Front Page Headlines
Extra 600,000 euro debt on public funds
Cypra slaughterhouse was charging fees on behalf of Veterinary Services and wasn’t handing them over. Cypra retained an amount of 568,528 euro for the Veterinary Services. The file was given to the Law Office, but wasn’t found when looked for. Broke a deal for a settlement and, after steps taken by current director of Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis, a lawsuit against the slaughterhouse was filed. Issue that came up regarding guarantees for Cypra company expected to be taken to the parliamentary watchdog committee for investigation on own initiative.
- Limassol-Paphos: War and peace over measures
- Varosha: Everything ready for Erdogan’s show
- 207 cases yesterday: Twelve deaths in four days
- Odysseas (Michaelides): Sees undermining again
Shock at unprecedented blocks
Limassol and Paphos froze, queues in entrances-exits, citizens stoically persevere. Even the Philharmonic on the go for checks.
- Cavusoglu inspection before the fiesta: Turkish picnic over Greek Cypriot tombs
- They closed the door to the epidemiological unit: Cases also in second slaughterhouse, they refused to be checked – Five deaths yesterday
- Synod on Ukrainian issue, rehearsal for Archbishopric elections – Some prelates could be playing a double game since everyone believes they will win the vote
- Odysseas (Michaelides) goes to investigative committee on passports with files
- London is in a hurry and puts pressure
Rapid worsening of epidemiological situation
Limassol most burdened epidemiologically. 79% of cases are local transmissions. 12 deaths over the last two 24-hour periods, mortality at 3.8%.
- Blocks… in Paphos and Limassol
- Reception with protests for Erdogan
- Two times enclaved at Pyrgos
Roadblocks put in force
Police set up checkpoints to prevent movement in, out and between Limassol and Paphos.
- Cyprus: EDEK, Citizens Alliance form ‘anti-bizonal front’
Picnic with 8 ministers and Bahceli
Erdogan comes tomorrow – Cavusoglu came yesterday. Turkish Cypriots receive entourage with protests. New march by T/Cs on Sunday titled “They at the picnic, we on the fields”. EU calls on Turkey to respect UN resolutions on Varosha. Response to Erdogan: Let ALL bells toll mournfully.
- Another 4 deaths yesterday and 207 new cases – A fourth resident of Socratio Melathron passed away: We will mourn more dead – Vaccinations during the first four months of ‘21. Free for all – priority to vulnerable groups
- Legislative elections: EDEK-(Citizens’) Alliance – “anti-bizonal front” on joint ballot
Main News
Cavusoglu arrives ahead of Erdogan’s visit to Varosha
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Territory, Property, Regional/ International Relations, Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, External Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu visited the fenced-off city of Varosha on Friday in preparation for Turkish President Tayip Erdogan’s visit to the area on Sunday.
According to Politis, Cavusoglu’s visit happened without any prior announcement. The Turkish Foreign Minister wrote on Twitter that he visited Varosha to inspect the preparations for Erdogan’s visit. Cavusoglu also posted pictures and added that he will also be taking part in the celebration for the anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence of the north.
The dailies also report that Turkish Cypriots are expected to protest during the visit, and that eight Turkish ministers will join Erdogan during the visit.
Meanwhile, the Famagusta Municipality announced that it was cancelling its protest at the Deryneia checkpoint on Sunday as the organisers did not receive a permit to hold it, due to current coronavirus restrictions, the dailies report.
Haravgi reports that the municipal council will instead hold a special meeting in Deryneia on that day, in order to approve a written statement regarding Turkey’s actions. The council will then symbolically march to the checkpoint.
Phileleftheros reports, citing diplomatic sources, that efforts made by the UN to prevent Sunday’s event failed as Turkey and the T/C leadership insisted on proceeding as planned. The newspaper reports that UN representative Elizabeth Spehar met with Ersin Tatar, while UNSG Antonio Guterres contacted Erdogan directly.
According to information cited by Phileleftheros, Spehar told Tatar that this move would undermine efforts to solve the Cyprus Problem and that it contravenes UN resolutions. Tatar reportedly responded by pointing out that the UN should focus on other issues.
UK High Commissioner statements on G/C position annoy government
Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Regional/ International Relations
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that the government reacted with annoyance to statements made by British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie during an interview with Alpha TV on Thursday. Lillie had said that a federal solution can still be achieved if the G/C side can convince that it accepts political equality.
On Friday, government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushios said on Alpha that it is not true that the G/C side was not convincing, and insisted that it has repeatedly said it is ready to go to negotiations on the basis of UN resolutions.
Koushios said that he could not understand how the G/C side was not convincing, and noted that its positions were recorded in the joint statement issued by the two leaders and the UNSG during their meeting on November 25, 2019.
Haravgi notes in a comment that Lillie also made reference to the fact that the sides shouldn’t focus their attention on what was said or not said in Crans Montana, but that they should return to negotiations. The newspaper also notes that DISY avoided commenting on the interview in a statement.
CNA reports, citing British sources, that the UK is pushing for an immediate resumption of talks. A UK government source told the agency that Britain encourages all involved parties to continue communicating so that an informal five-party conference can “urgently” be convened.
Phileleftheros also reports that British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab talked on the phone with both President Anastasiades and T/C leader Ersin Tatar, and that Anastasiades also talked with British prime minister Boris Johnson.
Kato Pyrgos doubly isolated due to Paphos coronavirus lockdown
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Haravgi and Cyprus Mail report that the village of Kato Pyrgos in Tylliria has been effectively isolated from both sides due to the coronavirus restrictions.
Access to the village, which lies in the Nicosia district, is restricted from the Paphos district due to the lockdown there. At the same time, access through the Limnitis checkpoint, which was used to travel to and from Nicosia through the occupied areas, remains restricted due to the need for a negative coronavirus test every 72 hours.
Cyprus Mail reports that on Friday the government announced that residents of the villages of the region would be able to travel to Paphos but only for serious reasons.
The government also announced that it would send nurses to the village to administer tests for the coronavirus free of charge.