Front Page Headlines
Battle with words in an all-night horror show
Turkey divided the EU 27 leaders at the European Council. Long behind the scene consultations starring Merkel and Macron. The drafts do not show any intention by the EU for immediate sanctions on Ankara. Anastasiades and Mitsotakis persistently requested for wording in the conclusions text equivalent of the strict messages that need to be sent to Turkey. Insistence by Charles Michel on an international meeting on the Mediterranean with Nicosia asking for clarifications on the content, participants and implementation time.
- National anniversary: Parade without spectators and with many messages
A night of horrors for sanctions
Unprecedented diplomatic behind-the-scenes procedure with discussions on the draft (conclusions). Merkel is against harsh measures against Turkey.
- Historic parade without citizens – Strip of emotion. The presence of the infantry bodies was particularly impressive. Forces of the National Guard paraded in flawless formations. Participants did not hear any applause, but they were congratulated by the state.
- Republic of Cyprus – It has learned to cope in difficult times
- ‘Elections’ in the occupied areas – Battle for three candidates with two of them being on the lead.
- Israel-Lebanon delimit their EEZ
All-night consultations at the high-level meeting
Nicosia and Athens filed objections to the first draft on conclusions insisting on balancing out the absence of a reference to sanctions with stricter messages to Turkey and its responsibility to the member-states and their sovereign rights. In the first draft there were references to a multi-party conference and the speedy restart of the talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem.
- AKEL leader: Many initiatives need to be taken for the repetition of the talks
- Erdogan sees threats, blackmail and conflict from those across
- Refugees are furious with (Paphos mayor Phedon) Phedonos
- NATO: communication line between Athens and Ankara
- Calls from three countries for a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan fall on deaf ears
A tough sell at the EU Council
Cyprus goes to Council ready to defy its partners. Germany and France pull EU in different directions.
- Cyprus Republic marks 60th birthday – On 60th anniversary absent Anastasiades says all Cypriots deserve to live in peace.
- Caucasus ceasefire effort under strain
Horror show for nerves of steel
Cyprus-Greece blocked the unacceptable draft. Big annoyance by Anastasiades on references to natural gas. The drafts were being sent back and forth.
- 60 years of Republic of Cyprus
- NATO announcement on the agreement by Greece-Turkey on avoiding conflict
- Muslim religion: Koran, khalif, mufti, imam, emir, muezzin, hodja, sheikh… (opinion piece on the meaning of various Muslim religious terms)
- Historic joint announcement for ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh by the US, Russia and France
Main News
All-night consultations at EUCO over Turkey
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process, External Security, Energy
OVERVIEW
All dailies’ main items are on the intense consultations at the European Council summit in Brussels on drafting the meeting’s conclusions with Nicosia and Athens insisting on strong language against Turkey since it became apparent there would be no agreement on sanctions on Ankara.
Cyprus Mail and Haravgi reported that Anastasiades said in his pre-recorded message marking Cyprus’ 60th anniversary of independence from Britain that he expected from the European Council summit a more concrete and effective stance, to end this gunboat diplomacy.
Both dailies also report that Merkel said on her way to the summit that the EU has a complex relationship with Ankara. She said Turkey is a partner in NATO and the migration crisis explaining that is why the EU needs a “constructive relationship with Ankara” and said the conflict needed to be resolved with diplomacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron said EU solidarity with Cyprus was non-negotiable.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said The European Union “finally has to show Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan where our red lines. This means the termination of enlargement talks and sanctions.”
Cyprus Mail pointed out that neither Merkel or Macron, which it said are the EUs two most powerful leaders, suggested a way out of the impasse, however.
Phileleftheros reports that during the long consultations, German Chancellor Angela Merkel kept putting forth obstacles in Turkey’s favour.
The daily reports it was expected that the battle at the European Council would be a tough one given Germany’s efforts to avert harsh measures against Turkey. This was proven in action through the obstacles Merkel kept putting to avert a change in the initial draft of the meeting’s conclusions presented by European Council President Charles Michel. Michel’s draft included many carrots and not stick for Turkey which stirred Greece’s and Cyprus’ reaction, the paper reported.
After the initial draft was presented discussion was interrupted due to reactions by Greece and Cyprus and continued during dinner. Separate consultations followed with the participation of President Nicos Anastasiades, the Greek prime minister, the French president, Merkel, Michel and the President of the European Commission. During this meeting Greece presented a proposal for harsher measures against Turkey to which Germany reacted against.
Alithia reports that the reference on the draft on the need to address ‘sharing of revenue from hydrocarbon resources’ has irked Anastasiades since this is one of Turkey’s demands and since, on the subject of hydrocarbons, there are already convergences between the GCs and the TCs. There was also strong Cypriot reaction from the fact that the sanctions were referred to the Foreign Affairs Council of October 12. Overall, the Cypriot delegation reported that there was good support for the Cypriot positions except from Germany.
Politis reports the EU27 had not reached a conclusion until late on Thursday on the draft conclusions text as regards references to Turkey. Merkel did not want the word sanctions in the text arguing this could torpedo things especially after the agreement between Athens and Ankara at NATO level on the creation of a military mechanism.
The Greek prime minister wanted clearer references to the activation of a mechanism for sanctions while Nicosia had requested clarifications and changes to many of the points. Despite the interruption and consultations, at least until later Thursday night, it did not seem Anastasiades would come back to Cyprus with the addition of names to the list of sanctions against Turkey in his luggage, the daily reported. It added that many member states, with Germany in the lead, were ready to adopt the prospect of a positive agenda with Ankara.
As long as Ankara keeps a constructive stance in the Eastern Mediterranean the EU appears ready to discuss with Ankara the upgrade of the customs union and facilitating trade, the high-level dialogue and the ongoing migration cooperation in line with EU-Turkey 2016 declaration, the paper reports.
The paper also reported that the President of the European Council insisted on his proposal for a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and called for the authorisation of High Commissioner Josep Borrell to start the talks on its organisation. Details such as participation, scope and timetable should be agreed with all stakeholders, the daily reported, adding that these are points for which Nicosia too asked clarifications.
Phileleftheros reports that the initial draft said that the EU has a strategic
interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in
the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with
Turkey. All differences must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and in accordance
with international law, it said. In this context, the European Council
reiterated its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, whose sovereign rights
must be respected. The EU is ready to make use of all instruments at its
disposal in order to promote these objectives.
The EU also welcomed the recent confidence building steps by Greece and Turkey,
as well as the announcement that they will resume their exploratory talks.
These efforts need to be sustained and broadened, the draft said.
It also called for a stop to the violations of the sovereign rights of the
Republic of Cyprus, it called on Turkey to abstain from unilateral hydrocarbon
exploration activities in disputed sea areas, in breach of international law,
and to engage in dialogue with the objective of settling all maritime-related
disputes between Turkey and Cyprus.
The new text presented by Charles Michel adds, in relation to the original, the strong condemnation of the EU for the illegal Turkish drilling within the Cyprus EEZ, notes that the EU is fully committed to the settlement of the Cyprus problem and keeps the phrase on ‘using all means’ in case of unilateral actions by Turkey and commits the Council to decisions by December. It also includes the Greek phrase for delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones.
The European Council also said it supports the speedy resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the UN, towards agreement on the establishment of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.
Haravgi reports
it also refers to a multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and
invites the HRVP to engage in talks about its organisation.
Phileleftheros reports
that the Greek proposal, among other things, called for the EU’s commitment to the
creation of an environment of trust and cooperation with Turkey and that unilateral
hydrocarbon exploration activities needed to stop immediately.
It also referred to unilateral announcements on maritime jurisdictions such as Turkey’s Mavi Vatan map which do not produce legal effects for third countries.
Cyprus Mail, cited statements of a senior Cypriot diplomat to Reuters who said that the summit was headed for an impasse if the EU did not send a message to Turkey that Ankara’s oil and gas exploration along the coast of Cyprus is unacceptable. “To release the Belarus file we have to have an agreement on our proposals as well,” the diplomat said. He rejected criticism from some EU member states that Cyprus’ veto on the Belarus sanctions was undermining the credibility of the bloc to take foreign policy action in its backyard pointing out that Turkey is the EU’s backyard too.
He said that for Cypriots this was a national issue “and so if we have to be alone we have to be alone.”
A senior EU diplomat told Reuters there was a great deal of political activity at the highest levels to try and unblock the situation on sanctions against Belarus.
The dailies also report that amid the activity in Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that Greece and Turkey had set up a mechanism to avoid accidental clashes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Stoltenberg said the agreement between Turkey and Greece included a hotline to avoid accidents in the sea and air.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades (Cyprus)
>> Expects from EUCO a more concrete & effective stance, to end Turkey’s gunboat diplomacy.
Merkel (Germany)
>> The EU needs a constructive relationship with Ankara given its complex relations with the bloc & role in alleviating the migration crisis. Believes diplomacy is the best option.
Macron (France)
>> Calls for EU solidarity with Cyprus.
Kurz (Austria)
>> Wants the EU to show Erdogan its red lines by imposing sanctions on Turkey and terminating enlargement talks.
RoC marks 60th anniversary amidst Covid measures
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades addressed the nation on Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of Cyprus’ independence in a pre-recorded message while the customary military parade took place without any spectators due to the measures against the spread of the coronavirus, the dailies report.
The dailies report that Anastasiades, said in his televised address to mark the 60th anniversary of Cyprus’ independence that all of the people of Cyprus have the right to live in harmony and co-create in conditions of stability and peace security prosperity and progress.
He also said that the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus finds the country facing new challenges due to the ongoing Turkish illegal actions either by invading the economic zone of Cyprus EEZ or due to the threats for the illegal settlement of Famagusta. Anastasiades said these actions are contrary to international law, resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Unfortunately, he said, despite the condemnation of its actions by the UN the EU and the international community, Turkey continues its illegal and unilateral actions.
Anastasiades also said he had no option but to be in Brussels for the European Council summit on the day Cyprus celebrates its independence from British rule to defend what was handed over to the Cypriot people through blood and sacrifices.
The president said this reference of his was not random, “because, unfortunately, before the leaders of the European states there will be a letter from the Turkish president in which, with excessive audacity, he claims that the Republic of Cyprus is extinct since it has been dissolved.”
Anastasiades said the EU’s principles and values do not allow relaxations or concessions on a candidate country for EU membership and that disregards its obligations to a member-state, blatantly violates the human rights of its own citizens and that has been repeatedly condemned by a plethora of UN resolutions, Security Council decisions, and the European Court of Human Rights.
As regards the Cyprus problem, he said that despite the GCs’ determination and sincere will, Turkey’s uncompromising attitude, irrational demands and demands did not allow a functional, sustainable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.”
Such a solution “would lead us to a truly sovereign, independent and European state, away from anachronistic guarantees, the presence of foreign troops or any dependence on third parties,” he said.
Anastasiades also addressed “our TC compatriots, assuring them that we understand their sensitivities but at the same time I want to make it clear that we do not ignore the concerns of GCs.” He said all the people of Cyprus, he said, have the right to live in harmony and to co-create in conditions of stability and peace, security, prosperity and progress.
“But to achieve this, we need to understand that our country is an independent and sovereign state, a member of the EU, and that we do not have the luxury, for the sake of the aspirations of others, to lead to a solution that will not be functional and sustainable and will disregard the rights of its legal residents,” he said.
The president also gave reassurances that, in parallel with the efforts made to address the national challenges, “we do not fail to work tirelessly to create conditions for the well-being of the whole.”
The dailies also report that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a congratulatory message to Anastasiades in which he has given reassurances that the end of the Turkish occupation and the achievement of a just viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem remains a top national concern for Greece.
Mitsotakis also said Greece would spare no effort and was always ready to assist in the goal of resuming talks on resolving the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN.
He too noted that this year’s anniversary was different because it was being celebrated in the midst of continuous illegal Turkish actions against the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus both in the maritime zones and on the territory of Cyprus through threats of settlement of Varosha and usurpation of Greek Cypriot property there in direct violation of international law and UN resolutions.
Mitsotakis said the full support and assistance of Greece to Cyprus is a given and that Athens would not accept the legalisation of the faits accomplis in Cyprus just as it will never accept the legalisation of the consequences of the ongoing Turkish occupation and Turkish settlement.
In this context, he said, Athens is always ready to assist in the goal of resuming talks on resolving the Cyprus issue within the UN framework.
The Greek government was represented at the military parade that took place in Nicosia, by the Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos and the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Konstantinos Floros.
In Anastasiades’ absence, House Speaker Demetris Syllouris took the salute at the parade as Acting President.
Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides was also present as well as National Guard Chief Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis. The Chief of the Italian Armed Forces and a representative of the Minister of the Armed Forces of France had also attended.
The dailies report that this year the parade was without any spectators though Cyprus Mail reports that scores of people made their way to the event.
Syllouris said after the parade that though peace is a priority Cyprus is ready to defend itself against any aggressive or predatory behaviour by any other country.
Syllouris expressed his satisfaction for the impeccable presentation by the National Guard of the weapons and their training expressing certainty that they will be ready to defend the Republic of Cyprus if necessary.
He added that priority is the solution of the Cyprus problem because that way it can ensure in the best possible way and in the least of sacrifices another 60 years of life in this difficult region of the world. He also said Cyprus was working for peace through its international relations and its partnerships in the region and they were setting up a group of peaceful states against the predatory behaviour of any other country.
Syllouris also thanked Panagiotopoulos who attended the parade. He said the Greek minister’s presence is perceived as a message that in every difficult moment “Greece will be by our side.”
Politis, in a comment, citing reliable sources, reported that the appearance of the Greek F16s that usually fly over the parade for the past few years, has been cancelled this year due to the change in the dates of the European Council. The summit was postponed until yesterday due to a coronavirus case in Charles Michel’s contacts and the timing was not right so Athens, thinking wisely, decided that the Greek wings should not cover us, the comment said.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> All the people of Cyprus have the right to live in harmony & co-create in conditions of stability and peace security prosperity and progress.
>> Despite the condemnation of its actions by the UN, EU & international community, Turkey continues its illegal and unilateral actions such as the invasion of Cyprus’s EEZ & threats for the illegal settlement of Famagusta.
>> Feels his fight in Brussels over sanctions on Turkey is in defence of the RoC which Turkey claims it is extinct since it has been dissolved.
>> Believes the EU should not allow relaxations over the implementation of its principles by a candidate country that disregards its obligations to a member-state & that blatantly violates the human rights of its own citizens and that has been repeatedly condemned by UN bodies.
>> Despite the GCs’ determination and sincere will, lack of progress to the Cyprob process is due to Turkey’s uncompromising attitude, irrational demands & demands.
>> The right solution to the Cyprob is one that leads to a truly sovereign, independent and European state, away from anachronistic guarantees, foreign troops or any dependence on third parties.
>> Understands the TCs’ sensitivities on security and governance but he cannot ignore the GCs’ concerns.
Mitsotakis (Greece)
>> The end of the Turkish occupation & the achievement of a just, viable and functional solution to the Cyprob is a top national concern for Greece that will spare no effort & is always ready to assist in the goal of resuming the talks within the framework of the UN.
>> Greece’s full support & assistance to Cyprus is a given. Athens will not accept the legalisation of the faits accomplis in Cyprus or of the consequences of the ongoing Turkish occupation & settlement.
>> Turkish actions against the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the RoC in the EEZ & threats of settlement of Varosha and usurpation of GC property there are direct violations of international law and UN resolutions.
Syllouris (RoC House)
>> Though peace is a priority, Cyprus is ready to defend itself against any aggressive or predatory behaviour by any other country.
>> The NG appears ready to defend the RoC if necessary.
>> Solving the Cyprob would ensure in the best possible way and in the least of sacrifices many more years for the RoC.
>> Cyprus, that is working for peace through its international relations & partnerships in the region is part of a group of peaceful states that are against the predatory behaviour of any other country.
>> The presence of a Greek minister at the RoC military parade is a message that in every difficult moment Greece will be by Cyprus’ side.
Refugees demand better distribution of TC properties
Haravgi
Property, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the Pancyprian Association of Occupied Property Owners accused Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos of arbitrarily intervening in TC properties leased to refugees and that he is trying to turn them into refuges for the second time.
They also report that a large part of the TC properties, have been given, in violation of the law, to municipalities, communities and others. The group ask the Guardian of TC properties custodian to inform them which, for what use, when, and how many properties have been given to municipalities, individuals, entrepreneurs, and others. They argued that this is done to the detriment of the refugees, who have property in the areas currently occupied by Turkey.
They added that despite the repeated appeals of the displaced legal property owners, not a single cent has been given to them for the loss of use of their property, while the government says that after 46 years the issue of TC property should be put on the right footing.
The group demand the amendment of the law on the TC properties Guardian so that this land is distributed to refugees based on how much property they own in the occupied areas stating that after the solution of the Cyprus problem, they will hand over the TC properties to their legal owner and they will return to their properties.
The group called for the immediate intervention on the interior minister and the competent House committee and on the state, to implement a social policy, by providing housing or land, both for the displaced and for all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
They also said that if municipalities wish to make parking lots, according to the law, GC land should be expropriated.
Haravgi reports that two weeks ago, AKEL Paphos branch and MP Andreas Fakontis had also accused Phedonos of arbitrarily and without any notice carried out the implementation of a plan for the layout of Fellahoglou street and the adjacent parking lots. The party and MP had claimed that no bids were announced for the project while the necessary budget was not approved by the municipal council. The demolition that took place affected elderly refugees who have contracts and therefore no intervention can be made in their property, they said, the paper reported.
Phedonos at the time had spoken of the existence of fake contracts by refugees who currently own high-rise apartment buildings and other properties and therefore should not own and claim other TC properties, Haravgi reports.