Front Page Headlines
Young entrepreneurs cry out: “We are drowning and no one is hearing our voice”
Yenidüzen spoke with young entrepreneurs who set up their businesses before the pandemic. The young investors who either used up all their savings or drew out loans to set up their businesses are now closing shop one after the other. They are seeking new ways to earn money.
- Turkey’s Finance Minister Albayrak resigns. Things become even more complicated.
Spread terror
Suspect Taşkın Güneş fired bullets with a handgun in his possession at a coffee shop in Gemikonağı (Karavostasi) injuring three people, with one in critical condition.
- Sleeves rolled up for the government – Acting leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersan Saner will launch his efforts to form a new government today (Monday). Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar gave him the task on Saturday.
- Finally, steps are taken – The contract to build the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre building, which burnt down 21 years ago, will be signed tomorrow (Tuesday) following completion of the tendering process for the first phase.
Worse than 1963
Former President Mehmet Ali Talat said the Turkish Cypriots are going through a difficult period and that the current situation is even worse than the government structure in 1963, which was the darkest period for the Turkish Cypriots. “Turkish Cypriots are going through their worst days in history… There is not a time when the Turkish Cypriots would have to go through so many problems at the same time,” Talat said.
- Searching for a subservient government – Ersan Saner, who had been tasked to form the new government as the acting leader of UBP, will visit all the political parties for the “sake of appearance” but in the background, it is being claimed that the UBP has already shared the cabinet ministries with the People’s Party (HP).
He shot them and fled
The man who pulled out his gun at a coffee shop in Gemikonağı (Karavostasi) sprayed İbrahim Güder, Behiç Kurtbetçi and Tamer Işıklar with bullets. The attack took place at a coffee shop owned by Süleyman Güder. İbrahim Güder was shot in his abdomen, Behiç Kurtçebe from his hip and Tamer Işıklar from his leg. While the wounded were rushed to hospital, Güder is said to be in critical condition. Following the incident, police in Güzelyurt (Morphou) were on alert. The person responsible was immediately identified and a search is underway to catch him.
- Electricity prices to go down –The Greek Cypriot Energy Minister Natasa Pilides announced that they will be investing €800m in the field of energy.
Biden passed through Cyprus
Those who have been advocating for a two-state solution on the island are saddened by Biden’s victory, who is known as a staunch supporter of federation. Biden, who visited the island as Vice President to Obama in 2014 with a delegation of 400, had met with Derviş Eroğlu and Nicos Anastasiades for dinner at the restaurant opposite from the Ledra Palace Hotel. He had been impressed by the two leaders’ amicable attitude.
- Saner launching efforts – Ersan Saner, who had been given the mandate to form the next government, will be meeting with the political parties represented in the parliament.
- Fired bullets at the people in the coffeeshop – Three people, one of whom is in critical condition, were injured as a result of the armed attack at a coffee shop in Gemikonağı (Karavostasi) last night (Sunday).
Main News
“I need to protect Turkey’s interests so our interests are protected”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar has said that the Turkish Cypriot side needed to protect Turkey’s interests so that the interests of the Turkish Cypriot community could be protected.
Tatar in an interview to Turkish daily Sözcü which was republished by Turkish Cypriot dailies on Monday highlighted the importance of acting jointly with Turkey on the Cyprus issue as well as the issue of hydrocarbons in the region.
He said that Turkish Cypriots had been left with no choice but to proceed with its activities with Turkey after the Greek Cypriot side ignored its rights and interests in the region.
“The launching of Turkey’s drilling activities was a turning point for us. Today we are as strong as other countries are on the energy issue. We are taking our own steps in response to their [Greek Cypriot] steps,” he said.
Tatar pointed out that Greece, the Greek Cypriot side, Egypt and Israel had yet to give a positive reply to an offer made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to hold a conference regarding the sharing and distribution of hydrocarbons in the region.
“They’ve rejected our offer because they intend to exploit the region’s resources for themselves, excluding Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in the process. It is out of the question. There can be no energy equation in the region which does not include Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side,” he said.
Tatar added that it was necessary for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to stand strong against such attempts and to maintain the strong bond that existed between the two countries.
Asked about the map presented in Geneva in 2017 by the Turkish Cypriot side, Tatar said that neither he nor the prime minister or foreign minister had seen the map.
“We believe that it was a mistake to present this map. We reject such a map but it’s obvious the Greek Cypriots believe that areas conceded in the map presented are guaranteed,” he added.
Tatar also criticized his predecessor Mustafa Akıncı and his negotiating tactics.
He said some serious mistakes had been made during the last process.
“Of course what is done is done. Many mistakes were made. I would never allow Turkey’s active and effective guarantees to be opened to debate. I would not have tabled a map before getting something in return. Any map I would present would not include Güzelyurt (Morphou) or other settlements as territorial concessions. Never would I take steps that would force us to relocate again,” he said.
Tatar repeated his view that he will attempt to bring a two-state solution based on sovereign equality to the negotiating table.
“I described hopes for a federal settlement to be a fairy tale because we have failed to achieve such a solution for 43 years,” he said.
Among other things, a settlement needs to be realistic, Tatar added.
He stated that any settlement to be reached would need to ensure the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees and be based on the facts on the island.
Tatar said that he had agreed with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades at their recent meeting to support efforts for a five-party conference at the right time.
He, however, added that he had made his views to Anastasiades clear.
“I believe that the five-party conference will be our last chance to see whether a solution with the Greek Cypriot side is attainable. What will happen if we fail to do so? We will continue to move on our way as the TRNC,” Tatar said.
Asked about Maraş (Varosha) and plans to hold a picnic in the fenced-off town, Tatar said that the picnic they will hold in the town on November 15 reflected their point of view regarding Maraş (Varosha).
“Maraş’ (Varosha) current situation as a ghost town needs to end and we want to open this area for the service of humanity and the benefit of our country. This, of course, will be done in accordance with UN resolutions and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions,” he noted.
KEY ACTOR
Tatar
>> TC needs to protect Turkey’s interests so that the interests of the TCs can be protected.
>> Launching of Turkey’s drilling activities was a turning point for TCs. Today TCs are as strong as other countries on the energy issue.
>> Greece-GCs reject TC offer for intentional conference because they intend to exploit the region’s resources for themselves, excluding Turkey & TCs in the process.
>> There can be no energy equation in the region which does not include Turkey & TC side.
>> I will attempt to bring a two-state solution based on sovereign equality to the negotiating table.
>> Any settlement to be reached will need to ensure the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees & based on the facts on the island.
>> Five-party conference will be our last chance to see whether a solution with the GC side is attainable.
>> Picnic to be held in Maraş (Varosha) on Nov. 15 reflects out point of view on the town.
>> Current state of Maraş (Varosha needs to end.
>> The area should be opened for the service of humanity & benefit of our country.
>> All steps will be taken in accordance with UN resolutions and ECHR decisions.
Man arrested for crossing into north through a military area
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security, Human Rights, Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
A man was arrested on Saturday night after sneaking into the north near the Kermiya (Agios Dhometios) crossing point through a military zone.
He was caught in Göçmenköy, Nicosia (village for displaced).
The individual whose nationality was not disclosed was charged with violating a first-degree military area, detained and placed in mandatory quarantine as part of Covid-19 measures.
He will appear before the court following the completion of his quarantine period.