Front Page Headlines
‘This is a disgrace’
Female MPs react to the all-male cabinet. The fact that the entire cabinet is made up of men has once again become a subject of debate. Female MPs within the National Unity Party (UBP) are particularly angered by this.
- 13 positive cases in the north-eight local transmission. One death and 301 cases in the south.
18-year-old lie!
The “Wholesale Market Hall” bill, which is essential for ensuring ‘food safety’ and establishing ‘balanced retail prices’ was supposed to be passed on to the parliamentary assembly in October but has not happened yet. The ad hoc committee for the EU harmonization process had started in June 2020 to discuss the bill, which had been waiting in parliament for 18 years. The goal was to complete the deliberations by October, however due to the government crisis, the parliamentary sub-committees did not meet, therefore many of the bills including the “Wholesale Market Hall” bill could not be finalized and sent to parliament to be passed.
- Crisis desk for economy must be established – Economists argue that it is vital to protect businesses and their employees for the economic recovery in the long term. They urge implementation of economic measures to increase the purchasing power of the people, which has decreased significantly.
- The new government’s programme will be read out in parliament today (Monday) – The UBP-DP (Democratic Party)-YDP (Rebirth Party) coalition government’s programme will be read out in parliament today (Monday).
The virus is among us
The course of the virus is changing even though the situation in the country is much better compared to other parts of the world. The number of cases which cannot be traced is increasing by the day. Health Ministry is about to lose control… The number of locally infected cases has increased in one week. Eight out of the 13 cases announced yesterday (Sunday) are local cases. One of the positive cases is Adil Özyılkan, Chief Physician at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital.
- Green light to charter flights for the New Year – Prime Minister Ersan Saner responded to questions after the meeting to discuss the government programme. Saner, responding to a question on various advertisements on charter flights, pointed to the December 16 meeting and said the road map will be identified. “We will take the necessary steps respecting the science board and without disregarding the economy,” Saner said.
- Two-state solution propaganda for those in Kyrenia – President Ersin Tatar said the TRNC has become stronger with the two-state solution policy and the Maraş (Varosha) initiative during a meeting with businessmen and people in Kyrenia.
- A state of mourning in the south – The Greek Cypriot side and Greece, which expected severe sanctions against Turkey at the EU Summit, were not happy with the decisions adopted. The Greek Cypriot newspapers wrote: “Our policies have collapsed.”
We rank 2nd in the EU
While the total number of lawyers in South Cyprus which has a population of over one million is 1,025, this figure in the TRNC which has a population of 300,000 is 800. Senior lawyers who spoke to Diyalog point out that the number of lawyers increased significantly over the years as a result of a large number of law graduates from local universities. We will have the highest number of lawyers per capita in the world soon if things continue as they are.
- It’s going to snow on Troodos – Greek Cypriot Meteorology Service issues ‘Green Alarm’
₺900m (€95m) from the TRNC
The TRNC paid for the repair costs of the water pipeline. It was learned that Turkey has spent ₺900m (€95m) for the repairs of the pipeline that delivers water from Anamur (Mersin, Turkey) to Cyprus. It is reported that the money was paid by the TRNC…
- ₺100m (€10.5m) spent for the hospital – It was also revealed that the TRNC has paid for the construction of the “Emergency Hospital” in Nicosia, which cost ₺100m (€10.5m).
- Chief doctor tests positive, Health Minister Ali Pilli is among his contacts.
Main News
“Turkey to continue protecting TCs’ rights in East Med”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Turkey is in favour of good neighbourly relations,” Spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defence, Marine Lt. Col. Şebnem Aktop, said in a press conference on Sunday.
But Greece “maintains its uncompromising attitude that escalates tension with exercises, harassment, violations and provocative statements in the region,” Aktop added.
She said that nevertheless, Turkey will do all that is necessary to protect the rights and interests of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) shall continue to be the guarantee of peace and security on the island of Cyprus in line with the Treaties of Guarantees and Alliance,” Şentop added.
Toros: Cyprob won’t be used to spoil Turkey-EU relations anymore
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
EU Matters, Negotiations Process, Regional/ International
OVERVIEW
“The Cyprus problem will not be allowed to negatively affect Turkish-EU relations from now on,” the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Fikri Toros said on Sunday.
Toros, in a post on social media post, evaluated the outcome of the EU leaders’ summit.
He underlined that “there is the determination to improve EU-Turkey relations for economic, political and strategic reasons.
“The EU in its conclusive remarks has shown that it will not risk its relations with Turkey by imposing the sanctions demanded by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side,” Toros said, arguing that the ongoing political problem on the island was disregarded in the European Council conclusions.
Toros also argued that the Greek Cypriot leadership must read the conclusions correctly as there are messages for them as well.
“The EU is fully aware of the irreconcilable attitude displayed by the Greek Cypriot side in the negotiations processes, therefore, the bloc will not allow its relations with Turkey to be negatively affected by the Cyprus problem,” the CTP MP said.
“The strong EU members have outlined their priority in the solution of the Cyprus problem in line with UN resolutions and parameters. It is for this reason that the EU will not allow itself to be used as a tool against Turkey as the non-solution situation on the island continues,” Toros said.
Toros also expressed support for the EU’s desire to appoint a representative to the UN Good Offices Mission in Cyprus should the negotiations resume.
“It is understood that such a representative will only facilitate the negotiations to be results-oriented and assist the sides to remain loyal to the UN parameters,” Toros said.
Saner: Health measures will be followed but economy is our priority
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Economy, Governance and Power Sharing, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
“Our health is very important but so is our economy,” Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner said on Sunday.
Speaking following a meeting among the newly appointed ministers to discuss the government programme, Saner pointed to the upcoming meeting of the Higher Committee of Infectious Diseases.
“The road map ahead will be decided during the Committee meeting. Without making any concessions on our health, economic openings will be evaluated together with the Committee’s decisions,” Saner said.
Saner noted that the north has been successful in containing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic since the first cases were detected in March 2020.
Saner refrained from responding to a question on the possibility of organizing charter flights to the hotels with casinos in the north during the New Year week.
“We together with our coalition partners are aware of the fact that we cannot waste any more time… We have to work towards improving our economy,” Saner said.
He said he has called for a meeting to discuss the government programme, which will be read during the parliamentary assembly on Monday.
“Immediately after the government receives the confidence vote, the priority will be to pass the 2021 budget to the parliament and then focus on signing a new financial collaboration agreement with Turkey,” Saner concluded.
In the meantime, the number of locally transmitted coronavirus cases saw a significant rise in the north over the past few days.
Even though the numbers announced are still in single digits, the chief physician at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital, Dr Adil Özyılkan, who had been in quarantine as part of contact tracing, tested positive for the virus after displaying symptoms.
Özyılkan, in a social media post, confirmed the reports and thanked everyone for their good wishes.
He said his coronavirus treatment has started and that he was in ‘good hands’.
Meanwhile, a nurse working at the cardiology ward of the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital has also tested positive for coronavirus.
Additionally, there is one confirmed case at the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB) as well.
PCR tests are being carried out for the LTB workers.
Out of the 13 positive cases announced on Sunday, it was reported that eight of them are locally infected cases.