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To the dervishes for elections
Footage showing Prime Minister Ersin Tatar attending a prayer meeting became the agenda. Yenidüzen asked Tatar: “I was only there for five minutes. I don’t know who filmed the footage. The situation has grown out of control. I’m not going to answer to these allegations.” The head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs said that the lodge had nothing to do with the Directorate of Religious Affairs and was a private establishment. Tatar’s visit was also debated in terms of a clause in the TRNC constitution regarding secularism.
We are going through World War III
Economist Hüda Hüdaverdi said that the economic crisis we were currently going through due to the coronavirus was much worse than the Great Depression. He said that global economies had shrunk by 50 per cent. He said that the effects of the crisis are expected to be felt for at least another two years.
- The Geçitköy (Panagra) Dam is drying up! – Water levels have reached an all-time low at the Geçitköy (Panagra) after the flow of water stopped eight months ago following a burst in the pipeline carrying water to the TRNC from Turkey.
Dangerous flirt with a religious order
Religion brought into the presidential election race. The National Unity Party’s (UBP) candidate Ersin Tatar’s visit to the Great Turkish Dervish Lodge and his participation in a prayer ceremony drew strong reactions. Speaking during the visit, Tatar asked for support in the upcoming elections. “As you all know we are on the eve of the elections. We must stand united. Unfortunately, the right has split. There will be a second round of voting,” he said. Tatar’s visit drew strong reactions after the prayer session was leaked on social media.
It should be shut down if it’s not legal
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar who suddenly found himself at the Şheik Osman Varan’s Dervish Lodge while touring the walled city of Nicosia came under strong criticism. Speaking to Diyalog newspaper he said that such places should be shut down if they are illegal. He said that he had been invited to drink tea but suddenly found himself in the middle of a prayer session.
- ‘Test successful’ – The two French fighter jets which landed at the military airbase in Paphos gave the Greek Cypriots morale.
- Debts not being paid – More than half of Greek Cypriots grew poorer during the pandemic.
May the almighty get our prime minister elected as the president
Ersin Tatar as Dervish lodge. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar the other day visited the Sheik Osman and Great Turkey Dervish Lodge for a prayer ceremony organized for him. Tatar was seen praying to the company of religious music in the room crowded with members of the group. The individuals prayed Tatar to be elected as president. Tatar at the end of the prayer said Amen.
Main News
Özersay: The GC leadership will not be our interlocutor on Maraş initiative
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Deputy Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister and independent presidential candidate Kudret Özersay has said that a new balance of power had emerged in the Eastern Mediterranean region but that the Turkish Cypriot side and Ankara had balanced the playing field as a result of the steps they had taken.
He said that the risk of conflict had ended as a result of the steps taken in the field and diplomatically.
Özersay, speaking to Turkish private broadcaster Ahaber, said that the US had recently taken steps to reduce Russia’s growing influence in the Mediterranean.
He the lifting of the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot side as well as signing several military agreements was an example of the steps taken.
Regarding the latest steps taken by France, Özersay said that France has become the only country on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to also be European Union (EU) member following the UK’s exit from the bloc.
“It seems France is trying to make its presence felt in the region. We are calling on France to abide by the calls made by the UNSC for the de-escalation of tensions in the region,” he said.
“France has been carrying out military exercises with the Greek Cypriot in violation of these calls.”
Özersay, however, said that steps eliminating the risk of conflict in the region had been taken jointly by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey over the past few years.
Also touching upon the initiative to reopen Maraş (Varosha), Özersay said the plan was to open the fenced-off town to its former residents under Turkish Cypriot administration.
He said Greek Cypriots will be allowed to return by applying to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) which was recognized as an effective domestic remedy by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Özersay also said that it was out of the question to negotiate Maraş (Varosha) with the Greek Cypriot side.
“The Greek Cypriot leadership will not be our interlocutors on this project. Our interlocutors will be the former Greek Cypriot residents,” he said.
Recalling that the government had surveyed the buildings in the area, Özersay said the report was near completion.
“The Greeks and Greek Cypriots will be preventing a successful project from coming to life if they succeed in portraying it different to the international community. That is if they create the perception that the rights of the property owners will be usurped,” he said.
This why he added it was important to explain to the members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that this is modern and civilized move in accordance with international law and human rights which will remove the military status of the area and allow its former residents to return.
He said it would not be right to take any new steps before the presidential elections.
On the Cyprus Issue, Özersay said that 52 years of failed negotiations had made it clear that it will not be possible to reach a federal settlement.
“It is evident the Greek Cypriots have no intention of sharing the state, its administration or the island’s wealth. This is why to insist on a federal partnership is only imprisoning the Turkish Cypriot people to the negotiating table,” he added.
Özersay said that concrete steps on cooperation such as on the issue of hydrocarbons could be taken before a comprehensive solution was reached.
He concluded by stating that both Greece and the Greek Cypriot side was unhappy with the steps taken by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side in the Eastern Mediterranean.
KEY ACTOR
Özersay (HP)
>> A new balance of power had emerged in the East Med but that the TC side & Ankara has balanced the playing field as a result of the steps taken.
>> The risk of conflict had ended as a result of the steps taken in the field & diplomatically.
>> Plan is to reopen Maraş (Varosha) to former GC residents through IPC under TC administration.
>> The GC leadership will not be our interlocutor on this project, the former GC residents will be.
>> It is important to explain to int’l community that the project is a civilized & modern plan in line with int’l law & human rights.
>> half a century of talks has proven that a federal solution is not possible. No right to imprison TC community to the negotiating table.
>> Concrete steps on cooperation on several issues such as hydrocarbons before a comprehensive solution could be taken.
Erdoğan says Turkey will not bow down to threats
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday said his country will not bow down to threats in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey, in the Eastern Mediterranean in particular, will not bow to threatening, intimidation and blackmailing language, will continue to defend its rights arising from international law and bilateral agreements,” Erdogan wrote in the Anitkabir (Atatürk’s mausoleum) memorial book as part of events marking the 98th anniversary of the victory of Turkish forces against Greek Forces during the war of independence.
“It is no coincidence that those who tried to exclude our country from the Eastern Mediterranean and those who attempted to invade our country a century ago are the same invaders,” Erdogan added.
Speaking later at a graduation ceremony at the National Defense University in Ankara, Erdogan said: “We are mounting an effective fight against all threats by balancing our investments in the defence industry and our human resources.”
On the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the president said: “Along with our fight against terrorism, we are dealing with the threats to our rights and interests in the region, especially in the Mediterranean and Aegean.”
“Everyone who opposes us on land, in the air, or at sea challenges Turkey’s legitimacy and our determination to protect our rights based on international law,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Minister on Sunday said that Turkey will not allow Greece to carry out provocations by building up arms on a legally demilitarized island in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
In response to a question about reports on Greece sending military supplies to the island of Kastellorizo (Megisti-Meis), Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the island has had a demilitarized status since the 1947 Paris Peace Treaties.
He said Turkey will not allow such provocations to be carried out across from its shores and rejects attempts to change the island’s status.
The island of Kastellorizo is only two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the Turkish shore.
“If the press reports are true, this is a new indicator of Greece’s lawlessness and its true intentions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Aksoy said, adding that such provocative acts will not benefit Athens.
“Greece will be the one to lose if it continues to take steps that will heighten tensions in the region,” the spokesman said, as he noted that Turkey is determined to protect all of its rights and interests in line with international law.
Aksoy also responded to recent remarks by French President Emanuel Macron, who claimed that he set red lines with Turkey because the country respects “acts” rather than “words.”
“When it comes to Mediterranean sovereignty, I have to be consistent in deeds and words. I can tell you that the Turks only consider and respect that. If you say words that are not followed by acts … What France did this summer was important: It’s a red line policy. I did it in Syria,” Macron said Friday.
Aksoy said Macron, who “thinks” he set red lines with Ankara, will be met with Turkey’s resolute stance regarding Eastern Mediterranean.
“It is about time that those who get above themselves face the truth. The period when they dictated their imperialist goals by drawing lines on maps is over,” Aksoy said.
The foreign ministry spokesman argued that the only way to resolve the ongoing crisis in the region is by establishing dialogue and cooperation among neighbouring countries, rather than provocations by extraterritorial actors.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Turkey, will not bow to threatening, intimidation & blackmailing language in East Med, will continue to defend its rights arising from int’l law & bilateral agreements.
>> Mounting an effective fight against all threats by balancing our investments in the defence industry and our human resources.
>> Everyone who opposes Turkey on land, in the air, or at sea challenges it’s legitimacy & determination to protect its rights based on int’l law.
Aksoy (Turkey)
>> Turkey will not allow Greece to carry out provocations by building up arms on a legally demilitarized (Kastellorizo) island in the East Med.
>> Ankara will not allow such provocations to be carried out across from its shores & rejects attempts to change the island’s status.
>> Such provocative acts will not benefit Athens.
>> Greece will be the one to lose if it continues to take steps that will heighten tensions in the region.
>> Turkey is determined to protect all of its rights & interests in line with int’llaw.