Front Page Headlines
Camera footage erased
Here is the preliminary police report on the jet scandal unveiled by Yenidüzen. It emerged that all CCTV footage of the group of ‘investors’ who had arrived in the north via a private jet without a Council of Minister’s decision or without entering quarantine had been erased. The computers had also been formatted. Democratic Party (DP) MP Serdar Denktaş read out the police report at yesterday’s (Monday’s) session of parliament. After Denktaş read out the report all MPs, except for those in government walked out of the session.
- Long queues after months – Turkish Cypriots working in the south crossed over to the south through five different crossing points yesterday (Monday).
- The second economic package announced – The package aims at reducing unemployment, supporting SMEs, increasing economic activities, balancing the public finances, supporting the private sector and reducing the initial costs at the public sector.
Ceased Print/Online Only
The market will take a breather
The second economic relief package, which Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have been waiting for, was announced by Prime Minister Ersin Tatar following yesterday’s (Monday) Council of Ministers’ meeting. Worth ₺1,1bn (€144.6m), the package aims at reducing unemployment, supporting SMEs, increasing economic activities, balancing the public finances, supporting the private sector and reducing the initial costs of the public sector.
- The report was read, the parliament went haywire – Democratic Party (DP) MP Serdar Denktaş read the police report on the “private jet” incident. While Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said he found it difficult to accept the government’s efforts to be overshadowed by the private jet incident, the opposition parties walked out of the plenary in protest.
- Üstel hands over his duty to Evren – Handover ceremony was held at the Tourism and Environment Ministry yesterday (Monday). Labour and Social Security Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said he will not resign.
- PCR tests will cost ₺300 (€39) – It is announced that the PCR tests for people apart from those working, studying or receiving medical treatment in the south will cost ₺300 (€39).
They went everywhere freely
The private jet scandal, which turned the north’s politics upside down, was the main agenda item during the plenary on Monday. While the ruling parties were trying to hide the details of the scandal from the public, DP MP Serdar Denktaş readout the police’s investigation report. According to the report, the Merit Hotel officials gave false information to the police claiming that those arrived via the private jet did not leave the hotel however the police got hold of video-recordings of the individuals leaving the hotel. The report also notes these special guests first went to Kyrenia to do a bit of shopping and have lunch. Another group went to Famagusta and participated in negotiations to purchase another hotel. It emerged the special guests had been in contact with more than a dozen people.
- The expected ship arrived – The team tasked to identify the damage on the freshwater pipeline from Turkey to the north left Turkey around noon yesterday (Monday) to the location where the damaged section of the pipeline is. The team on board will prepare a report to be submitted to the Turkish Water Works Department (DSİ). The manufacturing of pipes will be concluded by the end of June and installations will start in July.
- No crossing at the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) or the Ledra Palace – The Lokmacı (Ledra Street), Beyarmudu (Pergamos), Akyar (Strovilia), Bostancı (Astromeritis) and Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossings was opened as of yesterday (Monday) morning. There were long queues at the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point. Mainly Turkish Cypriots working in the south were the ones crossing at the early hours of the morning.
- PCR tests will cost ₺300 (€39) – The PCR tests, which must be presented at the crossing points, will cost ₺300 (€39) for people apart from those working, studying or receiving medical treatment in the south.
- Tatar not to withdraw his candidacy – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar denied rumours he was planning to withdraw from the presidential race. “My candidacy was decided by the party assembly. It is the party’s decision and as long as it stays there, I am not going to withdraw,” Tatar said.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 988 cases, 26 deaths; Turkey 188,897 cases, 4,974 deaths.
The goal is to put out the fire
Prime Minister Tatar announced the second₺1,1bn (€144.6m) relief package which will be possible with Turkey’s support. The source of the money is financial assistance from Turkey. The state will cover 75 per cent of the premium payments between June and December for businesses which were up to date on their premium payments until January 2020. A three per cent interest rate support will be provided to those purchasing homes up to 185m2 or who take out loans up to ₺300,000, (€38,897).
The video footage was deleted
Serdar Denktaş read the police report on the private jet scandal… The investigation carried out at the Merit Royal Hotel revealed that the ‘investors’ had left the hotel grounds even though staff had claimed the guests had not. Denktaş said it was identified in the report that some of the video cameras had been reformatted and some of the cameras did not even record. He said the guests were placed at a hotel, which was not designated as a quarantined hotel. They gambled…The guests went to Kyrenia for shopping to have lunch. The health ministry had instructed that the group be placed in quarantine. It was initially agreed that vehicles from the Public Works and Communication Ministry would transfer the guests to their hotel but this was later changed a vehicle from the tourism ministry transported the ‘investors’.
- PCR tests will cost ₺300 (€39) – Those who want to be tested must go to the outpatient clinic at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital. The results will either be given on the same day or the next day depending on the number of tests. The PCR tests will cost ₺300 (€39).
- Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing remains closed – The north opened but the south did not… On the other hand, the south opened the Ledra Palace crossing but the north did not. There were long queues at the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point on the first day.
- “It is out of the question for me to interfere with the internal issues of political parties” – Mustafa Akıncı said and added, “In my opinion, what is more, unethical is to try to remove a minister from duty without even informing him.”
- Two new cases in the south – 1039 tests were done in the south. 76 tests were carried out in the north and there are not any positive cases.
Main News
Regular crossings between two sides begin despite PCR requirement
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The number of crossings between the two sides began to pick up on Monday reaching around 1000 by the end of the day, Turkish Cypriot dailies reported.
Almost all of the crossings took place through the Metehan (Agios Dhometios) crossing point.
Turkish Cypriot media reported that long queues of cars formed at the Metehan (Agios Dhometios) crossing point in the early hours of the morning, mainly workers returning to their jobs in the south.
Citing Greek Cypriot sources, the dailies reported that by late Monday afternoon, 605 people from the north had crossed plus 493 in the other direction, through Metehan (Agios Dhometios).
Greek Cypriot media reported that a handful of people crossed at Ledra Palace which the Turkish Cypriot side has kept closed.
However Turkish Cypriot dailies reported that the Ledra Palace crossing was closed.
Late Sunday the Turkish Cypriot ‘cabinet’ announced it would open five checkpoints, including Ledra Street – though it remains shut on the Greek Cypriot side – to Greek Cypriots and permanent residents of the Republic who wish to cross and requiring only a one-off negative Covid-19 test.
Meanwhile, it was announced on Monday that PCR tests will cost ₺300 (€39) for those wishing to cross to the south.
The fee excludes Turkish Cypriots who cross over to the south to work, study or receive medical treatment.
Maronites and Greek Cypriots living in Karpaz (Karpasia), and also the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla) do not pay for PCR tests.
Speaking to Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK, Undersecretary at the Turkish Cypriot health ministry, Ali Çaygür on Monday asked those who want to be tested to apply to the outpatient clinic at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital in north Nicosia.
Çaygür also noted the daily capacity at the hospital is now 600 tests per day.
TC side’s unilateral steps to encourage GC side towards a solution
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance and Power Sharing, Territory, Property, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
“If a left-wing candidate is elected as the Turkish Cypriot leader, he will solely focus on the federal solution not giving any opportunity for the other possible alternatives,” National Unity Party (UBP) Famagusta MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said on Monday.
Speaking during a programme on Güneş TV, Hasipoğlu added a left-viewed leader will focus only on the comprehensive settlement process.
“The negotiations will restart and we will waste another decade with false promises that we will eventually reach an agreement,” Hasipoğlu argued.
He added in such a situation would obstruct the government’s policies on the Eastern Mediterranean and the initiative to reopen the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha).
“What we are arguing as the UBP is not to sacrifice the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) to the negotiations process and our moves not to be wielded according to the Greek Cypriot side’s positions,” Hasipoğlu stressed.
He claimed the Greek Cypriot side had no intention of sharing the island’s wealth with the Turkish Cypriot side which in turn prompted the Turkish Cypriot side to take action on the fenced-off city and it’s own hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The only tool to trigger a solution on the island is the Turkish Cypriot side’s unilateral steps and our determination,” Hasipoğlu stressed, arguing that the Greek Cypriot side was at a very comfortable place right now as they had bound the Turkish Cypriot side to the negotiations table while signing bilateral agreements with Egypt and Israel on the side.
Hasipoğlu recalled that the Greek Cypriot side was refusing to discuss the issue of natural resources with the Turkish Cypriot side on grounds that the matter was an issue of their sovereignty.
He noted that the Greek Cypriot side also claims the Maraş (Varosha) belongs to them as well.
“We do not want to live according to the Greek Cypriot side’s positions. Maraş (Varosha) is within the TRNC’s jurisdiction and we want to reopen the fenced-off town now,” Hasipoğlu stressed.
He argued that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) will deal with applications concerning property following the reopening of the town.
Hasipoğlu also argued that the United Nations (UN) will not object to the reopening of the fenced-off town as the relevant UN resolutions state the properties must be returned to its lawful owners.
“We would have complied with the UN resolution on the Maraş (Varosha) by reopening the town and returning the properties to their pre-1974 owners,” Hasipoğlu said.
“Nonetheless, if a left-wing politician were to be elected to the top seat in the north, we will once again be stuck in endless negotiations while being subjected to the same old Greek Cypriot rhetoric both on hydrocarbons and on the Maraş (Varosha) town,” Hasipoğlu concluded.
In another development, former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat criticised Mustafa Akıncı during a TV programme on Ada TV on Monday.
“Our policies on the Cyprus problem are almost insignificant under Akıncı’s leadership,” Talat said, adding that Ankara was constantly expressing its views on the Cyprus problem.
“Turkey does not have the right to speak independently from the Turkish Cypriot side. We as the Turkish Cypriot side should be the ones identifying the policies and others should support us,” Talat stressed.
He argued that no one knew the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions on the Cyprus problem on the island.
He argued both the president’s and the government’s relations with Ankara were at its worst.
“Mustafa Akıncı thinks he is winning votes with his anti-Turkey policies. Good for him as he seems to be only concerned about the next elections however the main issue is the Cyprus problem,” Talat concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> Election of a left-wingTCleader will remove all possibility of discussing other alternatives other than a federal solution.
>> Such asituation will obstruct the government’s policies on East Med. & reopening of Maraş (Varosha).
>> The reopening of Maraş (Varosha) should not be sacrificed to the negotiations process.
>> TC side’s policies must not be based on the GC side’s attitude.
>> The only tool to trigger a solution on the island is the TC side’s unilateral steps & determination.
>> Maraş (Varosha) is within the TRNC’s jurisdiction & the UBP wants to reopen the fenced-off town.
>> The IPC will respond to the queries on property following the reopening of the town.
>> The UN will not object to the reopening of the fenced-off town as the TC side will return the properties to lawful owners in line with the resolution.
Talat (CTP)
>> TC side’s policies on the Cyprob are almost insignificant under Akıncı’s leadership.
>> Ankara feels the freedom to talk on the Cyprob independently from the TC side.
>> The TC side should be the ones identifying the policies & others should support us.
>> No one knows the TC side’s positions on the Cyprob on the island.
>> Both the president’s & the government’s relations with Ankara are at its worst now.
>> Akıncı thinks he wins votes with his anti-Turkey policies but the main issue is the Cyprob, not the next elections.
Tatar announces second economic relief package
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
The second economic relief package, aimed at mitigating the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the Turkish Cypriot economy was announced on Monday evening, all dailies report.
“The economic relief package worth ₺1,144bn (€144.6m), aims to minimize the shrinkage in the economy with new initiatives that will ensure sustainable economic development with measures targetting the higher education, tourism and the private sectors,” Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said.
Announcing the package during a press conference held after the cabinet meeting, Tatar said ₺429m (€55.7m) of the package will be utilized as an employment support scheme; ₺359m (€46.6m) will be spent on other support schemes and ₺356m (€46.2m) will be allocated as incentives for the private sector.
“The second package, which will cover the period between June and October, will specifically be focused on preventing unemployment, supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), increasing economic activities, balancing the public finances as well as the public deficit, and supporting the private sector until the 2021 Development programme, increasing the public revenues while decreasing the initial costs, re-identifying the priorities in public spending, and ensuring easy access to funds for the private entities,” Tatar said.
He noted following the signing of the economic protocol agreement with Turkey on May 26, funds have been made available to the north.
“The public debts amounting to ₺385m (€50m) to the private and the infrastructure sectors will be paid before the end of June, the social security premiums will be subsidised for seven more months and ₺4,000 (€520) operation support payment will be made for the private entities that paid their premiums and the loan package, which three per cent of the interest rate will be subsidized by the state has been increased to 1.5bn (€195m),” Tatar noted.
Tatar concluded by expressing his gratitude to economic organisations and banks for their contributions to the second economic relief package and added that the economic board to be established will start to work on the third economic relief package soon.