Front Page Headlines
For Cyprus Problem, a resolution… and we’ll see
Mandate renewal for UNFICYP with demand for increased bicommunal cooperation. Security Council insists on a direct cooperation mechanism on military matters between the two sides. Clear reference to the need to respect resolutions on Famagusta and on unimpeded access of the UN to the area.
- Refugees (displaced) in a hovel: The state was 45 years late
- Reactions against foreigners: After Aglandjia, Palaichori
Important assistance from three
Improvements to Security Council resolution with contribution of Russia, China and France. Council of (party) leaders meets today. President will inform of developments and agreements with France.
- Again on alert for coronavirus – Four chains of transmission currently in Limassol. Full suspension of operations at the Marina for general decontamination
- Cypriots stay home this year: Greek-Turkish affairs and epidemiologists cancelled holidays in Greece
- Green line: Infrastructure works worth 11 million euros
- Aglandjia pre-election campaign enters final stretch
- Turkey wants cities without walls
- Turkish undermining of Russian exercises
Support small to medium businesses
100 million euros is not meaningful help. Auctions issue is sword of Damocles. SYMEA: “Cypriot society became a class society”.
- Three new cases yesterday in Limassol
- Uneasy quiet in Aegean and Nicosia
- 12 million euros in grants for revitalisation of acritic municipalities of Nicosia and Agios Dometios
- Continued disregard of Aglandjia residents by mayoral candidate from DISY
- Specific terms for naturalisations – Health, Education and Energy added in sectors of economy where investments can be made in return for a Cypriot passport. Loopholes that allowed abuse of programme close. New sectors of the economy where there can be investments
‘We want no talk of local lockdown’
Limassol cases continue to rise, mayor calls on public to act responsibly.
Limassol and mass gatherings a headache
The spectre of the coronavirus is haunting Cyprus once again. Out of 38 total cases in Cyprus since July 13th, 18 were detected in Limassol. A local lockdown a solution “of the last, last resort” says Limassol mayor, but rings alarm bell. Ministry of Health referred mass events where protocols were not followed to the police.
- He pushes against Erdogan: Imamoglu calls for resistance over Kanal Istanbul
- Parliament: New regulations for “golden passports” are ready
- Today: Council of (party) leaders over facing Turkish challenges
- Turkey: Continues games with Oruc Reis
- 11 million for revitalisation of Green Line
Main News
UNFICYP resolution focuses on checkpoints, military dialogue and Varosha
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, External Security, Energy, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the final contents of the UN Security Council’s resolution on the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate for another six months, which is expected to be approved on Tuesday. According to the reports, the RoC is displaced with the fact that the new resolution retains references to the need for military contacts and cooperation, but is pleased with the references to the Varosha issue.
Phileleftheros reports, citing information, that Russia and China, as well as France, intervened to improve the wording in passages that Nicosia disagreed with. The newspaper also notes that the final text includes references to UNSC resolutions 550 and 789, and points out that the initial draft (penned by the UK delegation) did not include a reference to resolution 550 which calls for the return of all legal residents to the fenced-off city of Varosha.
The newspaper also reports that the resolution includes a reference to the Berlin meeting between President Anastasiades, T/C leader Akinci and UNSG Guterres and their agreements regarding the future of the negotiations.
It is also reported that there is a stronger reference to the Strovilia issue than before. Furthermore, the wording of the resolution points to the obligation by Turkey to give access to all information and areas where missing could be buried, but does not refer to Turkey by name.
However, the changes made to references to a military dialogue mechanism did not satisfy Nicosia. The initial draft made reference to communication between the two sides (i.e. the two communities) and not between relevant parts, which includes the guarantors (i.e. Turkey). This reference is seen by Nicosia as putting the RoC and the unrecognised TRNC on an equal footing.
Politis reports that the resolution underlines the need for effective coordination and cooperation through the bicommunal Technical Committees on Health, Crisis Management, Humanitarian Issues and the Economy. The newspaper also points out that the resolution effectively postpones any new developments in the negotiation process for after the T/C elections in October.
Also, according to Politis, the resolution makes specific reference to the coronavirus pandemic and asks for them to be reopened fully as soon as possible, in accordance with epidemiological guidelines.
The newspaper underlines that in both reports submitted by UNSG Guterres as well as in the resolution, the UN is sharing its concern over the lack of meaningful negotiations and the lack of a solution. The UN also call on the sides to avoid from engaging in rhetoric that prevents negotiation and to avoid provocative actions regarding hydrocarbons around the island.
Politis also reports that the UN seems concerned over the T/C side’s decision to prevent the free movement of UNFICYP during the coronavirus pandemic, to and from UN camps that lie within the occupied areas.
The “silent procedure”, during which any member of the SC can express disagreement over a text, was concluded on Monday afternoon without any opposition being expressed, which means that the resolution can be forwarded for a vote later on Tuesday. The vote was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday but had been moved a day forward.
The dailies also report that Anastasiades is expected to inform the council of party leaders of the latest developments on Tuesday. Anastasiades will also inform the leaders of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and of what was said during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides told Alpha TV that the lack of deterrents by the RoC is a weakness that goes back years. Christodoulides said that this is seen in the fact that the intervention of the EU, Germany or the US was needed to prevent an escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean. He added that the lack of deterrence is a problem for Cyprus and that he doesn’t know whether it will be discussed by the party leaders, and reiterated that military capabilities should be limited to deterrence.
In an interview with German ARD radio, government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushios said that the RoC is asking for the EU to react and for sanctions to be imposed on Ankara, Haravgi reports. Koushios also said that so far the EU hasn’t effectively defended its borders, and added that sanctions should focus on the economy, trade and other sectors.
In another development, Alithia reports that Turkish media report of heightened activity regarding research vessel “Oruc Reis”, which was still in the port of Antalya on Monday and which was supposed to begin seismic research in an area south of Antalya and Kastelorizo. Turkish DHA news agency reported on Monday that the ship is getting ready to leave the port on Monday.
Alithia also reports that Greek government deputy spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni told SKAI TV in Greece that the situation is gradually de-escalating. She said that “it seems we’re on good path” and repeated that the Greek government’s position is that there can be no dialogue while Turkey threatens and takes actions such as issuing a Navtex for an area in Greece’s continental shelf.
The newspaper also points out that according to Greek government spokesperson, Stelios Petsas, Athens is open to dialogue with Ankara, only on the issue of the two countries’ continental shelves.
Phileleftheros reports on a statement by Turkish vice president Fuat Oktay, who said that his country has a red line when it comes to the demilitarisation of the Aegean islands and that Ankara will move legally against Greek military presence in the area. Oktay told Turkish newspaper Milliyet that the country is today a regional power and that any games others play in the Mediterranean will not work. He said that Turkey is too big to remain bound to its continental land, and said that Turkey’s “blue homeland” as well as Cyprus is among Turkey’s red lines.
Phileleftheros also reports that Turkey issued a Navtex for an area which is the responsibility of the RoC, after Russia had already coordinated with the RoC to conduct aeronautic exercises in the area.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros reports that UK High Commissioner Stephen Lillie said that the T/C and Turkish reaction to an agreement between the RoC and the UK to allow for the civilian development of non-military areas in the Sovereign Base Areas was hard to comprehend.
Government announces 11 million euros for Nicosia’s Green Line areas
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Economy, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris announced that the government will invest about 11 million euros in projects and grants aimed to revitalise areas in Nicosia that lie next to the Green Line.
The four-year revitalisation plan and a plan to boost economic activity focus on areas in the Municipalities of Nicosia and Agios Dometios. Nouris said that 11 million in grants (9 for Nicosia and 2 to Agios Dometios) will be given for infrastructure related developments. The government will also fund private businesses with 945 thousand euros (700 thousand for Nicosia and 245 thousand for Agios Dometios) in order to attract new economic activity. Another 50 thousands euros will be granted for oversight of the process and 5 thousand for promoting the programme.
The projects to be funded in Nicosia include the purchase of the STOA building, the creation of a Municipal Council room, the renovation of the former EKATE building, the renovation of the former municipal bathhouse, improvements on Regenis street, the renovation of the former town hall building on D’Avila bastion, the renovation of the municipal markets and the purchase of the CVAR building.
The projects in Agios Dometios are the renovation of the Demades residences which will be changed into a cultural centre, the creation of an open air amphitheatre and the construction of roads in the area. The works are expected to begin in June 2021.
Palaichori residents complain of presence of migrants in the village
Politis
Migration & Citizenship, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that after the issues brought up by residents of Zygi, Chloraka and Aglandjia, some residents of the village of Palaichori also started complaining of the presence of migrants in the community.
The newspaper reports that an anonymous letter published in Alithia (titled “Migrants cause fear and terror in Palaichori”) claims that a large number of migrants from Africa are living in the community and that they cause a feeling of insecurity among citizens as they make noise and drink alcohol.
However, the report points out, the title and the content of the letter have caused the reaction of residents who say that the accusations published in Alithia are untrue and hypocritical.
Politis quotes anonymous citizens that point out that there are about 100 foreigners in a community of 1,000 residents. They add that the migrants have not caused any problems, and that the only problem seems to be that some don’t like the colour of their skin and where they are from.
The Palaichori Morfou community leader told the newspaper that the letter is exaggerated. He said he is concerned by the fact that Cypriot or foreigners are taking advantage of the migrants by subletting homes to large numbers of people who live in bad conditions. He said that the situation is getting out of control and that traffickers seem to be taking advantage of people looking for asylum.
The Palaichori Oreinis community leader told the newspaper that he agrees with concerns expressed by citizens that the migrants fight and make noise, and said he will send a letter to the government asking for clarification on the status of the people. He insisted that there are no racists in the village, but that they want to know who these people are.
New rules for “golden passport” ready to be discussed by House plenary
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Migration & Citizenship, Economy
OVERVIEW
The parliamentary committee on internal matters concluded its discussion on new regulations regarding citizenship-through-investment schemes on Monday, the dailies report. The new rules will be discussed by the plenary of the House of Representative next Friday.
According to the reports, parliamentary committee president, AKEL MP Eleni Mavrou, told journalists that the committee is proposing changes that clarify many regulations that were unclear until now, while also closing down loopholes and exceptions that had been used by some to abuse the programme.
Mavrou also said that the new rules introduce new options for investors wanting to contribute to the Cypriot economy as part of the programme. These will now include the primary sector of the economy, health, education and energy.
The MP pointed out that the new rules will be valid for all applications submitted from this point on, as per a recommendation by the Commission. Mavrou clarified that applications submitted after January 31st and before June 19th (when rules were submitted by the government to parliament) will not be examined since there were no clear rules during that period. She added that the 107 applications that are currently pending will be assessed on the basis of the older regulations.
Media Commission: Kathimerini slandered and ridiculed activist
Haravgi
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Haravgi reports that the independent Cyprus Media Complaints Commission (CMCC) has issued a report regarding mocking references made by Kathimerini’s regular columnist “Onasagoras” about an activist who had been arrested after a protest against the closure of the checkpoints due to the pandemic.
The CMCC was referring to a complaint submitted on June 15th 2020 by lawyer and human rights experts Corina Demetriou, regarding a column by Onasagoras titled “The fight at the Presidency over the checkpoints and a poll”, published on June 3rd.
Demetriou had written in her complaint that the writer ridiculed activist Dinos Theodoulou, who has been arrested after scuffling with a young soldier during the protest that took place on February 29th at the Ledras street checkpoint. She had also noted that the column had included details that would only have been available to the police, pointing out that if they were provided to the writer this was against the law.
In its decision the CMCC agrees that the writer violated article 3 of the Code of Journalistic Practice by slandering and ridiculing a private citizen by writing that Theodoulou, who is called a “peace lover” in quotation marks. “broke down in tears when faced with the police and apologised saying that his life had been ruined”.
The CMCC points out that the use of the words “peace lover” in quotation marks and the description of the event are intended to slander the person in question by sharing unnecessary details that violate the man’s right to privacy. It also adds that the person in question said that the newspaper’s claims about his behaviour were untrue.
The Commission also points out that it asked for Kathimerini to share its position on the issue and that the newspaper did not respond within 15 days as required. Also it is noted that despite the satiric character of the column, in this case the satire is aimed at a private citizen.
Louroujina residents protest in favour of opening Pyroi/ Lymbia checkpoint
Alithia
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Alithia reports on Sunday’s protest by the inhabitants of the T/C town of Louroujina, who are asking for the opening of a checkpoint leading to Lymbia in the government controlled areas. The newspaper reports that T/C “prime minister” and candidate for the T/C leadership, Ersin Tatar.
T/C media reports that the inhabitants protested with the slogan “we want an opening” addressed to the “government”. The Louroujina iniative notes in a statement that their demand is also shared by the community leader of the town of Lymbia.
Alithia notes that the G/C side has been putting forward the request to discuss an opening for Lymbia residents through the village of Pyroi, which would lift the isolation of both Lymbia and neighbouring Athienou as well as Louroujina. The demand hasn’t been met due to the disagreement of the Turkish army.
Alithia recalls that Athienou mayor Kyriakos Kareklas had suggested that instead of an opening, fences could be put up along the road to prevent anyone to approach installations belonging to the Turkish army.