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50 per cent loss
Businesses which reopened after the lockdown say that business had not returned to normal yet and that their hopes had been postponed to the winter months. “Nothing is the same,” the business owners have said, pointing out that the public’s purchasing power has gone down.
- “We shall meet as soon as the crossings reopen” – Sevgül Uludağ’s article series in Yenidüzen: It emerged that it was Andreas Efstatiu, a relative of a missing Greek Cypriot, who had brought Perlagon brand milk for Birgül Kılıç Yıldırım during the 1974 war when she was just a few months old. Efstatiu has been assisting in the work to identify the missing for years.
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The Güzelyurt (Morphou) retailers suffering severely
Despite reopening their businesses, shopkeepers in Güzelyurt (Morphou) complain that business is low. They said their concerns have been heightened due to uncertainty and financial problems. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the small businesses badly. The retailers do not know how they will overcome the economic crisis. They say they are on the brink of bankruptcy.
- 30,000 people in the private sector faced with the risk of unemployment – Turkish Cypriot Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu spoke on Kıbrıs TV regarding his projects to revive the private sector and to prevent unemployment.
- Public transport companies warn the government – KAR-İŞ (Public Transport Companies’ Association) wants the cabinet to implement the necessary measures regarding the sector, warning that they will stage a protest unless their demands are met.
- Vandalizing our history – Perpetrators continue to vandalize our historical monuments even though tourism is the only sector which will save us at a time of economic recession. People have sprayed graffiti on the castle walls of the Famagusta old town.
No one wears a mask
No one in the north is adhering to the mandatory rule of wearing masks when going outside. It is being observed that many people in supermarkets, cafes, and on the streets do not wear masks. Moreover, those who do have masks are not wearing them properly defeating the whole purpose of the measure. Head of the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association Dr Özlem Gürkut warned behaving as if the virus threat is over is too risky. She urged everyone to continue to adhere to personal hygiene and protective measures.
- The issue of retirement age is on the agenda – Labour and Social Security Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu talked on Bayrak about the issues about social security in the protocol agreement. He said, on one hand, the expenses were on the rise and the other the revenues were decreasing. “There needs to be a balance and one of the ways to establish the balance is to raise the age of retirement,” Sucuoğlu said.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 958 cases, 24 deaths; Turkey 166,422 cases, 4,609 deaths.
- Trying to survive with the ₺2,000 (€267) advance payment – The advance payments from the Provident Fund will start today (Thursday). Nearly 7,800 people are waiting to be paid ₺2,000 (€267).
Acquiring all services become torturous
Citizens wanting to carry out their annual inspections on time to avoid late penalty fines formed long queues in front of the Vehicle Inspection Department. Drivers waited in line under the scorching sun for hours. Speaking to Diyalog, the drivers argued that the government should extend the grace period for inspections to avoid pileups at the inspection department.
It’s not submitting its report to Akıncı
The Turkish Cypriot health ministry is keeping the TRNC’s data on coronavirus secret even from the Office of the President. The National Unity Party (UBP) and Peoples’ Party (HP) government preventing efforts to assess when it will be possible to reopen the crossings. Akıncı said, “Despite our persistence, the health ministry is not sending its report on the TRNC’s figures to my office.” He also urged the Turkish Cypriot authorities to identify and implement the type of measures they see fit for the crossing points. “The crossings must be reopened in a gradual and controlled manner with the necessary health measures in place,” Akıncı said.
- Akıncı called the government for a meeting – Akıncı called Ersin Tatar, Kudret Özersay and Health Minister Ali Pilli for a meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the latest situation regarding the crossings.
- Six new cases in the south – No new cases in the north. 238 tests were administered in the north. 2928 tests were done in the south identifying six new cases.
- Inadequate testing in the north – According to the Greek Cypriot side, 6,000 lab tests for a population of 360,000 is not enough.
- KAR-İŞ to stage a protest with their busses – KAR-İŞ (Public Transport Companies’ Association) want the cabinet to implement the necessary measures regarding the sector or face protest action.
- The cabinet was ashamed to announce the reopening – The nightclubs in the north reopened quietly. In line with the relaxed coronavirus measures, the nightclubs resumed work. However, the cabinet while announcing the reopening of the other sectors could not announce the opening of nightclubs.
Main News
Akıncı angered by delays on reopening crossing points
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı on Wednesday took a swipe at the government in the north for dragging their feet over reopening the crossing points by saying any discussion over who has the authority was unnecessary.
“The bi-communal technical committee on health following evaluating the epidemiological data has concluded that the crossings can be opened gradually after implementing the necessary measures,” Akıncı said during a meeting with Mayor of Akıncılar (Louroudjina) Hasan Barbaros.
He said the island bears the potential for becoming a better place with the solution of the Cyprus problem.
“The bizonal federal solution that is mutually acceptable and is based on the political equality of the two constituent states remains as a goal that can be achieved through political will and determination. Nonetheless, there is great benefit in increasing the communication between the two sides through the crossing points until that day,” Akıncı stressed.
Referring to his telephone conversation with the Greek Cypriot leader, Akıncı recalled they had agreed for the gradual opening of the crossings on June 8 starting Turkish Cypriots working, studying or undergoing treatment in the south and the Greek Cypriots and Maronites who reside permanently in the north
He added that the Greek Cypriot side, as regards the initial opening of crossings on June 8, stated that they would eliminate the 14-day quarantine requirement, ask for a test done in the last 72 hours and then run random tests.
“Our health officials should now determine what kind of regulation they envisaged as soon as possible and complete their preparations to take necessary measures on the crossing points,” Akıncı stressed.
Akıncı said he found the discussion on who has the authority to open the crossings unnecessary and out of place.
“Since the very beginning of the pandemic, I have been advocating the health experts to point to the route to be adopted and for the politicians to follow suit,” he said
Akıncı said that the bi-communal Health Technical Committee on Health that had a teleconference earlier this week had a useful discussion on epidemiological data and concluded that the pandemic was under control on both sides.
He pointed out however that, while the Greek Cypriot side had submitted its epidemiological data in a comprehensive report, the Turkish Cypriot side had not.
Akıncı said that despite his office’s persistent requests to the ‘health ministry’ for the report containing the data on the north, it has yet to be sent.
“It is vital for the report to be concluded and submitted to the presidency to broaden the scope of the initial phase of the reopening the crossings and for better planning in the future,” Akıncı concluded.
Meanwhile, Akıncı called for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay and Health Minister Ali Pilli on Friday to discuss the issue of the crossing points.
Turkish Cypriot members of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health will also be present at the meeting, it was reported.
Also on Wednesday, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman said the Turkish Cypriot health ministry’s attitude not to share detailed information with the office of the president was unacceptable.
“The president openly said the Greek Cypriot health ministry has given the Turkish Cypriot side a comprehensive report containing epidemiological data but our health ministry has yet to submit its report. The discussion on who has authority over the crossing points continues,” Erhürman said.
“It is not possible to accept such a mentality of governance when there are heightened concerns over health and economy,” Erhürman concluded.
CTP MP Armağan Candan also questioned the real reason behind the ongoing closure of the crossing points on Wednesday.
In a post on social media, Candan questioned whether or not the government had alternative motives for keeping the crossing points closed.
“I ask which issues have the government taken seriously? They (government) has been hiding behind the excuse of public health but what preparations have they carried out for the gradual reopening of the crossings?” he asked.
Candan slammed the government for making downplaying the issue of crossings to a matter of authority.
“We have been hearing reports that the Turkish Cypriot side attended the latest meeting ill-prepared and failed to submit epidemiological data. Is the real reason for not opening the crossings health or is there another reason?” he asked.
Debate on Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities continue
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish authorities have made parcelling of the economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean under a deal sealed with Libya, and Ankara is getting ready for drilling activities in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Wednesday.
Turkey’s position in the eastern Mediterranean and the deals made with Libya has two objectives, the minister said in an interview with private broadcaster 24 TV.
“Firstly, to preserve the rights of Turkish Cypriots and secondly to protect our interests in our continental shelf,” he said, emphasizing the maritime boundary delimitation agreement with Libya aims this.
Turkey aims for cooperation with others in the eastern Mediterranean, the minister also underlined.
Turkish and Greek Cypriots should first agree to reach this understanding of cooperation, Çavuşoğlu stated.
The minister recalled that the maritime delimitation area on the side of Turkey is subject to the current plans of drillings activities and the coordinates of this area respect six miles distance from the Greek Islands.
On Ankara’s drilling vessels working in the eastern Mediterranean, the minister said Turkish activities in the region are in line with international law.
Çavuşoğlu also stressed that any agreement on the eastern Mediterranean without Turkish participation would be “null and void” and Ankara would not allow any fait accompli.
“They tried to exclude us. We’re saying that no deal and cooperation will be valid and will yield no result if Turkey is not included,” he said.
Additionally, Hami Aksoy, spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry slammed the Greek Foreign Minister’s remarks on Turkish Petroleum Company’s (TPAO) license application for seismic survey and drilling activities.
“The new licence areas that the TPAO applied for lie within Turkish continental shelf as declared to the United Nations (UN),” Aksoy stressed and reiterated Turkey will be resolutely continuing to exercise its sovereign rights over the area that is repeatedly announced.
“We are fully committed to protecting both our rights and Turkish Cypriots’ rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this regard, our seismic exploration and drilling activities are being carried out according to the previously adopted plan,” Aksoy concluded.
Çağatay Erciyes, director-general for Bilateral Political and Maritime-Aviation-Border Affairs of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, shared maps on his Twitter account displaying the boundaries Turkey’s exclusive economic zone coordinates in the Eastern Mediterranean over the deal with Libya registered to the United Nations and stated that the upcoming exploration of hydrocarbon resources will take place in this region.
Earlier on Tuesday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, told Turkish Cypriot channel, Kanal T, that drilling activities carried out by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean as part of agreements signed with the north were legal.
He said the fact that the north was not recognized internationally did not make the drilling activities unlawful.
Tatar pointed out that Turkish Cypriots could carry out their own drilling activities in the areas through signing agreements with Turkey.
“We have our own state and administration here. We are a part of the world. We will neither abandon settlement talks nor will we allow anyone to brand us as intransigent. We remain open to dialogue with the other countries and leaders,” Tatar concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkey’s East Med position & deals with Libya aims at preserving rights of TCs & protecting Turkey’s interests in its continental shelf.
>> Turkey aims for cooperation with others in the East Med.
>> TCs & GCs should first agree to reach this understanding of cooperation.
>> Turkish activities in East Med in line with int’l law.
>> Any agreement in East Med without Turkish participation would be “null and void”.
>> Ankara will not allow any fait accomplice.
>> New licence areas TPAO has applied for lies within Turkish continental shelf as declared to the UN.
>> Turkey will be resolutely continuing to exercise its sovereign rights over the area that is repeatedly announced.
>> Ankara fully committed to protecting both our rights and TCs’ rights in the East Med.
>> Seismic exploration & drilling activities are being carried out according to the previously adopted plan.
Tatar (UBP)
>> Drilling activities carried out by Turkey in the East Med as part of agreements signed with the north are legal.
>> The fact that the north is not recognized internationally does not make the drilling activities unlawful.
>> TCs have their own state & administration here.
>> We will neither abandon settlement talks nor will we allow anyone to brand us as intransigent.
>> TC side will remain open to dialogue with the other countries & leaders.
Imagine programme’s 2019-20 school year completed
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal “Imagine” project completed the 2019-20 school year with an online webinar for teachers entitled “COVID-19 changes our world – what’s our response as educators?” in collaboration with the German NGO Gesicht Zeigen, several Turkish Cypriots dailies reported on Thursday.
In a statement issued from the bicommunal Technical Committee on Education on Wednesday, the educational program ‘Imagine’ which addresses primary, lower and upper secondary and vocational schools managed to bring together 1,285 students and 162 teachers from Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot schools from all areas of Cyprus during the school year 2019-2020.
The statement noted the “Imagine” project is a two-stage programme focusing on joint education activities promoting bicommunal contact among the target groups.
Stating that the Imagine project is “grounded in a holistic understanding of a culture of peace and non-violence,” in the first stage, experienced trainers visit the schools of participating students and teachers in both communities to facilitate activities that deal with stereotypes, extremism and intolerance, paving the way for voluntary bi-communal contact at the Home for Cooperation (H4C).
Then, in the second stage, groups of students from the two communities, who wish to participate, are paired and meet in the Buffer Zone (BZ) where they take part in either peace education workshops with the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) or sports activities with Peace Players International.
Among the many activities, the “Transformational Leadership for Peace” conference was attended by 92 headteachers as well as by the two leaders.
‘Imagine’, taking place under the auspices of the bicommunal Technical Committee of Education, which was established after the agreement between the two leaders in December 2015, and implemented by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) and the Home for Cooperation (H4C) with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has managed to bring together, since June 2017, 5,091 students accompanied by 582 teachers, while 287 teachers and 92 head teachers were trained in peace education.
589 students (out of the 5091) also participated in sustainability activities thus paving the way for long-lasting relationships and an enriched understanding of peace.
Efforts of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Education and particularly the ‘Imagine’ peace education program has received special praise by the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) in his latest Reports on the United Nations operations in Cyprus, the statement concluded.
LEKAD sends SRSG letter on north’s coronavirus success
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Head of the Lefke (Lefka) and Surrounding Villages Solidarity and Development Society Hakan Oran sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) Elizabeth Spehar requesting that the north’s success in containing the spread of coronavirus be shared with the international community.
Oran who shared details of the letter in a statement pointed out that North Cyprus was the only European destination which had experienced fewer than 110 cases.
He said the success was the result of the Turkish Cypriot community’s collective efforts and should be examined by other countries.