TCC Press Review 28 Nov 2020

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

‘Closed Famagusta’

Two streets were opened in the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha), new asphalt was laid, bicycle tours were held, but Famagusta’s fate did not change. Eight vehicles stranded as a result of flooding were rescued by the civil defence teams. Unexpected and heavy rain which hit Famagusta yesterday (Friday) disrupted life. While many cars were submerged in water, shops and businesses were flooded. Shopkeepers complained of the lack of infrastructure.

  • Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman came together with the leaders of four parties at dinner: “The parties will evaluate the situation until Monday.”
  • National Unity Party (UBP) acting leader Ersan Saner did not attend the dinner.

Kıbrıs

This picture never changes

Many parts of Famagusta were flooded by rainwater following a two-and-a-half-hour-long downpour. The heavy rains this time caused widespread damage in Famagusta. Many roads in the town were submerged under rainwater, homes and businesses were flooded. Eight vehicles which were stranded as a result of floods were rescued with the help of the civil defence teams.

  • And this is South Cyprus – The bad weather conditions also negatively affected life in south Cyprus. Heavy rains also caused damage in the ‘Famagusta’ area.
  • The result of CTP’s efforts to form a government will become clearer on Monday – CTP leader Tufan Erhürman met with the leaders of the People’s Party (HP), the Social Democratic Party (TDP), the Rebirth Party (YDP) and the Democratic Party (DP) over dinner last night (Friday). UBP’s acting leader Ersan Saner could not attend the dinner due to another engagement. Leaders of the four political parties asked until Monday to evaluate the situation.

Havadis

N/A

Diyalog

The ball is in HP’s court

Three parties gave the green light for a four-party coalition at the dinner meeting. The final decision has been left to Monday. No alcohol was consumed at dinner. The dinner hosted by CTP leader Tufan Erhürman at the Valide Hanım Mansion was attended by HP’s acting leader Yenal Senin, DP leader Fikri Ataoğlu, TDP leader Cemal Özyiğit and YDP leader Erhan Arıklı. UBP’s acting leader did not attend the dinner. While YDP leader Erhan Arıklı said his party was ready to support a coalition formation headed by Erhürman from the outside, DP and TDP were also reported to be positive towards the idea. It has been reported that Serdar Denktaş will also support the four-party coalition from the outside. According to information obtained by Diyalog, HP’s acting leader Yenal Senin asked Erhürman for some time to evaluate the proposal. As a result, it was agreed that all parties have until Monday to make their final decision.

Avrupa

Three more days

Leaders of five political parties met over dinner regarding the government. During the dinner, which UBP did not attend, the officials of CTP, HP, TDP, DP and YDP discussed a possible government formation. Erhürman said, “The parties will hold their internal evaluations until Monday before getting back to us.”

  • Curfew imposed in the south – A curfew from 9pm to 5am is imposed in the south.
  • New measures in the north – The quarantine decision extended from November 30 to December 31.
  • Seven positive cases of coronavirus in the north, 216 in the south.

Main News

Saner: Maraş (Varosha) will open in compliance with international law

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property, Territory, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

“Maraş (Varosha) will be opened in its entirety in line with international law and compliance with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions,” Ersan Saner, acting leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) said on Friday. 

During a meeting with UBP members in Kyrenia, Saner pointed out that the latest developments on Maraş (Varosha) and the issue of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean will be among the top issues to be taken up at the upcoming EU leaders’ summit on December 10-11.

Saner recalled that the Greek Cypriot side had previously rejected solution plans and confidence-building packages prepared by four different UN Secretaries-General.

He also reminded that while the Greek Cypriot side, which rejected the 2004 “Annan Plan” was admitted as a full member to the EU, the Turkish Cypriots continued to suffer under embargoes and isolation imposed by the international community.

“We as the Turkish Cypriots, who have approved all the plans proposed by the UN to date, with Turkey’s assistance, will not tolerate the Turkish Cypriots to be punished any more,” Saner said, arguing that the international community’s approach will not change unless the Turkish Cypriot side implements drastic and radical policies.

Saner stressed Maraş (Varosha) will be reopened in compliance with international law and ECHR decisions.

Saner also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side is closely monitoring the hydrocarbon activities in the region.

“The natural gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue with the assistance from Turkey,” Saner added.

He added that the north will develop further and will become stronger with the help of Turkey.

He talked about the projects in the pipeline.

“In the coming period, in addition to continuing with the Maraş (Varosha) opening, a 500-bed capacity hospital will be built; natural gas and electricity projects will also be implemented,” Saner concluded.


Stricter Covid-19 measures introduced for TCs crossing to the south

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

The Higher Committee of Infectious Diseases on Friday announced changes to requirements for entry into the north given the spike in case numbers in Turkey and South Cyprus.

According to the new rules, Turkish Cypriots working or studying in the south will have to present a document obtained from their workplace or education institution to the authorities at the newly completed pandemic hospital.

They will also have to carry out a PCR test until December 6.

The Turkish Cypriots falling under this category will only be allowed to cross to the south daily with a negative PCR test result obtained within the last ten days from December 7 onwards. The same rule applies to those who reside in the south and work in the north.

The committee said that those who fail to comply with the requirements will be placed under a seven-day mandatory quarantine at a facility in the north.

Turkish Cypriot business people, who trade regularly with the south in line with the Green Line Trade regulation as well as taxi and minibus drivers will be allowed to cross to the south daily provided they can document that they are crossing for business purposes and have a negative PCR test obtained within the last ten days.  

The committee also reminded that only Turkish Cypriots working, studying or receiving medical treatment will be allowed to cross to the south daily.

All other individuals will be subjected to mandatory quarantine for seven days upon their return to the north.

Greek Cypriots on the other hand, wishing to cross over to the north will be required to present the Turkish Cypriot authorities with a PCR test obtained within the last 24 hours to be exempted from the mandatory quarantine requirement, provided that their visit is for a duration less than 24 hours.

The Greek Cypriots, who use the Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) crossing daily, are exempted from the practice and they can continue to cross with a negative PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours.

The committee also extended the general rules on entry into the north through air and seaports until December 31, 2020.

In this regard, passengers planning to spend less than 72 hours in the north will be exempted from the mandatory quarantine provided the PCR test administered upon arrival, comes back negative.

Passengers who will stay for a period longer than three days are required to spend seven-days in quarantine at a designated facility.

A decision has also been taken to scrap the list of categories for countries as of December 1 onwards.

In this regard, all foreign nationals arriving in the north via air, or ferry will be subjected to seven-day quarantine, irrespective of which country they’re travelling from.

However, those who will be staying in the north for less than 72 hours, will be exempted from the quarantine requirement on the condition that they test negative for coronavirus upon entry.

These individuals will still need to present a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours before their arrival.

The committee however did not clarify any new measures for the diplomatic community, EU or UN personnel or peacekeepers.

According to the previous rules announced, diplomatic personnel and UN employees or peacekeepers were exempt from the requirements.

In the meantime, the dailies on Saturday report that the total number of coronavirus cases reached eight in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) with a teacher at the Greek Cypriot school and the school’s janitor testing positive.

211 PCR tests were administered in the village on Monday, November 23.

The town’s mayor Suphi Çoşkun in an earlier statement had noted that all the positive cases in the town were Greek Cypriot residents.

Six of the villagers are being treated in the south upon their request while two are in the north. One of the cases was an 11-year-old child while the other an 11-month-old infant.

Speaking to Yenidüzen, Coşkun said the coffee shop and one business owned by the Greek Cypriots, who had tested positive remains closed.

“The general health conditions of the covid-19 patients are good and life in the village is continuing normally,” Coşkun concluded.


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