Front Page Headlines
Defensive shield against SARS-CoV2
Cyprus prepares for a possible new pandemic wave. New medical protocol in the next two weeks with contributions of scientific companies and PIS (Cypriot doctor association). Observation that symptoms of Covid-19 are now milder brings hope.
- Ministry of Defence: Citizens instead of officers
- AKEL: Names come and go…
- EU Council: A critical e-appointment
They rush to de-escalate
Diplomatic movement to defuse crisis in Eastern Mediterranean. US involvement in crisis.
- A crew member among three cases
Additional damage from selling out Cooperativism
Hidden provision in the 23 million euro deal. Compensations also for the coronavirus crisis. Draft bill to be discussed today in finance (parliamentary) committee.
- Turkish deliquency in SE Mediterranean will be put in front of EU Foreign Ministers’ Council today
Again he throws down the gauntlet at them
Pandemic situation in Turkey scares T/C leader M. Akinci and brings concerns for reconnection with occupied areas. Speak loudly: He calls on T/C health experts to express themselves withoutu fear and wonders: “Are they not worried about July 1st?” T/C experts: While they take no position regarding checkpoints they give backing to Tatar – Ozersay’s political games. Will they give data?: New teleconference of Bicommunal Health Committee and epidemiologists on Wednesday to exchange information and opinnions.
- He will participate in critical teleconference of European FMs: Turkish provocations brought to Pompeo – President to Leyen: Need for EU to take more decisive measures against Turkey
- New cases: Another three, imported
Main News
Bicommunal Health Committee to meet amidst controversy in the north
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health is due to meet on Wednesday for the second time in the presence of epidemiologists experts from both sides. During the teleconference the experts are expected to exchange information and to exchange opinions over the way to gradually reopen the checkpoints.
Meanwhile, G/C newspapers report on T/C leader Mustafa Akinci’s call to the T/C experts to speak out regarding the “government’s” decision to reopen airports to Turkey on July 1st. Akinci said in a written statement that Turkish experts are stating they are concerned over the increase of coronavirus in the country, and wondered whether T/C scientists share these concerns.
Akinci pointed out that during this period it is important that health professionals guide policy. He recognised that transport links with Turkey are vital for the T/Cs, but that the health of the people is above all.
Alithia reports that Akinci has proven again that he is not hesitant to disagree with Turkey when it comes to issues that concern the interests of the T/C community, and that he has chosen to voice the opposition of the public to the decisions taken by the Tatar – Ozersay “government”.
Alithia recalls that the T/C experts have been avoiding to share precise data on the situation in the north both with Akinci as well as with the bicommunal Technical Committee.
Cyprus and Greece bring East Med tensions to EU and US Foreign Ministers
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
External Security, Energy, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports, citing diplomatic sources, that Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council is of utmost importance due to the participation of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, due to the country’s increased interest in the region due to the situation in Libya and the involvement of Russia in that civil war.
The newspaper reports that Pompeo’s participation in the FAC is indicative of the US’s intention for increased involvement in the region, and that the joint action between Turkey and Russia in Libya worries Washington since it could signify a repetition of the situation in Syria.
At the same time, Cyprus and Greece aim to involve the US and the EU into the developing situation in the Eastern Mediterranean regarding Turkey’s hydrocarbon exploration in waters contested with Greece and in the Cypriot EEZ.
According to information cited by Alithia, Cyprus and Greece are expected to ask the European FMs to implement those sanctions against Turkey that have been already agreed bu the Council as a response to the country’s illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, while also asking for new measures.
Alithia also reports that the freezing of Turkey’s accession process could also be brought up as a matter of discussion, mirroring concenrs that have been expressed in Brussels.
The Cypriot Foreign Ministry points out in a statement that Pompeo will be present during the first part of Monday’s FAC, which will focus on the transantlantic relation and regional issues. The second half of the discussion will be the traditional discussion among the 27 EU FMs. Turkish provocations are expected to be discussed during this part of the meeting, after a request by Greece.
The two governments are coordinating ahead of July’s European Council. President Anastasiades contacted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, while Germany is reported to be communicating with all interested parties ahead of taking over the precidency of the Council of the EU on July 1st.
According to a government announcement, Anastasiades informed Von der Leyen that Cyprus considers the Commission’s proposal on the EU’s coronavirus recovery fund and the next Multiannual Financial Framework a good basis for discussion, and presented Nicosia’s concerns on the issue. Anastasiades also informed Von der Leyen of Turkeys’ actions in the region.
Phileleftheros notes that Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wil be travelling to Israel on Tuesday, followed by President Anastasiades on June 23rd. On Thursday, Greek foreign minister Nicos Dendias will be travelling to Cairo, continuing efforts to bridge differences with the Egyptian government regarding the possible delineation of the EEZs of the two countries.
Phileleftheros also publishes an interview of the Russian ambassador to Greece, Andrey Maslov, to the Athenian – Macedonian News Agency. Maslov told APE that for Russia it goes without saying that islands have an EEZ according to the International Law of the Sea.
In another development, France has accused Turkey of using its membership in NATO to get involved in Libya, Phileleftheros reports. In a statement issued by the French Presidency, Paris accuses Turkey of sending ships off the coast of Libya and breaking the arms embargo imposed by the international community.