Front Page Headlines
Call for a ‘sense of perspective’
Epidemiologist pleads with govt, says all-cause mortality in 2020 not out of ordinary.
- Coffeeshop (opinion): Beard of Morphou raises flag of Covid rebellion
Immediate and full exposure over naturalisation scandal
Auditor General should not be “made inactive” in effort to carry out his work in any way or with any excuse.
- “Hooliganism” against freedom of the press
- Ahead of five-party meeting: They (Turkey) give Cypriot blocks to Israel in order to change the EEZs
- Strategy: National planning for Cyprus
- Greek – Turkish relations: Towards upending military balance with Greek arms dominance in the Aegean
- Turkish games: Varosha – Famagusta: 46 years of mockery continue
- (Editorial) The “messiah” of Augeas…
- Savvas Iacovides (opinion): Why would Europe punish Turkey if “sanctions are not an end in themselves”?
- Petros Th. Pantelides (opinion): In lieu of a memorial to Tassos Papadopoulos, who saved the RoC
- Avgoustinos (Dinos) Avgousti (opinion): The withdrawal of the Greek unit from Cyprus
- Nicos Katsourides (opinion): Negotiation, form and essence
Policy of EU sanctions collapsed
The end of the “political and economic cost” on Turkey. What the Cypriot government is implicitly but clearly being called to do is to reconsider its policies and enter into a process to solve the Cyprus Problem. Turkey did not respond to the preconditions set in October, but due to its size the issue of sanctions is being put off ad infinitum. The EU’s clear intent is to once again involve the US in the Eastern Mediterranean after Biden – who will be called on to handle Turkey – takes power. Contact with reality.
- Nicolas Papadopoulos: The law firm and his connections with Giovanni
- Odysseas Michaelides: Why did he not issue report in 2016?
- Varoshans: Time pressure leads them to compensation commission
- Turkey: Where is its economy and where it’s heading
- Parathyro (culture section): Feature: “War photographer” Don McCullin, who was in Cyprus in 1964, in a movie by Angelina Jolie
Poker with marked cards
Turkish President ready for the next steps with the stamp of the German lobby. Two states discussion out of the question, message sent by the EU to the UN.
- Prepublication from Nikos Kotzias’s book in “Ph”
- Turkish plans: They want two states under one umbrella
Vaccinations without choice of vaccine
There are concerns however over the fact that there is no plan or a scenario to cover (vaccine) deniers. First vaccines arrive in Cyprus at the end of December.
- Trapped in Varosha hell for 15 days…
- EU – Turkish relations: In suspended step after the Council
- How Athens considers moving forward: Indecisiveness by the EU
Here is the hidden list of firms for “golden” passports
- An orgy of nepotism in the National Guard
- International: EU wants to coordinate with the US regarding Turkey
- Imposing sanctions of Turkey… a long-lasting illusion
The government’s indictment against Odysseas
Heavy and rich array of weapons. All the behaviour of the Auditor General that lead him to the Supreme Court: Attacks against institutions, commissioners, ministers and others with personal, improper references and public shaming.
- Over the last ten days, coronavirus cases reach around 500 every day: Deaths further increased in December – By last Saturday 11 of this month 30 deaths were recorded, while throughout November, 35, with predictions for all winter being even more negative.
- Political analysis: Back to the Guterres Framework
Main News
Excerpts from Kotzias book published in “Phileleftheros”
Phileleftheros
Regional & International Relations, Negotiations Process, External Security, Energy, Governance & Power Sharing, EU Matters
Phileleftheros published excerpts from former Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Kotzias’s new book, titled “The logic of solution – Political theory and practice in international relations – Truths about the Macedonian issue and negotiations”, in which he details his philosophy on the solution of the Macedonian name issue as well as lessons learnt towards the solution of other issues such as the Cyprus Problem.
Kotzias identifies five elements of the Cyprus Problem that are also key to its solution, and points out that in 2017, forces that did not want the issue of guarantees and security to be put to the table accused him of undermining a solution.
The former FM of Greece writes that it was he who set the Cyprus Problem on the correct basis as an invasion and occupation issue, and underlined the importance of the proposal submitted by the UNSG on security which should stay on the table.
On the strategy followed on the Cyprus issue, Kotzias said that it included specific goals by utilising historical elements and facts on the ground, mild tones and the use of alliances, including a systematic effort that Greek positions be heard.
The book focuses extensively on the history of the Macedonian name issue, which is the main focus of the work.
In the excerpt on Cyprus, Kotzias reiterates that it is not true he prevented the solution and underlines that what he believes is that there are five essential elements in the problem that contain their solutions: firstly the occupation of northern Cyprus; secondly, the political repression by Turkey on T/Cs; thirdly, the need for a return of the refugees; fourthly, the need for achieving the maximum possible political rights for T/Cs and the three minorities; and fifthly, the greatest possible security for the G/Cs and the withdrawal of the Turkish army.
Kotzias also said that during Crans Montana, then British FM Boris Johnson was not attempting to create issues in the way that UNSG envoy Espen Barth Eide and the assistant British Foreign Minister Duncan did. He also said that the work was made easier due to the fact that the US was not directly involved. He said that the Greek side could take advantage of the lack of interest and knowledge of the then US administration about Cyprus, but also Macedonia. He added that it was useful that US State Department Victoria Nuland was not in the picture during the negotiations with North Macedonia, since she was close to the country’s former Gruevski regime.
According to Kotzias, the Trump government had other interests in the region and was focused mostly on the Middle East, which is why it didn’t focus on the Western Balkans or Cyprus during the first two years of the administration.
Kotzias adds that a lesson from the Cyprus Problem on the Macedonian negotiation is that UN intervention should be limited if it was going to be useful, and points out that Eide’s mistakes during the Cyprus negotiations shouldn’t be mirrored in the negotiation over Macedonia’s name. Kotzias pointed out that Matthew Nimmetz, the UN envoy on Macedonia, was exactly the opposite of Eide, since he would not play political games and was involved only in issues where he could be of assistance.
After sanctions battle the sides prepare for movement on the CyProb
Alithia, Haravgi, Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Governance & Power Sharing, Territory, External Security, Energy
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that the politics of seeking to inflict a political and economic cost on Turkey has collapsed since the EU did not punish Turkey for not fulfilling the criteria that were decided in October. The newspaper points out that what the EU is interested in is to involve the US once more in the Eastern Mediterranean, since incoming US President Joe Biden is believed to have better chances to influence Turkey.
According to the newspaper’s analysis, the appeal for tough sanctions on Turkey was a political tool for national politics in Cyprus and later in Greece, but it was clear from the start that the balance of power within the EU and the interests of major member states such as Germany, Spain and Italy did not allow this to become a reality.
Sanctioning Turkey, the newspaper adds, is believed not to be a sufficient tool to influence Ankara’s behaviour, and is also not a priority for Brussels which wants to move with a comprehensive configuration of EU – Turkish relations.
According to Politis, the RoC will take part in a future unofficial 5+1 conference mainly to protect itself from losing in the blame game, but the question is whether it can handle the impasse satisfactorily or whether it will have to negotiate under worse conditions than before.
Haravgi also reports that even France seems unwilling to move towards sanctions, due to the geopolitical and economic interests and connections between the EU and Turkey. However, the newspaper notes, many member states are trusting Turkey less because of its actions.
Kathimerini reports that the government is preparing proposals to table before UNSG Antonio Guterres in a possible 5+1 meeting, in an effort to respond to the argument that the T/Cs are isolated.
According to the newspaper, some RoC political circles believe that the Turkish position on a two-state solution is a bluff, and others believe that it will be put forward as one of the options in order to push for a loose federation bordering on confederation.
In this context, diplomatic sources told the newspaper that it would be better that the UNSG coordinate with the two leaders before an unofficial 5+1 meeting in order to clarify the situation. The G/C side appears prepared to make moves that will address T/C concerns regarding their isolation, and that in return it will ask for goodwill gestures related especially to Varosha.
The newspaper recalls that in the past, all discussions regarding Varosha were connected with T/C isolation and the requests of the other side regarding the Tymbou airport and the Famagusta port.
In an analysis, Phileleftheros points out that the aim of the Turkish side’s mentions of a two-state solution is to push for two states that would co-exist under a joint umbrella. According to the analysis, T/C leader Ersin Tatar is pushing for a solution that looks like two states, but would essentially be a loose federation in which one side would be controlled by Turkey as a means to keep a foot in the Eastern Mediterranean and to affect EU decisions.
According to a diplomat that talked with Phileleftheros, what Turkey wants is the two states on Cyprus to jointly control hydrocarbons and foreign policy. Turkey, it notes, is not concerned over the situation inside Cyprus and the interactions between G/Cs and T/Cs.
Kathimerini also reports that Greece is not pleased by the results of the European Council despite statements made to that effect, and is expecting to see what Turkey’s reaction will be before making decisions on the next steps. The main scenarios under consideration by Greece is that Turkey will either abstain from provocative actions until the end of January, or else send Oruc Reis back to the area, or send a drillship to one of the areas that have been explored so far.
Greek sources believe that there is a serious possibility of Turkey selecting the third option, and that this would happen in an area where the continental shelves of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus overlap.
Varoshans turn to Immovable Property Commission as time runs out
Politis
Property, Territory, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that many of the owners of properties in the fenced off area of Varosha are resorting to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) despite the concerns cited by the government and political leaders.
More than 335 cases have been filed with the IPC, which is based in the north and is recognised by the European Court of Human Rights as an effective remedy located in an area under the control of Turkey.
The report points out that the Varosha area of Famagusta contains 6,082 plots of land, 425 of which are part of the deserted city’s seafront. The T/Cs have already made it clear that they are interested in developing that area.
According to Politis, properties in Varosha are different from other cases since they do not have current users. The owners have now realised that this might change not long into the future and that for that reason time is running out for them to claim their properties at the IPC.
Political circles believe that one of the first moves of the new T/C “government” will be to change the status of the fenced-off area from a military to a civilian zone, in order to open the way for development. This could happen after the five-party meeting, depending on developments on the negotiation table.
Legal experts told the newspaper that no one can guarantee the return of the property by the IPC, but that the effort to gain return rather than compensation could be made easier by the fact that there are no current users.
Famagustan archaeologist and art historian Anna Marangou told Politis 107,6 Radio that she is deeply concerned about the future of the area, and called for a more demanding approach from the G/C side. Marangou said that G/Cs should have been on the streets exerting pressure and uniting their voice with the T/Cs who reacted against Turkey’s actions.