Front Page Headlines
Sealed off, a scuffle, tensions
Tensions are growing at the Salamis camping area due to chronic structural issues. The camping site was sealed off under heavy police presence. Some were injured in a minor scuffle which broke out between the camping trailer owners and police. Two people were arrested.
- Turkey ready for talks with Greece – Turkey called for a regional meeting that will include Cyprus.
Erdoğan proposed a regional conference
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his address to the UN General Assembly proposed holding a regional conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, which the Turkish Cypriots will also take part in. “A solution in Cyprus can only be achieved when the fact the Turkish Cypriots are joint owners of the island is accepted,” Erdoğan stressed.
- “Turkey has always been in favour of a lasting solution” – Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Ankara will support the resumption of talks when the Greek Cypriot side and Greece agree to discuss a solution based on two sovereign states.
- Akıncı: The development is positive and pleasing.
- Tatar: We are ready to take part in the conference.
- AKP Spokesman Çelik: “Our doors are open to those who choose diplomacy.”
- Greece: Exploratory talks with Turkey to start soon.
Chaos at KIBTEK
There is a big rift among board members from the National Unity Party (UBP) and People’s Party (HP) at KIBTEK’s (Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority) management. Vice-president Yusuf Avcıoğlu from the HP filed a lawsuit against the President of the Board Selim Gökbörü from the UBP and against Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy for damages incurred at KIBTEK. In the meantime, EL-SEN (KIBTEK Workers’ Union) is continuing to cut off the power supply to companies and institutions that owe significant amounts of money to KIBTEK in unpaid bills.
- Big blow to Altınbaş family – Ali Altınbaş, President of the Altınbaş University and Sofu Altınbaş, President of the Altınbaş Foundation, detained by the police in Turkey following serious accusations of fraud.
We succeeded
Turkish Cypriots have returned to conditions in the 60s when they had to carry water in buckets. While water shortages are being experienced all across North Cyprus, those with money are purchasing water via tankers at a cost of ₺20-50 (€2,23-5,58) per ton. Those who come from lower-income families are using the neighbourhood taps to fill their buckets as many did in the 60s. While the public is waiting for the authorities to find a solution, all eyes have turned to the water to arrive from Anamur, Turkey. However, Agriculture Minister Dursun Oğuz said that there is a delay in repair works on the pipeline due to weather conditions. He announced that the water will not start to flow on September 25.
- Promising development – (Turkish) President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that they could hold talks with Greece at a conference to be attended by Turkish Cypriots.
- Very positive – President Mustafa Akıncı welcomed the decision for talks to resume between Turkey and Greece.
Yet another fire caused by an artillery firing exercise
Just like every year, a fire broke out in the north-west end of the Kalavaç (Kalyvakia) village due to an artillery firing exercise carried out by the armed forces.
- Kaya Palazzo’s electricity was cut off – EL-SEN continues with its activities to protect KIBTEK and cut off the power supply to the Kaya Palazzo Hotel.
- Police operation to Altınbaş family – Altınbaş family members detained by the police on charges of fraud.
- Seven cases in the north, 15 in the south – 1447 tests were carried out in the north and 1709 tests in the south. 18 people discharged from the hospital in the north. yesterday (Tuesday).
Main News
A regional conference & exploratory talks ignite hopes for Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
All dailies on Wednesday reported on the decision for the resumption of talks between Turkey and Greece after a four-year hiatus following weeks of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece announced on Tuesday that it was accepting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s proposal to launch exploratory talks with Greece.
Erdoğan during a videoconference meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and head of the European Council Charles Michel said Turkey was ready to launch exploratory talks with Greece and added that Ankara has continually emphasized dialogue and negotiations despite provocations.
“Reciprocal steps [from Greece] are needed to preserve the momentum gained in lowering tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Erdoğan said.
Additionally, Erdoğan in his address of the 75th UN General Assembly on Tuesday proposed to hold a regional conference with all Mediterranean coastal states, including the north, in which the rights and interests of regional actors would be considered.
“We are proposing the holding of a regional conference in which the rights and interests of all states can be taken into consideration and where Turkish Cypriots are present too,” Erdoğan said adding that Ankara will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots against the Greek Cypriot side’s “uncompromising stance and unilateral actions.”
He noted Ankara has always favoured dialogue to resolve the issues, which will be on an equitable basis and in line with the international law.
Ömer Çelik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Tuesday said Ankara welcomed the launch of the exploratory talks with Greece.
Speaking following a meeting of the AKP’s Executive Committee, Çelik said there is no problem for Turkey to launch the negotiations.
“Ankara is in favour of talks without any preconditions but if Greece were to table their maximalist demands and ask Ankara to give up on its rights and interests, there will be no negotiations,” Çelik concluded.
Meanwhile, President Mustafa Akıncı on Tuesday welcomed the statement announcing the launch of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey.
He hailed the decision as a positive and promising development in light of ending tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“As a person who has always advocated resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiations to transform the region into a basin of collaboration, I wish the talks between Turkey and Greece will be concluded in a manner which will contribute to regional peace,” Akıncı said in a written statement.
Akıncı also welcomed Erdoğan’s proposal to convene an international conference on energy stating that the Turkish Cypriot side will be more than ready to participate.
“As the Turkish Cypriot side, we wish to express our readiness and willingness to take part in such a platform,” Akıncı said.
Akıncı concluded his statement by expressing his hope for positive reflections of the Greece-Turkey dialogue on the island.
Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal on the issue of hydrocarbons, which was tabled on July 13 2019, still stands, Akıncı said: “I wish that the dialogue between the two countries will inspire the Greek Cypriot side to work towards a solution in Cyprus.”
“The problems can only be solved through dialogue and not by putting them on hold,” Akıncı concluded.
Echoing Akıncı’s views, National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to attend a regional conference on natural gas.
“We welcome President Erdoğan’s proposal,” Tatar said, adding that such a conference could be a milestone and turning point for regional stability and peace.
“We hope the realities in the region could be seen during the conference and the relevant parties without disregarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, will start approaching the hydrocarbons issue by adopting the principle of collaboration,” Tatar concluded.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Tuesday also welcomed the decision to hold a regional energy conference.
In a post on social media, Özersay said this was an opportunity for the Turkish Cypriot side to be included in the energy negotiations.
“As a result of the inclusion, we as the Turkish Cypriots can be one of the actors in the region and we can claim our rights,” Özersay concluded.
Later on Tuesday evening, Özersay issued a statement slamming the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodulides who said it was out of the question for them to accept the participation of Turkish Cypriots in such a conference.
He said that the Greek Cypriots did not have the power to exclude Turkish Cypriots from such a conference or any other conference.
“The Greek Cypriot leadership believes that it can usurp our rights. As usual, the Greek Cypriot side is attempting to ignore us and our existence but they are dreaming. Just as the Turkish Cypriot side’s consent is required through a referendum on issues on the future of the island, so is such a consent required on issues concerning hydrocarbons and maritime areas,” he stressed.
Also on Tuesday, independent presidential candidate Serdar Denktaş said he saluted Erdoğan’s proposal to hold a regional conference, which will ensure the participation of the Turkish Cypriots.
Posting on social media, Denktaş said such a conference would be an important opportunity to overcome the disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
“As the Turkish Cypriot side, we have undisputed rights in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Denktaş said and expressed his strong belief that the problems will be overcome through dialogue.
Touching on the launch of the exploratory talks with Turkey, Denktaş also noted that launching a dialogue between Turkey and Greece is an important development.
“I hope the tension will be de-escalated in the Mediterranean and the Aegean and the relations through dialogue will return to how they were in the past,” Denktaş concluded.
Meanwhile, military delegations from Turkey and Greece have met for the fifth time as part of a NATO-led initiative to discuss deconfliction mechanisms in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday, the dailies report.
The next round is planned to be held next week, the Turkish Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Turkey is ready to launch exploratory talks with Greece.
>> Ankara has continually emphasized dialogue & negotiations despite provocations.
>> Reciprocal steps from Greece are needed to preserve the momentum gained in lowering tensions in the East Med.
>> Ankara will continue to stand by the TCs against the GC side’s uncompromising stance & unilateral actions.
>> Ankara has always favoured dialogue to resolve the issues, which will be on equitable basis & in line with international law.
Çelik (Turkey)
>> AKP welcomes & supports the launch of the exploratory talks with Greece.
>> Ankara is in favour of talks without any preconditions.
>> There will be no talks if Greece were to table its maximalist demands & ask Ankara to give up on its rights & interests.
Akıncı
>> Announcement of the launch of exploratory talks between Greece & Turkey is a positive & promising development.
>> Hopefully talks betweenTurkey & Greece will result in outcomes that will contribute to regional peace.
>> The TC will be ready & willing to take part in the regional energy conference.
>> The dialogue between the two countries should inspire the GC side given the TC side’s proposal on co-management of hydrocarbons & solution of Cyprob.
>> The problems can only be solved through dialogue & not by putting them on hold.
Tatar (UBP)
>> The TC side is ready to attend the regional conference on natural gas.
>> The conference could be a milestone for regional stability & peace.
>> Hope the realities in the region could be seen during the conference.
>> The relevant parties without disregarding the rights of the TCs will start approaching the hydrocarbons issue by adopting the principle of collaboration.
Özersay (HP)
>> This is an opportunity for the TC side to be included in the energy negotiations.
>> The TCs can be one of the actors in the region claim their rights.
>> GC side cannot exclude TCs from such a conference or any other conference.
>> TC side’s consent required on hydrocarbons issue as in other issues.
Denktaş (DP)
>> The conference will be an important opportunity to overcome the disputes in the East Med. region.
>> The TC side has undisputed rights in the East Med.
>> The problems will be overcome through dialogue.
>> The tension will be de-escalated in the Med & in the Aegean as a result of the launch of exploratory talks.
>> The relations through dialogue will return to how they were in the past.
Özersay held videoconference meeting with USG Lacroix
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Tuesday held a videoconference meeting with Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the dailies reported.
In a statement issued from his office, Özersay said he had asked the UN to issue a stern warning to the Greek Cypriot leadership to stop its provocations which are raising tensions both on the island and in the region.
Özersay recalled that the Greek Cypriot leadership had closed the crossing points during the pandemic and had taken a series of measures or steps aimed at harming the Turkish Cypriot economy.
He added the Greek Cypriot side was also creating difficulties for people crossing into the north and prohibited the crossing of EU citizens as well as third-country nationals completely.
“The Greek Cypriot side’s actions have further deepened the problem of trust between the two sides,” Özersay argued.
Referring to the UN Secretary-General’s call for global calm, Özersay argued that the Greek Cypriot side continued with its provocations.
“In addition to placing 187 pillboxes along the buffer zone, the Greek Cypriot leadership has also encouraged foreign powers to use the south side for military purposes,” Özersay stressed.
“The Turkish Cypriot side is in favour of dialogue and collaboration in every issue that matters to both communities including the hydrocarbons,” Özersay concluded.
Turkey blasts EU for sanctioning Turkish firm
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Those who tried to push aside Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean are realising diplomatic negotiations are the only way to resolve the tensions,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.
Speaking following a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdoğan added that the regional actors had attempted to impose their positions and maps have seen that they were futile efforts.
“Those who turn their backs on historical facts, international conventions, customs and visible truths for the sake of protecting the interests of a few countries on Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean issue will have nothing to say to the world,” he stressed.
Erdoğan underlined that Turkey will continue with its hydrocarbon exploration activities both in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Black Sea with determination and without interruption.
“Turkey is not interested in usurping anyone’s right in the Eastern Mediterranean but we also want our rights to be respected,” Erdoğan concluded.
“Athens, the Greek Cypriot administration and the entire region will benefit if the Greek president casts war rhetoric aside and embraces notions such as peace and consensus,” Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Tuesday.
Speaking during a programme on Anatolian News Agency, Oktay slammed the Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou for remarks against Turkey during her visit to the island of Kastellorizo (Megisti-Meis) and before departing for Cyprus.
“A solution to the Cyprus issue depends on Greece giving up on its expansionist policy and returning to reality. Sakellaropoulou calling Turkey as the occupant force on the island is nothing but a futile attempt of provocation,” Oktay stressed.
“Turkey is not an occupying force in Cyprus, but a country that prevented its occupation and annexation. Turkey went to Cyprus legitimately on July 20, 1974, upon the request of Turkish Cypriots, using its rights as a guarantor nation in line with the Zurich and London Agreements,” the vice president added.
He argued that Turkey has prevented further conflicts between the communities since then.
Oktay reiterated Ankara had always been in favour of a negotiated settlement on the island but Greece and the Greek Cypriot side “preferred to maintain the status quo” on the island.
Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın on Tuesday said that the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean can be changed so that it can benefit all countries.
“We favour an energy platform, conference or a meeting being established so that the energy resources are fairly and justly shared,” said Kalın in a statement.
Drawing attention to the political alliances formed by some of the riparian countries in the region, the Turkish presidential spokesman once again reiterated that Turkey favours a conference being established for the fair sharing of energy resources in the region.
Referring to Greece’s actions in the Aegean, Kalın said, “At this point, the climate has become much more suitable for negotiations to begin. Exploratory talks may start again.”
Noting that there were differing political views between Turkey, Israel and Egypt, Kalın said that these views were no obstacle to cooperating on energy issues.
Turkey on Tuesday criticized a decision by the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions on a Turkish maritime company.
“It has no value in our sight to add our maritime company to the sanctions list in the context of Libya as a result of the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s meeting,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Monday.
It is “extremely unfortunate that such a wrong decision” has been taken when efforts are being made to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, it added.
The EU’s Operation Irini supports Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar and punishes the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), it said.
The military operation, approved by EU foreign ministers on March 31 this year, aims to operate in the air, sea and with satellites to ensure that all countries respect a ban on providing arms to the parties involved in the Libyan conflict.
“While the aid provided by our country to the legitimate government is described as a violation of the embargo, the ignoring of the countries and companies that send arms to the putschist Haftar by land and air, especially the UAE, is a clear indicator of the EU’s biased attitude,” the ministry said.
It said if the EU wants security and stability in the region, it should abandon this biased attitude and act in consultation and cooperation with Turkey.
In another development, the dailies report that 86 Cypriot journalists, writers and artists have issued a joint statement.
“There is life beyond competitions of sovereignty, calculated interests and greed for property,” the joint statement read, urging everyone to stand up for peace.
“We can make peace; we can begin by kicking out warships. Because we would not trade the peaceful future of our common homeland for any wealth. The appetite for fossil fuels cannot heal any pain…The environment, nature, humans… can be the centre of our love in the Mediterranean,” the statement stressed.
Drawing attention to the escalated tension in the Mediterranean, the joint statement called on all Cypriots to raise their voice against warmongering based on ethnic identities and blame games.
“Cooperation is inevitable in Cyprus and the whole region,” the statement said and asked the Cypriots to remind the guarantor powers who the real owners of the island are.
Demanding a life centred around nature, peace and humanity, the signatories of the joint statement said they reject warships, and the risk of war, military exercises, the will of armament and the ongoing bullying in the region and finally the fossil fuels.
“We can love the Mediterranean together,” the joint statement concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Those who tried to push aside Turkey in the East Med. are realising diplomatic negotiations are the only way to resolve the tensions.
>> The regional actors attempting to impose their positions & maps have seen that these are were futile efforts.
>> Those that turn their backs on historical facts, international conventions, customs & visible truths for the sake of protecting the interests of a few countries on Cyprus & in the East Med. issue will have nothing to say to the world.
>> Turkey will continue with its hydrocarbon exploration activities both in the East Med. & in the Black Sea with determination & without interruption.
>> Turkey is not interested in usurping anyone’s right in the East Med. but want its rights to be respected.
Oktay (Turkey)
>> Athens, the GC side & the entire region will benefit if the Greek president casts war rhetoric aside & embraces notions such as peace & consensus.
>> A solution to the Cyprus issue depends on Greece giving up on its expansionist policy & returning to reality.
>> Turkey is not an occupying force in Cyprus, but a country that prevented its occupation & annexation.
>> Turkey went to Cyprus legitimately on July 20, 1974, upon the request of TCs, using its rights as a guarantor nation in line with the Zurich & London agreements.
>> Turkey has prevented further conflicts between the communities since then.
>> Ankara had always been in favour of a negotiated settlement on the island but Greece & the GC side “preferred to maintain the status quo” on the island.
Kalın (Turkey)
>> The energy resources in the East Med. can be changed so that it can benefit all countries.
>> Ankara favours an energy platform, conference or a meeting so that the energy resources are fairly and justly shared.
>> The climate has become much more suitable for negotiations to begin with Greece.
>> Exploratory talks may start again.
>> Differing political views between Turkey, Israel & Egypt, not an obstacle to cooperating on energy issues.
MFA(Turkey)
>> Extremely unfortunate that such a wrong decision was taken when efforts were made to reduce tensions in the East Med.
>> If the EU wants security & stability in the region, it should abandon this biased attitude & act in consultation & cooperation with Turkey.
The anti-federation rhetoric continues in the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar told reporters on Tuesday that the announcement made by the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres that he plans to convene an informal 5+1 meeting after the presidential elections in the north was an unnecessary statement.
“What is important is what the Turkish Cypriot people will say. The Turkish Cypriot people will exercise their political will on October 11. The Republic of Turkey has immediately responded to the Secretary-General’s announcement and no one can disregard Ankara because Turkey is a guarantor country,” he said.
Tatar, speaking during a visit in north Nicosia on Tuesday, pointed out that the last round of talks in Crans Montana had failed because of the Greek Cypriot side’s insistence on zero troops and zero guarantees, despite the goodwill demonstrated by the Turkish Cypriot side.
He added that the Cyprus Issue was no longer just an issue which concerned the island’s internal dynamics but included the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region.
“The process to reach a federal solution in Cyprus has collapsed,” former Turkish Cypriots negotiators Ergün Olgun and Osman Ertuğ said in a written statement issued on Tuesday.
They said that it was time all stakeholders and parties involved had to open-mindedly question why all past processes to reach a federal settlement in Cyprus had failed.
Reminding that the last round of talks in Crans Montana had failed, the two former negotiators said that everyone had agreed after that all attempts to reach a solution based on the federation model had been exhausted.
“Even President Mustafa Akıncı, in his follow-up statements, had openly admitted that process was the last attempt of his generation,” Olgun and Ertuğ said.
They pointed out that other alternatives, such a two-state solution should be brought to the agenda.
“Officials from motherland Turkey, especially Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu openly stated that efforts to reach a federal solution had collapsed in Crans Montana and that as a result, it was not possible to resume talks from where they left off,” they said.
Olgun and Ertuğ also expressed support to statements made by Çavuşoğlu that Ankara was ready to hold an informal 5+1 meeting to determine whether or not there were any grounds to starts talks based on sovereign equality.
Famagusta Initiative calls for a joint vision for Maraş (Varosha)
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Property, Territory, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal Famagusta Initiative has called for a “Joint Vision for Famagusta” for the sustainable revival of the wider Famagusta region and urged to put an end to keeping the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) hostage, the dailies report on Wednesday.
“Varosha, which is a dark stain in the history, should be transformed into a platform of collaboration for a future Federal Cyprus,” the Initiative said.
The Initiative demanded the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) establish a framework to carry out the restructuring of the entire city and to manage reconciliation processes while encouraging the two community leaders and the three guarantor powers to resume the negotiations process to find a swift solution to the Cyprus problem.
“We believe that the opening of the fenced-off town to its legal owners under the UN administration will be a game-changer to the Cyprus problem. We call for the reconstruction of the enclosed part of Famagusta through a common institutional framework under the UN which can act as a catalyst for a future political settlement,” the statement read.
The Initiative added that the statement was issued to draw attention to the plans to change the status of Maraş (Varosha).
“This is not only against the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 550 and 789, requesting the opening of the city under UN administration but also violates the legal obligations adjudicated by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),” the Initiative stressed.
Noting that the Initiative has been working on the revival of the greater Famagusta region since 2013, the statement outlined its recommendations for the future development of Famagusta.
“In this regard, first and foremost, the town to be viable needs to be perceived as one entity instead of it being divided into north and south,” the Initiative said.
It added that the two sides must cooperate and collaborate under a joint committee for the planning and the implementation of the reconstruction process for the town including the fenced-off part of Maraş (Varosha).
The Initiative also said the infrastructure and town planning must be carried out through a bi-communal working group. The public areas, sewerage, water and electricity supply systems, main road network, public transport and telecommunications infrastructure must be planned and built in a unified way. A unified planning strategy as such can help tackle imminent threats of climate crisis such as flooding and water scarcity, the Initiative said.
“We demand that our city ceases to be held hostage and to transform the Maraş (Varosha) to an integral part of Famagusta as a new vibrant city that can act as an example of cooperation for a future Federal Cyprus,” the statement concluded.