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The state spreads the virus with its own hands
A commotion was experienced at the free PCR testing line in Kyrenia. Hundreds gathered at the Kyrenia Tourism Harbour hours before the testing began, all neglecting social distancing. As there were delays experienced in testing, the risk of being infected grew.
- Covid-19 case analysis in North Cyprus: Higher among men and the young. 71 per cent male, 29 per cent female – 117 positive cases were detected in the 43,183 tests carried out by the Near East Hospital between July 1 and September 10. 83 of these cases were male and 34 were female. The average age of the infected was 31. It was observed that 80-85 per cent of the cases were asymptomatic.
Three new loan packages worth ₺600m (€67.8m)
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar announced that three new loan schemes each worth ₺200m (€22.5m) have been launched. The schemes are entitled “Micro retailers, Agriculture, Livestock breeding, Hotel Operations and Support to Establishments” and are designed in order for the establishments to overcome cash flow problems.
- 11 through contacts, nine local transmissions, 25 new cases in total – Turkish Cypriot health ministry announced.
- Five countries downgraded to category B list of countries.
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Coronavirus panic
Members of the public who heard about free PCR testing at Kyrenia’s Tourism Harbour rushed to get tested. Those who were suspicious of being infected lined up. They all waited anxiously to learn about their test results. Many who formed queues under the sweltering 40 degrees heat told Diyalog that had chosen to get tested after the spike in cases over the last few days. “We wanted to make use of this opportunity,” they said.
- All against Turkey – Macron who spoke at the Med-7 summit announced full support to the Greek Cypriot-Greek position.
Entry through the window
There is not a door…The staff can only enter the ward at the psychiatry ward where Covid-19 patients have been admitted. There is not a toilet or a basin for the nurses to use in this section of the Barış Psychiatry hospital. Ali Özgöçmen, General Secretary for the Turkish Cypriot Union for Nurses and Midwives said they will stop treating patients at the psychiatry ward if the authorities do not improve the working conditions for the nurses.
- Flights resume on September 16 – It is decided that the flights to Ercan (Tymbou) airport to resume on September 16. There will be two flights per day. Authorities are working on converting the quarantine system to home-isolation by using electronic cuffs. State subsidies are being planned for special charter flights to be organized for the university students.
- 25 cases! – 2341 tests were carried out in the north yesterday (Friday) identifying 25 positive cases. 11 of the cases are from those in contact with previously identified cases, nine are local transmission cases and five are imported cases. 3108 tests carried out in the south identifying three cases.
- Seven cases at the YDP – According to an announcement made by Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı, there are now seven positive coronavirus cases within the party.
Main News
Ankara slams MED7 summit final declaration
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey slammed a statement by European Union (EU) Mediterranean states on Friday, saying the comments on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue were biased and “detached from reality.”
In a written statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy urged Greece to abandon its unlawful and maximalist maritime jurisdiction claims and sit at the negotiations table unconditionally.
“Athens needed to withdraw its military ships from around Turkey’s Oruç Reis seismic research vessel in order to de-escalate tensions in support of the NATO initiative; stop arming the eastern Aegean islands including Meis and put an end to the intensified pressure on the Turkish minority in the Western Thrace,” Aksoy stressed.
Reminding Greece that Turkey has the longest coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, Aksoy said Turkey is also a candidate nation for the EU.
“Greece needed to unconditionally sit at the negotiating table with Turkey in order to achieve dialogue and cooperation in the region,” Aksoy said.
He added that Greek Cypriots should agree to co-manage the exploration and utilisation of the hydrocarbon resources with the Turkish Cypriots, who are equal owners of the island.
Aksoy concluded by urging the EU countries that signed the declaration should abandon their one-sided and biased attitude under the pretext of solidarity with Greece and South Cyprus.
The seven leaders – of Greece, Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain (MED7) in their conclusion declaration announced on Thursday, their full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece in the face of the repeated infringements on their sovereignty and sovereign rights, as well as confrontational actions by Turkey.
“In line with recent European Council and EU Council conclusions, we regret that Turkey has not responded to the repeated calls by the European Union to end its unilateral and illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea,” the MED7 declaration read.
“We reaffirm our determination to use all adequate means at the disposal of the European Union in response to these confrontational actions,” the statement read.
It added in absence of progress in engaging Turkey into a dialogue and unless it ends its unilateral activities, the EU is ready to develop a list of further restrictive measures that could be discussed at the European Council on 24-25 September 2020.
KEY ACTORS
Aksoy (MFA Turkey)
>> The MED7 comments on the East Med. & the Cyprus issue was biased & detached from reality.
>> Greece must abandon its unlawful & maximalist maritime jurisdiction claims.
>> Athens needed to withdraw its military ships from around Turkey’s Oruç Reis seismic research vessel to de-escalate tensions in support of the NATO initiative.
>> Greece must stop arming the eastern Aegean islands including Meis.
>> Greece must end its intensified pressure on the Turkish minority in the Western Thrace.
>> Turkey is also a candidate nation for the EU with the longest coastline in the Med.
>> Greece needed to unconditionally sit at the negotiating table with Turkey in order to achieve dialogue and cooperation in the region.
>> GCs should agree to co-manage the exploration & utilisation of the hydrocarbon resources with the TCs, who are equal owners of the island.
>> EU countries that signed the declaration should abandon their one-sided & biased attitude under the pretext of solidarity with Greece and South Cyprus.
Drillship Kanuni ready for East Med departure
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s third oil and natural gas exploration drillship, Kanuni, is ready before it departs for a new mission in the Eastern Mediterranean, the dailies report on Saturday.
According to information obtained by the Demirören News Agency (DHA), the sixth-generation ultra drillship Kanuni had undergone maintenance and branding at the İncekum port in the Silifke district of Mersin province in southern Turkey.
The drillship is 227 meters (744 feet) long, 42 meters wide and has a draft of 12 meters. Its equipment can reach up to 11,400 meters below sea level and drill to a depth of 3,000 meters below the seabed.
Turkish drillships the Fatih and the Yavuz are already in the Eastern Mediterranean region carrying out seismic explorations on behalf of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.