Front Page Headlines
Longing and chaos
Serap Devecioğlu from Pile (Pyla) was reunited with her grandchild after three months. Her grandchild was 38 days old when she last saw him. She burst into tears. “We suffered a lot during this process, we shed tears and cried,” said Devecioğlu, adding that her daughter was living in İskele (Trikomo) while her son was living in Famagusta. “It was very difficult to leave my daughter who had just given birth,” she said. Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla) went to the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing point yesterday (Sunday) to undergo PCR testing. Dozens of families who went to the checkpoint for the tests were reunited with their families in the north. Emotions ran high.
- “Crossings” brought forward – Greek Cypriots will be allowed to cross to the north as of today (Monday) on the condition they present a PCR certificate obtained in the last 72 hours. Turkish Cypriots will also be allowed to cross without the need to quarantine on their return to the north. However Turkish Cypriots will have to present a new PCR test every time they cross to the south. Five crossing points have been opened. Lokmacı(Ledra), Beyarmudu (Pergamos), Akyar (Strovilia), Bostancı (Astromeritis), Metehan (Agios Dhometios).
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Joy over testing in Pile (Pyla)
PCR tests were carried for the 336 Turkish Cypriots, who could not cross to the north for months due to the closure of the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing because of the coronavirus pandemic. Those who missed their relatives stranded in Pile (Pyla) rushed to the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing point yesterday (Sunday).
- South-North crossings to start today – The Council of Ministers brought forward the date for the crossings from the south to the north. It was previously announced as July 1. As of this morning (Monday), TRNC and South Cyprus citizens will be allowed to cross to the north from the Lokmacı (Ledra Street), Beyarmudu (Pergamos), Bostancı (Astromeritis), Akyar (Strovilia) and Metehan (Agios Dhometios) crossings provided they have a negative PCR test result obtained within the last 72 hours.
The UBP in a mess
The crisis within the National Unity Party (UBP) caused by the cabinet reshuffle is growing. Labour and Social Security Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu, whom the Prime Minister attempted to remove from duty but failed, spoke to Havadis about the process. He made harsh remarks. According to information obtained by Havadis from sources close to the UBP, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, who is disturbed by the developments, is considering withdrawing from the presidential race.
- Yet another historical monument is on the brink of collapse – The Venetian aqueduct in Lefke (Lefka) has been abandoned to its fate. While the historical stones are falling one by one, the aqueduct is covered by shrubbery.
- Crossings resumed – The Council of Ministers amended its decision on the crossing points, allowing people to cross from the south to the north with a negative PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours.
- Eight crossing points reopened – The Greek Cypriot administration reopened the eight crossing points excluding the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing, which had been closed since March. The Greek Cypriot administration is not requiring Turkish Cypriots workers who cross over to the north from the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing to quarantine on their return to the south.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 986 cases, 26 deaths; Turkey 187,685 cases, 4,950 deaths.
Sudden move
The government which decided to allow crossings to the south to begin as of today (Monday) requires Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to present a negative PCR test when they cross for the first time. The Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, require Turkish Cypriots to present a negative test every three days. It was decided to reopen the crossing points at an extraordinary cabinet meeting held last night (Sunday). The authorities are requiring Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots crossing to the north from the south for the first time to present a negative PCR test. Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay warned Turkish Cypriots, who do not fall into the group of those working, studying or receiving medical treatment in the south, will be required to present a negative PCR test every three days (72 hours). Özersay also explained that those wishing to cross to the south and do not fall into the group of workers, students or patients will have to pay for their PCR tests. The decision regarding arrivals from Turkey as of July 1 will be taken up at tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) cabinet meeting.
- The virus will come from abroad – AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou accuses Greek Cypriot government of being insincere about the crossing points.
- They asked for certificates in English –The Maronites living in the north were not allowed to cross because their PCR certificates were in Greek.
Only five crossing points including Lokmacı (Ledra Street)
The initial decision regarding the crossing points was amended and its brought forward from July 1 to June 22. In response to the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to reopen eight of the nine crossing points, the Turkish Cypriot side decided to reopen only five crossing points. Even though the Greek Cypriot side kept Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing point closed, the Turkish Cypriot side announced it was opening the pedestrian crossing. No further statements were made regarding this confusing situation. Kudret Özersay, speaking after the cabinet meeting said from the Lokmacı (Ledra Street), Beyarmudu (Pergamos), Bostancı (Astromeritis), Akyar (Strovilia) and Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossings will be operational. He added more crossing points will be opened in time.
- Sucuoğlu changed his mind about resignation – Labour and Social Security Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu, who did not attend yesterday’s (Sunday) cabinet meeting, said “It’s not a big thing” regarding Ersin Tatar’s attempt to remove him from duty.
- Support from the Mesarya (Mesaoria) Women’s Initiative – The Mesarya (Mesaoria) Women’s Initiative declared support to Afrika in the on-going lynching campaign using the ‘monkey’ in the paper’s logo.
- Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association warned the authorities before the opening of the ports of entry into the north.
Main News
TC authorities open crossings for all TCs & GCs, negative PCR tests still required
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot cabinet on Sunday amended its initial decision regarding the crossing points, lifting restrictions for all Cypriots starting Monday.
Ozersay said apart from the Turkish Cypriot working on the Greek Cypriot side, Turkish Cypriot students, patients, Maronites and Greek Cypriots living in Karpaz (Karpasia), and also the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla), can cross by presenting the health certificate just once, during the first crossing.
“The Greek Cypriot authorities have divided Turkish Cypriots crossing into two categories. Some groups only have to present a negative PCR test certificate the first time they cross. These include Turkish Cypriots working, studying or receiving treatment in the South. Turkish Cypriots living in Pile (Pyla) as well as Greek Cypriots or Maronites living in the north. All Turkish Cypriots who do not fall into any one of these groups will be required to present a negative PCR test every time they cross,” Özersay explained.
He said the authorities in the south had set stricter conditions for the crossings, requiring a test result from Turkish Cypriots every 72 hours and announced the test can now be paid for in the north.
It is free of charge for Turkish Cypriots working in the south, students, patients, Maronites and Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Pile (Pyla).
Özersay clarified the Turkish Cypriots who cross over will not need to enter quarantine upon their return, nor will another coronavirus test be needed.
Crossings can be made from the Lokmacı (Ledra), Beyarmudu (Pergamos), Akyar (Strovilia), Bostancı (Astromeritis) and Metehan (Ayios Dometios) checkpoints.
The Turkish Cypriot authorities had already permitted for Turkish Cypriots to cross into the South as of Monday.
Certain groups had been allowed to several days ago but were not allowed to return without entering quarantine, meaning a group of workers had crossed last week bringing bedding with them and saying they would sleep in their cars to return to work at jobs in the south.
Regarding arrivals from Turkey, Özersay said the cabinet will continue to review its decision to allow arrivals from Turkey from July 1 onwards without quarantine, at its next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 23.
Meanwhile, people attempting to cross through the crossing points on Sunday complained about slow procedures.
Turkish Cypriot immigration officials complained those crossing did not present documents in the English language at the Metehan (Agios Dometios), several dailies reported on Monday.
Chaos prevailed at the crossing point throughout the day due to different decisions adopted by the two administrations across the divide and due to both disregarding the decisions adopted by the bicommunal Techincal Committee on Health.
“As a result of the chaos at the crossing point, the Turkish Cypriot cabinet decided to convene on Sunday at 6 pm,” the dailies reported.
Undersecretary at the Turkish Cypriot health ministry, Ali Çaygür refuted the claims there was any chaos at the crossing point.
“As long as the Latin alphabet is used for Covid-19 reports, there would not be any problems. The Greek Cypriot side has always issued reports in the English language anyway,” Çaygür concluded.
In another development on Sunday, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) spokesman Aleem Siddique said the UNFICYP is monitoring the developments regarding the crossing points closely.
“UNFICYP is mandated to prevent tensions and maintain calm and stability in the buffer zone. The mission is monitoring the situation closely,” Siddique concluded.
Also on Sunday, emotion scenes were witnessed at the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing point after dozens of Turkish Cypriots residing in Pile (Pyla) who were called in for PCR testing were reunited with their families.
Some of them who spoke to the media explained how difficult it had been for them to be separated from their loved ones and families for the past three months.
Turkish Cypriots living in Pile (Pyla) were barred from entering the north during the lockdown due to the village’s access to the south.
“I have no plans to replace any other minister,” says Tatar
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Sunday ruled out the possibility of another cabinet reshuffle.
Tatar had replaced his tourism minister Ünal Üstel with Kutlu Evren on Friday following mounting pressure from coalition partners Peoples’ Party (HP) as a result of the scandal involving the arrival of a group of ‘investors’ from Turkey who violated entry rules.
According to a written statement issued by the National Unity Party (UBP), Tatar expressed anger by comments made by President Mustafa Akıncı about a reshuffle while Labour Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said he was shocked when he heard the rumours and tendered his resignation.
Tatar has reportedly said he has no plans to replace any minister other than the minister of tourism, which he has already announced.
“The reference in the press of a private consultation between the ‘prime minister’ and the president on the issue of a reshuffle is not in line with political ethics,” Tatar said.
Whatever has been said in the press about the minister of labour does not correspond to reality, he added.
He said he had told Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı only about replacing the minister of tourism.