Front Page Headlines
‘We questioned our existence during the election process’
Former Interior Minister and People’s Party (HP) MP Ayşegül Baybars gave her first interview to Yenidüzen after handing over the post. She commented on numerous political developments. “Particularly the developments which took place during the presidential elections led us to question all that has been done against this state and our very existence within the coalition,” she said. Baybars added, “The timing of the resignation of three MPs from HP and the setting up of a minority government at the same time, giving the message that the necessary majority will be reached for the vote of confidence, cannot be evaluated as a coincidence.”
Thousands of homes left empty
Foreign university students studying in the north have all gone back to their countries due to the coronavirus pandemic. They have not returned to the north, resulting in a big blow to the housing sector. Hasan Sungur, head of the Real Estate Agents’ Association said the sector has suffered a big blow due to a halt in tourism activities as a result of the pandemic, the increase in the value of foreign currencies, and the fact university students are not returning to the north.
They don’t know more than half of them
Diyalog’s reporter asked 50 persons the names of the 50 MPs in parliament. He received interesting answers. Most of them do not know more than half of the MPs who were elected into parliament in the October 2018 elections.
It was Binali Yıldırım who told me to step aside
Faiz Sucuoğlu explained everything but he did not give the names of those who interfered and who told him to ‘step aside’… It is us announcing the name… Sucuoğlu said those who asked (him to withdraw) were not from the Turkish embassy or within the party. Sucuoğlu also did not hide the fact that some of the members of the parliament that came from Turkey, held ‘meetings’ with him, refrained from openly declaring that it was Binali Yıldırım who told him to ‘step aside.’
- Deadly week in the south – 18 coronavirus patients passed away in one week.
Main News
Erdogan: EU must free itself of pressure from Greece & GCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The EU must discard the pressure it is facing from Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday.
Speaking through a video link at the opening ceremony of the Manisa-Akhisar Highway, Erdoğan added: “It is extremely wrong for Turkey’s relations with the EU to be captive to the tricks of one or two states.”
The Turkish President reiterated that Ankara has always been in favour of dialogue and negotiations to overcome disputes.
“Despite our goodwill, it is unfortunate that the relations between Turkey and the EU are being harmed due to two member states. The EU must once and for all, save itself from the pressure it has been put under by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side,” Erdoğan said.
He noted that the efforts to alienate and to ostracize Turkey from the region are futile.
“It is not possible to achieve anything by trying to leave Turkey out of its righteous cause. It is not possible to achieve anything by trying to punish Turkey,” Erdoğan concluded.
“We will continue to advocate for a two-state solution,” Tatar says
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“We will continue to advocate for a two-state model based on sovereign equality and co-existence of two states side-by-side, together with the newly established government,” Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar said on Saturday.
Tatar, during a meeting with Cafer Gürcafer and the accompanying delegation from the Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors’ Association (KTIMB), added that they have so far produced positive decisions like the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) for the future of the Turkish Cypriot state together with Turkey.
Tatar also argued that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is fully behind the Turkish Cypriot side’s position.
“The TRNC will come stronger with projects executed on areas under its jurisdiction,” Tatar noted, adding that tourism, higher education and construction sectors will lead in the economic development in the north in the coming period. “Given the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, we will improve the investment environment in the north with Turkey’s support. We will be able to look to the future with hope,” Tatar concluded.
Selimiye Mosque under restoration
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral) is closed for prayers due to the launch of restoration efforts, several dailies reported on Sunday.
In a written statement, Talip Atalay, head of the Turkish Cypriot Religious Affairs Office, said it has been decided to close the historical site for prayers until the restoration work is completed for the safety of visitors and worshipers.
Atalay did not say, however, how long the restoration of the site would take.
In the meantime, the Evkaf Administration of Cyprus said the maintenance of places of worship in the north fell under its responsibility.
In a written statement issued on Saturday, the Evkaf said it is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all the places of worship in the north including the churches.
The statement came after claims were made that churches in the north were desecrated and poorly maintained as well as used for other non-religious purposes.
A ‘New Years Crafts and Vintage Bazaar’ held at Panagios Trachona Church in Nicosia on Saturday had drawn harsh reactions from the south.
“The Evkaf allocated a significant amount from its annual budget to deliver its responsibilities,” the statement read, which was issued in response to various allegations raised on the condition of churches in the north.
As an example, the Evkaf noted that it has spent €2.5m for the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in Dipkarpaz (Risokarpaso).
Rejecting the claims that the Evkaf only restores mosques, the statement stressed that the restored churches in the north have been reopened for worship as well.
In line with recommendations from EU officials, who also assisted in the restoration of the churches, the restored churches have been handed over to local administrations to be utilised for socio-cultural activities, the statement noted.
“Maintenance and the restoration of all places of worship is among Evkaf Administration’s priorities,” the statement stressed and rejected the perception some circles attempt to create for the 450-year-old organisation.