Front Page Headlines
Erdogan becomes “conqueror” of museum
He made Hagia Sophia into a political tool and ignores international reactions. Prayers on July 24th, with applause from fanatic Muslims and reactions from Greece, Cyprus and UNESCO. An act that cancels the secular character of Turkey and a step to erasing the political heritage of Kemal Ataturk.
- EU solidarity: Additional fund of 100 million euro
They make war by themselves
Occupation regime reports us to the UN for two mobile outposts at Pyrgos Tillyrias. They want the Republic of Cyprus to be a city without walls.
- Erdogan provocatively turns it into a mosque: Shameful decision for Hagia Sophia – UNESCO reacts since the historic temple is included in the list of World Heritage Sites as a museum – Reactions by Cyprus, Greece, Orthodox Churches and other foreign bodies – Fanatic Muslims celebrated outside the temple after decision was announced
- Energy in Natasa’s hands
Reduced salaries and distress sales lead to rent
Owning a house remains unattainable. Increase in rents despite economic crisis. Rents in disadvantageous areas increased by 70%.
- Erdogan turns Hagia Sophia into a mosque
- On Monday Borrell submits ideas for sharing of natural gas
- Government serves US interests without serving our own
Hagia Sophia now a mosque
Declaration by Erdogan after ruling. Greece, Russia, Cyprus react. EU, US, UN say disappointed. UNESCO will review.
- Cyprus: New energy minister takes up her duties
He turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque
Erdogan disgraces Christianity and history. He was ready for a long time: Council of State gave the green light and Erdogan already signed a decree turning the symbolic temple into a mosque. Erdogan plays dangerous games with Greek-Turkish relations and creates a new front for conflict between Islam and Christianity. Fanatics rushed to Hagia Sophia to celebrate with Turkish flags, asking to enter and pray.
- M. Akinci: Welcomes Borrell call for dialogue and says he’s ready
- In Monday’s FAC: Borrell’s aim not measures but consent to start dialogue
- US training: AKEL does not react over training in Russia
Main News
Borrell will ask EU-27 to green-light dialogue on EU – Turkey relations
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Politis
External Security, Energy, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
EU High Representative Josep Borrell will seek a mandate from the EU’s 27 Foreign Ministers on Monday, in order to enter a comprehensive dialogue with Turkey over a multitude of issues, the dailies report citing a media briefing to the press in Brussels published by the Cyprus News Agency.
Borrell is expected to inform the FMs on his contacts in Athens, Nicosia and Ankara and to enter into a comprehensive discussion on all matters concerning the EU’s relations with Turkey. According to the same report, Borrell will be bringing proposals on how a dialogue with Turkey can proceed on Libya, migration and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The official told the press that Borrell believes sharing of hydrocarbons will be key in unblocking the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and that Borrell also has ideas on that front. But he underlined that this issue will be permanently fixed only with a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus Problem and that negotiations on that, or on hydrocarbons, is under the remit of the two communities and the UN.
He did say however that the Commission expects Turkey to end illegal drillings in the area in order to contribute to de-escalation.
However Borrell is not expected to pursue further sanctions against Turkey but focus on the need for dialogue. According to information from Brussels reported in the press, some countries could raise the possibility of sanctions.
Haravgi reports that President Anastasiades discussed EU – Turkish relations with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a phone call on Friday. Deputy government spokesperson Panagiotis Sentonas said that Anastasiades informed Von der Leyen of Turkey’s latest actions, and asked that the EU be strict and take decisive actions to safeguard its interests and the interests of its member states.
In an analysis, Politis writes that the Cyprus issue is a secondary issue in the wider context of EU – Turkish relations. The analyst points out that Cyprus’s request for increased measures against Turkey is not popular among other member states, despite the worsening climate in EU – Turkish relations due to Turkey’s clash of interests with France. This is because the German Presidency of the Council of the EU is currently seeking a comprehensive approach to relations with Turkey.
Meanwhile, T/C leader Mustafa Akinci welcomed Borrell’s push for dialogue, the daily press reports citing T/C media. Akinci said that Borrell’s statements in front of the European Parliament, in which he said that dialogue is the only way out, are timely and correct. He said he was satisfied by Borrell’s statements also because they reflect the conversation they had over the telephone after the EU official’s visit to Cyprus.
Akinci also said that he is ready for any dialogue or cooperation on natural gas or regarding the Cyprus Problem, under UN auspices and under the eye of the EU. He added that he had long said that there can be no balance on energy in the region if the T/Cs and Turkey are not taken into account.
The dailies also extensively report on the decision by the Turkish Council of State to allow the government to withdraw historic Hagia Sophia’s museum status and President Tayip Erdogan’s subsequent decision to put it under the authority of the Religious Affairs Directorate – which will lead to the renewed use of the cathedral as a mosque.
According to the reports, the decision caused immediate reactions from the Greek Foreign Ministry, UNESCO, as well as from the Cypriot government. In a tweet, President Anastasiades condemned the decision calling it a historical mistake. Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias wrote on Twitter that during a teleconference with the Foreign Ministers belonging to the EPP he informed them of Turkey’s actions.
In a related development, the dailies report on the handover of the Energy, Trade and Industry Ministry from outgoing minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis to his replacement, Natasa Pelides.
During her speech, Pelides said that this is an industry full of challenges and multidimensional goals. She also said that the priorities of the ministry include the strengthening of the country’s hydrocarbons programme and the challenge of putting it up back on track. Pelides added that she would prioritise the work of increasing the ministry’s staff.
T/C side complains to UNFICYP over military installations at Kato Pyrgos
Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros
External Security, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that the T/C “government” is reacting to moves taken by the Republic of Cyprus to strengthen its defences, both with a training deal with the US as well a with a recent decision to place portable heavy weapons near the Limnitis crossing point.
Cyprus Mail reports that in a statement, T/C “foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay said that the T/Cs had sent a letter to the head of UNFICYP, Elizabeth Spehar, asking for the trenches to be cleared. He added that a similar military construction had been deployed near Mansura, close to Kato Pyrgos, on the way to the Kokkina military enclave. Ozersay argued that the G/C side is violating UN Security Council decisions and putting civilian lives in danger.
According to Phileleftheros, the timing of Ozersay’s letter is connected with T/C reactions to the agreement reached between Cyprus and the US for cooperation in army training.
Ozersay accuses the G/C side of attempting to gain military advantages in the area under the guise of changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, and notes that the Turkish army had been prevented from refuelling the Kokkina enclave by land for the past four months.
In a related development, Phileleftheros reports that AKEL secretary general Andros Kyprianou met with Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides to discuss the issue of increased cooperation between the RoC and the US. The newspaper reports that Kyprianou remained unconvinced by Petrides’s assurances that increased coordination with the US does not mean Cyprus will be lessening its cooperation with other partners.
After the meeting, Petrides said that Russia remains a country with which Cyprus will continue to cooperate. Kyprianou said that the training issue should be seen in conjunction with the US’s new strategy for the Eastern Mediterranean, which aims to utilise relations with Cyprus, Greece and Israel to counter Russian, Chinese and Iranian influence in the region.
Zuhuri mosque in Larnaca city centre to undergo renovation
Haravgi
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Larnaca Municipality has signed a renovation agreement with the contractor that will be taking over the renovation of the historic Zuhuri mosque and its surrounding complex in the centre of the city.
Haravgi reports that the municipality signed a contract with C. Roushas on Friday. The works are set to be completed within 18 months, and will cost up to 2.3 million euros. The newspaper notes that the complex includes the mosque, its courtyard, the former Turkish Cypriot Market and other structures.
The project is the final one in the 2014 – 2020 programming period and is funded by the EU’s Structural and Investment fund. The square, which is today used as a parking lot, will be completely reformed.