Front Page Headlines
Schools opened, fights began
Education Ministry expresses satisfaction, teachers and PSEM (student coordinating committee) complain. Commissioner for protecting children gives assurances to parents for tele-education from class, which is rejected by (teachers’ unions) OELMEK – POED. P. Prodromou: Some are trying to create a problem with distance learning.
- They’re not in a hurry in the occupied areas
First experiment was successful
Return of last-year students to schools sends optimistic messages despite partial problems. Ministry, OELMEK and parents satisfied – Organised students dissatisfied.
- They discuss schools again: Scientists concerned due to latest cases
- Bartholomew targeted by Turks: They present the Patriarch as Gulen’s collaborator
- Loud message for Turkey from 5 FΜs
AKEL calls for support first of all, not loans
Grants are one thing, guarantees for loans are another. It should not be up to the banks who they will give loans to. AKEL moves ahead with submitting amendments.
- Concerns by AKEL – CTP for health
- Anastasiades government says it has no money to give for refugees (displaced)
- Republic on the dock regarding use of military guns against citizens
- Concern over positive tests among vulnerable groups. Three new cases yesterday, total 901
Schools reopen for exam pupils
Complaints that those at home were unable to access promised teleconferencing.
They showed everyone how it is done
Our students showed maturity and seriousness yesterday, the first day of school in the post-coronavirus era.
- Because of coronavirus: T/cypriots strive for recognition through WHO
- We did well yesterday: Three new cases and some concerns
- Diplomacy started: Turkey promotes itself as a “success story”
Main News
Cyprus discusses Turkey’s behaviour in regional teleconference
Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
External Security, Energy, Regional/ International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, France and the United Arab Emirates met on Monday via teleconference to discuss Turkey’s behaviour in the region, Phileleftheros reports. Haravgi also reports on the story, pointing out that the Cypriot Foreign Minister consulted with the allies of general Haftar, who is fighting against the UN-recognised Libyan government.
According to an announcement issued by the Cypriot Foreign Ministry, the five Foreign Ministers discussed the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey’s role in the region.
In a joint statement, the five countries condemned Turkey’s illegal drillings in the Cypriot EEZ, the infringement of Greek airspace by Turkish military aircraft, and Turkey’s use of migrants for political purposes. They also called on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of all countries in the region over their maritime zones and borders.
They reiterated that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Turkey and Libya’s Tripoli government contravenes international law and undermines regional stability. The five countries also expressed regret over the situation in Libya and asked that Turkey respect the arms embargo imposed by the UN and halt the transfer of foreign fighters to the country from Syria.
In another news reported by Phileleftheros, US ambassador to Nicosia Judith Garber visited the headquarters of the General Staff of the National Guard (GEEF) to discuss the strengthening of bilateral military cooperation. According to an announcement by GEEF, Garber discussed regional developments with the chief of the National Guard, lieutenant-general Dimokritos Zervakis.
Phileleftheros also reports, citing statements made by Turkish and T/C officials, that Turkey and the T/Cs are attempting to bring back to the table proposals such as an exploration moratorium or the inclusion of natual gas in negotiations.
Turkey’s Energy Minister Fatih Donmez told Turkish newspaperMilliyet that the country wishes to participate in transferring the region’s natural gas to international markets, pointing out that this would be the most economically beneficial solution for all parties. Donmez also said that the country will continue exploration in the region in areas licensed by the Turkish Cypriots to TPAO.
Phileleftheros also reports that T/C leader Mustafa Akinci repeated his older proposal for either a moratorium in exploration or bicommunal cooperation on energy during an interview with T/C channelAda TV. Akinci said that he had submitted this proposal in July 2019 but that it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots. He added that if neither a moratorium or cooperation can be achieved, then the two sides will continue acting seperately.
Akinci pointed out that ENI and Total’s postponment of operations should not be seen as the beginning of a drilling moratorium and that they do not reflect a political decision by the G/C side. He added that the break in exploration due to the coronavirus should be an opportunity for the G/Cs to reconsider his porposal.
AKEL and CTP issue statement on health and checkpoints
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Human Rights, Internal Security, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Dailies report on a joint statement issued by AKEL and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP ) regarding the need that the two sides cooperate on health and in handling the coronavirus pandemic. Both leftist parties are in opposition in their respective communities.
Meanwhile, the bicommunal Technical Committee for Health is expected to meet on Wednesday, Politis and Haravgi report. T/C leader Mustafa Akinci said that the Technical Committee should come up with a joint proposal to the leaders over the reopening of checkpoints.
Akinci added that both sides clearly want to reopen the checkpoints, but added that this would happen in the right way and that experts should be the first to give an opinion.
Politis reports that Wednesday’s meeting of the Technical Committee is also important in that the experts wil be able to assess whether the two sides have taken enough measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus. This assessment will be important regarding further decisions by both sides, the newspaper notes. Politis also cites information that the leaders of the Technical Committee were in constant communication throughout this period.
AKEL and CTP noted in their joint statement that checkpoints should be reopen by both communities once the situation allows it. AKEL and CTP pointed out that both sides need to conduct health checks and ensure the necessary measures are in place before people are able to cross once again.
They also announced that they are in consulation in order to prepare specific proposals, and underlined that Cypriots’ fate is common and that the only way to solve problems is through cooperation and solidarity.
The two parties express solidarity to all health professionals and commend all Cypriots for their responsiveness to the measures imposed across the island to limit the spread of the coronavirus. They also call for cooperation through the bicommunal Technical Committee for health to be strengthened.
Phileleftheros reports that the reopening of the checkpoints seems to be low on the priorities of both sides. The newspaper reports that government sources avoid making specific predictions regarding the issue, with some saying that the issue was not even discussed.
Meanwhile, the newspaper is reporting that the T/C “administration” is preparing to install more speed control cameras alongside the Nicosia – Kyrienia road, as part of a project funded by the Turkish government.
Politis also reports that the T/C side seems to not be in a hurry regarding the reopening of the checkpoints, despite the fact that no new cases have been detected in the north in the past 21 days. According to the newspaper, the reasons for this are that T/C do not want to gamble with reopening the tourism sector too soon, and that the “government” does not want to take further risks ahead of October’s election.
Phileleftheros also reports that the community president of Pyroi, Constantinos Adamou, has sent a letter to President Anastasiades bringing up once again the need to open the road connecting Nicosia and Larnaca through the occupied village. Adamou has asked for a meeting with Anastasiades in order to present issues that have come up for the region because of the coronavirus, in a bid to include the Pyroi issue in any future discussion regarding the checkpoints, especially since the government is preparing proposals over the rules on the functioning of the Green Line Regulation.
In other coronavirus-related news, three new cases were detected in the government-controlled areas on Monday, according to the latest update by the governmnent’s epidemiological team. Professor Leontios Kostrikkis pointed out that this week will be crucial for the future of the further loosening of measures, since it is the first week during which last-year students have returned to schools.
The total of coronavirus cases detected in the government-controlled areas (including the SBAs) has reached 901, while no new cases were detected in the occupied areas where the number of casees remains at 108. Also on Monday, the last patient being treated for coronavirus in the north was released from hospital.
Technical Committee on Heritage plans for return to work
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal Technical Committee for the protection of Cultural Heritage has announced it is preparing to restart conservation and reconstruction work on ten monuments as soon as applicable restrictions are lifted, the dailies report.
In a statement, the Technical Committee noted that it has continued with its weekly meetings throughout the lockdown period through teleconferencing.
Once measures are lifted, the Technical Committee and the UNDP will oversee the safe resumption of works at ten cultural heritage cites. These include seven mosques in Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca districts, the resumption of conservation works for two churches in the north and the start of the second phase of the reconstruction of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery.
The Technical Committee adds that it is prioritising the effort to include local communities in its operations through its Youth Cultural Heritage Ambassadors.
The members of the committee note that 55 heritage sites have been conserved, reconstructed or saved from collapsing since 2011, with funding from the EU and the technical support of the UNDP.