Front Page Headlines
There is death on the roads. Two dead, three injured, two seriously
Two more lives lost to a traffic accident. The total number of traffic fatalities in the first ten months of 2020 has reached 19. Three people have lost their lives in traffic accidents in the last 48 hours. Despite the street curfew that was in place for weeks, the death toll in traffic accidents has not gone down.
- And now congress pains – All eyes have turned to the National Unity Party (UBP) ahead of the new process which will determine the new government following the presidential elections. Several MPs and ministers whose names are being uttered for the party’s leadership are feeling the air.
Horrific
Three died and two were injured as a result of the accident that occurred on the Nicosia-Güzelyurt (Morphou) road which is pitch black there is no lighting. It was a horrific accident in which two cars were involved. While two young men died instantly another succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
- Six names floating for the leadership at UBP – UBP’s Central Executive Board (MYK) and the party assembly will convene today (Wednesday) to discuss the outcome of the elections as well as the general assembly process in which the new leader of the party will be identified.
- Negative PCR test results are required for crossings from the south to the north.
UBP is flirting with HP (People’s Party)
The main agenda item was the new government following the collapse of the UBP-HP coalition. The tendency within UBP is to continue with HP.
- They harmed the concept of EU citizenship – The EU has launched infringement proceedings against Greek Cypriot administration and Malta over their “golden passport” schemes.
- Kılıçdaroğlu is expecting the TRNC to be recognized – Main opposition leader in Turkey, head of Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu spoke at CHP’s parliamentary group meeting.
- Start the unification talks – The first message to president-elect Ersin Tatar from the EU.
Six banks in the top ten
While the Merit Group ranked top on last year’s corporate tax payer’s list with ₺86.9m (€9.3m), Tahir Topal was the highest tax-paying individual with ₺4.2m (€450,800). Finally, the list was published in the official gazette. Among the highest tax-paying corporations and institutions are six banks. Türkiye İş Bank, Garanti Bank and Ziraat Bank are among the top five.
- Six candidates for now – Call for an extraordinary congress for UBP on October 31.
Step-by-step annexation?
Is the concept of a joint future with the Greek Cypriots on the island going to become history? Tayyip Erdoğan said the Turkish Cypriots have chosen a joint future with Turkey. Erdoğan sees the outcome of the elections as evidence for Turkish Cypriots’ desire to build a joint future with Turkey.
Main News
Leaders agree to meet at social event
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The leaders of two communities in Cyprus have agreed to come together for an introductory meeting in the divided island, according to reports.
Newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades made a phone call and agreed to meet at a social event on Monday, October 26, in the UN buffer zone, according to some unverified reports in the Turkish Cypriot press.
The meeting was also confirmed by Greek Cypriot officials but no timeframe for the planned meeting was given.
Tatar is expected to visit Ankara for his first official visit abroad ahead of his meeting with Anastasiades.
Meanwhile, Yenidüzen reported on Wednesday, that the grandson of the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Raif Denktaş, Rauf Alp Denktaş, currently a diplomat in the Turkish Foreign Ministry may be appointed as Tatar’s new chief negotiator for Cyprus talks.
Denktaş junior was recently appointed to a top position within the Turkish Foreign Ministry concerning economic affairs and relations.
The Turkish Cypriot daily claimed that Ankara favours Denktaş’s appointment to the post.
Meanwhile, the High Representative and Commissioner to the EU Josep Borell said on Wednesday that it was important to see a constructive engagement between the two sides in Cyprus to reach a comprehensive settlement following the election of Ersin Tatar as the new Turkish Cypriot leader.
He said that the EU supports the resumption of negotiations, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), and remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and of reunification based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BFF), within the UN framework and under the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions
Borell added that a solution to the Cyprus problem would be to the benefit of Cyprus and the EU in general.
“The EU stands ready to play an active role in supporting these negotiations. A stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and the development of cooperative and mutually beneficial relationships amongst all partners in the region, bilaterally and multilaterally, is in the EU’s strategic interest,” Borell said.
Also on Tuesday, the leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) İzzet İzcan called on the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres to take on an initiative to convene an international conference as soon as possible.
In a written statement, İzcan said that it was important to end the uncertainty looming over the Cyprus Problem as soon as possible.
He also said it was important to prevent attempts to divide Cyprus permanently and that this could only be possible through a negotiations process based on UNSC resolutions.
“The BKP sees a BBF solution as the only way out,” said İzcan, calling on the international community to follow developments on the island closely.
Additionally, Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, in his daily briefing reiterated that the UNSG remains committed to supporting both sides in revitalizing the political process, to explore the possibility of convening an informal five‑plus‑UN meeting with both Cypriot leaders, as well as the guarantor powers, at the appropriate stage.
“We encourage the continued development and implementation of confidence‑building measures, which would bring, obviously, the two communities closer together,” Dujarric said and recalled that the UNSG called on the two sides and all relevant parties to avoid any unilateral action that could undermine the prospect for renewed negotiations.
“I think the best way to resolve disputes is by returning to negotiations, by fostering lasting settlements of longstanding Cyprus problems for the benefit of all Cypriots and greater peace in the region,” Dujarric concluded.
In the meantime, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday pointed out Ersin Tatar was elected at a time when important developments are being experienced in Cyprus and the region.
“We see the Turkish Cypriots’ choice in the ballot boxes as a sign of their desire to build a joint future with Turkey,” Erdoğan said.
Speaking to the media following a cabinet meeting in the Turkish capital, Erdoğan accused the Greek Cypriot side and the EU of disregarding the Turkish Cypriots’ rights.
He argued that the Turkish Cypriots’ political will displayed during the elections have helped to put an end to the Greek Cypriot side’s policies disregarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and abusing their EU membership in their favour.
“The Turkish Cypriots have also sided with the strong and fair position displayed by Turkey in the on-going political and economic struggle in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Erdoğan stressed.
He expressed his gratitude to the Turkish Cypriots who have displayed a strong determination to protect their rights and their freedoms in the ballot boxes.
“Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots with all its force and capabilities,” Erdoğan concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Borell (EU)
>> Important to see a constructive engagement between two sides in Cyprus for solving the Cyprob.
>> EU supports the resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the UN & remains fully committed to a comprehensive solution of the Cyprob based on BBF.
>> Solution of Cyprob will be to the benefit of Cyprus & EU.
>> EU stands ready to play an active role in supporting talks.
>> A stable & secure environment in East Med, cooperative & mutually beneficial relationships among all partners in the region is in EU’s interest.
İzcan (BKP)
>> UNSG must convene an international conference as soon as possible.
>> Important to prevent attempts to divide Cyprus permanently. This can only be done through negotiations based on UNSC resolutions.
>> BKP sees a BBF solution as the only way out.
Dujarric (UN)
>> UNSG remains committed to supporting both sides in revitalizing the political process by convening an informal five‑plus‑UN meeting.
>> UNSG encourages the continued development & implementation of CBMs, which would bring, obviously, the two communities closer together.
>> UNSG calls on the two sides & all relevant parties to avoid any unilateral action that could undermine the prospect for renewed negotiations.
>> The best way to resolve disputes is by returning to negotiations, by fostering a lasting settlement the Cyprob.
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> Tatar was elected at a time when important developments are being experienced in Cyprus & the region.
>> We see the TCs’ choice in the ballot boxes as a sign of their desire to build a joint future with Turkey.
>> The TCs’ political will displayed during the elections have helped to put an end to the GC side’s policies disregarding the rights of the TCs & abusing their EU membership in their favour.
>> The TCs have also sided with the strong & fair position displayed by Turkey in the on-going political & economic struggle in the East Med.
>> Turkey will continue to support the TCs with all its force and capabilities.
Turkish Defence Minister calls for dialogue to resolve maritime issues
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s defence chief on Wednesday reiterated Ankara’s support for a resolution to the dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean seas through dialogue and under international law and good neighbourly relations.
“Let’s solve the problems by talking. But, everyone should have seen and understood that we won’t submit to any fait accompli, coercion or pressure,” said National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar in a video conference meeting.
According to a statement by the ministry, Akar chaired the meeting attended by Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Güler, top force commanders and deputy ministers Yunus Emre Karaosmanoğlu and Alpaslan Kavaklıoğlu.
Expressing Turkey’s determination to protect its interests and rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, he underlined that the country would also continue to do so for the Turkish Cypriot side.
Akar asserted that Ankara was on the side of peace, dialogue, political resolution and negotiations, adding that exploratory talks with Greece should continue.
CMP member tests positive for Covid-19
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Human Rights, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A member of the committee of missing persons (CMP) tested positive for coronavirus, an announcement from the committee said on Tuesday.
The CMP said they had received confirmation of the case earlier in the day, and that all the staff members in close contact with the case have been placed in isolation for 14 days.
“Contact tracing has been conducted of all staff members who the individual has come into contact with during the last week,” the announcement read.
Since the beginning of the outbreak of Covid-19, as a standard precautionary health procedure, all CMP staff members engaged in bicommunal activities have been undergoing PCR diagnostic tests every two weeks.
The committee’s bicommunal operations at the CMP Anthropological Laboratory and field excavation sites across the island are ongoing.
“Nonetheless, effective immediately CMP’s in-person meetings are suspended for one month and are replaced by online meetings during this period,” the CMP said.
Meanwhile, the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases in the north brought clarification to article two of the latest decisions it adopted on Monday.
People crossing to the north from the south who intend to stay for more than three days must remain in quarantine for a week, the committee announced.
They must also present a negative Covid-19 test, taken within the last three days.
Those who cross over to the south for work, education and health reasons are exempt from the requirement when returning to the north.
People crossing north for less than three days will fill out a declaration form at the crossing and will also be required to present a negative Covid-19 test, taken within the last three days.
“Criminal proceedings will be taken against people who fill out the form and do not comply with their obligations,” it added.
People who belong to Category B countries, which does not include Greek Cypriots and wish to cross to the north for less than three days must present a negative coronavirus test within the last three days and will also get an additional Covid-19 test after their entry.
They must remain in their hotel, which will be responsible for their transportation from the entry point, until the results of their second test, the announcement said. People without a hotel reservation must stay at a central isolation centre until their results are issued.
The new measures are in force starting Tuesday, October 20, in addition to the measures already in force.