Front Page Headlines
The coronavirus cases are rising in Larnaca
Nea Salamina FC – Ethnikos Achnas FC are the two big hotspots. Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou and CFA (Cyprus Football Federation) chairman Giorgos Koumas will discuss today about protocols and possible interruption of the championship. More than 40 cases in Nea Salamina and Ethnikos Achnas with the majority concerning players. The seven news measures announced by the health ministry for the Larnaca district after the detection of 64 cases from five transmission chains are in effect for two weeks.
- They are rethinking the veto – They are waiting for Ankara’s move.
The alarm has sounded again
Laranca is under restrictions as of today. Thirty-six new cases, 12 patients at the reference hospital. Meeting today on football. After Nea Salamina, a two-digit number of cases also in Ethnikos.
- A race by the EU ahead of the (leader’s) Summit – Athens does not share the same excitement as her European partners on the start of talks with Turkey.
- A Lefkara lace for Madame President
- The parents of the students (who are soldiers and who want to study in the UK) claim damages amounting to millions – They will take legal action against the cabinet.
Covid-19 outbreak with 36 new cases
Additional measures to stop the spread of coronavirus are implemented from today in the Larnaca district. The four transmission chains at the Bishopric, Nea Salamina FC, Golden Bay hotel and the Ocean Basket restaurant have raised concerns. ‘Alarm bells’ also for the 18 cases concerning players of Ethnikos Achnas.
- Moves at four levels (on Cyprob & de-escalation of tensions)
- Victoras Hadjiavraam: Morphou is not up for bargaining and is not for sale…
- Ready for excavations for 100 cases – The CMP crews are working in the occupied areas in search of remains of GCs missing since 1974. There have been seven identifications by August 31,2020. In Pomos, remains of TC missing persons since 1964 are being sought.
New measures in hotspot Larnaca
Thirty-six new cases half of them footballers, gatherings limited to ten.
- We’re not isolated in EU says minister (Nicos Christodoulides)
- (Photo caption) Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou sits with Lefkara lacemakers on a visit to the village on Wednesday. She also visited the Committee on Missing Persons lab.
- ‘Huge honour’ as prison to feature on Netflix for its humanitarian approach
The coronavirus has affected football as well, the situation is getting out of hand, matches are cancelled.
Thoughts to close all pitches to football fans. Meeting today between the health minister and CFA.
- Will Erdogan escape sanctions? – Von der Leyen: Unless there is de-escalation, we will impose sanctions. Macron called on Erdogan to hold dialogue with Cyprus.
- Morphou: It is not up for sale
Main News
Full mobilisation to deescalate tensions before EU leaders’ summit
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, External Security, Regional/International Relations, Energy,
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Wednesday was a very busy day as regards contacts at EU and UN level concerning the escalation of tensions in the East Med and the Cyprus problem, the dailies report.
According to the papers, President Nicos Anastasiades had telephone conversations with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres while Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides had one with EU High Representative Josep Borrell.
In the meantime, EU officials said that the EU is unlikely to impose sanctions on Turkey after Ankara agreed to enter talks with Greece over disputes on their maritime areas.
The dailies report that Anastasiades spoke with Guterres via teleconference on Wednesday night and expressed his readiness to resume talks on the Cyprus problem after elections in the north next month. Anastasiades said he was ready to pick up where talks left off in Crans-Montana in 2017 and based on what was agreed in Berlin with Guterres and TC leader Mustafa Akinci in November last year.
Anastasiades said that despite the GCs’ goodwill and determination to find a resolution to the issue, Turkey was hindering such efforts via its actions in the region and threats as regards the closed-off area of Varosha. He stressed that in order for constructive talks to take place Turkey must stop its illegal actions in the region.
Earlier in the day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen briefed Anastasiades about her teleconference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Deputy Government Spokesman Panayiotis Sentonas said von der Leyen told Anastasiades that she warned Erdogan the EU would take measures if there is no de-escalation of the tensions and an end to Turkey’s illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean
In the meantime, Christodoulides discussed on Wednesday afternoon with Borrell during a telephone conversation the next steps aiming at the de-escalation of the situation in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) due to Turkey’s provocative activities.
The papers cite the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that reported, citing information, that Christodoulides and Borrell continued discussions that took place during the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Anastasiades also briefed the European People’s Party Summit, which took place via videoconference on Wednesday evening, on Turkey’s continued illegal actions within Cyprus’ EEZ as well as its threats to settle the fenced-off part of Turkish occupied Famagusta.
Cyprus Mail quotes statements by an EU diplomat to Reuters who said that the dialogue between Greece and Turkey has reduced the need to threaten sanctions on Turkey. He also said there’s no consensus among the 27 for such a step right now.
Alithia, Politis and Haravgi cite statements by an EU official who told members of the press during a news conference in Brussels that the videoconference between German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President of the European Council Charles Michel and Erdogan was a successful one and that the collective effort paid off to provide a window for diplomacy.
The EU official stressed that the collective efforts of Michel and other EU officials paid off but warned that the situation remains fragile. He stressed that the Michel-Merkel moves are also in coordination with the President of France Emmanuel Macron.
The official spoke of a dynamic approach to EU-Turkey issues in relation to the Eastern Mediterranean, at four levels: the EU-Turkey bilateral relations, to be addressed through bilateral talks; the Cyprus problem, which concerns reunification and is being approached within the UN framework; the problem of hydrocarbons and their distribution; and the international conference on the Mediterranean, which has been well received, but there are parameters that need to be clarified.
He also noted that the UN expects the resumption of talks on the settlement of the Cyprus issue. Another official explained that at the Mediterranean conference, the issue of definition would be key, but not the only one. He noted that they themselves have talked to the UN about the issue and are processing the various data. He also said that the fact that discussions are underway, “is in itself a measure of building trust”, the dailies reported.
Regarding the issue of the adoption of sanctions against Belarus and Cyprus’ refusal to participate in the unanimity, the EU official stated that this move was received with disappointment by many member states.
Cyprus Mail quotes Christodoulides denying that Nicosia vetoed the FAC decision to impose sanctions against Belarus unless the bloc also took action against Turkey. The paper quotes the minister’s statements to state broadcaster CyBC. Christodoulides said Cyprus did however insist that the agreement at foreign ministers level at the Gymnich, on the discussion of both issues be implemented.
He said that though during discussion in Brussels a number of countries backed the position that the process should be based on the political agreement in Berlin, some other countries headed by Germany said that in view of discussion at the European Council on the whole spectrum of EU-Turkey relations, the approach of the German chancellor is that this issue is referred to the European Council. He said Cyprus argued that based on the agreement both issues ought to be promoted to the European Council and that that is what happened.
Phileleftheros citing Christodoulides’ statements to Alpha TV, reports that the minister, in response to those criticising Nicosia’s stance at the FAC and accusations that the obsession with sanctions against Turkey puts the Greek-Turkish dialogue at risk, raised two questions. The first is whether Nicosia should not try to have Turkish activities off Cyprus stopped because Turkey ceased its illegal activities off Greece and the second question is whether Nicosia should just accept Turkey’s illegal actions because a Greek-Turkish dialogue has been initiated.
Politis, citing political analysts and sources close to the government, reported that Nicosia is now having second thoughts about playing the veto card as regards sanctions on Belarus following pressure by other EU members.
Despite the Presidential Palace’s position that it will keep the same line as it believes that a message must be sent to Turkey, yesterday a slight shift was observed after Christodoulides said that the postponement of the Summit was a good opportunity to allow consultations to continue for de-escalation of tensions also in the Cypriot EEZ. These statements hint that the government expects results from initiatives by Germany, France and the EU that are underway, Politis reported.
Alithia also reports that Macron discussed with Erdogan during a telephone conversation on Tuesday evening the situation in the region. The French foreign ministry said in statement that Macron urged Ankara to respect the full sovereignty of EU member states and international law and avoid any further unilateral action that can cause tensions. According the announcement Macron expressed hope that a dialogue between Turkey and Greece would continue and asked for a similar approach with Cyprus.
The paper also poses the question whether Turkey will escape EU sanctions after its agreement with Greece to enter a dialogue to de-escalate tensions in the East Med. The daily reported that on Wednesday intense backstage consultations and contacts took place between all stakeholders on the issues concerning the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and the EU. Diplomacy took over after Greece and Turkey agreed to dialogue and the postponement of the EU leaders’ summit, the daily reports. The latest developments put sanctions against Turkey on the backburner and brought dialogue to the fore, Alithia reported.
Phileleftheros reports that EU officials, taking advantage the extra week before the leaders’ summit that was postponed until October 1 and 2, are in a race to achieve de-escalation through back to back consultations and contacts. The aim is to achieve minimum consensus for the European Council to be able to take decisions and avoid a deadlock.
The paper also reports that Athens does not share the excitement that prevails in Brussels and many European capitals in relation to the dialogue between Greece and Turkey. Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias pointed out that the two sides will need to find the rules on which the talks will be based on but that this was not easy since Turkey does not accept international law as the common rule.
Dendias also said that the EU should impose sanctions on a state if it is violating international law and that this should apply both for Belarus and Turkey if it is deemed the latter acts in violation of international law.
Phileleftheros also reported that excitement reigns in the occupied areas over Erdogan’s proposal for a conference on the East Med with the TCs’ participation.
The dailies also report on parties’ reactions. Alithia reported that all parties except AKEL welcomed the foreign minister’s insistence on the interconnection of sanctions.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades (RoC)
>> Ready to resume talks on the Cyprob right elections in the north from they left-off in Crans-Montana & based on what was agreed in Berlin with Guterres and Akinci but Turkey needs to first stop its illegal actions in the region.
>> Though GCs have expressed goodwill and determination to find a solution, Turkey hinders these efforts with its actions in the region & threats as regards Varosha.
Von der Leyen (EU Commission)
>> Warns that the EU will take measures if there is no de-escalation of the tensions and an end to Turkey’s illegal actions in the East Med.
Christodoulides (RoC FM)
>> Nicosia did not veto the FAC decision on imposing sanctions against Belarus unless the bloc also took action against Turkey. It simply wants the implementation of the agreement at Gymnich that both issues would be implemented.
>> Just because Turkey ceased its activities off Greece does that mean Nicosia should not try to get Ankara do the same on Cyprus’ EEZ out of fear this would harm the Greek-Turkish dialogue?
Dendias (Greece’s FM)
>> Not very optimistic about dialogue with Turkey since Ankara does not accept international law as the common rule.
>> The EU should impose sanctions on a state if it is violating international law & this should apply both for Belarus and Turkey if it is deemed the latter acts in violation of international law.
France (MFA)
>> Macron called on Turkey to respect the full sovereignty of EU member states & international law and avoid any further unilateral action that can cause tensions.
>> Macron calls for continuation of dialogue between Turkey & Greece & for a similar approach with Cyprus.
Morphou is not up for grabs, mayor says
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Territory, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The papers report on Morphou mayor Victoras Hadjiavraam’s response to statements by TC ‘prime minister’ Ersin Tatar that Morphou would not be returned to the GCs.
Hadjiavraam said in a written statement that Morphou is not up for bargaining and is not for sale nor was, is or will be a trading card.
Morphou solely belongs to Morphou refugees, who will never resign from their inalienable right to return, Hadjiavraam said.
He also said that Tatar had no right to decide and announce which areas will be returned and which will not since the territory held by the TCs is held illegally and through the violent enforcement of the Turkish occupation army.
The Morphou mayor also said that the faits accomplis created by the invasion and the illegal occupation, give Tatar and the illegal regime no rights over the occupied areas.
Greek president visits CMP lab
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
CBMs, Human Rights, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who was on the island on an official visit, visited on Wednesday the Committee on Missing Persons’ lab (CMP) to view the work being done in identifying the remains of missing persons.
Sakellaropoulou said she hoped the work of the CMP would accelerate so that relatives could have a clearer picture about the fate of their loved ones.
She also said the CMP’s work was important for the relatives of missing persons who have the right to know the fate of their loved ones and see they receive a proper burial. She added that this was an issue of concern to both communities. She also said there also Greek citizens on the missing list.
GC member of the CMP Leonidas Pantelides said he briefed the Greek president on the number of missing Greeks still on the list. Of the 77 on the list, CMP identified 30, he said.
Pantelides also said that due to the pandemic restrictions but also due to the hot weather they had lost 92 working days so far this year.
At the moment there are almost 100 cases approved for excavation, he said, citing areas in the north such as Lefkoniko and Lapithos. He also said that in the government-controlled areas, they will search for missing TCs in the Famagusta area and in Pomos.
So far this year the CMP identified seven persons.
Sakellaropoulou also visited the Supreme Court and the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia. She also went to Lefkara where she was given as present a Lefkara lace embroidery.