Front Page Headlines
100,000 euro donation by N. Lillis to AKEL
He points to V. Zannetos and takes legal measures for elicitation of funds through “extortion”. V. Zannetos: I cannot remember 8 years later if N. Lillis also made a contribution to the party, as many did. I am the only one who paid the price for the Dromolaxia case and went to prison. N. Lillis rejects that he was guided by N. Katsourides and publicises the receipt of his donation to the party, as “anonymous”, on May 9, 2012, a few months before the elections. The donation was given in cash and N. Lillis asks to be informed what happened to this money so that the average leftist citizen of the working class who V. Zannetos represented can know.
- Occupied areas: Erhurman prepares an “election government”
- Coronavirus: Two more deaths and 252 cases yesterday
- Varosha – Borrell: EU considers Turkey responsible
Bomb again at the Presidency
Release for Paphos, extension for Limassol, concerns over giving long vacations to lyceums. Two deaths, 101 patients to hospitals, 11 in Intensive Care.
- Big differences just before Lute’s arrival: British sounding out behind the scenes on “new ideas”
- Borrell: Famagusta issue high on EU’s agenda
AKEL proposals for new development framework
Next day for households and SMEs (small-and-medium-sized enterprizes) difficult. Distortions, economic and social inequalities. Inconsistencies and impasses because of pandemic.
- Varosha: Discussion with Borrell present
- Lute meetings with Anastasiades and Tatar on December 1
Cypra owner says ‘didn’t break law’
Insists probe into embattled slaughterhouse will answer questions.
Two days of suspense…
Regarding new measures against coronavirus. New measures to be decided today by Council of Ministers, but will be announced on Friday. Some suggest loosening up and some suggest stricter measures now and relaxation over the holidays. New general lockdown to be avoided. Alarm bells over rapid increase of cases in closed environments and nursing homes – Another two deaths by coronavirus. Closed caskets in funerals: Reactions understandable, but…
- Mevlut Cavusoglu: We will not lose another 50 years discussing a bizonal, bicommunal federal model – “We should not talk about a federation but about a two-state solution”
- Jane Holl Lute: She sees Anastasiades and Tatar on Tuesday
- Josep Borrell: Varosha status high on EU’s agenda
Main News
Anastasiades says UN parameters only viable option
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Oikonomiki Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Regional/ International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that a two-state solution for the Cyprus Problem must be discussed.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, Cavusoglu said that the Cyprus Problem has not been solved because of the insistence of the G/Cs to see T/Cs as a minority and not as an equal partner with which it can share power and natural resources.
This is why, Cavusoglu noted, we should no longer be speaking about a federal model but about a two-state model, which he said is what the T/Cs chose during the last elections.
In an interview with Turkish conservative Islamic paper Yeni Akit, Cavusoglu also said that there is no reason for another 50 years to be lost discussing a federation.
During a recorded speech for the annual Economist Cyprus conference, President Anastasiades pointed out that the existing status quo, or any ideas that diverge from the UN’s accepted parameters, are not viable options.
Anastasiades said that the G/Cs side goal remains to reunite the island and establish a truly independent and sovereign state that will be free of foreign dependence through guarantees, presence of foreign troops or rights of intervention.
He expressed hope that Turkey will realise that what is needed is to create an environment conducive to constructive negotiations that will take place in good faith, and not under threat.
In his own speech, Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides called on Turkey to cooperate with all countries in the region, respecting international law. According to Phileleftheros, Christodoulides called on Turkish President Tayip Erdogan to join the countries in the region in cooperating towards peace and development.
Speaking during the same conference, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said that Turkey will not be able to easily fool the EU this time by making goodwill statements at the last moment, Oikonomiki Kathimerini reports. Dendias pointed out that as things stand, there is no possibility that the EU can proceed with a positive agenda regarding Turkey, given its recent actions.
Phileleftheros reports, citing a story by Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, that the UK is taking an active behind the scenes role in the process of preparing a potential informal 5+1 meeting (two Cypriot communities, three guarantor powers plus the UN). Specifically, the UK is reportedly sounding out the interested parties on the prospects of bringing new ideas to the negotiation table, which include a loose, decentralised federation or a confederal solution.
According to Hurriyet, unnamed diplomatic sources say that despite the G/C side’s refusal to discuss alternative solutions, the UN cannot prevent any side from proposing its own ideas to overcome the deadlock.
The dailies also give further details regarding UNSG envoy Jane Holl Lute’s visit to Cyprus on Tuesday, December 1. According to Phileleftheros, Lute will meet T/C leader Ersin Tatar in the morning and then President Anastasiades in the afternoon.
Anastasiades met with G/C negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis on Tuesday ahead of the visit.
CNA also reports that Lute is expected to travel to Athens to speak with the Greek government after her visit to Cyprus is concluded.
Politis reports that, according to sources, Lute will be conducting her meetings with Anastasiades and Tatar without bringing in her own ideas. Instead, she will listen and record their positions. According to the same information, Lute is going to pose specific questions in order to assess whether a new process has prospects of success.
The same sources pointed out that this does not mean the sides will have to commit themselves to their position ahead of time. In other words, the T/C and Turkish side will not be made to commit to not bringing up their suggestions for a two-state solution.
What is particularly important at this stage, the sources underlined, is that the process proceed to an informal meeting without terms and preconditions that will focus on procedural issues.
They noted that while the sides can express their positions, what matters at the end of the day is that the UNSG acts within the existing UN framework, thus defining the scope of the negotiations to follow.
Borrell tells European Parliament that Varosha is high on EU’s agenda
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Property, Territory, Regional/ International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on a discussion on Turkey’s actions regarding Varosha during Tuesday’s plenary of the European Parliament.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell told the MEPs that the EU considers Turkey responsible for what happens in Varosha. He added that protecting the status of Varosha and ensuring that UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions are respected remain high on the EU’s collective agenda.
The official also said that he understands the calls for sanctions, but that his role lies in finding solutions, and preparing the next European Council in which the 27 government leaders will make the decisions.
Borrell also said that in his contacts with Turkish officials, as well as a phone call with T/C leader Ersin Tatar, he sent the message that now it is time for everyone to support the UN Secretary-General in his efforts to resume negotiations. An increase of distrust and the creation of tensions will not help anyone, he added. Borrell reiterated also the EU’s position in favour of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.
The dailies also report that MEPs across the spectrum and from several countries were critical towards Turkey, focusing on the need for the EU to respond to its actions.
In a statement, the head of the European People’s Party’s parliamentary group condemned Turkish plans and actions regarding Varosha, calling them an attack against regional stability, Politis reports. Manfred Weber pointed out that instead of contributing to de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey continues to provoke.
Weber added that Erdogan’s visit to Varosha highlighted that it is not interested in solving conflicts, but that instead he plans to permanently partition an EU member state. Turkey needs to understand its actions have consequences which it will have to face.
Politis also reports that GUE/ NGL MEPs Demetris Papadimoulis (Greece), Manon Aubry (France), Martin Schidrewan (Germany) and Niyazi Kizilyurek (Cyprus), S&D MEPs Kati Piri (Netherlands) and Evin Incir (Sweden) and Green MEP Romeo Franz (Germany), sent a letter to Borrell asking that he takes necessary initiatives to pressure Turkey to respect UNSC resolutions regarding Varosha.
The MEPs also accuse Turkey of intervening during the pre-election campaign in the occupied areas, as well as during the election for T/C leader itself.
Famagusta Municipality condemns renaming of Kennedy Avenue
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros
Territory, Property
OVERVIEW
The Municipal Council of occupied Famagusta issued a statement condemning the fact that the T/C side renamed Varosha’s Kennedy Avenue into Semih Sancar street.
The Famagusta Municipality points out that the decision is particularly provocative and disrespectful given that Sancar was the Turkish officer in charge of the forces that invaded Cyprus in 1974.
The move is also provocative because it attempts to alter the topography and the history of the city through the renaming of a historic and formerly busy street.
The Municipality notes that the renaming was announced on the anniversary of the US President’s assassination on November 22, 1963.
The council also expressed its regret to US ambassador Judith Garber, noting that the municipality is the only legal authority that can change the name of streets in Varosha.
“95 stops” art project to chart the way from Limassol to Famagusta
Politis
Territory, CBMs
OVERVIEW
A project with the title “95 stops” by art director of the Mitos Art Center in Limassol, Elena Agathocleous, and visual artist Nurtane Karagil will be presented online as part of the 2020 edition of the Buffer Fringe Festival, Politis reports.
The report notes that the festival’s theme this year is “Displacement”, which takes additional meanings due to the move of the entire festival online.
The project, which will be presented online on Sunday November 29th at 17:00, through the Mitos website as well as the festival’s page on Facebook, consists of a map of 95 stops connecting Limassol and Famagusta, for each of the 95 kilometres separating the two venues that were originally going to be involved, Palio Ksydadiko and Magusa Kale Pasaji.
Each stop is located on a real location on the path that is worth a visit, and where people can meet and get to know people, eat something, listen to things that will make them feel like home.
The path will be presented online in a multi-hour broadcast and will end with Magusa Kale Pasaji community centre in Famagusta, where Karagil will present a video about the 95 stops.