GCC Press Review 3 July 2020

Front Page Headlines

Politis

A single platform for all football games

Agreement between Cyta – PrimeTel – Cablenet for the airing of sports matches.

  • Borrell-Akinci: Phone call instead of meeting
  • EU messages to Turkey: Ankara is testing the French-German axis
  • Ayia Sophia: They will decide in 15 days

Phileleftheros

Yes to Britain, No to Russia

A decision will be made today on allowing in British tourists. Russians will wait for later. Leontios Kostrikkis sees Britain classed in category A or B.

  • France bares its teeth: Provocations in the EEZ are a cause of concern
  • Borrell will visit Ankara next week
  • They desecrated two EOKA heroes’ tombs
  • US, Germany on Eastern Mediterranean: Turkish conduct is problematic

Haravgi

No illusions over utilising the EU-Turkey dialogue

Without delusions about the EU and fully aware of the deep economic, trade, political and military ties between Turkey and European countries, we must make every effort to ensure that the EU’s declarations of solidarity with Cyprus will finally become actions. The Cyprus problem and the end of the occupation are the priorities.

  • US terms: Money laundering and Russian ships
  • Drillrig Tungsten Explorer is at Larnaca port – New discovery by ENI near the Zohr.

Cyprus Mail

July tourism set to be a washout

Russia, Israel excluded by EU, Britain still up in the air.

  • Cyprus making big push inside EU, president says

Alithia

What will happen on July 13?

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will discuss Turkey’s provocations against France and in the Eastern Mediterranean. France: After sanctions over Cyprus, more sanctions against Turkey are expected to be discussed. Germany: Turkish drilling activities off Greece and Cyprus are an aggravating factor. There can be no serious dialogue. Anastasiades: The European Union must be strict and decisive in her attitude against Turkey. Turkish provocations to be discussed also at the European Council.

  • Coronavirus from the get-go: Two new imported cases in the occupied areas, one from Turkey, the other from Kazakhstan – Again, no new cases in the free areas yesterday.
  • US Ambassador: Our position is this – Turkey is provocative.
  • Avgorou community condemns the desecration of two heroes’ tombs
  • DISY turns 44 – Event at Skali.
  • The final decision on Ayia Sophia is up to Erdogan

Main News

Nicosia wants decisive EU stance over Turkey’s East Med provocations

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, External Security, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

President Nicos Anastasiades said after a teleconference with European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday that there is a perception within the EU that Turkey’s provocations can no longer be tolerated, the dailies report.

The dailies also report that France and Germany are also taking Turkey to task over its provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to the papers, during his conversation with Michel, Anastasiades said that the EU must be decisive over Turkish provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Citing a statement by government spokesman Kyriacos Kousios, the papers report that Anastasiades briefed Michel on recent developments regarding Turkey’s illegal actions within Cyprus’ maritime zones. The president reiterated that the “EU’s stance towards Turkey should be firm and decisive, safeguarding both the interests of the bloc and of its member-states,” Kousios said.

Anastasiades also pointed out to Michel that “respect of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of member-states as well as the commitment to good neighbourly relations represent fundamental prerequisites which all should observe.”

The two men also discussed the EU Multiannual Financial Framework and the proposed recovery plan ahead of the EU Summit on July 19.

Later in the day, Anastasiades, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to mark the 44th anniversary of the founding of ruling DISY, said Cyprus was working diplomatically to get the EU to impose sanctions on Turkey for its aggressive stance.

Referring to the summit of EU foreign ministers next Monday, he said Nicosia was making the necessary demarches and diplomatic moves. “I think we all understand that from the movement inside the EU, there is a perception that Turkey’s provocations can no longer be tolerated,” he said.

He’d like to believe that such initiatives will materialise, bringing about results, he added.

Alithia reports that during his speech at DISY’s 44th anniversary event, Anastasiades said he would continue the struggle so that it is understood by Turkey and everyone that a solution to the Cyprus problem will also benefit Turkey and the entire Cypriot people, as long as some people do not think that the island will become another Syria, another Libya or another Iraq through (Ankara’s) Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan) plans.

Anastasiades said Cyprus is also a blue homeland for Cypriots since it is surrounded by the blue sea and that as a sovereign country, it has an EEZ which is being violated by Turkey’s second invasion, the daily reports.

Haravgi reports that AKEL spokesman Stefanos Stefanou called on the government to utilise every margin so that the declaration of solidarity by the EU is turned into action. However, he pointed out that one must not be under any illusions, given Turkey’s deep economic, trade, political and military bonds with EU member states.

Stefanou called for a substantive European reaction to Turkish aggression against the Republic of Cyprus and Greece and at the same time to make it clear that the path of dialogue and international law is the only path that can be mutually beneficial for all sides. He said AKEL is ready to contribute to the government’s efforts in this direction.

The papers report that France and Germany also call on Turkey to cease its provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

They report that French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Thursday said Turkish moves in the Eastern Mediterranean raise concerns and expressed support to the Republic of Cyprus within the framework of the EU, as well as bilaterally and for this reason maintains a naval presence in the region.

Parly was addressing the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE). On questions about Turkish moves in the Eastern Mediterranean Parly said among other things that France does not ignore Turkish violations in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus which she said was an additional source of concern.

This issue, as well as Turkey’s intervention in Libya, need to be resolved, Parly added. The fact that Turkey is a NATO member is positive because “we have a forum for dialogue” where we can speak openly in order to find “political solutions for Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean” the French minister said.

Politis also reports that French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he would discuss Turkey with his European counterparts on July 13 and possible new sanctions against Ankara in addition to the ones imposed as regards violations off Cyprus.

According to Phileleftheros, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sent out the message to Turkey after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu that there cannot be a serious dialogue with Ankara as long as the issues with drilling off Cyprus and Greece remain.

Maas said as regards Turkey’s drilling in Greece and Cyprus that it was necessary to clarify issues that are blocking the dialogue. As far as the issue of drilling in Cyprus and possibly in Crete is concerned, he said, countries like Greece and Cyprus will show little will to deepen the dialogue with Turkey. “We want to work on this issue as well so that there is a serious dialogue,” he said, according to Phileleftheros.

The dailies also report that TC leader Mustafa Akinci held a phone call late Wednesday night with European Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell after the former had expressed his dissatisfaction with not having had a meeting with the EU representative when he visited Cyprus last week. Borrell is also expected to visit Ankara next week.

Phileleftheros also reports that, in the meantime, the leftist parties in the European Parliament blocked efforts by the European People’s Party (EPP) for adoption of a resolution against Turkey.

On the initiative of the EPP, the European Parliament decided to hold an extraordinary meeting with Borrell and to discuss at plenary level Turkey’s aggressive actions against Greece and Cyprus. The EPP had also called for a resolution to send a strong message against Turkey’s actions.

During the discussion at the level of political groups, the socialists of the S&D and the leftists of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) blocked the adoption of a resolution. The daily pointed out that Cypriot MEPs Costas Mavrides and Demetris Papadakis are members of the S&D team and Niyazi Kizilyurek and Giorgos Georgiou of the GUE team.

Haravgi, however, reports that GUE/NGL said in a statement that EPP was spreading fake news. The group said that a failure to reach a political majority in the European Parliament on Thursday meant that next week’s plenary debate on Turkey’s violation in Greek and Cypriot waters will take place without a resolution. However, the right-wing EPP group has singled out the GUE/NGL group by specifically accusing them of blocking a resolution on Turkey’s aggression, the group said in a statement, adding that the charge is wholly unfounded and a “shockingly cynical attempt by the EPP to distort facts,” the daily reported.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
Wants a more decisive, firm stance by the EU over Turkish provocations in the East Med & believes members feel Turkey’s provocations can no longer be tolerated.
>> Points out that respect of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of member-states as well as the commitment to good neighbourly relations represent fundamental prerequisites which must be observed by all, including Turkey.
>> Nicosia has launched a diplomatic effort to convince the EU to impose sanctions on Turkey for its aggressive stance in the East Med.
>> Pledges to continue efforts to get everyone realise, including Ankara, that a Cyprob solution would benefit Turkey and the entire Cypriot people.
>> Warns that Cyprus will not become another Syria, Libya or Iraq through Ankara’s Blue Homeland plans since the island is also a blue homeland for Cypriots & as a sovereign country, it has an EEZ which is being violated by Turkey’s second invasion.

Stefanou (AKEL)
>>
The government must take advantage of every opportunity to make sure the declarations of solidarity by the EU become actions but it must not heavily rely on that given Turkey’s deep economic, trade, political and military bonds with EU member states.
>> AKEL wants substantive EU reaction to the Turkish aggression against the RoC & Greece and to make it clear that the path of dialogue and international law is the only way & will benefit all sides.
>> Pledges AKEL’s help in these efforts.

Parly (French defence minister)
>>
France monitors the Turkish violations in Cyprus’ EEZ which are an additional concern.
>> The problems caused by Turkey’s overall actions in the East Med need to be resolved & hopefully political solutions for Libya and the East Med will be found through dialogue.

Le Drian (French FM)
>>
EU might discuss possible new sanctions against Ankara.

Maas (German FM)
>>
Unless the issue of Turkey’s drilling off Cyprus and Greece is sorted out, it is not easy for the EU to have a serious dialogue with Ankara.


US continues to support RoC in developing resources in its EEZ

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, Energy, External Security

OVERVIEW

The dailies report that US Ambassador to Nicosia Judith Garber reiterated her government’s position on supporting the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) to develop national resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

During a media event at the US Embassy on the occasion of US Independence Day, Garber discussed US-Cyprus relations, and the situation in the EEZ.

Asked about Turkey’s activities in Cyprus’ EEZ, Garber recalled that the US has been very clear in its support for the Republic of Cyprus to develop national resources in its EEZ. “We also hope that the benefits of those resources will be shared equitably between the communities”, she noted.

On what the US is concretely doing to put pressure on Turkey to stop its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Ambassador said that the security of the region is important to the US and that they approach the Eastern Mediterranean as a coherent strategic space.

She also said that the US relationship with Turkey is complicated, noting that “it is important to continue to engage with Turkey in a way that keeps Turkey anchored to the West.”

“We call out Turkey’s actions when we think that there is need to be called out for instance in the question concerning the development of resources in the Republic of Cyprus’ EEZ, but there are also areas where we do work constructively with Turkey,” she noted

The Ambassador also said that they will be working with US companies to restart the development of hydrocarbons in Cyprus EEZ, noting that they are very pleased that US companies are participating in this process.

Asked about the lifting of the US arms embargo against Cyprus, Garber recalled that US President Donald Trump signed last year the Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Security Partnership Act. She noted that it provides for the defence trade restrictions that currently apply to be lifted provided that the RoC continues to cooperate with the US in the fight against money laundering and that it continues steps to reduce the visits of Russian naval ships in the ports in Cyprus.
Garber said that she was really proud as regards the work done over the past year on strengthening the partnership between the US and the RoC and excited about what’s to come.

In the security area, she said the two countries strengthened cooperation and there is now a Cypriot defence attaché in Washington while several crisis response exercises took place, with cooperation between the US military and the Cyprus National Guard.

The dailies report that Garber was also asked about Turkey’s efforts to change the status of Ayia Sophia and turn it into a mosque. The ambassador recalled the statement made by the US Secretary of State on this issue. “We call for Ayia Sophia to continue to be a museum and to continue to have access for everyone. That is very important to us. Freedom of religion is something that is a priority for this administration,” she said, the dailies report.

All dailies on Friday also published items on the decision by Turkey on whether to turn Ayia Sophia into a mosque.

KEY ACTORS
Garber (US)

>> The US continues to support the RoC in developing national resources in its EEZ & hopes to see the benefits of those resources equitably shared between the island’s two communities.
>> Security in the East Med is important to the US that approaches the issue as a coherent strategic space.
>> The US-Turkey relationship is a complicated one but it is important to continue to engage with Ankara and keep it anchored to the West.
>> The US is very pleased that American companies are participating in the development of hydrocarbons in Cyprus’ EEZ & will be working with them to restart this effort.
>> Recalls that as per a bill passed last year, for the arms embargo to be lifted the RoC must continue to cooperate with the US in the fight against money laundering & that it continues steps to reduce the visits of Russian naval ships in the ports in Cyprus.
>> US calls on Turkey to leave Ayia Sophia continue operating as a museum.


UNSC to discuss UNFICYP mandate later in July

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
External Security

OVERVIEW

The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene on July 29 to discuss the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP, the papers report.

Germany holds the chair of the UN Security Council in July and according to the schedule announced by the country’s Ambassador to the UN, Christoph Heusgen troop contributing countries will be briefed on July 16 via videoconferencing.

On July 20 the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, will brief Security Council members, also via video-conference. The Secretary-General’s report on UNFICYP is expected to be submitted to the members of the Security Council by July 10.

Phileleftheros also reports that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides had a meeting on Thursday with UNFICYP Force Commander Major General Cheryl Pearce to discuss the mission’s mandate renewal. They also had the opportunity to exchange views on the situation on the ground and especially on the ceasefire line, the daily reported.


Vandalism on heroes’ graves

Alithia, Phileleftheros
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

According to the papers, Avgorou community condemned the theft of two crosses from the village’s cemetery, taken from the graves of two people who were killed by a British officer during the EOKA uprising.

The large bronze crosses were removed from the graves of Panayis Zacharia and Loukia Papageorgiou Laoutari, both celebrated as heroes of the 1955-1959 uprising against British colonial rule.

The dailies report that the incident that occurred just days ahead of a memorial service honouring the two, has upset the local community. The community called the act vandalism and disrespectful.

Local community leader Panayis Michaelas said the theft of the crosses was noticed on Thursday morning. It is thought the theft occurred either on Tuesday or Wednesday night.

Zacharia and Papageorgiou were shot and killed by a British soldier during unrest in Avgorou’s village square on July 5, 1958.

Police are investigating the theft, the papers reported.


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