Front Page Headlines
The Norwegians got back to us on cheap electricity
Letters to the president and the finance and energy ministers. They promise €100m in savings annually for the EAC (electricity authority) and benefit for consumers. Their proposal aims at expediting by two years the arrival of gas without the revision of state plans.
- We want to. Do they? (Cyprus wants EU sanctions on Turkey)
- Coronavirus: Concerns over foreign nationals
- Slow steps to normalcy: To the beaches as of July
Lifting of measures every 15 days
Before each decision there will be scientific assessment of the virus transmission to the people. Concerns over the fact that population groups have not been checked yet, mainly foreign nationals who will be returning to the construction sites when they reopen.
- Political games in Pyla amidst the pandemic – Ozersay stopped TCs from being tested for coronavirus. A sample taking was scheduled in Pyla by the health ministry but only GCs went. He sent over people from the occupied areas to carry out their own tests but the British did not allow them to cross.
- Ankara slams Akinci over the help from the RoC
- The war in Libya passes daily from Cyprus
Corrective measures after pressure by social partners
Pressure by social partners on the government has brought about significant changes to the support schemes for businesses and workers. The new measures package has three categories and it is expected to be approved today by cabinet and applied within the coming days.
- (Josep Borrell) “Turkish provocations will not be discussed today”
- We honour the memory of peace journalists, Hikmet and Gurkan
- Second phase of GESY is being postponed until fall
- AIDS cases have risen in Cyprus – The tests for tracing the virus and new cases have been put on hold due to the restrictive measures on coronavirus. Tests at check points have been put on ice. High percentages also of syphilis cases.
Initial reopening likely on May 4
Employers push for reopening of as many businesses as safely possible.
- Complaints after foreign delivery delays spoil precious flaounes
Today (outpatient care in) hospitals starts – on May 4 the baton is passed on to the economy
On the decree by the health minister the operation of outpatient care clinics starts today with appointments, to avoid congestion. Soon, scheduled surgeries will be allowed under conditions. The construction industry and relevant professions restart on May 4.
- Chinese ambassador: What Cyprus achieved is a miracle – We beat the whole of Europe. The government took the right measures.
- Tourism –The year is not lost, it is an opportunity to attract tourism from Austria, Switzerland, Israel, and other countries.
Main News
Nicosia will raise Turkey’s provocations issue at EU leaders’ summit
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades will raise the issue of Turkey’s latest violations in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone after its announced plans to drill in an area that covers part of exploration blocks 6 and 7, and call for the implementation of measures against Ankara during Thursday’s European Council.
Though several EU partners have expressed their support to Nicosia at yesterday’s council of foreign ministers, it is not expected that any concrete actions will be made on the matter at the moment.
According to Haravgi and Cyprus Mail, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said after the teleconference on Wednesday of EU foreign ministers that the partners expressed concern over Turkey’s activity in the Eastern Mediterranean and reiterated their full solidarity with Cyprus.
He also said however, that he did not think
the EU27 leaders, would touch upon the issue on Thursday since the European Council
will be fully devoted to the economic answer to the coronavirus crisis.
“On Turkey, in light of the most recent actions of Turkey related to
drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean we reiterated our unwavering solidarity
and support with Cyprus and Greece. And we will continue nevertheless our
diplomatic engagement with Turkey, to try steer our relationship towards a
cooperative and constructive approach”, Borrell stated according to the papers.
All dailies also report on statements to the Cyprus News Agency by ambassadors of foreign countries in Cyprus who expresses their support to Nicosia.
Cyprus Mail reports that UN Security Council permanent members China and France, as well as Italy, voiced support for Cyprus on Wednesday, as Turkey has once more dispatched a drillship to explore for natural gas inside the island’s EEZ.
The dailies report that France’s embassy said it was following the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean closely, reiterating that its position, made clear on several occasions, is that Turkish drillings in Cyprus’ EEZ constitute a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and of international law.
The embassy said restraint should prevail more than ever as everyone needed to focus their energy on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
An Italian source told CNA that it was monitoring developments carefully but with concern.
It said Rome was in close contact with ENI since the Turkish drillship planned on venturing in areas that overlapped concessions 6 and 7.
Israel’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Sammy Revel, too expressed grave concern about Turkey’s intention to drill in Cyprus’ EEZ and reiterated full solidarity with Nicosia in exercising its rights in its maritime zones, and its opposition to any attempt to violate these rights.
The dailies also report that Chinese ambassador Huang Xingyuan said his country understood and supported the efforts Cyprus was making to safeguard its territorial integrity.
“In light if the ongoing pandemic, we hope not to see actions that obstruct or distract attention from joint efforts to fight Covid-19,” he said.
He called on all parties to show self-restraint and cease all actions that could escalate the situation further.
Phileleftheros and Haravgi also report that the Turkish foreign ministry, in response to an announcement by Greece on Ankara’s drilling activities said that Athens, once again exhibits her unrealistic perceptions and rights-refusing attitudes regarding the problems in the region.
The Greek/GC side deliberately ignores the fact that Turkey has legitimate and sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea and TCs have equal rights, as the co-owner of the island, on the resources around it, the Turkish foreign ministry’ spokesman Hami Aksoy said.
The actual threat to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is the maximalist and uncompromising attitude of the Greek and GC duo, he said among other things.
Phileleftheros, citing sources, also reports that Borrell did not conceal from the EU foreign ministers his frustration and dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Turkish FM, who did not show any disposition for cooperation. Instead, he repeated the standing Turkish positions on the subject.
During the discussion by the EU FMs, the positions of the Republic of Cyprus were explained, for which there has been understanding, the daily reported.
Nicosia found support in its positions from a significant number of EU states such as France, Italy, Greece, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Estonia.
The daily reports that discussion on the issue of Turkish violations in the Cypriot EEZ will continue today at the European Council where Anastasiades will raise the issue recalling at the same time last February’s decision for targeted measures against Turkey for its illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus.
Nicosia’s goal is to get a declared intention from its European partners to move forward with the next step in implementing the decision. It is understood, however, that due to the prevailing situation attention is focused on the efforts made against the spread of coronavirus.
Nicosia has however already taken various actions and there was an agreement with the Greek government that there should be coordination on the matter. There has also been communication with governments in other countries for information on Ankara’s actions in the region and the effort to create new faits accomplish. Citing information, the daily reports that the Cypriot government expects that there will be a clearer picture of the degree of reaction of Brussels as regards Ankara after today’s European Council teleconference.
Politis reports that Nicosia wants the implementation of the EU sanctions on Turkey but it is not hopeful this will be achieved. Countries like Germany are not likely to agree to this. Both the foreign ministry and the president seem to realise the prevailing climate within the EU at the moment and are trying to approach the matter methodically, the daily reports.
In another article, Politis reports that at a time when energy giants suspend their drilling activities in the region, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to take advantage of the situation by sending out the message both internally and to the world that he is powerful and has control over developments while claiming his country’s rights.
KEY ACTORS
Borrel (EU)
>> EU member states express concern over Turkey’s activity in the East Med & reiterated their full solidarity with Cyprus & Greece.
>> The EU will continue its diplomatic engagement with Turkey, to try steer this relationship towards a cooperative & constructive approach.
France
>> Follows closely the situation in the East Med & reiterates that Turkish drillings in Cyprus’ EEZ are a violation of the sovereignty of the RoC and of international law.
Revel (Israel’s Ambassador to Cy)
>> Gravely concerned about Turkey’s intention to drill in Cyprus’ EEZ & reiterates full solidarity with Nicosia in exercising its rights in its maritime zones & Israel’s opposition to any attempt to violate these rights.
Xingyuan (China’s Ambassador to Cy)
>> China understands & supports Cyprus’s efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity.
>> Calls on all parties to show self-restraint & stop actions that could further escalate the situation.
Aksoy (Turkish FM spokesperson)
>> Athens has unrealistic perceptions & rights-refusing attitudes regarding the problems in the region.
>> Greeks and GCs deliberately ignore the fact that Turkey has legitimate and sovereign rights in the East Med and the Aegean Sea & that TCs have equal rights on the resources around Cyprus as the co-owner of the island.
>> The actual threat to peace and stability in the East Med is the maximalist and uncompromising attitude of the Greek and GC duo.
Turkey flies ammunition to Libya via Nicosia FIR
Phileleftheros
Internal Security, Regional/International Relations
The paper reports that Turkey, and sometimes Russia, are dispatching military equipment and personnel to Libya by using the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR).
The daily reports that Russia has been using its bases in Syria, as a stopover for the supply and refuelling of friendly forces in Libya, with a number of flights of military aircraft every week.
However, a larger, regular air supply bridge for ammunition and heavy weapons, but also significant numbers of Islamist guerrillas from Syria is implemented by Turkey, through the Nicosia FIR after Greece reacted and significantly reduced approvals for the passage of such flights through Athens FIR, the daily reports.
According to the paper, daily flights are recorded by a transport aircraft registered to the Air Force of the ‘government’ army of Libya, as well as by an Airbus A300B4-622R chartered by a company based in St. Marino, that are flying from Istanbul to Libya via the Nicosia FIR.
Last Thursday afternoon, all forces of the eastern and central Mediterranean were put on alert when five warplanes from Turkey entered almost simultaneously the Nicosia FIR. The aircraft arrived through the southwestern part of the FIR and headed to Libya.
Citing data it collected, the daily reports that the Republic of Cyprus deals with these flights, involving military material transport in an area where prohibitive measures are imposed by the UK, with the usual procedure on overflights.
Majority of Pyla TCs forgo Covid-19 testing
Phileleftheros
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the initiative by Pyla’s GC community leader and some progressive TCs for coronavirus testing in the village was marred by the interference of ‘foreign minister’ Kudret Ozersay who, urged TCs at the village not to get tested and that he would send health officials from the north to do that.
According to the paper, a simple procedure was turned into a political thriller starring Ozersay, who, after being informed by members of his party that GCs and TCs would be given free tests on Wednesday by the government he called on TCs through their leaders not to dare take part and that he would be sending over health officials from the north to test those who wished to.
The British Bases police however did not allow the TC health officials cross from the north to Pyla through Pergamos crossing informing them that they would have to be first placed in quarantine. As a result, they left.
Around 80 people got tested of which only one TC, a young woman, the daily reported. Another 25 TCs did not go to the testing fearing being stigmatised, the paper reported. The tests were carried out by a private company on behalf of the health ministry.
Pyla’s GC community leader Simos Mytides expressed his disappointment by the way things turned out also criticising Ozersay’s stance and thanking the presidency for its quick response to their request for the testing.
The paper said that this joint effort by GCs and TCs was politically exploited by Ozersay and as a result several TCs were left untested.
Bicommunal group raise questions over Mufti-Church relations
Phileleftheros
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the Union of Cypriots has raised a series of questions concerning Talip Atalay and criticise Archbishop Chrysostomos who agreed to name “an illegal Turkish settler” as the ‘Mufti of Cyprus’.
The paper published an announcement by the Union of Cypriots who said that they condemn the Church of Cyprus’ and the archbishop’s pronouncement of an illegal Turkish settler as the ‘Mufti of Cyprus’.
The group said they wanted to shed light on the matter and inform all Cypriots about the scandalous relationship between Archbishop Chrysostomos II and Erdogan’s chosen one, Talip Atalay.
Atalay, the group said whom the archbishop likes to call as the ‘Mufti of Cyprus’, is a native of Turkey who moved in 1975 with his family to Cyprus, during a wave of mass illegal settlement of the Varosha neighbourhood in Famagusta.
Atalay was in 2015 a parliamentary candidate in the Turkish elections with Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party.
To this day he has been illegally occupying properties of Greek speaking Cypriots whilst at the same time he is granted, by exception, the right to move freely across the non-occupied areas of Cyprus, the group said. They added that he enjoys a title that lends him authority and respectability in the international arena under the auspices of the Church of Cyprus and the ones who control the Cypriot state today.
They stressed that Turkish-speaking Cypriots are considered one of the most secular societies in the world with their religious feelings verging on the borders of anti-Islamist sentiment, and that the community rejects any kind of theological authority.
They also said that the ‘Department of Religious Affairs’ in the occupied area is instrumental for Turkey’s massive mosque building activities and meddling in the affairs of Turkish-speaking Cypriots through an ever increasing community of “illegal Turkish settlers”.
The group posed a number of questions to be answered by the Church of Cyprus, the archbishop and the ones who control the Republic of Cyprus today.
They want to know under which law can the Church of Cyprus unilaterally pronounce an illegal Turkish settler as the ‘Mufti of Cyprus’ or the ‘Mufti of Turkish-speaking Cypriots’, especially when not even the TCs accept such a title or authority.
How is it possible to allow an illegal Turkish settler who is not a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus to enter and move across all areas of the Republic for almost a decade? the group also asked.
They also provided a link to an online PDF document prepared by the education ministry for pupils which also mentions Atalay as the Mufti of Cyprus asking if the people who control the RoC also recognise this “illegal settler as the ‘Mufti of Cyprus’”.
The group also said that the archbishop’s actions are introducing an extra layer of segregation between Turkish and Greek speaking Cypriots.
The archbishop is breathing life into a non-existent, fabricated divisive element of the Cypriot issue, they said adding that the lack of TCs’ interest in religious matters is making the Church primate even more flirtatious with the occupiers.
Haravgi honours memory of assassinated TC publishers
Haravgi
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily marks the 58th anniversary since the assassination of the publishers of TC paper Cumhuriyet, Ayhan Hikmet and Ahmet Gurkan.
The two men were lawyers and journalists who had also established the Cyprus Turkish People’s Party in September 1960 aimed at encouraging cooperation between the two communities and to embed the Republic of Cyprus in the minds of people, the paper reported.
They were assassinated a few hours after threatening they would reveal the names of those behind the explosion of bombs in 1962 at the Bayraktar mosque in Nicosia, the paper reports. The bombs were placed there by TMT, the paper reported, adding that it would host a more detailed article in their memory in its Saturday edition.