Front Page Headlines
UBP (National Unity Party) postpones it, HP (Peoples’ Party) puts up with it
The Famagusta, İskele (Trikomo) and Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios) development plan which has been the cause of serious disagreement between the coalition partners failed to go into force. The UBP and HP accused each other. The process which had been extended six months ago has been extended for another month. A crisis was temporarily averted for a month.
Ceased Print/Online Only
The first and exemplary sentencing of a human trafficker
Following the amendments made to the penal code, the Famagusta Heavy Crimes Court gave its first verdict on a human trafficker. İbrahim Demir was found guilty of human trafficking and was sentenced to four years in prison.
- The IT law enacted – President Mustafa Akıncı signed and approved the IT law. The law, which was perceived by some as a necessity and by others as a restriction on freedom of expression, was published in the official gazette yesterday (Tuesday).
The fight over financial rewards splits the government
The Famagusta-İskele (Trikomo)-Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios) master development plan caused a rift between the coalition partners National Unity Party (UBP) and the People’s Party (HP). The Council of Ministers meeting started two hours later than its scheduled time because the HP debated the possibility of withdrawing from the coalition government. A source close to the HP, in his/her comments to Havadis, said the development master plan was discussed during the HP’s meeting and the party decided to grant one more month to the UBP to approve it.
- Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing must be opened – President Mustafa Akıncı met with Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar. They discussed the latest UN report submitted to the UN Security Council, the latest on Covid-19 and the crossing points.
- Do not deviate from the principle of respecting freedoms – President Mustafa Akıncı signed and approved the IT law, which was approved by the parliament on 30 June but he also issued a warning regarding the implementation of the said law.
- The latest situation: North 117 cases, four deaths; South 1023 cases, 27 deaths; Turkey 241,993 cases, 5,402 deaths.
The money being searched for is ₺12m (€1.5m)
14 people have been arrested in a raid on an illegal online betting ring which runs from Adana (Turkey) to the TRNC. 400 bank accounts have been frozen and precautionary injunctions were imposed on 38 homes. Around ₺12m (€1.5m) was transferred to the accounts.
- The goal was ENOSIS – 46th anniversary of the coup carried out by the fascist Junta.
- May this set a warning – İbrahim Demir who was caught red-handed whilst trying to aide 13 Syrian migrants from entering the TRNC through Tatlısu (Akanthou) was sentenced to four years in prison.
This is the path towards fascism
Bitter day for both Cyprus and Turkey. This is the day when the Turkish soldiers were whipped by marauders. The way leading to July 20 in Cyprus was paved on July 15 1974. The authoritarian regime in Turkey was established on July 15 2016. July 15, which was declared “Democracy and National Unity” Day will also be marked by ceremonies in North Cyprus. 251 trees will be planted in the name of the 251 people who lost their lives during the coup scenario.
- Akıncı approved the IT law – President Mustafa Akıncı signed and approved the IT law.
Main News
Spehar meets Akıncı ahead of UNSC discussions
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Internal Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary-General’s special representative, Elizabeth Spehar, met with President Mustafa Akıncı on Tuesday morning.
Spehar’s visit to Akıncı on Tuesday came as part of an established tradition of separate meetings with the two leaders ahead of the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) discussion on UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus’s (UNFICYP) six-month mandate renewal and the UN Secretary General’s Report on Cyprus.
Akıncı told members of the press he had held a constructive discussion with the top UN official on a variety of issues including the upcoming UN reports, the crossing points and the latest work carried out by the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health.
He said that he had conveyed to the UN Special Representative both in-person and writing the shortcomings of the reports and areas which the Turkish Cypriot side believed needed to be corrected or revised.
“Of course, we shall be sharing with the public our detailed assessment once the reports are presented to the UNSC and become official,” Akıncı said.
Regarding the coronavirus pandemic, Akıncı recalled that he and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had met with the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health in February to discuss joint action against the virus as it became evident that the world was faced with a new pandemic.
“The committee has been cooperating since then, even though not at the desired level. We discussed how we could develop this cooperation particularly because the coronavirus pandemic, as voiced by experts around the world, is not expected to subside anytime soon,” he added.
Akıncı said that effective cooperation against the virus was essential.
On the issue of the crossings points, Akıncı said that they had evaluated the issue of crossing points which remained closed, particularly the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing.
He said that the pedestrian crossing point, located in the heart of the capital Nicosia, was important for the economy of both sides and expressed the Turkish Cypriot side’s readiness to cooperate on this issue.
On the restrictions imposed by Greek Cypriot authorities on foreign nationals seeking to cross over to the north, Akıncı said the Greek Cypriot side’s actions were unacceptable and a violation of the Green Line Regulation.
The president added that his team was working with the European Union (EU) and the UN on the issue.
“The United Nations needs to take up this issue seriously,” he said.
Responding to a question on the delays concerning the epidemiological report, Akıncı said that the report, either in Turkish or English had yet to be delivered to his office.
“The Greek Cypriot members of the committee presented us with three reports, each updated. We, on the other hand, failed to even present a report once. This is a show of great irresponsibility. Furthermore, I received a brazen response that the report was ready and I could have obtained it if I wanted to,” he said.
Later on Tuesday afternoon, Akıncı’s office announced that the 45-page report both in Turkish and English had finally been delivered.
There cannot be a balance in the East Med without TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, CBMs, Regional/International Relations, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“It is not possible to establish an energy balance in the Eastern Mediterranean that disregards the will of the Turkish Cypriots,” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said on Monday evening.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, Özersay said he believed that it is possible to develop a relationship between the two sides based on interdependency and on collaboration instead of creating conflicts.
“In the last week, in addition to the European Union (EU) member states, the top representatives of the EU institutions have all openly talked about bringing the sides together to overcome the disagreements,” Özersay noted.
He added that the coming period will be focused on discussions on sharing natural resources.
“If the goal is to create a new situation different from the 1960 Republic, the political will of the two communities is needed,” Özersay said, adding it is not possible to establish a new structure solely based on what the Greek Cypriot side wants.
“The way forward for the island, if we can achieve it, is to learn to work together and to learn to share it. We will then build trust among the communities, which will be the foundation for the new partnership,” Özersay said.
Responding to a question on the Maraş (Varosha) initiative, Özersay recalled the agreement signed with the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) to carry out a field survey on the conditions of the buildings.
“Following the completion of the study by EMU’s Engineering Faculty, the inventory study would be completed,” Özersay noted.
Continuing on the reopening of the fenced-off town, Özersay pointed to the upcoming presidential elections in the north.
“It is vital not to waste the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative as a campaign slogan. We can talk about the Maraş (Varosha) issue but we cannot take hasty steps on the town simply to win votes in the upcoming elections,” Özersay said.
Özersay, in response to a question on the Greek Cypriot side’s decision not to allow foreign nationals to cross to the north, said, “The Turkish Cypriot side can’t accept outdated restrictions imposed to harm the Turkish Cypriot economy.”
He said he has raised the issue with the United Nations (UN) and the EU.
Özersay also expressed gratitude to all the political parties with seats in the parliament agreeing to sign a joint declaration condemning the Greek Cypriot side’s decisions and calling for the EU to intervene against the restrictions which were a violation of the Green Line Trade regulation.
In the meantime, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, referring to a meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) that gathered in Brussels on Monday, said Turkey was included in the agenda at the request of France, Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration.
Speaking to the media following his meeting with his Maltese counterpart on Tuesday, Çavuşoğlu reminded of his recent joint press conference with Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief. He noted that the Eastern Mediterranean is a key region for Europe and Turkey as well with the longest coastline in the area.
“Maximalist and unilateral claims by Greece and Greek Cypriots violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots,” he stressed.
Çavuşoğlu recalled that Borrell was recently in Turkey to discuss Ankara’s disputes with Greece and the Greek Cypriot side over energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Çavuşoğlu once again expressed Turkey’s readiness for a dialogue to find a just, equitable and peaceful solution in the Eastern Mediterranean, and said: “Unfortunately, the response has been hostility to Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
“This leaves us with no choice but to continue our drilling and exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean to protect our national interests and the equal rights of Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> Not possible to establish an energy balance in the East Med that disregards the will of TCs.
>> It is possible to develop a relationship based on interdependency & collaboration instead of creating conflicts.
>> The coming period will be focused on discussions on sharing natural resources.
>> The political will of the two communities is needed to establish a new structure on the island.
>> The way forward for the island is to learn to work together & to learn to share. We will then build trust among the communities, which will be the foundation for the new partnership.
>> The inventory study would be completed on the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative once EMU completes its study.
>> It is vital not to squander the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative as a campaign slogan.
>> Hasty steps on the town cannot be taken to simply win votes in the upcoming elections.
>> TC side will not accept outdated restrictions aimed at harming TC economy.
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> The East Med. is a key region for Europe & Turkey as well with the longest coastline in the area.
>> Maximalist & unilateral claims by Greece & GC side violates the sovereign rights of both Turkey & TCs.
>> Turkey is ready for a dialogue to find a just, equitable & peaceful solution in the East Med.
>> The response to Turkey’s call for dialogue has been hostility to Turkey & the TCs.
>> Turkey is left with no choice but to continue its drilling & exploration activities in the East Med to protect its national interests & the equal rights of TCs.
Human trafficker sentenced to four years in an unprecedented verdict
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
The Famagusta Criminal Court on Tuesday in an unprecedented verdict sentenced a human trafficker to four years in jail, the dailies reported on Wednesday.
The court sentenced İbrahim Demir to four years for assisting 13 Syrian undocumented migrants from illegally entering the north from a cove in Tatlısu (Akanthou) June 9 2020.
Police had detained five others, believed to have brought the migrants ashore.
The dailies note that it is the first time the court sentenced a suspect on charges of ‘human trafficking’ and convicted a suspect as a ‘human trafficker’ following the recent addition of the clause to the penal code following its publication in the official gazette on 23 March 2020 in the north.
Human trafficking and smuggling are categorized as serious crimes and are punishable for up to ten years in prison if found guilty.