Front Page Headlines
Now masks have become essential
Arrivals to Ercan (Tymbou) from high-risk countries without quarantine have begun. All eyes are on the High Administrative Court. The Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association has applied to the high administrative court for the annulment of the Council of Ministers’ decision to allow entry into the north of passengers from high-risk countries from July 1 without quarantine. The court will be convening today to discuss the matter. The Doctors’ Association criticized the government of acting as if the threat of the pandemic was over and allowing people from high-risk countries to enter the country. The association also points out that the construction of a pandemic hospital has become a lie.
- Ledra Palace opening up to crossings
- Limited numbers to passengers arriving via ferry – Public Works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan said that the number of passengers both ferry agencies could book has been limited to 75. “That means that only 150 passengers can arrive on a daily basis,” he said.
- He came from Turkey on a jet ski! – Police announced that a 27-year-old man it had arrested on the Morphou-Nicosia road had arrived in the country from Taşucu, Turkey on a jet ski.
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Arrivals without quarantine requirement started
In line with the Council of Ministers’ decision, non-TRNC citizens are now allowed to enter the north. 400 people arrived from Turkey on two flights. Those people coming from the A category list of countries will only need to present a negative PCR test obtained 72 hours prior to their arrival. Turkey is on the north’s category B list of countries and arrivals will have to present a PCR test not more than 72 hours old to be allowed entry. They will also undergo another test upon arrival and be made to sign a document saying they will isolate themselves until the results are out. People from the category C list of countries will have to enter quarantine for 14 days.
- The YDP’s application rejected – The Constitutional Court rejected the lawsuit filed by the Rebirth Party (YDP) against the parliamentary decision to extend the presidential term for six months.
- Syrian migrant arrived in the north on a jet ski – A 27-year-old Syrian national, who was identified during routine police inspections, made a shocking statement.
- Ledra Palace opening for pedestrian crossing – The Ledra Palace crossing point will be operational from today (1 July) onwards from 8 am to 8 pm.
Bank loans with no surprises
The new law on consumer loans protects the consumer and prohibits the bank from imposing unexpected expenses unto customers. According to the provisions of the new law, the customer will be informed about the details of the loan including the interest rate and other loan costs. The consumer is given two options when taking out a loan. Customers will either be allowed to choose between a fixed interest rate that will not change throughout the loan payment plan or opt for a payment plan with flexible interest rates applied by Turkish banks. However, the new law does not stop compound interest on loans.
- The retailers found the second package bare – The United Action Committee, which was established by a group of retailer organisations, said the government’s second economic relief package does not meet with the needs of the north. “The package is empty,” the committee said and added they will be staging protests in the coming days.
- As expected – The Constitutional Court rejected the lawsuit filed by the Rebirth Party (YDP) against parliament’s decision to extend the president’s term for six months.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 998 cases, 26 deaths; Turkey 199,906 cases, 5,131 deaths.
Two PCR tests sufficient
(Education) Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu said, “The 10 March lockdown date and the July 1 opening date are both turning points.” He said he believed that the possibility of infected persons arriving in the country was quite low. Çavuşoğlu said that the priority of those who were receiving salaries was not to allow infected people into the country but that it was also important to think about those who weren’t receiving any salaries.
- It would be the end of the country – Head of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association Dimağ Çağıner warned those who supported the idea of keeping the entry points to the country closed. ,
- Dream of reaching Europe –Syrian national Muhammet rented a jet ski for €5000 to be able to cross over to the South via the TRNC.
No to entries without quarantine
Those who allow people to enter without quarantine are actually assisting the virus to spread further. They should face criminal charges.
- “The decision on entry without quarantine requirement must be revoked” – Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association said.
Main News
North braces for arrivals from Turkey despite doctors’ strong opposition
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Final preparations were underway at Ercan (Tymbou) airport on Tuesday to greet the first arrivals via commercial flights as the north opened its ports and airports to international arrivals,
The first flights from Turkey were set to land at Ercan (Tymbou) at 2 am and 8 am on Wednesday morning.
Some dailies which went into press late reported that 180 passengers arrived at Ercan (Tymbou) airport from Istanbul at 2:20 am.
Another 223 passengers onboard a Pegasus Airline flight were expected to arrive later in the morning.
Turkish Cypriot authorities will be requesting two coronavirus tests from people arriving from Turkey.
Turkey is on the north’s category B list of countries and arrivals will have to present a PCR test not more than 72 hours old to be allowed entry.
They will also undergo another test on landing and be made to sign a document saying they will isolate themselves until the results are out.
Passengers arriving from destinations listed under category C will still be required to enter mandatory quarantine for 14-days.
According to information obtained from T&T Ercan Enterprises which runs the airport, information signs have been placed all over the terminal building warning passengers to maintain social distancing at all time.
It was reported that thermal cameras have also been installed at the main entrances and exits of the main terminal building.
No one besides departing passengers and authorised staff will be allowed into the terminal building.
PCR tests will be carried out on arriving passengers at a unit set up before passport control.
Also on Tuesday, Public Works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan announced that only 150 passengers would be allowed to enter the north via ferry.
He said that the two ferry companies were instructed to limit ticket sales of 75 persons per day.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association which had filed a lawsuit demanding that the government’s decision to allow arrivals from Turkey from 1 July onwards is annuled is waiting for the High Administrative Court’s ruling on the matter.
Head of the association Dr Özlem Gürkut, during a press conference organised on Tuesday, pointed out that the government had failed to build a pandemic hospital in the four months since the outbreak.
She added that the ventilators purchased with donations have also not been put in use either.
“The government pretended as if the threat of the virus is over but the number of cases is on the rise in Turkey. We are now faced with greater risk from the people arriving in the north,” Gürkut warned.
She argued that the double-PCR test requirement will not be enough to detect asymptomatic cases.
“We are fully aware of the fact the north cannot tolerate remaining closed for much longer however we have to monitor the number of cases in the countries, which we will open our ports to,” Gürkut stressed.
She urged the government to revise its decision in view of the increasing number of cases.
“The PCR tests used have a 37 to 60 per cent rate of detecting covid-19 positive individuals. In other words, three out of every 100 passengers arriving from a high-risk country where there are 2,500-3,000 case reported daily may go undetected.
Even if the PCR tests were to identify some, others would go undetected,” Gürkut warned.
She noted that in view of the available statistics, the Doctors’ Association has filed a case requesting for the stay of execution.
“The decision on the ports of entry must be revised on the basis of the risk groups, therefore, the council’s decision regarding July 1 must be annulled,” Gürkut concluded.
Reiterating the Doctors’ Association’s concerns, Dr Nesil Bayraktar pointed out including Turkey in the “Category B” list of countries was an insufficient measure.
Speaking during a programme on Kıbrıs TV, Bayraktar questioned the rationale behind opening the ports of entry to Turkey when no other country was doing so.
“We did not witness a widespread pandemic in the north till today but we will after July 1,” Bayraktar concluded.
Dr Remzi Gardiyanoğlu, head of the Private Practicing Doctors’ Association, also criticized the government’s decision to allow people from Turkey on the basis of a double PCR system.
Speaking on Ada TV, Gardiyanoğlu questioned why the authorities had required university students returning to the north to remain in quarantine for 14 days if the double PCR method was so effective in detecting coronavirus positive cases in the first place.
Gardiyanoğlu also claimed the authorities had no backup plan if the system in place failed after July 1.
“What will happen if there is only one positive case in the plane that lands at Ercan (Tymbou) airport? Is there a plan? I believe the north is not ready for any scenario,” Gardiyanoğlu concluded.
Also speaking on Ada TV, Erdoğan Sorakın, General-Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said the north will be entering a critical and challenging phase as of July 1.
“Entries into the north without quarantine will start o July 1f but the government does not have any plans in place to manage the crisis,” Sorakın argued, adding that the authorities will be left with no choice but to order a new lockdown if new cases emerge.
“The government failed to manage the crisis and failed to improve the medical infrastructure to cope with possible positive coronavirus cases,” Sorakın concluded.
CTP leader, Tufan Erhürman, in a social media post on Tuesday, pointed out that the government has lost the public’s trust.
He recalled the incident in which a group of so-called investors from Turkey recently violated rules and regulations in place as well as the crisis which emerged concerning a woman who arrived from Turkey on Monday with Covid-19 like symptoms.
“If the government cannot win the trust of the people, it cannot manage the crisis. Moreover, all these incidents occur days before July 1. The Turkish Cypriot people have every right to be concerned,” Erhürman concluded.
Meanwhile, in another development, the Turkish Cypriot side announced that it would open Ledra Palace crossing from Wednesday for pedestrian crossings.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Ozersay announced on Tuesday that the Ledra Palace crossing point will open for pedestrian crossings from Wednesday but only between 8 am and 8 pm.
Özersay said that since June 22, the crossing has been open for diplomats but now pedestrians will also be allowed to cross.
He also said the same regulations that apply for other crossings also apply for Ledra Palace.
People from group A countries must provide a negative coronavirus test not over 72 hours old upon entering the north. These people are able to use all crossings that are open.
People from group B countries must use the Ayios Dhometios crossing point, where they will be given a second test.
People from group C countries can only cross to the north from the Ayios Dhometios crossing and must present a negative coronavirus test, also not older than 72 hours, but they will be taken to quarantine centres where they will stay for 14 days.
AKP Spokesman: “GCs’ interlocutor is the TC side”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, EU Matters, Regional/International Matters
OVERVIEW
“We are aware of the European Union’s (EU) attempts to disregard the TRNC,” Ömer Çelik, spokesman for the Justice and Development Party (AKP), said after a party board meeting on Tuesday.
He added the Greek Cypriot side’s interlocutor on the island is the Turkish Cypriot side.
“If the Greek Cypriot administration has any problems, they should solve them with the Turkish Cypriot side,” Çelik stressed.
Noting that they are closely monitoring the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Çelik said Ankara is fully aware of the malicious plans carried out by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side.
“We observe Greece and the Greek Cypriot side are trying to draw the EU to their side to carry out their maximalist policies against Turkey,” Çelik said.
He added it is unfortunate to see the EU making the wrong moves in this regard.
“High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell’s recent trip to the southern part of the island and the visit conducted to the area where the Yavuz drillship is located is proof of their ill intentions,” Çelik stressed.
Reiterating that Ankara has always been in favour of solving its problems on the basis of law and rights, Çelik said that Turkey was ready to be a party at the table.
“Nonetheless, we will not make any concessions against those who want to silence the Turkish Cypriots and disregard the legitimate rights and interests of Turkey,” Çelik said.
He added that those who disregard the Turkish Cypriots, are talking about sitting at the same table with Turkey.
“This is outright nonsense,” Çelik stressed and said the Greek Cypriot side’s interlocutor was the Turkish Cypriot side.
“It is out of the question for Turkey to sit at the same table with the Greek Cypriot side, which has unfairly usurped the title of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC),” Çelik said.
He pointed out that Ankara will never allow any steps aimed at disregarding the Turkish Cypriots.
Çelik recalled the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal on equitable sharing of the hydrocarbons resources and said as long as the two sides on the island reach an agreement on the hydrocarbons; the Cyprus problem will also be solved.
“The Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal constitutes the basis as to how to utilise the hydrocarbon resources and the equitable sharing of the revenues. Once there is agreement on this issue, the Cyprus problem will automatically be solved,” Çelik said.
He, however, pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side wants to take all the resources and the revenues to themselves.
Referring to the recent statements made by the Greek Cypriot Defence Minister regarding the establishment of a naval base on the island, Çelik warned that Turkey will not change its position no matter what.
“It is not possible to force Turkey to take any steps it does not want to take. While we are talking about rights and international law, the Greek Cypriot side is talking about using force. I can only say that no one can fool around with the Turkish navy,” Çelik stressed.
“Ankara is in favour of equitable sharing of the resources on the basis of rights. This is not only important for stability in the region but it also is the only win-win model for all relevant sides,” Çelik concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Çelik (AKP/Turkey)
>> Ankara is aware of the EU attempts to disregard the TCs.
>> The GC side’s interlocutor on the island is the TC side.
>> If the GC side has any problems, they should solve them with the TC side.
>> Ankara is fully aware of the malicious plans carried out by the Greece & the GC side as it monitors the developments in the East. Med.
>> Greece & GC side are trying to draw the EU to their side to carry out their maximalist policies against Turkey.
>> It is unfortunate to see the EU making the wrong moves.
>> Turkey is ready to be a party at the table if the other relevant parties are also in favour.
>> Ankara will not make any concessions against those who want to silence the TCs & disregard the legitimate rights & interests of Turkey.
>> It is out of the question for Turkey to sit at the same table with the GC side, which has unfairly usurped the title of the RoC.
>> The TC side’s proposal constitutes the basis as to how to utilise the hydrocarbon resources & the equitable sharing of the revenues.
>> Once there is agreement on hydrocarbons, the Cyprob will automatically be solved.
>> Ankara is in favour of equitable sharing of the resources on the basis of rights.
>> This is not only important for stability in the region but it also is the only win-win model for all relevant sides.
Accommodation problems of TCs working in south solved by LTB
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Mayor of Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB) Mehmet Harmancı on Tuesday said the accommodation problems of Turkish Cypriot workers who crossed to the south have been solved and the last worker utilizing the facilities as accommodation has vacated the building, the dailies report on Wednesday.
In a social media post, Harmancı expressed his gratitude on behalf of the LTB and the workers to those who have helped to solve the accommodation problems at difficult times.
The Court rejects YDP’s lawsuit on postponing TC elections
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed the case filed by the Rebirth Party (YDP) concerning the decision to extend President Akıncı’s term in office for six months was unconstitutional.
The party had filed an appeal claiming that the decision to extend Akıncı’s term in office was in violation of the constitution.
However, the court dismissed the claim, stating that the decision had been approved by a majority of parties in parliament.
The YDP had filed the lawsuit with the Constitutional Court to object to the parliamentary decision to extend the presidential term adopted on March 19 and had insisted the parliament implements Article 104 of the constitution.
Article 19 states that the speaker of parliament will serve as an acting president until new elections are held within 45-days.
The YDP had filed the lawsuit a day after the scheduled presidential elections on April 2l.
The political parties with seats in the parliament had agreed to postpone the elections to October 11 October.
41 of the 50 MPs in the parliament had voted in favour of the decision while both of the YDP’s MPs had voted against the motion.
Speaking after the court had given its verdict, the leader of the YDP, Erhan Arıklı refrained from commenting on the outcome other than that he will respect the decision given by the court. He added the party will evaluate the final verdict once issued.
Meat smuggling across the divide resumes
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
“The meat smuggled from the south allows prices in the north to remain stable,” Turkish Cypriot Agriculture and Natural Resources Minister Dursun Oğuz said on Tuesday.
He said that meat smuggled from the south addressed the high demand in the north thus preventing prices from going up further.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, Oğuz said the ministry is determined to tackle the issue of the meat smuggling from the south, which had stopped or slowed down during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The meat smuggling across the divide has now resumed but while we are continuing our efforts to prevent smuggling, we are working on importing red meat from Turkey to meet the growing demand in the north,” Oğuz said.
He noted the borders were porous.
“It is a highly sensitive issue which needs to be solved with our security forces,” Oğuz concluded.
Syrian migrant arrived in the north on a jet ski
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Migration and citizenship
OVERVIEW
A 27-year-old Syrian was arrested in the north, after arriving on a jet ski from Turkey over the weekend, police said on Tuesday.
According to authorities in the north, the man, Mohammed Nur Al Abdurazak Elatas, arrived in Kyrenia on Saturday after paying a Turkish man named as Ekin €5,000 to come from Taşucu, Turkey.
Police found him wandering on the Nicosia-Morphou road on Monday and arrested him.
The suspect in his voluntary testimony told the police that his intention had been to cross over to South Cyprus from the north somewhere along the dividing line.
The court remanded the suspect for one more day until the police conclude its investigation.