GCC Press Review 4 July 2020

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Test blocks the way for British and hotel owners

August also in danger of being lost just like July. Obligation to pay 200 pounds for a test will discourage many British. Hotel reservations lower than initial expectations. Hopes now lie on internal tourism.

  • Cabinet to decide on Wednesday: Experts positive regarding Ledras
  • Our MEPs get into quarrel with each other

Phileleftheros

Window towards permanent appointments

The way opens for 4,500 contract workers to become public employees. Attorney General’s opinion is in the hands of the Finance Minister who is working on a bill.

  • A lot of work for nothing in Nicosia’s old city: They increased patrols, but stopped making arrests – Violent incidents among foreigners continue – Shop owners cry out for preventive policing and speak of continuing incidents after the murder
  • Athens – Nicosia coordinate moves
  • French show of force in the Mediterranean
  • From the Emirs’ pipeline to DEFA’s floating unit
  • Ring trafficking Egyptians in Cyprus

Haravgi

They condemn workers to a 360 euro allowance

Hotel employee: “Not even a plate of food…” “We are desperate, we do not know what the next day will bring…” PEO: Workers have right on their side.

  • Missiles destroyed without protection measures for soldiers

Cyprus Mail

UK arrivals from August

Island’s main tourism market could go on the category B list of countries.

Alithia

Yiorkadji list full of… thorns

Disclosure becomes a hot issue. AKEL and D. Syllouris openly against publicising loans of politically exposed persons. Deep down no party wants to make it public, regardless of what they say in public. The list contains about 500 people, but it does not include the loans to PEP that have been cancelled.

  • European Parliament: Shots exchanged between DISY and AKEL over resolution against Turkey that was not approved
  • President goes to Athens: Cyprus and Greece coordinate over EU-Turkey relations
  • New cases: Again zero for us. Another two in occupied areas

Main News

Anastasiades to coordinate with Mitsotakis ahead of European Council

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

OVERVIEW

Phileleftheros reports that President Anastasiades will be visiting Athens on July 14th, in order to coordinate with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the positions of the two countries especially regarding Turkey – EU relations.

The newspaper points out that the EU-Turkish dialogue will continue on Monday with High Representative Josep Borrell’s visit to Ankara, and that Turkey’s behaviour will be discussed in the plenary of the European Parliament on Thursday. Also, the Foreign Affairs Council will meet on July 13th with the issue of Turkish-EU relations on the agenda after a request by France and other countries.

The Cyprus News Agency reports on a statement by Borrell’s spokesperson, Peter Stano, on the HRVP’s visit to Ankara on Monday. Stano said that Borrell will talk with Turkish officials regarding the entire range of Turkish – EU relations, especially regarding tensions between Turkey and “certain member states”.

Stano also pointed out that Turkish-EU relations are important for Brussels as Turkey is a candidate for accession, as well as an ally within NATO.

Also on Friday the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, Nicos Dendias and Nicos Christodoulides met in Athens to coordinate ahead of the FAC. Christodoulides said that the two countries had been warning the EU for a long time over Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and that the country’s behaviour has now become apparent also in Syria, Libya and Iraq. Dendias said that Turkey has ignored calls by the EU to cooperate and respect international law.

The newspapers also report on a spat between DISY and AKEL over the issue of the discussion of the situation in the East Med during the plenary of the European Parliament. Phileleftheros reports that DISY accused the political group of the Left of rejecting a proposal by the European Peoples Party to promote a non-binding resolution against Turkey.

AKEL, which sits with the Left, accused DISY of twisting facts and promoting fake news, pointing out that the Conference of Presidents (of the political group) had discussed the proposal but had seen that there was no majority to move forward due to the opposition of other political groups. AKEL was essentially pointing to the fact that the Socialist & Democrats (which counts DIKO and EDEK in its members) and Renew (the liberal group) also did not support the EPP’s proposal.

Meanwhile, AKEL responded to statements made by US ambassador to Cyprus, Judith Garber, regarding the prerequisites set by the US Senate in its new East Med strategy in order for the US to lift its arms export embargo on Cyprus. AKEL pointed out in a statement that according to Garber, the US expects Cyprus to limit the use of Cypriot ports by the Russian navy.

AKEL pointed out that the bill on the East Med that the government had presented as a success, was meant to limit Cypriot cooperation with Russia, a country that has consistently supported the G/C side in the Security Council, according to the party.

Politis reports that the proposal was put forward by MEPs from both DISY and Greece’s Nea Dimokratia (members of EPP), and that MEP’s from AKEL and SYRIZA (members of the Left) countered with a proposal for a more open discussion on security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Politis reports that EPP did not insist in its proposal.

In another development, Phileleftheros reports that France and Turkey are escalating their rhetoric over the Eastern Mediterranean, regarding the situation in Libya and last month’s incident between a French and a Turkish ship off the coast of the country.

The newspaper also reports that French frigate Aconit has arrived at the port of Paphos, as part of a routine search and rescue training mission in the area. The frigate had been involved in EU’s operation Irini which monitors the arms embargo for all warring parties in Libya.


Coronavirus experts do not oppose reopening Ledras checkpoint

Alithia, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs

OVERVIEW

The government’s experts on the coronavirus pandemic are not opposed to the possibility of the government reopening the Ledra street checkpoint, one of the few crossings still remaining closed as a precaution against the spread of the virus, Politis reports.

The newspaper points out that if the Cabinet of Ministers decides not to reopen the Ledras street checkpoint on Wednesday, it would be for political and not epidemiological reasons. Alithia meanwhile points out that officials are still expressing concerns over the situation in the north, especially due to the situation in Turkey.

Politis cites information that during Friday’s meeting, the team of scientists agreed that there is little reason for concern and that the measures taken by the T/C side have been adequate to prevent further spread of the virus.

The experts reportedly agreed that the fact that both sides require a negative test in order to allow passage through the checkpoints is sufficient to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement to Politis, expert Petros Karayiannis pointed out that the scientists are not concerned since the T/C side has decided to request additional tests for all travellers from Turkey.

The experts have submitted written suggestions to the government regarding the further loosening of the remaining measures, including limits on attendance in weddings, funerals and baptisms, and limits on the functioning of night clubs.

Furthermore, the government is considering a suggestion by expert Leontios Kostrikkis for pooled testing at airports, which could allow the authorities to conduct five times more tests than they can today.

In a statement after the meeting with the government’s experts, Minister for Health Constantinos Ioannou told the media that Turkey remains a high-risk country for both the RoC and the EU, which is why measure currently being imposed on the checkpoints are not going to change. When asked if there are any changes regarding the Ledra street checkpoint, Ioannou responded negatively.

The Limnitis checkpoint, which gives the residents of the area of Kato Pyrgos and Polis easier and faster access to Nicosia and the rest of Cyprus, re-opened on Friday morning, the Cyprus News Agency reports.


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