Front Page Headlines
Distance learning chaos…Offline education
Students who usually rush to fill in classrooms on the first day of the new school year sat before their computer screens this year. Distance learning could not begin at many public schools. Some students were not even aware that online education had begun because the conditions in which they live do not permit remote education. Many parts of the country experienced internet cuts which also affected online education efforts. At private schools, the situation was a little different. Students were locked onto their screens as the schools offered classes via google classrooms. Few experienced problems, mainly due to technical difficulties.
The notary was also involved
A notary who assisted a group of individuals in obtaining forged documents to apply for ₺1,500 (€170) as part of state support payments emerged as part of an investigation into credit card fraud. The individual who was arrested is being accused of providing fake letters of Attorney to 34 persons.
- UBP (National Unity Party) presidential candidate Ersin Tatar, “We need to win the election in order for development as well as the Eastern Mediterranean – Tatar said that those who believe in the existence of the TRNC need to win the election in order to be able to protect the Turkish Cypriots’ rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Crossings at Ledra Palace will be returned to their former hours –Taking into account the fact that students studying have to cross over to the South very early in the morning, the Council of Ministers has decided, as of Monday to change the hours to how they were before.
“Respect to the public’s will”
Incumbent president and independent candidate Mustafa Akıncı gave an interview to Havadis. He answered the questions of Havadis’s writers. Akıncı said that he was the first in Cyprus to express his opposition to the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey which was an attack on the Turkish peoples’ will. “We want to hold our own democratic elections and we respect the outcome,” he said. Akıncı also said that the UN Secretary-General will be able to convene an unofficial five-party conference which he promised once the elections are held. “We will want the Greek Cypriot side to clarify its positions on the Turkish Cypriot side’s political equality at the five-party conference. This will be our expectation,” he added.
It isn’t working for us
Online education started yesterday (Tuesday) but children who didn’t have computers spend the day playing in the streets. The Ministry of National Education and Culture started education online this year due to the coronavirus measures. However, a large number of children who do not have a computer or internet (connection) at home spent the first day of the school year playing on the streets. The number of children in the walled city who could take part in the online classes was close to none. Some of the children who spoke to Diyalog’s reporter said that they wanted to go back to school. Parents who were outraged with the ministry’s decision said, “The children of those who can afford to buy computers will be able to have an education but those who are unable will not benefit from any education. What kind of justice is this?”
- Tensions will rise – The US lifted the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriots on September 1, World Peace Day. Turkey and the TRNC were outraged.
- We will be facing Erdoğan – Leader of DISY Averof Neofitou said that important developments will take place on the Cyprus Issue following the elections in the TRNC.
Will the US make us fight again?
The tensions at sea are being escalated. The drums of war are beating again on the island. The US’s decision to lift an arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot side at a time when tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean are running high has raised concerns. Mustafa Akıncı held an urgent phone call with the US Ambassador to Cyprus Judith Gail Garber yesterday (Tuesday) evening, stating that this was a decision taken in the wrong direction.
- Crossings at Ledra Palace is going back to the way it was – The new regulation will go into practice as of Monday.
Main News
US decision to lift the arms embargo on S Cyprus angers Turkish & TC officials
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı on Tuesday said that the US’s decision to partially lift its arms embargo against South Cyprus was a step taken in the wrong direction.
Akıncı’s statement came in response to the announcement of the decision by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a phone call on Tuesday evening with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
Akıncı was informed of the decision on Tuesday evening by US Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) Judith Gail Garber during a phone call.
Garber told Akıncı that the partial lifting of the embargo will last for one year – with the possibility of renewal – and applies to non-lethal systems.
She explained that her superiors had informed Anastasiades of the decision and that she had called to inform the Turkish Cypriot side.
Akıncı for his part said that the move will further embolden the Greek Cypriot side from working towards a comprehensive solution and will harm peace efforts on the island.
“The decision will push the Greek Cypriot side away from the negotiating table. It is a wrong decision,” he added.
Akıncı pointed out that the US should not contribute to armament in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean but should assist in efforts to establish a dialogue.
Washington’s decision to partially lift the arms embargo against South Cyprus, even if it is only for a year, will only further encourage the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigence and allow the US to earn more money, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said late on Tuesday.
In a written statement, Tatar said that the decision was a wrong move and unfitting of a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) at a time when Greek and Greek Cypriot provocations in the region were on the rise.
“It is obvious this decision will not serve peace but encourage the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent attitude. I condemn this move and call on Washington to change its decision. Everyone must know that Turkey and the TRNC will never abandon their rights,” he said.
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay also slammed the US’s decision, expressing disappointment.
He said the lifting of the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot side was an unfortunate development for peace and stability in the region.
Özersay, in a statement issued on Tuesday night, said that everyone needed to question carefully what it meant to lift an arms embargo which was initially imposed to shield efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus Problem.
“Patting the Greek Cypriot leadership on the back this way will unfortunately further encourage its unilateral behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean aimed at usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriot side,” he said.
Özersay added that everyone should expect the Greek Cypriot side, which was already reluctant to share the state, its administration and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots, to adopt a tougher stance in the period ahead.
“This geography has witnessed many injustices and wrongful or biased acts. The lifting of the US embargo will be just one more of those acts but we will not abandon our rights and our struggle in the region,” he said.
In response to the announcement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said if Washington does not reconsider its decision Ankara would take countermeasures, calling the move incompatible with the spirit of the alliance between the nations.
In a late night statement on Tuesday, Ankara said the decision would poison hopes for peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The US decision announced Tuesday to lift the arms embargo from the Southern Greek Cypriot administration ignores the equality and balance between the two peoples on the island, the statement read.
The decision will definitely hurt efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, it added.
The ministry stressed that at a time of ongoing efforts to reduce tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, the US making such a decision is incompatible with the spirit of alliance.
“We expect the
US to reconsider its decision and support existing efforts to establish peace
and stability in the region,” it said.
Turkey,
as a guarantor country for Cyprus, will resolutely take the necessary steps to
guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriots in accordance with its legal and
historical responsibility, the ministry highlighted.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> US decision is a step taken in the wrong direction.
>> The move will further embolden the GC side from working towards a comprehensive solution & will harm peace efforts on the island.
>> The decision will push the GC side away from the negotiating table.
>> The US should not contribute to armament in Cyprus & the East Med but should assist in efforts to establish a dialogue.
Tatar (UBP)
>> Move will only further encourage the GC side’s intransigence & allow the US to earn more money.
>> Decision is a wrong move & unfitting of a member of the UNSC P-5 at a time when provocations in the region are on the rise.
>> It will encourage GC side’s intransigence & not serve peace.
>> Turkey & TRNC will never abandon their rights.
Özersay (HP)
>> Lifting of the arms embargo on the GC side is an unfortunate development for peace & stability in the region.
>> Everyone needs to question carefully what it meant to lift an arms embargo which was initially imposed to shield efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprob.
>> Patting the GC leadership on the back this way will unfortunately further encourage its unilateral behaviour in the East Med.
>> Everyone should expect the GC side, already reluctant to share power & wealth with TCs to adopt a tougher stance in the period ahead.
MFA (Turkey)
>> Ankara will take countermeasures if Washington does not reconsider its decision.
>> The move is incompatible with the spirit of the alliance between the nations.
>> Decision will poison hopes for peace in the East Med.
>> The move will definitely hurt efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.
>>Turkey, as a guarantor country for Cyprus, will resolutely take the necessary steps to guarantee the security of the TCs in accordance with its legal & historical responsibility.
Akıncı: Respect people’s will
Havadis
Negotiations Process, Energy, EU Matters, CBMs, Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“Everyone must respect the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community and I strongly believe once the elections are over, we will continue with our relations with Ankara based on mutual respect,” President Mustafa Akıncı told Havadis in an interview published on Wednesday.
Akıncı rejected accusations directed at him for souring relations with Ankara, stressing that attempts to portray him an enemy of Turkey was a futile effort.
Regarding relations with Turkey, Akıncı also drew attention to what the Turkish Cypriot community wanted from Turkey.
“We are a community which we want to exist on the island with our own values and with our own understanding of secularism and democracy. We want to be able to self-govern and be self-sufficient,” Akıncı stressed.
Responding to a question on the possibility of re-opening Maraş (Varosha) before a solution was reached on the island, Akıncı reminded that he had tabled the proposal of the opening of Maraş (Varosha) in exchange for direct flights to Ercan (Tymbou) airport during his previous election campaign in 2015.
“Nonetheless, the Greek Cypriot side did not approve the idea because the Greek Cypriot leadership insisted on a comprehensive settlement instead of a part-by-part solution,” he said.
Akıncı stressed he has adopted the viewpoint that the Maraş (Varosha) issue must be taken up in line with international law.
“I, without doubt, want the Maraş (Varosha) issue to contribute to the solution efforts on the island. I never wanted the town to remain behind fences,” Akıncı said but added that the issue could not be solved outside the office of the president.
He explained that the five-party meeting will be called following the Turkish Cypriot elections and it will be possible for everyone to discuss every issue.
“I believe there will be consensus during the unofficial five-party meeting regarding the way forward and from that point onwards, we will move towards a solution step-by-step,” Akıncı said.
Akıncı, responding to a question on his expectations from the five-party meeting, said the Turkish Cypriot side will ask the Greek Cypriot side to clarify its position on the Turkish Cypriots’ political equality.
“I hope the Greek Cypriot side will not leave any doubts in any one’s mind because political equality is one of the main parameters of the solution and it is not something that can be debated,” he stressed.
Asked to evaluate the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Akıncı said there are three scenarios in the region.
The first one is to declare a moratorium until the problems are resolved, the second to create a platform of dialogue between the two sides or third, the sides will carry on with their own drilling activities, he noted.
“Nonetheless, the Greek Cypriot side rejected the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal for co-management of the resources claiming it is a matter of its sovereignty,” Akıncı said.
He added that as a result, Turkey was now carrying out exploration activities on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots.
“The key in the Eastern Mediterranean issue is Cyprus. As long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved, the Eastern Mediterranean problem will not be solved,” Akıncı noted.
He added that the Turkish Cypriots cannot be left outside of the Eastern Mediterranean.
“If the Cyprus problem is solved, a federal Cyprus will have good relations with Turkey. It will become the much-needed leverage for Turkey to improve its relations with its neighbours, and for the Turkey-Greece and Turkey-EU relations,” Akıncı concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Everyone must respect the political will of the TC community.
>> Once the election is over, relations based on mutual respect will be reinstated with Ankara.
>> Futile effort to portray enmity from the north towards Turkey.
>> TC community wants to exist on the island with its values & with its understanding of secularism & democracy & want to be able to self-govern & be self-sufficient.
>> The GC side rejected my proposal on Maraş (Varosha) in exchange for Ercan (Tymbou) airport because it insisted on comprehensive settlement instead of a part-by-part solution.
>> Maraş (Varosha) issue must be taken up in line with international law.
>> Maraş (Varosha) issue cannot be solved outside the office of the president.
>> The TC side will ask the GC side at the five-party conference to clarify its position on the TCs’ political equality.
>> Political equality is one of the main parameters of the solution & is not something that can be debated.
>> The GC side rejected the TC side’s proposal for co-management of the resources claiming it is a matter of its sovereignty.
>> The key in the East Med. issue is Cyprus.
>> As long as the Cyprob remains unsolved, the East Med. problem will not be solved.
>> The TCs cannot be left outside of the East Med.
>> If the Cyprob is solved, a federal Cyprus will have good relations with Turkey.
>> It will become the much-needed leverage for Turkey to improve its relations with its neighbours & for the Turkey-Greece and Turkey-EU relations.
Ankara ready for dialogue if Greece is willing, Çavuşoğlu says
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/International Relations, Energy, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday criticized countries for using Greece as a bait against Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, as he called their efforts to appropriate the area’s natural resources as an example of “modern colonialism.”
“Turkey is sick of this shadow play. It is funny [for other countries] to use Greece, which cannot fight its way out of a paper bag, as a bait against a regional and global power like Turkey,” Erdoğan said at the ceremony to launch the new legal year, held in the capital Ankara.
Noting that the time of colonial powers has come to an end, Erdoğan said Turkey believes that its allies will gradually increase in this new period. Erdoğan noted that Turkey’s activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are the outcome of the country’s pursuit for justice.
“Turkey is in favour of negotiations for equitable sharing of resources in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday.
Addressing a joint news conference with his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum in the capital Ankara, Çavuşoğlu said if armaments on the Meis Island exceed limits determined by agreements, it will be Greece that will lose in the end.
“Greece is taking provocative steps with unconditional support from the European Union (EU) and in violation of international law,” Çavuşoğlu argued.
Warning Greece, Çavuşoğlu said Turkey will neither usurp anyone’s rights nor will they allow anyone to usurp Turkey’s rights.
“Do not take steps against Turkey. We have always been ready for dialogue if you are willing. We are in favour of negotiations with everyone in the Eastern Mediterranean for equitable sharing of the resources,” Çavuşoğlu concluded.
Greece is now a rogue state in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, overreaching and crossing the line, said Turkey’s ruling party spokesman on Tuesday.
Turkey will not accept or forgive any action or bluff against its “Blue Homeland” policy of its maritime territory, Ömer Çelik, spokesman for the Justice and Development (AK) Party, told reporters after a party board meeting.
On the actions in the region of France – which has supported Greek efforts to restrict Turkey to its shores – he said France gains nothing by bringing war jets to the Eastern Mediterranean or holding drills with the Greek Cypriot administration.
If French President Emmanuel Macron tries to draw a red line in Turkey’s “Blue Homeland,” Turkey will respond in kind, Çelik added.
Crossing restrictions eased for students studying in the south
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The restrictions in place at the Ledra Palace crossing point within the scope of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic have been eased in view of the start of the new school year, the dailies report on Wednesday.
In a social media post, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay announced that the opening hour of the crossing will be pulled forward to facilitate the crossing of the students early to get to their schools in the south.
He noted the cabinet will adopt the necessary decision and it will be effective from Monday, September 7 onwards.
Peace day messages reiterate the need for a solution in Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Escalating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean region; continuous armament efforts and the lack of a solution to the Cyprus problem formed the main theme in the statements issued to mark September 1, World Peace Day.
President Mustafa Akıncı in his message issued on Tuesday said he will continue to work to achieve peace on the island.
“The best interest of the Cypriot communities lies in peace and we will continue work towards that goal with determination and with responsibility,” Akıncı said.
He also pointed out that despite millions of dollars had been spent on armaments, humanity had been left vulnerable against a virus.
“We saw once again that we need to improve health systems instead of investing in arms; we need to improve education for the future generations and we need peace, not wars,” Akıncı concluded.
Speaker of the Turkish Cypriot parliament Teberrüken Uluçay expressed hope that the Cyprus problem would be solved as soon as possible in his message issued to mark the day.
Pointing out the urgency of the de-escalation of the tension in the region, Uluçay called on the Greek Cypriot side and Greece to act responsibly instead of carrying out military exercises with foreign forces.
“Not only such military exercises impede the relations between the two communities, but they also harm the efforts to find a lasting peace on the island,” he argued.
Uluçay underlined that the two communities are in need of actions that will reinstate confidence and increase trust between the members of the two communities.
“I wish to condemn every action that is carried out on the island by disregarding the Turkish Cypriot community and wish to reiterate that our determined stance to protect the rights and the interests of the Turkish Cypriot community in close cooperation with Turkey will continue,” Uluçay concluded.
Independent presidential candidate Serdar Denktaş on Tuesday highlighted the importance of reaching a political settlement.
In his message issued on World Peace Day, Denktaş said that a political settlement in Cyprus had become vital.
“The 1974 Peace Operation successfully prevented the conflict between the two communities. However, it is now time to crown this situation with a lasting political settlement,” he said.
Denktaş said that any political settlement to be reached needed to protect the Turkish Cypriot community’s interests and gains as well as preserve its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The Turkish Cypriot community has demonstrated its will in support for such a solution on numerous occasions, particularly on the April 24, 2004 referendum,” he added. Serdar Denktaş said that the Turkish Cypriot community will maintain its understanding for a settlement and its efforts to solve the existing problems through dialogue.
Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars emphasized collective thinking and actions despite differences for a better world in her message issued on Tuesday.
“The biggest threat before humanity, science and welfare of the people had been wars and conflicts fuelled by a culture of violence,” she noted and said the island of Cyprus had also had its fair share of wars and suffering.
“Strengthened with the wealth of our differences in our faith, colour, language and culture, we hope for a healthier world in which we will be free of wars and violence,” Baybars concluded.
“Peace in Cyprus and in the World has become more urgent than ever,” Tahir Gökçebel, head of the Turkish Cypriot Middle School Teachers’ Union said in his message to mark World Peace Day.
Pointing out the escalating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, Gökçebel urged the Cypriot people to protect peace and increase solidarity among themselves.
“We must not allow being dragged into a catastrophic situation when it is possible to find the solution through dialogue,” he stressed and added solution to the Cyprus problem is urgently needed.
“The humanity needs collaboration, solidarity, justice, peace and empathy to solve all the problems,” Gökçebel said and asked the people to say ‘stop’ the “imperialist powers” from dragging the island to catastrophe.
Echoing the same message with Gökçebel, the United Cyprus Party (BKP) reiterated the urgent need for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
“We will continue with our determined efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem and for strengthening peace on the island,” the party’s statement read.
Arguing that the Cyprus problem has remained unsolved as a result of imperialists’ interference, the BKP said the Cypriots’ priority must be to solve the Cyprus problem.
Cafer Gürcafer, head of the Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors’ Association (KTIMB) said the natural resources should lead to regional peace in his message issued on Tuesday.
“The natural resources in the Mediterranean should be used as a tool to solve the problems in the region. The people of the Mediterranean must come together to work towards transforming the region into a basin of peace and prevent the imperialists from usurping the resources,” Gürcafer concluded.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit said on Monday the escalated tension in the Eastern Mediterranean proves the urgency of the solution in Cyprus once again.
In a statement issued to mark the World Peace Day, Özyiğit noted the jointly owned resources should serve collaboration rather than conflicts.
“The only way to collaborate on the natural resources would be through dialogue,” Özyiğit stressed.
The TDP leader noted that the parameters of the solution are well known.
“The basis for the bizonal, bicommunal federal (BBF) solution, which is based on political equality, is outlined in the joint declaration dated 11 February 2014 and in the Guterres framework, which was submitted by the UN Secretary-General to the two sides on 30 June 2017,” Özyiğit said and urged all pro-solution circles to support the solution process.
Reminding that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had expressed the desire to call for a five-party meeting following the elections in the north, Özyiğit concluded by expressing his hope for the process leading to the solution to gain momentum.
The bicommunal peace initiative UniteCyprusNow (UCN) on Monday urged the regional leaders to engage in dialogue for mutual understanding and to work together to find solutions in the best interest of all the people in the region.
In a statement issued to mark the World Peace Day, the UCN drew attention to the fact that the Eastern Mediterranean region is on the brink of a military conflict.
The UCN concluded by urging the leaders to choose the path of peace instead of war.
East Med & Cyprob tops election campaigns
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Governance and Power Sharing, Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“We have to win the elections for the economic development of the north and for the Eastern Mediterranean,” Prime Minister, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and the party’s candidate in the upcoming elections said during a meeting in Tatlısu (Akanthou).
Addressing his party supporters on Monday evening, Tatar said the north has become the key supporter of Turkey in its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and added that “The economic development of the north is vital for the regional balance.”
Accusing the incumbent president Mustafa Akıncı for opening Turkey’s guarantees for discussions even though he did not secure political equality during the Switzerland talks.
“The upcoming elections, therefore, have become all the more important for the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey’s effective guarantees are our red-line. It is in our hands to decide on our future with our right of self-determination,” Tatar stressed.
He also noted that the Greek Cypriot side has rejected all the solution plans based on sharing to date.
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and independent candidate Kudret Özersay speaking on Bayrak, said Turkey’s presence on the island is legitimate and is based on the Turkish Cypriot people’s will.
“Turkey’s presence on the island as a guarantor power is vital for the Turkish Cypriots and it is out of the question for them to give up on it,” Özersay argued.
He also pointed out that Turkey is the sole strategic partner and the sole ally to the north.
Responding to a question on Akıncı’s relations with Ankara, Özersay argued that the relations have become worse in the past five years.
“It is necessary for the head of state to establish and maintain healthy relations and direct dialogue on every issue even if there is not an agreement between the sides,” Özersay said.
“I am not claiming that I fully agree on everything with Ankara,” he stressed and added it is nonetheless crucial to maintain dialogue to establish strategic collaboration.
“The president must be able to guide Ankara on its policies on the Cyprus issue because I have seen it done in the past,” Özersay said.
He argued that the relations between Turkey and the north must be based on dialogue and diplomacy instead of creating tension between the two.
“The head of the state must refrain from using polarising rhetoric. We are in need of a leadership that will unite the community,” Özersay concluded.
Independent presidential candidate Serdar Denktaş on Monday evening highlighted the need to table “something new” in the Cyprus negotiations process.
During a meeting with his supporters in İskele (Trikomo), Denktaş pointed out that the talks with the goal of reaching a BBF have reached a deadlock.
“It is necessary to save ourselves from the federation model and from the mentality that we do not have any other options because the Greek Cypriot side does not want to share anything with the Turkish Cypriot side,” Denktaş said.
Denktaş also accused Akıncı in his remarks and said when he is elected, his priority will be to focus on uniting the different segments within the society.
“Following establishing a united stance in the north, we need to identify a new goal together and in close cooperation with Turkey,” Denktaş argued.
He noted that it is not possible to achieve anything by simply approving anything that comes from Ankara or by creating fights with Ankara.
“It is unfortunate that Mr Akıncı is doing exactly that. He is trying to gain political advantage by creating areas of conflict with Turkey. This is not right,” Denktaş concluded.
Leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman during a meeting in Kyrenia on Monday night, argued that the president should lead the north in planning all aspects of life in the north.
“The office of the president, with its uninterrupted five-year term, can play a crucial role in planning in every aspect from education to economy and from agriculture to industrial development,” Erhürman concluded.
Germany donates €100,000 to CMP
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Germany has donated €100,000 to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus, the dailies report on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CMP expressed gratitude to Germany, which has donated €700,000 since 2006, for its generous donation.
“This contribution to the CMP Project on the Exhumation, Identification and Return of Remains of Missing Persons in Cyprus will support the Committee’s goal of identifying and returning as many remains of missing individuals as possible to bring an end to the uncertainty which has affected so many families for so many years,” the CMP statement read.
The CMP concluded by noting that it relies on donor support to alleviate the suffering of the concerned families and it has so far identified 976 missing persons from both communities and returned to their families for dignified burials.