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This is called modern slavery
Project coordinator for Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Ahmet Türkdoğan, project lawyers Sevilay Yıldırımer and Deniz Düzgün told Yenidüzen about their experiences and data collected within the framework of the project. “We received 271 calls to date. We tried to meet with every individual. There are victims from different sectors whether it be the construction sector, supermarkets, sex workers, agriculture, restaurants or university students.”
UBP-DP-YDP reach agreement
The National Unity Party (UBP) acting leader Ersan Saner, leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı and leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Fikri Ataoğlu came together in a four-hour long meeting yesterday (Sunday). They shook hands to form a three-party coalition.
- Violence against women does not end even after divorce – Lawyer and member of the Bağımsızlık Yolu (Independence Road) party assembly Cansu Nazlı drew attention to the fact that the majority of cases of violence against women involve ex-husbands. She added that the calls made to the police unit tasked to prevent violence against women also reflect the same truth. “Women, who are subjected to violence by their former spouses can apply to the court and ask for a restraining order from the court,” Nazlı said.
Outraged at the quarantine fees
The ministries of Finance, Public Works and Health have set the condition that the cost of quarantine must be pre-paid before entering the north. The new measure coincides with the return of hundreds of students studying in Europe for their New Year’s break. According to the decision adopted by the three ministries, the passengers arriving in the north will have to pay the cost of PCR tests and accommodation during their mandatory seven-day quarantine regardless of whether they are TRNC citizens or not. Those who cannot show proof of payment will not be allowed to board the plane.
No problems
Ten of 15 municipalities say they will be able to pay 13th salaries worth ₺7m (€736,000). Diyalog newspaper sought the views of the other municipalities after the Paşaköy (Asha) Municipality announced that it had paid the 13th salaries in advance. The majority of municipalities it spoke to said they would be able to pay the salaries while five of them said they would need state contributions.
- First the Cyprus Issue – Initiatives are being made to postpone sanctions on Turkey to be adopted at the EU leader’s summit until March.
No money for either the 12th or 13th (salaries)
This is the reason why it has not been possible to form the government. The government needs nearly ₺1.5bn (€159m) to be able to pay the December salaries and the 13th salaries of public servants. There is no money left…There is no budget, no government. Turkey is not giving any money either. The last contribution from Turkey was the ₺750m (€80m), ₺600m (€63.5m) of which had been spent on defence. There has not been any money since then.
- UBP-DP-YDP is almost done – Serdar Denktaş wished ‘good luck.’
- 270 positive coronavirus cases and two deaths in the south, 12 cases in the north.
Main News
Cyprus’ membership to the EU a ‘historic mistake’
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“The Cyprus Problem is the source of the current crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean. If the Cyprus issue is resolved, more complex issues such as maritime boundaries and sharing of energy sources can be resolved too,” Marton Gyongyosi, who is a member of the European Parliament’s (EP) Committee on Foreign Affairs, told the Anadolu News Agency on Sunday.
Without Turkey, Europe cannot find solutions for several crises it faces today, Gyongyosi said.
Stressing that the EU-Turkey relations can be improved diplomatically, he said: “At the moment, what is straining the relations is the Eastern Mediterranean conflict.”
He added that something concrete should be done immediately to resolve the issue.
Pointing out to a solution with more involvement of the international community, he said the main problem in the region is “the divided island of Cyprus.”
He noted that resolving the Cyprus issue would automatically lead to the solution of other problems, such as maritime boundaries and sharing gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Gyongyosi stressed the disputes between the EU and Turkey should not turn into an “ideological battle.”
On the return of Oruç Reis to port after completing its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, he said it is a positive step in de-escalating the situation.
“I think the key to the problem is the Cyprus issue. Because I do believe both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are the indigenous inhabitants of the island. They both have to have a share of resources on the island or in the waters surrounding the island. The only way we can facilitate is considering Turkish Cypriots as equals on the island,” he said.
He stressed that he would “love to see a negotiation process in the region”.
“What I can see is that EU is completely disengaged from this whole process,” he said.
Gyongyosi recalled that the Greek Cypriots had rejected the UN-sponsored Annan Plan leaving the issue unresolved.
“After South Cyprus’ accession to the EU in 2004, we internalized a problem. The EU should have said to Greek Cypriots that ‘sort out your problems first, find a solution to your division, and then come back and reapply for membership’,” he said.
Calling it a “historical mistake” of the bloc, he said the EU should have delayed accession to after the referendum and this would have swiftly changed the ideas of the Greek Cypriots, paving a way to resolve the problem.
Greece should talk with Turkey rather than rely on others
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, EU Matters, Regional /International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Greece can only resolve its bilateral issues with Turkey by sitting at the table, cooperation, and dialogue, not by relying on others,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said on Sunday.
Aksoy, in a written statement, was responding to reports in the Greek media claiming that Turkey has increased its military activities in the Aegean and the Mediterranean ahead of the EU leaders’ summit on December 10-11.
“News on this matter is unrealistic,” Aksoy stressed, adding that on the contrary, Greece was continuing with its provocative acts.
“Greece, to escalate tension, continues with its military activities in the region by announcing that it will perform 24 military activities in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean with 11 Navtex (Navigational Telex) announcements and 12 NOTAMs (notice to airmen) issued since October 20, 2020,” Aksoy said.
He also argued that Greece refuses to enter into dialogue on military issues, including preventing the NATO’s deconfliction initiative from moving further.
“Athens has not been attending meetings planned to be held by NATO military authorities since October 9,” Aksoy said.
“Greece can resolve issues with Turkey only by engaging in dialogue and not by relying on others,” Aksoy concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Aksoy (MFA Turkey)
>> Greece can only resolve its bilateral issues with Turkey by sitting at the table, cooperation, & dialogue, & by relying on others.
>> Greek news reports that Turkey is increasing its military activities in the Aegean & the Med is unrealistic.
>> Greece to escalate tension continues with its military activities in the region by announcing that it will perform 24 military activities.
>> Greece refuses to enter into dialogue on military issues including preventing the NATO’s deconfliction initiative from moving further.
UBP-DP-YDP on board for a new government
Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The National Unity Party (UBP), Rebirth Party (YDP) and Democratic Party (DP) have agreed to form a three-party coalition on Sunday, several dailies reported on Monday, although no official announcement was made by the party leaders.
The leaders of UBP, YDP and DP came together to hold a four-hour-long meeting yesterday (Sunday).
Former DP leader and MP Serdar Denktaş, who has been at odds with his party since the October 18 elections, also attended the meeting on Sunday.
Speaking to the media, Ersan Saner, acting leader of UBP, said he will re-evaluate their positions once he receives the mandate from the Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar to form the government for a second time.
DP leader Fikri Ataoğlu said “the meeting was only a beginning,” whereas YDP leader Erhan Arıklı noted that his party will take on the necessary responsibility after Tatar asks Saner to form the coalition.
Kıbrıs went as far as reporting that the three political party leaders have agreed on the distribution of ministerial seats as well. According to the agreement, UBP will have seven ministries and the prime ministry, DP two and YDP one.
In addition to the Prime Ministry, the Deputy Prime Ministry/Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Education and Culture Ministry, Health Ministry, Public Works and Communication Ministry, and Agriculture and Natural Resources Ministry will go to UBP.
The Tourism and Environment Ministry and Labour and Social Security will go to DP while YDP will get the Economy and Energy Ministry.
All eyes are now focused on Tatar as he needs to officially appoint Saner with the responsibility to form the next coalition before Saner can present the cabinet.
Once the cabinet is approved by Tatar, the new cabinet must seek a ‘vote of confidence’ in the Turkish Cypriot parliament.
However, the total number of seats the three parties have are not enough to secure a simple majority.
It is rumoured that three MPs from the People’s Party (HP) will support the formation of the coalition against the party’s earlier decisions.
The UBP now has 20 seats, DP three and YDP two in the parliament of 50 seats.