Front Page Headlines
Opening with tests
The Council of Ministers rearranged entry-exit rules. Tourists arriving as of July 1 have been separated into three different categories according to their countries. Tourists will be able to enter the country if they have a PCR test.
- What are the conditions applying to different countries? – Category A (Low-risk countries). Those arriving from these countries will be able to do so by presenting a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours before arrival. Category B (Normal-risk) Double PCR tests will be required for arriving individuals. One before arrival and one after arrival. Category C (High-risk countries) Individuals arriving from these countries will have to present a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours before arrival but will still have to remain in quarantine for 14 days.
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Finally!
A serious step forward has been taken by parliament on the ‘Fresh produce wholesale bill’, which is a must-have for food safety and balanced retail prices. The bill had been pending for 18 months. The law is extremely important for food safety; in protecting the rights of the consumers and in overcoming the confusion over authority. The ad-hoc committee established for the European Union (EU) harmonisation process has started to discuss the bill. The committee is expected to conclude its deliberations in October.
- We are opening as of July 1 –The cabinet decided on the conditions of entry to and exit from the country. The cabinet also decided on the list of countries where tourists will be allowed to arrive from. A negative PCR test result is required for all individuals arriving in the country. The countries have been divided into three categories based on their risk levels. People arriving from the group A list of countries, which includes Turkey, must have a negative PCR test result obtained within the last 72 hours of their arrival. The crossings will be opened as of July 1 on the condition that the person crossing must submit a negative PCR test result obtained within the last 72 hours for the first crossing. Turkish Cypriots working, studying or receiving medical treatment in the south as well as Greek Cypriots and Maronites residing in the north will start to cross to the south from June 22 onwards.
- The case delayed indefinitely – The constitutional court held its first hearing on the case filed by the Rebirth Party (YDP) to revoke the decision to postpone the presidential term for six months. The case was postponed indefinitely until the court’s verdict is announced.
Massive outrage, no agreement
Members of KAR-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Public Transport Owner’s Association), who failed to win their demands from the government continued their protest outside the parliament building. Tensions have flared as the protestors have threatened to set two buses on fire in the capital if their demands are not met.
- The pandemic hits tourism – Hasan Karlıtaş, head of the Lefke (Lefka) Tourism Association, evaluated the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on tourism for Havadis.
- Messages calling for the lifting of barriers – The bicommunal peace initiative – United Cyprus demanded the opening of the crossings increased collaboration between the two sides in letters sent to President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
- Tourism with quarantines and PCR tests – The cabinet decided to ask for negative PCR tests from the tourists arriving in the north from July 1 onwards. Tourists arriving from the UK, USA, Russia and Iran will have to quarantine for 14 days and the cost of quarantine will be covered by the individuals themselves.
- Burcu criticised Pilli’s statement – Akıncı’s spokesman Barış Burcu urged the Turkish Cypriot health minister Ali Pilli to swiftly complete the comprehensive covid-19 report for the north. He also asked about the scientific basis behind the decision to allow entry into the north without a quarantine requirement from July 1 onwards.
- The case is postponed indefinitely – The constitutional court heard the case filed by YDP to revoke the decision to postpone the presidential term for six months. The case has been postponed indefinitely until the court’s verdict is announced.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 975 cases, 25 deaths; Turkey 174,023 cases, 4,763 deaths.
Quarantine shock for those living in the UK
The government allows workers to cross daily without quarantine as of June 22 but continues its position on resuming international flights on July 1. The TRNC government placed the UK in the category of countries with the highest risk. Those wishing to fly to the TRNC from the UK will be required to present a negative PCR test carried out 72 hours before arriving and to remain in 14-day quarantine upon arrival, the costs of which will be covered by the individuals themselves.
- Which countries are in category A? – Malta, Bulgaria, Turkey, Norway, Austria, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Israel. Individuals from these countries will be required to present a negative PCR test upon entry.
- Which countries are in category B? – Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland. Individuals from these countries will be required to have two PCR tests. One before and one after arriving.
- Which countries are in category C? – UK, USA, Russia, Iran. Individuals from these countries will be required to present a negative PCR test upon entry. And will have to remain in quarantine for 14-days.
- This is unacceptable – Akıncı reacts to the agreement reached between the UK and Greek Cypriot administration on opening non-military areas in Sovereign Bases Area (SBA) to development.
- Target €2bn in revenues per year – The Greek Cypriot administration will continue to grant citizenship to those who invest more than €2m or purchase property worth more than €500,000.
All is opening on July 1
The north is being normalised four months later. Those arriving in the north through air, sea or land will no longer have to be quarantined but they have to present a negative PCR test result upon entry. The countries have been separated according to risk levels. Turkey is listed in category A. Those arriving from category A countries must present a negative PCR test result obtained within the last 72 hours. A double PCR system will be implemented on those coming from countries in category B. Those people arriving from category C countries will still have to remain in quarantine for 14 days.
- Calling on the leaders for negotiations – Bicommunal peace initiative called on the leaders to collaborate and to resume negotiations.
- Anastasiades: “I will only speak with Akıncı” – Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades said he will not speak with any members of the illegal government.
- Tension escalates in the KAR-İŞ protest – Both BASIN-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Press Workers’ Union) and KTGB (Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ association) condemned the attacks on the media workers on the fourth day of the public transport companies’ protest.
Main News
Özersay says crossings will open on June 22 but not at public’s risk
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Thursday announced that as of June 22, people working in the south but live in the north will be able to cross daily between the two sides without going into quarantine.
Speaking after Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Özersay said that this would apply as long as there was no deterioration of the epidemiological conditions as regards the coronavirus.
He said that on June 22 it will be 14 days since the Greek Cypriot side opened the airports allowing the arrival of passengers without people going into quarantine.
By that date, he said, the picture will be clear as regards the coronavirus situation and it will show how risky or not the opening by the south to passengers from abroad has been.
“If there is no significant increase in the number of cases on the Greek Cypriot side by that date, the crossing of our citizens who work in the south and those who live in Pile (Pyla) can begin, provided that a PCR test is performed before their first crossing,” he said.
He added that those crossing will then be subjected to random testing.
The Turkish Cypriot side will also be allowing the entry of foreigners into the country as of July 1, Özersay announced.
He said that countries allowed entry into the north would be divided into three categories and the list of countries designated as A, B or C – considered safest by comparison – will be updated at least once a week according to epidemiological results and data obtained by the Turkish Cypriot health ministry and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Category A includes Malta, Bulgaria, Norway, Germany, Austria, Finland, Hungary, Slovenia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Lithuania and Denmark.
All individuals arriving from these countries will have to present a negative PCR test carried out 72 hours before arrival.
Category B includes Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia.
Individuals arriving from any of these countries will have to have two PCR tests, one before arriving and one after arriving in the north.
Individuals travelling from countries falling in category C which include the US, Russian Federation, Brazil, Iran and UK will have to present a negative PCR test and will be placed in quarantine for 14-days, the cost of which will be covered by the individuals themselves.
Özersay also announced that university students arriving from Turkey between June 15 and July 1 will be placed in quarantine for testing and if tested negative will then be moved to university campuses where they will remain for the duration of 14 days.
Commenting on the reactions on the difficulties faced by Turkish Cypriot workers on a programme on Haberkıbrıs Web TV earlier on Thursday, Özersay said he sympathized with their situation but pointed out they were not the only ones trapped on one of the two sides.
He added that there were families that have been living apart for the past three months.
Özersay said there is no need to do populism on this issue.
“We are thinking about the health of the whole community,” he added.
He added that the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side also concerns the request the crossing of Greek Cypriots living in Karpaz (Karpasia), but also the Maronites.
He said opening the crossings includes taking risks and that it was necessary to be restrained about this issue, warning that otherwise, the price would be a heavy one to pay.
Also on Thursday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said he sympathized with those who had to cross to the south for work or medical treatment.
Speaking during Thursday’s session of parliament, Tatar refuted claims his government was being unfair and insincere to those working in the south.
“It is necessary for certain conditions to be in place before we can full reopen the crossings. We are still seeing new cases in the south which is why we must minimize risks in the north,” Tatar stressed.
He added that his administration was working to assist the workers in any way it could.
In response, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Fikri Toros criticized, Tatar’s government, arguing that little had been done to upgrade the north’s health infrastructure while a decision had been taken to open airports and ports as of July 1.
In his address at the plenary, Toros said there was also a need to develop alternative strategic policies that would capitalise on the opportunities for swift economic recovery in the north.
In a separate development, a committee established for Turkish Cypriots working in the south on Thursday claimed the government, motivated by political and personal ambitions was adopting a wrong stance in regards the crossing points.
The Committee in a written statement said the government was not only disregarding Turkish Cypriots working in the south but Greek Cypriots and Maronites, who were stranded on either side of the island and cut off from their loved ones.
“We will not be silenced nor are we afraid of your humiliating tactics. We know what you are doing and what your intentions are,” the statement read.
The committee said that the coalition’s actions were also influenced by the upcoming elections in the north and that the cabinet was unaware of the extent of the harm it was causing to people by not allowing them to cross to the south.
“Are you aware that the students studying in the south missed their scholarship exams? Do you know how many Turkish Cypriots seek medical treatment in the south?” the committee asked.
Moreover, the Committee drew attention to the discrepancies in the cabinet’s decisions for Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla) and those working in the south.
“Are you not disturbed by any of your decisions taken against the Turkish Cypriots working in the south despite statements from the bicommunal technical committee in favour of reopening of the crossings?” the committee concluded.
Also on Thursday, pro-solution demonstrators from both sides of the divide submitted letters to the two leaders calling for the reopening of the crossing points.
Representatives from the bi-communal initiative United Cyprus – which represents more than 75 groups from both sides – arranged a distance meeting at the closed Ledra Palace crossing point before paying separate visits to their leaders.
Among their demands, was the re-opening of crossings points, but also the re-start of negotiations for a permanent solution of the Cyprus problem.
“For us, the crossing points are not a dead-end but a way for the two communities to collaborate and communicate,” a representative of the initiative said at the demonstration.
He added that the unresolved Cyprus problem harmed people from both sides.
“In a time of crisis, after Covid-19 but also during socioeconomic problems, Cypriots should unite and not separate further, he said.
Representatives of the initiative later visited their respective leaders and submit the letter with their demands.
Several dailies on Friday reported that Turkish and Greek Cypriot youth were united in music but separated by barbwire on Thursday.
It was reported that youth from both sides of the divide who have been unable to meet since the closure of the crossing points, met behind the fence at the Yiğitler Burcu (Roccas) Bastion, singing songs to each other and talking.
Sharing their meeting in social media, the youth urged the authorities not to act as if there has not been any contact between the two sides for 17 years.
They asked the officials to reopen the crossings in line with the scientific facts.
Akıncı hits back at Pilli over Covid-19 report
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Akıncı’s spokesman Barış Burcu on Thursday hit back at Health Minister Ali Pilli for his earlier remarks accusing Akıncı of belittling the country’s institutions. ,
Akıncı had criticised the handling of the report by the health ministry, which he said finds it difficult to act based on common sense and science and preferred political stubbornness.
He had expressed disappointment over the fact that the report was not more than a simple two-page summary which in the experts’ initial view was not quality and serious work.
Pilli then took a swipe at Akıncı for his statement, criticizing him for making his objections public through the media rather than conveying it to the administration.
He accused of belittling the administration and the state’s institutions.
Burcu on Thursday called on Pilli to refrain from engaging in polemics, to pay heed to the criticisms and to complete a proper epidemiological report without losing any more time.
“The fact that the ministry submitted a two-page temporary paper rather than a proper report has revealed that it has not shown the necessary attention to the issue. This has caused great disappointment,” he said.
He also on called on Pilli to pay more attention to the views expressed by the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health as well as experts in his own ministry.
Burcu also said the health minister should explain on which scientific basis and grounds his administration had come up with the July 1 date to open the country to arrivals from other countries.
Akıncı’s spokesman also said that what really belittled positions and the state was carelessness, sloppiness and lack of seriousness.
“To tolerate such acts is to become an accessory to irresponsibility. The President could not be expected to remain silent towards this lack of seriousness and carelessness,” he added.
A blatant attack on Turkish Cypriots’ relations with Turkey
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance and Power Sharing, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Turkish web portal A Haber continues its hostile smearing campaign against President Mustafa Akıncı by publishing false and defamatory reports under the pretext of news reporting,” Akıncı’s spokesman Barış Burcu said on Thursday.
Burcu said the fake news coupled with trolling on social media was harming relations between the people of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community.
“This is not the first organised smear campaign against Akıncı but it must be known this is a blatant attack on the Turkish Cypriots’ relations with Turkey,” Burcu stressed.
He added the report published by the A Haber on Thursday was initially published 56 months ago by a Greek Cypriot daily which later emerged to be false.
“Rehashing a lie 56 months later under the pretext of news not only violates professional and journalistic ethics but is also unethical and immoral,” Burcu stressed.
He said the outside attempts to intervene in the elections to be held four months later were futile. “It must not be forgotten that the Turkish Cypriot people will have the final say with their free will and the Turkish Cypriots’ intellectual level is too high to be deceived by such smear campaigns,” Burcu concluded.
The A Haber in its report on Thursday claimed Akıncı had advocated for a joint security force comprised of British and Greek soldiers as an alternative to replace Turkey’s guarantees on the island as well to substitute the Turkish forces on the ground.
“Akıncı had openly rejected Turkey’s guarantees on the island, which are in place to protect the Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC and instead asked for a joint force to be based in Cyprus,” the A Haber had claimed.
Objections raised against recent SBA agreement
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Territory
OVERVIEW
“We will not accept any amendments made in the British sovereign bases (SBA) without the consent and the approval of the Turkish Cypriot side,” President Mustafa Akıncı said on Thursday.
During a meeting with the British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie, Akıncı stressed the Turkish Cypriots had rights in the areas within the bases.
He recalled the Turkish Cypriot side had expressed its objections to the agreement when it was signed in 2014.
The Akıncı-Lillie meeting took place two days after the announcement by Greek Cypriot side the next important stage in the implementation of the bilateral arrangement reached in 2014 on the regulation of non-military development in the area of the Sovereign bases.
Moreover, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar also criticized the implementation of the agreement between the United Kingdom and the Greek Cypriot administration regarding the areas in the SBA on Thursday.
Recalling that the status for the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus had been defined by the 1960 Treaty of Establishment, Tatar said the signatories of those agreements were signed by the leaders of the two communities as well as the three guarantor countries, Turkey, Greece and the UK.
“As these international agreements are evident, the UK must not take unilateral decisions without the consent of the sides that are party to the Cyprus problem,” Tatar stressed in a written statement issued from his office.
He also pointed out that there were Turkish Cypriots residing in the Dhekelia base, which the Turkish Cypriot side is the lawful and legal representative of.
Tatar noted that it is for this reason the British officials should have discussed the matter with the Turkish Cypriot side before adopting any unilateral decisions.
He reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side had shown the necessary sensitivity when drafting up a development plan for Beyarmudu (Pergamos) in December 2019.
“The British officials should have gotten in touch with the Turkish Cypriot side instead of creating a fait accompli,” Tatar stressed and assured that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to closely monitor the developments and will defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots with determination.
The Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry had also objected to the implementation of the said agreement with a statement issued on Wednesday.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> UK must not take unilateral decisions without the consent of the sides that are party to the Cyprob.
>> TC side legally responsible for TCs living in Dhekelia.
>> UK should have discussed the matter with the Turkish Cypriot side before adopting any unilateral decisions.
>> TC side will closely monitor developments & defend rights of TCs with determination.
Turkey rules out war with Greece over maritime problems
Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has negated his Greek counterpart’s concerns of an armed conflict between Turkey and Greece over the maritime disputes in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, calling on Athens to resume technical talks for the resolution of the problems.
“I want to underline in a mathematical certainty that Greeks would not want to stage a war with Turkey,” Akar told the private Turkish broadcaster, A Haber, in an interview on June 10.
Akar’s words came a week after Greek Defence Minister Nicos Panagiotopoulos said that his country was ready for a military conflict with Turkey to defend its sovereign rights in the Mediterranean.
“[His statement] is a slip of tongue,” Akar said.
Turkey has always been seeking good neighbourly relations with Greece and resolution of all the problems stemming from Aegean, Cyprus and the land borders through dialogue, the minister said, recalling some progress was made during the past talks.