Front Page Headlines
‘They forced us to migrate’
The South: “Bring a negative PCR test and cross”, the North: “If you go don’t come back, if you do you will have to remain in quarantine for 14-days. Following the Greek Cypriot leadership’s decision to lift restrictions on crossings for certain groups, some Turkish Cypriot workers crossed south with their luggage and belongings. The authorities in the north said that anyone crossing south will either have to remain there or be placed in 14-day quarantine when they return. As a result, the workers crossed over to the south not to return.
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They left in tears
Some Turkish Cypriots working in the south crossed to the south on the condition of not returning home to the 14-day quarantine rule in the north. Workers, to earn a living, bid farewell to their families and left with their suitcases. Having agreed not to see their families for two weeks, the workers said: “This is nothing but a forced migration imposed by our officials.” The workers, in addition to their clothes also packed pillows, quilts, and kitchen utensils in their vehicles. They urged the government to revoke its decision as soon as possible for them to reunite with their families after work.
- Kar-İş to continue with its protests – Turkish Cypriot Public Transport Companies’ Association (Kar-İş) will continue its protests today (Wednesday). The cabinet did not adopt measures to satisfy them.
- A coffin marked as “TRNC Tourism” was brought with a funeral procession – KITSAB (Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents Association) staged a protest outside the prime ministry building and presented the cabinet with a list of demands. KITSAB ended its protest after Tatar promised to meet its list of nine demands.
Whoever runs out of patience protests on the streets
The cabinet’s undecided attitude and contradictions on relaxing the Covid-19 measures are resulting in protests from the business community and various circles in the community. The cabinet’s decisions first forced the Turkish Cypriots working in the south to stage a protest outside the parliament building but when they could not achieve what they wanted, the workers had to cross to the south on the condition of remaining there until the crossings are fully open. Another group the cabinet angered was the public transport companies’ association. Kar-İş continued its protests as representatives met with the government. KITSAB was quick to achieve results. KITSAB members and workers staged a protest outside the prime ministry building and in the afternoon they reached an agreement with the cabinet. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar promised to meet the demands of tourism workers, stating that the proposals will be taken into consideration when preparing the second economic relief package to be announced on June 15.
- South Cyprus resumes commercial flights – The Larnaca and Paphos airports, which had been closed since March 21 due to coronavirus pandemic, reopened yesterday (Tuesday) as announced.
- Uncertainty regarding flights from Ercan (Tymbou) airport – Turkish Cypriot Public Works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan said there were no planned flights for the time being from Ercan (Tymbou) airport.
- Akıncı loses his patience – President Mustafa Akıncı described the two-and-a-half page document sent to him by the Turkish Cypriot health ministry as “lacking seriousness.” He had been asking for a detailed report from the health ministry containing coronavirus figures.
- UBP’s Maraş (Varosha) move – National Unity Party (UBP) MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) could be reopened until the end of the year.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 972 cases, 25 deaths; Turkey 172,114 cases, 4,729 deaths.
Is this is how it was going to be
Our workers who work in the south took their bedding with them. Several Turkish Cypriot workers who have been unable to return to their jobs in the south for the past three months due to the coronavirus lockdown measures and who have been experiencing serious economic difficulties crossed South yesterday (Tuesday) through the Metehan (Agios Dhometios) crossing point. Emotional moments were experienced as they crossed. 64-year-old truck driver Mustafa Ruso from Güzelyurt (Morphou) said that he would be sleeping in his car because of the decision taken by the TRNC authorities to place all those returning in quarantine for 14 days. Greek Cypriot police were shocked when they saw the bedding in his car. They asked him, “What are you going to do with the bedding?” Following the reports, several business owners in the South announced they would be providing accommodation for Turkish Cypriot workers.
Goodbye
Our community will not forget this bitter farewell. Turkish Cypriots working in the south have been permitted to cross to the south on the condition that they will not return to the north before July 1. Anyone doing so will be placed in quarantine for 14 days and they will be asked to cover the cost of their accommodation and meals during the quarantine period. The Greek Cypriot community welcomed the Turkish Cypriots working in the south. In announcements made on social media, those who wish to host Turkish Cypriots who do not have a place to stay asked them to get in touch.
- Tayyip Erdoğan: “The attacks on mosques in Cyprus will be reciprocated.”
Main News
Only handful of TC workers cross, drawing ire of Akıncı and others against TC authorities
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs, Economy
OVERVIEW
A group of Turkish Cypriot workers crossed over to the south on Tuesday through certain checkpoints as part of an earlier agreement between the two leaders Mustafa Akıncı and Nicos Anastasiades.
Some 30 Turkish Cypriots who work in the south had been tested with a view of crossing but only eight did so on Monday.
Some dailies reported that 30 of them crossed.
Even though the Greek Cypriot leadership lifted restrictions for entry of workers and students as of Monday, the Turkish Cypriot cabinet insisted on keeping the crossings remain shut until 1 July.
Thus, those who crossed on Tuesday, however, will have to remain in the south until the mandatory 14-day quarantine rule in the north is lifted on July 1.
Those crossing over at Metehan (Ayios Dhometios) crossing point for the first time after nearly three months showed cars packed with stuff including bedding.
Some of the workers who crossed slammed the Turkish Cypriot authorities for its stubbornness, accusing them of treating them as refugees in their own country.
President Mustafa Akıncı on Tuesday criticized the handling of the report by the administration, which he said finds it difficult to act based on common sense and science and preferred political stubbornness.
“It is unfortunate to see the cabinet preferring to insist on unnecessary political competition instead of acting on scientific bases,” Akıncı said in a written statement.
Akıncı said first they said they would submit a report in booklet form but instead they sent around two pages classified as temporary.
“According to the experts’ initial view, it is not quality and serious work. Our side should have prepared a report a long time ago at least like the one by the Greek Cypriot side,” Akıncı said.
He added the health experts have said the document sent was far from being a serious report.
Referring to the statement issued by Dr Bülent Dizdarlı and Dr Yeşim Örek, who are both members of the bicommunal technical committee of health and who had attended the Monday’s meeting, refuting the statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot health ministry on crossings, Akıncı said it is very unfortunate to see the Turkish Cypriot health ministry making contradictory statements to the decisions taken at the Science Board.
“Even though the Science Board had agreed that the crossings could start before July 1, the government’s statement said the contrary,” Akıncı stressed.
“We should implement a gradual and controlled opening by adhering to measures because what matters the most is the community’s health.
Akıncı said from the onset they had said that the developments would be defined by health but what was happening would clearly “do damage to our community”.
Following a ‘cabinet’ meeting in the north, the ‘government’ decided they would meet with the ‘health ministry’ on Thursday to discuss opening travel on July 1.
Speaking after the meeting, Özersay said they will draw up a detailed plan.
However, Özersay did not comment on the checkpoints or the failure of the north to submit a report on coronavirus to the bicommunal committee.
Reiterating Akıncı’s viewpoint, Social Democratic Party (TDP) General Secretary Dr Halil Hızal criticised the Turkish Cypriot health ministry for making false statements to the public on Tuesday.
In a statement from the TDP, Hızal argued the ministry’s decision not to keep minutes of the meeting and the fact that two participants in the meeting had refuted the health ministry’s official statement had raised doubts about the government’s transparency on dealing with the issue.
Touching on the contradiction between Dizdarlı and Örek’s statement with the health ministry statement, Hızal called on the Turkish Cypriot health Minister Ali Pilli to clarify the issues agreed during the Science Board meeting on Monday.
“We have always argued science should lead the way in any decision to be adopted. Moreover, the statements issued by the Science Board must not be questioned in any way either. Otherwise, it will be the Turkish Cypriot community that will be made to suffer,” Hızal concluded.
Abdullah Korkmazhan from the Left Movement also took a swipe at Ersin Tatar and Kudret Özersay on Tuesday.
Holding them both responsible for adopting a political decision not to open the crossings, Korkmazhan said both Tatar and Özersay will pay the price eventually for their political ambitions.
In a written statement, Korkmazhan recalled Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had agreed for the gradual opening of the crossings starting from 8 June onwards.
“Defeated by their political ambitions, both Tatar and Özersay are preventing the reopening of the crossing points, making hundreds of people leaving jobless or force to live inhumane conditions in the south just so that they make a living,” Korkmazhan said.
“Tatar and Özersay will pay a heavy price for forcing Turkish Cypriots to live in exile,” Kormazhan concluded.
Reunification group Unite Cyprus Now (UCN) on Tuesday condemned the Turkish Cypriot authorities, suggesting their decision was politically motivated not science-based.
“The Turkish Cypriot coalition partners continue to defy the recommendations of health experts and have kept the quarantine rule in force,” the group said in a statement.
“Their politically based decision has effectively blocked all crossings across the buffer zone. As we had warned when the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) authorities closed the first four crossing points on February 29, unilateral decisions on the issue risk putting the matter in the hands of agents who want to use it for political aims and enhances division in our country.”
UCN said the containment of the virus presented the two communities with the golden opportunity to work together against a global pandemic that recognized no divisions or human-made boundaries.
The group also presented seven recommendations which included the resumption of crossings before fully opening to international flights.
“The virus entered the island from abroad. Keeping the crossings closed while deciding unilaterally, and separately, on entry points harms all people of Cyprus,” the statement it read.
It also called on both communities to expand and empower the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health for an island-wide strategy and action plan as well as to delegate certain decisions to the committee.
“Coordinate on the opening of ports/airports. Enhance medical cooperation. Coordinate testing, quarantine and treatment. Consider setting up a joint health centre in the buffer zone. Work together to support the health systems and prepare for a second wave on both parts of the island,” UCN urged the two communities.
The group also called on the two communities to empower the Technical Committee on the Economic and Commercial Matters to engage in joint actions to tackle the economic impact of the pandemic.
It pointed out that both Chambers, KEBE (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and KTTO (Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce), have already supported opening the crossings and have suggested taking steps for enhancing economic cooperation on the island.
“Stop equating intra-island mobility with the ports. Cyprus is an island; we should use this to our advantage. In case of a necessity it is possible to apply a lock-down measure by stopping entries into our island without blocking the mobility within,” the statement read.
It also called on the two sides to stop making life difficult for people from different locations who use multiple crossing points for multiple purposes.
Maraş (Varosha) could be opened by the end of the year
Kıbrıs Postası, Havadis
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
“It is possible to reopen the Maraş (Varosha) as long as the required political will is displayed,” National Unity Party (UBP) MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said on Tuesday.
Speaking on GüneşTV, Hasipoğlu highlighted important work on the fenced-off town was currently underway.
Pointing to Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay’s remarks on the town, Hasipoğlu added Ankara’s support behind the efforts to reopen Maraş (Varosha) is encouraging.
“An important meeting was held in Maraş (Varosha) just before the coronavirus pandemic. It was identified during that meeting that Maraş (Varosha) is within the TRNC’s jurisdiction and it can be reopened under the Turkish Cypriot administration in line with international law,” Hasipoğlu said.
He added the technical work including legal and political aspects, was underway based on the road map drawn up during the meeting held in the fenced-off town.
Hasipoğlu also argued the reason to keep Maraş (Varosha) closed for more than 45 years were years of endless and unsuccessful talks for a federal settlement.
“There cannot be any logic for keeping the Maraş (Varosha) closed for more than 45 years with the expectation that the Greek Cypriot side will reach an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot side one day,” Hasipoğlu stressed.
“We will successfully reopen the town,” Hasipoğlu concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> It is possible to reopen the Maraş (Varosha) if the necessary political will is displayed.
>> Ankara’s support behind the efforts to reopen Maraş (Varosha) is encouraging.
>> Maraş (Varosha) is within the “TRNC’s jurisdiction” & can be reopened under the TC administration in line with int’l law.
>> The reason to keep Maraş (Varosha) closed for more than 45 years is unsuccessful talks for a federal solution.
>> No logic for keeping Maraş (Varosha) closed for more than 45 years with the expectation that the GC side will reach an agreement with the TC side one day.
The cabinet and the KITSAB reached an agreement
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
The cabinet was partially relieved of the pressure put by mounting protests from various economic actors in the north when it reached an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents Association (KITSAB) on Tuesday.
The association joined an ongoing protest launched a day earlier by public transport companies who are demanding state support to help them overcome the economic fallout of the lockdown.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar announced on Tuesday an agreement had been struck with KITSAB representatives to end the protest.
“There will be two significant economic steps to be announced on July 1 July 15 and the KITSAB’s demands will be taken into consideration before announcing any new decision,” Tatar said following the meeting.
He noted the tourism sector will also start its normalisation process with the arrival of tourists as of July 1.
Tolun for his part said most of KITSAB’s demands have been met by the cabinet and they were pleased with the development.
Reading the association’s demands, KITSAB president Orhan Tolun highlighted that the tourism sector is the main driving force behind the Turkish Cypriot economy making up nearly 60 per cent of the state’s revenues.
“The tourism sector not only brings 1.1m people to the island but also provides incomes for the workers in 54 other sectors,” Tolun stressed.
KITSAB had asked the government to postpone its mandatory payments until December 2020 in addition to providing low-interest loans with a one-year deferral period.
The protest staged by KITSAB was also supported by the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association (KTOB), Turkish Cypriot Casino Operators Association (CIB), Turkish Cypriot Restaurant Owners’ Association (RES-BIR) and the Association for Owners of Rental Vehicle Companies (KAIB).
Meanwhile, it was also reported later on Tuesday that Kar-İş (Turkish Cypriot Public Transport Companies Association) will be continuing its strike action on grounds that the Council of Ministers had failed to take up the issue at Tuesday’s meeting.
An agreement had been struck earlier with Public Works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan to end the ongoing strike.
The protestors accused the government, claiming it was playing for time.
On the other hand, in a rather surprising move, National Unity Party (UBP) MP Sunat Atun criticized the government on Tuesday.
“The north requires a productive system, which can implement reforms. The current efforts are not adequate because there is no road map in the economy nor is there any leadership,” Atun stressed.
Speaking during a programme on Ada TV,Atun recalling the 2019 World Bank report pointed out that the north is in severe need of structural reforms.
“The economic protocol that was signed with Turkey is perfect in terms of public finances but completely inadequate in terms of supporting the private sector and investors. It is not possible to accuse Ankara of it as it should have been the Turkish Cypriot side doing our homework,” Atun concluded.
Turkey delineates seven blocks in East Med under Libya pact
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy
OVERVIEW
Turkey has determined seven licensed areas in the Eastern Mediterranean for oil exploration and drilling under the recent Libya pact, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez announced Monday.
Speaking during an interview on the TRT Haber, Dönmez said that Turkey completed six drilling studies in the Eastern Mediterranean so far, while the Yavuz drilling vessel is conducting a seventh in the Selçuklu-1 location to the west of Cyprus.
He explained that Turkish drilling procedures fall under two categories: the licensed areas that are issued by the Turkish Cypriot side to Turkey and the licensed areas that are issued by Turkey to Turkish Petroleum (TPAO).
TPAO has already applied in recent weeks to drill in the seven chosen licensed areas in the Eastern Mediterranean under the recent Libya pact.
On Nov. 27, Ankara and Libya’s United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) signed two separate pacts, one that encompasses military cooperation and the other maritime boundaries of the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The maritime pact, effective from Dec. 8, asserted Turkey’s rights in the region in the face of unilateral drilling by South Cyprus, clarifying that the Turkish Cypriot side also has rights to the resources in the area.
“The legal procedure will take almost three months, and if there are no other applications, Turkish Petroleum will start new drilling activities in these areas in the following three to four months,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said that Turkey’s drilling activities will continue in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Everyone should know that Turkey will make no compromise regarding its licensed areas in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the president said in response to a question on tensions in the region during a televised interview with national public broadcaster TRT.
“We have three drillships and two seismic research vessels. They will continue to work in our allocated areas. We have sent one to the Black Sea. It seems some are unhappy with our moves and have come to the area fully prepared. We shall retaliate accordingly should anyone make any wrong steps,” said Erdoğan.
Touching upon the issue of mosques being attacked and vandalised in South Cyprus, the Turkish President warned that there will be consequences if these attacks continue.
Disrespecting the historical chapel & Christian cemetery
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
A historical Chapel and Christian cemetery adjacent to it in Lapta (Lapithos), has been converted into a barn, the dailies reported on Wednesday.
The report came following condemnation of Turkish Cypriot authorities of the hanging of a Byzantine flag at a mosque in Larnaca on Sunday.
It emerged that the plot, on which the chapel and the cemetery are located, had been leased by the Evkaf Administration of Cyprus to an individual.
People from the area claim the site of historical importance has been used as a barn for years and no one has taken any action to stop the individual.
Irregular migrant found in Famagusta
Kıbrıs Postası
Migration and Citizenship
OVERVIEW
An irregular migrant named Ömran Mesri was found near the Akyar (Strovilia) crossing point in Famagusta and arrested by the police on Tuesday.
The suspect, who had arrived by boat on June 6 had entered the north illegally, has been put under quarantine at the Famagusta Police station.
During the court hearing held at the suspect’s absence, the police officer in charge of the investigation informed the court the suspect will be deported once the necessary procedures are completed.
The Famagusta District Court ordered the suspect to be remanded for three more days until the police conclude the paperwork for deportation.