Front Page Headlines
Christmas with carols… from the epidemiologists
Concern over a new total lockdown due to large number of cases. Second thoughts and no final decision regarding measures that will be put into effect after December 13, Dr Karagiannis says European Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou issued a strict warning to Health Ministers over dangers lurking in the premature loosening of measures. Ministry of Health announced three deaths and 292 new coronavirus cases yesterday. Total number of deaths with COVID-19 as final cause has reached 52.
- Cyprus Problem – Lute: She seeks joint vision for next step
Five-party meeting without a sequel
Lute sees a joint will to meet but no joint vision by two leaders. UNSG envoy could return to the island after travelling to Ankara.
- We lost another three people yesterday: Dangerous ratios: 292 cases out of 3,027 tests
- EU suggests a joint approach on Turkey to the USA
Patients-hospitals at the mercy of their incompetence
PASYKI (government doctors union): Problems detected but not solved. Failure in handling despite 8 months leeway. AKEL: There is responsibility on political and administration level.
- Comprehensive proposal by AKEL on Cyprus Problem
- Three deaths yesterday and 292 cases – 99 from previous day and 124 hospitalised
- Arrest warrant for Israeli businessman with spy van cancelled
78% of asylum claims ‘bogus’
Clampdown on visas has helped, but influx from north worrying says minister.
- Three deaths, 292 new cases
Rea in the dock!
Over her husband’s cheque that was not cashed by the Republic. Suggestion by Constantinos Petrides at Council of Ministers to carry out disciplinary against Accountant General. Law Office examines the issue. Council of Ministers to decide next week.
- Despite gap between the two sides: Lute optimistic over restart of dialogue and convening of five-party meeting – After Nicosia, the UNSG’s special envoy went to Athens for contacts. She will then have meetings and contacts in UK and Turkey
Main News
Lute found sides ready for informal 5+1, but with huge differences
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report, citing diplomatic sources, that UNSG envoy Jane Holl Lute has found that both sides are willing to take part in an informal 5+1 conference (the two communities, the three guarantors plus the UN) but that the positions shared by the two sides point to a low probability of a successful conference on Cyprus being convened.
Phileleftheros reports, citing diplomatic and UN sources, that everyone involved, including the guarantors, want to have the informal meeting, and that Lute herself believes that this will be possible. At this moment however, Lute is reportedly uncertain whether a new process can continue from that point.
The newspaper also reports that Lute did not rule out returning to Cyprus after her meetings in Athens (which took place on Wednesday) and in Ankara (which will take place in mid-December, after the European Council on December 10-11). According to Phileleftheros, Lute was set to meet with general secretary of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Themistocles Demiris.
Politis reports that the G/C side’s aim is to make it clear before the conference that it does not accept any discussion of a two-state solution or any model that is outside the EU’s parameters. The T/C side on the other hand reportedly set as a term that a two-state solution or other models in line with new realities will be on the table.
Politis also reports, citing credible sources, that Lute is concentrating on whether there are prospects for a successful 5+1 meeting, and that right now she believes that this is unlikely to happen because of T/C leader Ersin Tatar’s positions.
Phileleftheros reports that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will be visiting Cyprus on Friday, where he will meet with his Cypriot counterpart.
Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides told Alpha TV that the government is seeing a more energetic involvement of the EU in current discussions on the Cyprus Problem, and that Brussels is in direct contact with the UNSG himself.
Phileleftheros also reports on a European Commission paper regarding EU-USA relations, which includes a proposal for a joint strategy on Turkey.
In the document, adopted by the College of Commissioners on Wednesday, the EU points out that it shares a strategic interest in a safe and secure Eastern Mediterranean, and calls for a coordinated approach when it comes to relations with Turkey.
The text was forwarded to the European Council and the European Parliament, as part of the process for arriving at a comprehensive agenda on EU-US relations. EU High Representative Josep Borrell said during a press conference that the document will be discussed by the leaders at the December 10 European Council.
The dailies also report that on Wednesday President Anastasiades took part in a teleconference with European Council President Charles Michel and the leaders of Italy, Luxembourg and Latvia, in preparation for the next European Council. Michel is conducting preparatory meetings with groups of leaders for an initial discussion on the issues that will be on the agenda.
Phileleftheros notes that EU-Turkey relations will be on the agenda of the next leaders meeting, together with the coronavirus, vaccines, climate change, security issues, EU-US relations and issues related with the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood.
G/C political parties also commented on Lute’s contacts, according to Phileleftheros. DISY said that any pressure should be addressed to the Turkish side and the T/C leader who is the one that brought up the prospect of other solution models. DISY also expressed the wish that the informal 5+1 meeting happen as soon as possible.
AKEL said that everyone today sees the side effects of three-and-a-half years of inaction and of the government not taking advantage of having a pro-solution politician in the T/C leadership. Now, AKEL adds, the G/C side has to work in far more difficult conditions against the Turkish side’s effort to bring a two-state solution to the table. AKEL points out that the G/C side needs to be clear, consistent and immovable from its commitment to a federal solution as described by UN parameters and insist on continuing negotiations on the basis of the Guterres Framework.
DIKO said in a statement that Lute’s contacts confirm its concerns, adding that the President should demand that the RoC take part in the 5+1 meeting. EDEK said that the 5+1 recipe is dangerous, has been tested and failed. The Greens said that the government should have asked for the basis of the negotiations to be clarified while Citizens’ Alliance expressed hope that Lute was concerned by the insistence of the T/C side to bring two states to the table. Solidarity said that the President is going to the meeting without setting terms while the country’s EEZ has been taken over by Turkey and for its part, ELAM said the only workable solution is a unitary state.
ETEK: Varosha should not be political, but technical & scientific issue
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Property, Territory, Negotiations Process, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Scientific and technical chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) called for the issue of Varosha to stop being exploited for political reasons and for the discussion to be shifted to the technical and scientific level.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ETEK said that the politicisation of the issue will have dangerous and irreversible results and called on the local and international community, political leaderships and those who can prevent unilateral actions, to act immediately and intervene vigorously, the Cyprus Mail reports.
According to ETEK, the issue should be shifted from the political to the technical and scientific field and be managed as such. The goal should be “the restoration and reconstruction of the city on the basis of the best technical practices and its return to its rightful owners”.
ETEK points out that Famagusta should be treated as a world class monument and should be studied and managed by experts, as it is a monument of international, cultural, urban, architectural and technical heritage.
The chamber points out that while it understands that the issue has multiple dimensions on the political and diplomatic level, it is also an emotional issue and contains the potential to be a workshop for reconfiguring the future.
T/C cannot cross south for therapy due to court case brought by Tatar
Politis
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Politis reports in a small comment on the case of T/C Erdal Eryener, who was arrested after Ersin Tatar sued him regarding a social media post in which Eryener was critical of the T/C leader.
Website AlphaNewsLive reports Eryener had posted that Tatar is a “president of a sign” and the leader of an “inexistent state”, noting that Tatar brought charges against him for offending the state.
The newspaper notes that Eryener is in need of a kidney transplant and requires regular treatment in the south. Eryener has been released but his identity card has been taken away and he has been prohibited from exiting the “TRNC” until he can pay 3,000 Turkish lira in bail and find a person that can bail him out by signing for 75,000 Turkish lira.