Front Page Headlines
Serious choices for Law Office
I. Nicolaou did not accept to be appointed citing reasons of personal dignity. Announcements sped up because C. Clerides was attempting to extend his term for another 20 days. Stelios Papatheodorou and Christakis Mavris selected for positions of chief and deputy chief of Police.
- Time for reshuffle: President aiming for women
- Pournara: AKEL saw things differently
- Symeon signed (with Hoegh)
Determined the landscape for five years
Mini reshuffle expected for four ministries with intense scent of a woman. Parties give newly appointed the benefit of time.
- “Death date” at Nicosia centre: Battle of power by traffickers for money in migration
- Lightning trip by Nicos Christodoulides: Cyprus and Israel interpret developments in the same way
- Akinci: Limnitis opens within the week: “Civil war” over checkpoints in the occupied areas
- Erdogan dreams of Turkey in the G10
- New electricity production station at Tochni
- They are afraid of liquid gas at Vasilikos port
- Turkey attempts to also grab Chios mastic
President and Averof look for three new ministers
Ionas was first choice for Attorney General, but… Two ministers get the positions of Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General. Yiorgos Lakkotrypis to depart within the week.
- A closed prison and not a reception centre
- Opening of all checkpoints
Minors moved to a safe space
UNHCR, minister trade barbs after claims of sexual harassment at refugee camp.
- Justice minister appointed attorney-general, defence minister his deputy
An unexpected move, surprises, and a reshuffle on the way
President changed leadership of Law Office, Police and Ministry for Justice. Two reliable lawyers, Y. Savvides and S. Angelides, leave the government and take over the reins of the Law Office. Ionas Nicolaou did not accept to be appointed Attorney General in order to safeguard the reputation of the President of the Republic. Government facing reshuffle now that Justice, Defence and Energy portfolios are open. Which names are being discussed.
- New cases: Two yesterday out of 1,067 tests. One from pregnant woman and one from patient
- Senator Menendez: Thundered against Turkey and asked for sanctions
- Akinci against “government”: You caused chaos!
- Andros and Nouris: They went to Pournara and agreed to disagree
Main News
Akinci to Anastasiades: Limnitis checkpoint will be opened within week
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Oikonomiki Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that President Anastasiades and T/C leader Mustafa Akinci discussed the issue that has come up with the Limnitis checkpoint during a phone call on Tuesday.
Government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushios said in an announcement that Anastasiades brought up the issue and that Akinci informed him that the Limnitis checkpoint will be open within the week. Koushios added that UNFICYP head Elisabeth Spehar was also informed of this arrangement.
Politis reports that Spehar contacted specific actors in the T/C side despite being abroad. Spehar reportedly was able to confirm Akinci’s promise to Anastasiades. The newspaper cites information that Limnitis will possibly open on Friday, and that the “government” cited health security reasons for not opening the checkpoint sooner.
The dailies recall that Kato Pyrgos community leader Nicos Kleanthous had called for the opening of the Limnitis checkpoint on Monday, pointing out that the inhabitants of the region have been cut off from fast access to Nicosia. He had also said that the inhabitants are ready to react and noted that either all checkpoints should be open or none should be open.
Meanwhile, Politis reports that the government’s decision to request a new test and a new health certificate every 72 hours has cause discomfort to groups of citizens including relatives of G/C enclaved and Maronite farmers which need to cross to the other side often.
According to the newspaper, sources from the Presidency say that all these issues are taken into account, but that it is difficult to find solutions for all of them at this stage.
According to police data reported by the Cyprus News Agency, a total of 269 vehicles bearing 381 passengers, plus another 63 pedestrians, had crossed to the south by noon on Tuesday through the Agios Dometios and Ledra Palace checkpoints. During the same time, 31 vehicles bearing 39 passengers crossed to the north.
The dailies also report that Akinci has criticised the T/C “government” for the way it has handled the coronavirus pandemic, and that he was left out of the decision making process for reasons related to Ersin Tatar’s and Kudret Ozersay’s election campaigns.
In a written statement, Akinci said that the “government’s” decisions have caused chaos at the checkpoints and pointed out that the only solution to this problem is to reopen all checkpoints without delay, with proper precautions and based on scientific data.
Akinci also said that every step taken should be based on scientific principles and mutual logical decisions and coordination. He said he was saddened that the “government” continues to act with political obstinacy.
He also pointed out that the agreement reached with President Anastasiades on May 21st to reopen the checkpoints for some population groups on June 8th was based on data and was supported by the Technical Committee on Health.
Oikonomiki Kathimerini reports that the “government” in the north is having second thoughts regarding allowing flights from Turkey on July 1st as initially planned, due to the increased number of coronavirus cases in the country.
Sources from both Akinci’s office and the “government” told the newspaper that no final decisions have been taken yet and that all possibilities are on the table.
Next Foreign Ministers trilateral with Israel to be held in Paphos
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy, External Security, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Israeli and Cypriot Foreign Ministers Gabi Ashkenazi and Nicos Christodoulides have agreed that the next trilateral meeting (including Greece) on the ministerial level will be held in Cyprus, newspapers report.
Phileleftheros reports that the trilateral meeting is likely to be held in Paphos in late August.
The agreement to hold the next meeting in Cyprus was reached on Tuesday, during a meeting of the two FMs at the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. The meeting was held at the airports due to coronavirus-related concerns. Christodoulides flew to the airport on a Cypriot military helicopter.
According to sources cited by Phileleftheros, Israel asked for the help of Cyprus to reach out to Arabic countries, especially in the context of Israel’s effort to improve relations with Egypt. Regarding the issue of Israel’s intention to annex the Jordan valley, the country understands Cyprus’s position. The issue is expected to be brought up by Ashkenazi during future contacts in the EU.
The Cypriot Foreign Ministry said in an announcement that the two ministers discussed the effects of the pandemic of the region on the economy and tourism. Also, they had an overview of the progress of cooperation in the Cyprus – Israel – Greece trilateral and EU – Israeli relations.
Phileleftheros also reports that the Palestinian Authority’s ambassador to Greece has pointed out that Palestinians will continue to respect international law regarding the issue of maritime delineation. Marwan Toubassi said in a statement that Palestine expects all countries to respect its own sovereign rights. Toubassi was commenting on Turkish reports citing statements by the Palestinian ambassador in Ankara regarding energy issues.
Meanwhile, Alithia reports that US Senator Robert Menendez has sent a letter to the State Department pointing out that Turkish behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean is going against US interests and arguing for sanctions to be taken against Ankara. The Democratic senator is the head of the party’s team in the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee.
Menendez also calls on the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to implement the bill that has come to be known as the East Med Act, which concerns US energy and regional policy in the Eastern Mediterranean.
DEFA signs non-disclosure agreement with Hoegh but remains cautious
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy, Economy, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Cyprus Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) has signed a confidentiality agreement with Hoegh LNG, VTTI and other companies, Politis reports.
The agreement was signed on Friday and opens the way for the government to examine the Norwegian company’s proposal to operate a private Floating Storage Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) at Vasilikos, through which natural gas can be imported as an intermediate solution until the construction of a state-owned LNG plant.
The newspaper recalls that the non-disclosure agreement was drafted by DEFA and sent to the companies involved in Hoegh’s proposal to be signed. According to Politis, DEFA delayed putting its signature on the agreement causing concerns from the two companies as well as from the Presidency. DEFA head Symeon Kassianides signed the agreement on Friday.
Politis cites information that in a letter to the heads of Hoegh LNG and VTTI, Kassianides points out that DEFA’s decision does not necessarily mean that it is ready to negotiate or sign an MoU with the two companies.
DEFA had asked that Hoegh LNG submit specific data on its capabilities and resources after the Norwegian company had presented its proposal. Hoegh had replied by asking to sign a confidentiality agreement before sharing this information, Politis recalls.
Politis recalls that the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (RAEK) had advised Hoegh to negotiate this issue with natural gas infrastructure state company ETYFA (a DEFA subsidiary). For this reason, Hoegh appears to expect the confidentiality agreement to lead to full-blown negotiations. However, DEFA is reportedly cautious of Hoegh’s proposal.
Politis also reports that Greek company Energean has officially submitted a complete application to RAEK to obtain a permit to provide natural gas to companies in Cyprus. The authority has three months to make a decision. The newspaper recalls that the company had also applied for the construction of a private unit at Vasilikos which RAEK rejected, saying it was not within its remit. Energean has since appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
In another development, the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs discussed the bill to ratify the agreement to create of the EastMed pipeline, which, if constructed, would carry natural gas from the Cypriot and Israeli gas fields to the rest of Europe through Greece.
The Cyprus News Agency recalls that the agreement was signed on January 2nd 2020 in Athens, by Greece, Cyprus and Israel. Italy has also committed on a political level to sign the agreement but has yet to do so due to environmental concerns.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, permanent secretary of the Energy ministry Stelios Chimonas said the agreement signed by the three countries provides the legal framework and security for those companies that would chose to undertake the project in the future. The agreement covers environmental, security, taxing and permit issues, and includes provisions for the creation of a joint working team that would oversee the project.
Chimonas said that currently the project is in preparatory stage and clarified that there has been no decision to proceed with the project. So far, some of the necessary feasibility studies have been undertaken with EU funding. Also, a tender has been opened for detailed studies regarding the offshore sections of the project.
MPs from DISY, AKEL, EDEK, Alliance and ELAM told the Cyprus News Agency that they believe that the project should go forward, while an AKEL MP was positive but pointed out that the process is still in its early stages.