Front Page Headlines
Cataract negligence has blinded four people
Four more people are struggling to rescue part of their vision. The patients got infected with water-resistant bacteria traced in surgical tools and solutions where disinfection cannot take place. This is a rare complication in cataract surgeries with the health ministry seeking the causes of the infection. Organised patients are calling for exemplary punishment. The possibility of criminal prosecution is open.
- Cyprus problem: Things are still unclear after Tatar’s election
- European Commission: They are launching an infringement procedure on us over the ‘golden’ passports
- Russia-Turkey: Silent partners in the East Med
Guterres is making appointments
The UN Secretary-General’s invitations for a procedural meeting in November are ready. Anastasiades’ initiative for a meeting with Tatar.
- They are celebrating their victory in Turkey – Tatar was a hit among settlers and now is going to Ankara.
- Excavations in Mia Milia to locate nine missing persons
- The trial of the 58-year-old for his attack on a soldier is in March
- The European Commission has decided on infringement procedure over ‘golden’ passports
Cyprus put on the stand over the ‘golden’ passports
The College of Commissioners discussed yesterday the investor citizenship schemes in Malta and Cyprus, and Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic announced that it was decided to launch an infringement procedure against Cyprus which is the first stage for referring the country to the European Court of Justice.
- (Cyprus problem) Dialogue with a sense of urgency
Tatar meeting as soon as possible
Anastasiades congratulates new Turkish Cypriot leader.
- Cyprus ‘among the countries with most to lose’ in no-deal Brexit
- Government mulls new scheme for investors
The day after riddle
On the policy to be adopted by Erdogan-Tatar. How will the Turkish duo react to Guterres’ invitation for a five-party meeting? Will the election campaign announcements on Famagusta be implemented post-elections? What will Erdogan’s line be on the form of the solution? Strict message to Tatar from the (European) Commission with references to Varosha. Initiative by Anastasiades, a meeting to get to know the new TC leader is expected. Tatar: ‘I draw strength from Turkey, and I back the Blue Homeland.’
- Cyprus’ women are demonstrating for Famagusta at the Dherynia crossing
- Commission goes after Cyprus and Malta over the passports
Main News
Anastasiades to meet Tatar, UN initiative on Cyprob coming soon
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, CBMs, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades has called the new Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to congratulate him on his victory and arrange to meet with him the soonest possible.
According to the dailies, Anastasiades contacted Tatar by phone on Monday to congratulate him and proposed a meeting the soonest possible to get to know each other, something which Tatar accepted. Anastasiades contacted the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, whom he briefed about the two leaders’ intention to meet. Spehar said she would make all necessary arrangements to this end, government spokesman Kyriacos Kousios said. The two leaders are expected to meet within the next 10 days.
Anastasiades said earlier on Monday he fully respected the “decision of our compatriots to select Mr Ersin Tatar as new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.”
“I want to assure him and my Turkish Cypriot compatriots of my readiness and decisiveness to immediately respond to the UN Secretary- General’s declared intention to embark on a new initiative as soon as possible to resolve the Cyprus problem” on the basis of the UN resolutions and the principles of the EU.
“I would like to hope that Mr. Tatar would display the same willingness,” Anastasiades said.
The dailies report that the EU too called for a resumption of the talks now that the elections in the north are over.
European Commission spokesperson Vivian
Loonela said in a written statement that the EU notes that the electoral
process in the TC community has now concluded with Mr Tatar obtaining a majority
of the votes cast. “It is now crucial that the settlement talks are resumed.
The EU expects Mr Tatar to engage in dialogue constructively and with a sense
of urgency with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement and
reunification.”
She added that the EU supports the speedy resumption of negotiations, under the
auspices of the UN, and remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement
of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in accordance with the
relevant UNSC resolutions, [including UNSC resolutions 550 and 789], and in
line with the principles on which the EU is founded.
Anastasiades also contacted by phone Mustafa Akinci, whom he thanked for the cooperation they had until today, Kousios said.
Anastasiades assured Akinci that they will remain in touch and noted that he looks forward to his contribution as regards the efforts for a Cyprus settlement.
Akinci on his part confirmed that he will be at the disposal of the two leaders in their effort for a settlement, as well as for the prevalence of peace, stability and prosperity in Cyprus.
Alithia and Phileleftheros, citing UN sources, report that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to announce soon his new initiative on the Cyprus problem. Guterres’ letters to Tatar and Anastasiades inviting them to the five plus one informal meeting between the two sides, the three guarantors and the UN within November are expected to be sent very soon, if they haven’t been sent already.
Politis reports that sources within the GC side point out that Tatar is not expected to torpedo any effort before even discussing and submitting his positions. After all, he has also said that he wants his positions to be heard, a fact that shows that he will enter the dialogue process, while analysts estimate that it will be particularly difficult for him to disengage from the framework agreed with Guterres, at least from the outset. This essentially means that once the first preparatory contacts have been made by the United Nations, it is not ruled out that the parties may proceed to the next step, which is an informal conference. Ankara and Tatar will set their positions so that the dialogue can move forward. Among them will be the agreement on the sharing of hydrocarbons, but possibly also leaving the field open for discussion on new ideas regarding the solution. Things will be made clearer at the informal meeting as regards acceptance of the Guterres framework by the parties or not while the questioning of the bizonal bicommunal federation will gradually make its way in the discussion, the daily reported.
Politis also reports that there are concerns that Tatar’s election might cause problems also to the communication mechanisms between the two sides on issues that arise of a medical or humanitarian nature, movement of people from Kato Pyrgos through the north or even coordination through the technical committees.
The fears expressed are that the mechanisms built with Akinci’s associates will be lost after Tatar takes over since he has a more hardline stance as regards cooperation between the communities. Anastasiades is expected to raise these issues during his meeting with Tatar, Politis reports.
Phileleftheros reports that the new TC leader has already been invited to Ankara for contacts with the Turkish leadership. This visit is expected to precede any other contacts Tatar may have since Ankara’s goal is to direct him from the very beginning in the direction it wants, in view of developments on the Cyprus issue.
The daily also reports that the British government expressed readiness for the resumption of talks citing a tweet by Under-Secretary of State Wendy Morton saying the UK stands ready to work with Tatar and Anastasiades, Greece, Turkey and the UN to restart talks to reunify Cyprus in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions.
Alithia reports that Anastasiades has taken an initiative to get things moving but raises the question of Erdogan and Tatar’s stance on the process, the form of a solution but also the issue of Famagusta.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Fully respected the decision of his compatriots, the TCs, to select Tatar as their new leader.
>> He is ready to immediately respond to the UNSG’s initiation as soon as possible to resolve the Cyprob, hopes Tatar will be as willing.
Loonela (EC spokesperson)
>> It is crucial that the talks for the solution of the Cyprob resume under UN auspices & within the UN framework and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, including those on Varosha & in line with the principles on which the EU is founded.
>> The EU expects Tatar to engage in dialogue constructively and with a sense of urgency with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement & reunification.
Morton (UK)
>> The UK stands ready to work with the two leaders, the other two guarantors and UN to restart talks to reunify Cyprus in accordance with UNSC resolutions.
It is Turkey who runs the show anyway, most GC parties say
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies also report on parties’ reactions to Tatar’s election with most saying whoever the TC leader is, it is Turkey that has the final say anyway.
Ruling DISY said they expect to see in practice Tatar’s stand on the expected developments on the Cyprus issue.
“Our position is a given. Resumption of talks as soon as possible with the sole purpose of reaching a solution on the agreed basis, which is the bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF),” Disy said.
Main opposition AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said Tatar’s election was a negative development given his position on the Cyprus problem and the prospect of resolving the Cyprus issue within the agreed framework of the bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions.
He also pointed out that Tatar’s election “was not determined by our Turkish Cypriot compatriots but by the unprecedented intervention of Turkey and the vote of the settlers.”
Kyprianou also warned that things are getting more and more difficult and that more than three years have been lost without a negotiation process, though the GC side’s interlocutor was a TC leader who rejected the two-state solution and insisted on a federal solution.
“As of today, our interlocutor is Mr Tatar, who favours partitionist options. Mr Tatar who will surely govern according to the wishes of Ankara,” he said.
He added however that nothing is over yet.
He called on President Nicos Anastasiades to consistently insist on resuming the negotiation process and continue from where things left off in Crans Montana, based on the Guterres framework and the convergences so far.
EDEK said the election result showed that Ankara has the leading and defining role in decision-making in the north. The party called for an “end to illusions”.
DIKO’s spokesman Pavlos Mylonas too urged people not to be disillusioned. No TC politician determines developments on the Cyprus issue, he said.
Mylonas reiterated his party’s position that, for a proper solution to the Cyprus problem, what is needed is a change of attitude and concessions on the part of Turkey. To achieve this goal, he said, a new assertive strategy was needed, which will cause political, diplomatic and economic costs to Turkey and the Turkish side and will prevent Turkish divisive plans.
The Citizens’ Alliance said Tatar was Ankara’s chosen one since he will be the man through whom Erdogan’s expansionist plans in Cyprus will come into force.
The party called on Anastasiades to convene a National Council to discuss the next steps, adding that the Cyprus problem is entering even more dangerous paths.
The Solidarity Movement said no matter who the TC leader is, Turkey is the problem.
The party pointed out no solution to the Cyprus problem was reached when Akinci was the TC leader while the BBF he was in favour of was not compatible with the BBF supported by some in the GC side. It also said that those GCs who mourn Akinci’s defeat, in fact contributed to his defeat because “the Muslims kept hearing that Akinci was the agent of the GCs who keep interfering in the TCs’ affairs.”
The Greens said Tatar’s positions on the Cyprus problem intensified their concerns in view of the forthcoming UN initiative.
‘Russia secretly backing Turkey’s moves in Cyprus’ EEZ’
Politis
Energy, Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
The daily, citing the latest report by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) titled The Kremlin Playbook , reports that Russia is Turkey’s silent supporter in its energy-related actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The latest edition of The Kremlin Playbook is analysing Greece and Cyprus. The previous reports had examined Russia’s attempts to capture political and economic decision-making in 16 European countries.
The latest report includes unconfirmed information that Turkey’s piracy in the Cypriot EEZ has led to the discovery of natural gas deposits totaling about 170 billion cubic metres. The authors attribute Russia’s support to Turkey’s actions in an effort to prevent the exploitation of natural gas found in the Cypriot EEZ and consequently the diversification of Europe’s energy sources.
In particular, the publication emphasises that for years Russia has tacitly supported the Turkish reaction to the oil and gas drilling in Cypriot waters, and this delayed work on the giant Aphrodite gas field with estimated reserves of about 8 trillion cubic feet (around 235billion cubic metres). This reaction could prevent or slow down the development of similar fields as in the Glafkos-1 block, the largest discovery of natural gas near Cyprus so far, the daily reported.
In addition, Turkish warships are harassing research vessels in the area, increasing the risks of potential financial commitment by investors. These restrictions on the development of Cyprus’ oil and gas fields benefit Russian geopolitical interests by preventing diversification of gas supplies to the EU, especially in southeastern Europe, which is one of the regions most dependent on Russia’s natural gas. This contrasts with European efforts to build a Mediterranean gas hub.
This hub will include the 1,900 km EastMed gas pipeline which connects the gas resources of Israel, Cyprus and Egypt with continental Europe through Greece.
The current situation creates additional tensions between Cyprus and Turkey while threatening to be a major security issue for EU and NATO, the report’s authors mention.
Looking back at the history of Turkey’s illegal actions, the report also refers to unconfirmed reports that the Turkish ship Fatih discovered gas fields of about 170 billion cubic metres.
The authors comment that the EU sanctions against Turkey announced on July 15, 2019 did not change Ankara’s strategy, on the contrary, illegal investigations continued with the ships accompanied by Turkish Navy vessels to raise pressure on American and European oil companies involved.
The strategy included the connection of a possible revenue sharing agreement from natural gas between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots with the solution of the Cyprus problem. While this prevents new gas from the Eastern Mediterranean become potential future competitor of the Russian supply in Europe, it adds another level of complexity to the Cyprus problem, the report said, according to Politis.
Women’s groups to protest Varosha moves at Dherynia crossing
Alithia, Haravgi, Cyprus Mail
Territory, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Women’s groups and organisations are holding a rally on Sunday afternoon at the Dherynia crossing to protest the partial reopening of Varosha, the dailies report.
Under the slogan “women demand reunification, return and peace”, women’s organisations including trade unions, social platforms and others will gather at 3pm by the Dherynia crossing.
Organisers called on all woman to be present to protest, to send a strong message of condemnation once again to the Turkish side. They further stated that a clear message must be sent to the EU, UN and the international community as a whole, and to call for a dynamic response and effective intervention.
The women of Cyprus have proved many times in the past that we can united and resolutely fight and send the message to the whole world that the Cypriot people are resisting and fighting for reunification, return and peace, organisers said, according to the dailies.
Haravgi also reports that AKEL’s youth branch in Famagusta, EDON Famagusta, held on Monday evening a symbolic event at the Dherynia crossing point to send out the message for the continuation of the struggle for reunification of the country.
The group said that the new generation will not settle for the status quo or the partition of the island.
Cyprus’ youth, GCs and TCs, state their readiness, despite the additional difficulties, posed by Tatar’s election and the hurdles Turkey puts forth, to cooperate for a solution and reunification, the group said.
Kyrenia refugees seek compensation via Turkish assets in EU states
Politis
Property, Human Rights, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that Kyrenia refugees may seek partial implementation of a Kyrenia district court ruling that awarded monetary compensation to four siblings to the tune of €72,423,772 for loss of use of their property in Kyrenia outside of Cyprus. Specifically, they may go after Turkish state assets in other EU member states.
The court decision was issued on October 12. The four plaintiffs are siblings Cleanthis and Ioannis Soleas, Avgi Solea Charalambidou and Elli Solea Costa.
One of their lawyers, Simos Angelides, told the Cyprus News Agency that the siblings’ legal team are already in search of Turkish state property in one EU member state which could be sold for satisfaction of part of the decision.
Angelides said it was a time-consuming process but that he believes that within a year or two there may be positive results.
The court also issued a decree which fully recognises ownership of the plaintiffs on the disputed real estate in Kyrenia, Politis reported.
US official in Cyprus for contacts
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides met US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Rene Clarke Cooper on Monday in Nicosia to discuss the current Eastern Mediterranean situation and bilateral cooperation.
The decision to meet was taken last week when Christodoulides had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who was updated about the Cyprus problem and the illegal opening of the fenced-off town of Varosha in Famagusta.
On Monday the two officials also discussed the next steps to enhance the cooperation between Cyprus and the US. Clarke Cooper was also updated on the ongoing International Military Education and Training programme (IMET) which was established in July to facilitate the development of professional and personal relationships among defence leaders.
Cooper also met Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides.
Cooper arrived in Europe on October 14 and travelled to Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, and Cyprus as part of a US effort to expand security cooperation and defence trade, the US State Department announced last week.
Christodoulides will also meet the US Undersecretary for Economic Development, Energy and Environment Keith Krach who is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on Tuesday. The two will discuss bilateral cooperation between the countries on cybersecurity and innovation
EC to launch infringement procedure after passport scandal
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Migration & Citizenship, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The papers report that the European Commission is to launch infringement procedures against Cyprus and Malta as regards their investor citizenship schemes.
Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said that the College of Commissioners discussed on Monday, among other things, the investor citizenship schemes in Malta and Cyprus, and the case of launching an infringement procedure. He said this would be adopted by the finalisation procedure on Tuesday.
Sefcovic said the latest revelations about citizenship programmes had confirmed the Commission’s concerns, which have been communicated to Malta and Cyprus.
He also said that they discussed the matter and in particular the compliance of such schemes with EU law, in view of possible infringement proceedings. “It is important to underline that the Commission has frequently raised serious concerns about schemes,” he said on Monday.
He also stated that the European Commission will stay in close contact with both Cyprus and Malta on the issue.