting exchange of information through Technical Committee for Health. Church falls within range of checks for 75 people, the Police clarifies. 150 checks, one report. Everyone who doesn’t self-isolate threatened with arrest in the occupied areas. Akinci suggests closure of praying spaces.

  • Hysteria in Europe and America – Greece: Shuttered everyting – Britain: Issued travel advisory for Cyprus
  • DISY for migration: Does AKEL agree with Niyazi’s (talk of) “conspiracy theories”?
  • Ombudsman: Determines there was incident of racism in football. Asks for investigation

Main News

Government limits entry – G/Cs and T/Cs pledge to exchange information

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs, Negotiations Process, EU Matters

OVERVIEW

The dailies report on a series of new measures announced by President Anastasiades in a televised speech on Friday. The new measures limit entry into the RoC, limit passage through checkpoints mainly to G/Cs and T/Cs, as well as the closure of schools and universities until April 10 as part of the efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the country. Also according to reports, President Anastasiades and T/C leader Mustafa Akinci agreed to step up exchange of information through the bicommunal Technical Committee for Health.

Newspapers report citing the Cyprus News Agency that Anastasiades announced in a tweet that he had a telephone discussion with Akinci on the issue and decided to increase exchange of information. Akinci was more forthcoming with information in a post on Facbook. Akinci said that the two leaders call together on all Cypriots to use the three open checkpoints only when it’s absolutely necessary.

Akinci added that since the threat is common, the struggle is also common. He said that the leadesr agreed that the T/C side will be informed swiftly of T/C arrivals from abroad in order to place them in quarantine.

The head of the Cyprus Institute for Neurology and Genetics Leonidas Phylactou told CNA that the Institute is ready to handle an increased amount of tests for the coronavirus without delays or queues. He also said that he can no longer give data on the number of tests conducted since there is a steady flow.

Phylactou, who is also the G/C of the Technical Committee on Health also said that the members of the committee are in constant communication, exchanging information and opinions, keeping each other up to date regarding the detection of new cases.

Anastasiades announced in a televised speedh that starting from Sunday and for 15 days, only Cypriot citizens, legal residents and European citizens or third country citizens working in the country can enter the country. People arriving from severely affected areas such as the Hubei region of China, Italy, Iran and Korea will have to be under medical isolation for 14 days, while people arrriving from other countries will have to self-isolate for the same period.

Regarding the checkpoints, the RoC government decided that only Cypriot citizens (G/Cs and T/Cs), legal inhabitants of the government controlled areas and diplomats will be able to cross.

Anastasiades also said that no one is above the collective decisions for measures, sending an indirect message to the Church of Cyprus. He pointed out that the faithful need to draw on their faith but that no one can be excluded from the measures.

Bicommunal Peace Iniative “United Cyprus” issued an announcement calling the two leaders to rise up to the occasion by developing cooperation and common infrastructures. Any unilateral measures from either side do not contribute to protecting the citizens and add obstacles to the cooperation needed to succesfully fight against the virus, while spreading nationalism much faster. The sides should consider setting up a coordinating center for all of Cyprus, the Initiative adds. Members of the Initiative placed olive branches on the barricades in a symbolic action on Friday.

CNA reports that UNFICYP is in constant contact with the two sides regarding the handling of the checkpoints, citing a statement by spokesperson Aleem Siddique. Siddique also said that UNFICYP head Elizabeth Spehar is not so far scheduled to meet with Anastasiades or Akinci. The UN’s main message is that exchange of information and cooperation is important, he added.

The dailies also report that the House of Represantives convened on Friday despite the limits imposed by the government. Haravgi reports that the reason of the meeting was not the current situation but the question of approving promotions in the National Guard.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> We agreed with Akinci to increase exchange of information through the bicommunal Technical Committee for Health

Akinci
>> The two leaders call on all Cypriots to use the three checkpoints that remain open only when it’s absolutely necessary
>> The threat is common so the struggle is common

Phylactou (G/C head of comm. on health)
>> Members of the committee in constant communication, exchanging information

Bicommunal Peace Iniative
>> The two leaders should rise to the occasion by developing cooperation and common infrastructures
>> Unilateral measures do not contribute to protecting citizens
>> Sides should consider setting up coordinating center for all of Cyprus

Siddique (UNFICYP spokesp.)
>> UNFICYP in constant contact with the sides over checkpoints
>> No meeting scheduled by Spehar with Anastasiades or Akinci
>> Our main message is that exchange of information and cooperation is important


Kizilyurek says thatgovernment peddles conspiracy theories, DISY reacts

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Migration & Citizenship, Human Rights, Internal Security, External Security, EU Matters

OVERVIEW

Haravgi reports on statements by AKEL MEP Niyazi Kizilyurek to the Cyprus News Agency on Turkey’s actions on the border with Greece and migration. Commenting on the ongoing discussion in the European Parliament, Kizilyurek pointed out that the best way to support Greece is for other EU countries to accept the resettlement of migrants.

Kizilyurek also said that references made by politicians regarding the existence of a specific plan by Turkey to send migrants to Cyprus are superficial and are a conspiracy theory for internal consumption.

The MEP said that the issue should be seen in a wider context, and recalled that the EU offered money to Turkey to limit migration flows. The resulting deal was shameful for the EU since Europe chose “to trade in human souls” rather than formulate a workable strategy to accept and integrate refugees, he pointed out.

Kizilyurek further added that Erdogan used this to gain leverage against the EU when it was convenient politically. Regardless of morality, he added, the behaviour of both Greece and the EU also contravene international law by denying to examine asylum claims.

Regarding the stance of Cyprus, Kizilyurek said that the country is vulnerable due to the situation on the Green Line and added that the RoC should push for an end to the Dublin Agreement, the creation of safe pathways for migrants and a system to equally distribute migrants in the EU.

Phileleftheros reports that DISY reacted to Kizilyurek’s statements, accusing him of making statements for internal consumption. In an announcement, the governing party called the MEP to closely follow statements by Turkish and European officials and the evidence coming from Evros. DISY asked AKEL to clarify if the MEP’s statements reflect the party’s positions.

Haravgi reports in a feature on migration that the government’s and the EU’s policies in the issue has failed. According to the report the government is to blame for the large delays in the processing of asylum applications, leading to more than 17,000 applications piling up by the end of 2019 according to Minister of the Interior data.

UNHCR Cyprus spokesperson Emilia Strovolidou told Haravgi that the government did not seek to coordinate its measures with the UN agency or even to inform it of its plans. Strovolidou pointed out that the reduced period of appeal contradicts the equality and anti-discrimination provisions of the Cypriot constitution. She also said that the increase of specialised staff is one of the positives in the government’s plan.

Strovolidou also points out that the government has not clarified if asylum applicants will be able to leave the new refugee centers, recalling that according to EU regulations and international law applicants should at the very least have access to external doctors and the ability to visit Asylum Services to inquire on the status of their application.

Haravgi reports on statements by AKEL MEP Niyazi Kizilyurek to the Cyprus News Agency on Turkey’s actions on the border with Greece and migration. Commenting on the ongoing discussion in the European Parliament, Kizilyurek pointed out that the best way to support Greece is for other EU countries to accept the resettlement of migrants.

KEY ACTORS
Kizilyurek (AKEL MEP)
>> The best way to support Greece is for EU countries to accept resettlement of migrants
>> References to an organised plans by Turkey to send migrants to Cyprus are superficial and a conspiracy theory for internal consumption
>> The Turkey – EU deal on migration was shameful because the EU abandonded its principles and embraced a trade in human souls
>> Regardless of morality, EU and Greece and breaking international law when they deny asylum claims
>> Cyprus is vulnerable due to the Green Line which is why it should push for an end to the Dublin Agreement and the creation of a comprehensive plan for migrant distribution

DISY
>> Kizilyurek is making statements for internal consumption and should look to statements by Turkish and European officials for confirmation
>> AKEL should respond whether the MEP’s positions reflect its own

Strovolidou (UNHCR)
>> RoC government did not seek to coordinate or even inform the UN agency about its migration plans
>> Reduced period of appeal contradicts the Cypriot constitution and international law
>> Increase of asylum prosessing staff a positive element of the plan
>> Government needs to clarify if and when asylum applicants can leave the refugee centers


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