Front Page Headlines
Questionings and investigations at law firms
Warrants for “Ch. Kyriakides” law firm and Quality Group for Newman’s naturalisation. Police asked for the arrest of Ch. Kyriakides and S. Kakkou, but the court did not approve the request. Warrants were issued for Tony Newman, his father and mother. Investigators collected computers, documents and other evidence from homes and offices yesterday, while testimonies leading five people to testify were also collected. Developments expected in the next few days with investigations and possible arrests of lawyers, accountants, business people and suppliers. Investigation for Al Jazeera video but also for document leak continues.
- Budget: “It’s show time” in parliament
- Holy Synod: Unanimously in favour of opening temples
- Planning: Vaccine only by appointment
- Pandemic: Another two dead and 339 cases
- US – Turkey: Ankara enraged because of sanctions
- Energy: Restarting of surveys during the second half of the year
Averof issued the alarm
He read “Ph’s” article and made dramatic appeal for solution to be found. With the way facts took shape on the ground yesterday, everything regarding the state budget remains in the air and the final result will be determined by today’s contacts.
- DISY ends war of words: Step towards pre-election campaign during budget talks
- Situation will be clarified today in cabinet: Fate of malls at hands of scientists
- After March, depending on deliveries: Vaccination of general population with uncertain time frame
- American sanctions mild but burn Turkey
- Five investigation warrants yesterday over naturalisation
- Cosa Nostra scenes in Kyrenia hotel
Fire from all sides against government over corruption
They have tumbled lower than Botswana! Cabinet decisions bring income to relatives of its members. The only President that heard “shame” from the Attorney General.
- They cut funds for privatisations
- (Kyprianou) All of Cyprus will be lost with partition
- Intense reactions by Turkish Cypriots for ban in crossings from checkpoints
- Charles Michel called Tayip Erdogan to go to Cyprus Problem negotiations as soon as possible
- COVID-19 vaccines with online appointment and SMS
‘Beginning of the end of measures’
President calls meeting of cabinet today, new record for cases.
- Budget debate gets underway, remains unclear if it will pass
- Cyprus: Holy Synod calls on government to revisit excessive measures
The small (parties) play hide and seek until tomorrow
Over whether they will vote for or against 2021 budget. ELAM laid out its cards and announced it will vote for the budget – EDEK – Citizens’ Alliance key. Leaders discussion in parliament yesterday calm.
- National vaccination plan presented yesterday: Beginning of the end for coronavirus – News are encouraging. Better days are not far away – A vaccination every six minutes. Another two dead yesterday and 339 new cases, from 11,733 detection kits
- Police: Investigations in law firms and companies over golden passports
- Occupied areas: Reactions over new restrictions in movement
- Michel to Erdogan: Negotiations with Greece and Cyprus Problem should begin
- Anastasiades: Company drillings during second half of 2021
Main News
Reactions over crossings ban by T/C authorities
Alithia, Haravgi, Oikonomiki Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on reactions regarding the decision by the T/C side to ban checkpoint crossings until December 25, especially by T/Cs that work in the south.
Politis reports that a group of T/C workers gathered at the Agios Dometios checkpoint and marched towards the office of the “prime minister” and the health “ministry”. The protesters pointed out that while the T/C authorities included exceptions for students studying in the south, they did not for those who work in the south.
A representative of the workers said that the deputy health “minister” told them that the measure cannot be cancelled, but assured them they will be able to cross once again after December 25.
According to reports, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) criticised the decision, while the Dev-Is workers union criticised the “government’s” epidemiologists for suggesting measures that cause chaos in society.
Oikonomiki Kathimerini also reports on the increase of cases of local transmission of the coronavirus in the north and that the new measures caused reactions among the T/Cs because of the effects on the economy.
Phileleftheros reports that T/Cs employed by the British Sovereign Base Area in Dhekelia faced no problem going to work after the T/C administration banned movement from the checkpoints, since they used the Pergamos (Pyla) and Strovilia checkpoints (where entry to the government-controlled areas happens directly from the SBA).
An SBA source confirmed this information to Phileleftheros, pointing out that the measures applied by the T/C administration regarding checkpoints apply for all other T/Cs.
According to Phileleftheros, the new measures imposed by the T/C side have also brought the closure of the casinos that are active in Pyla, as well as the T/C coffeeshop of the village.
The newspaper also reports that the Pyla T/C elementary school is operating without problems since the T/C side allowed the passage of teachers through Pergamos, and notes that G/C teachers that have to work at Rizokarpaso were not exempt in the same way.
Michel calls on Erdogan to look to Cyprus and Greece for talks
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Regional/ International Relations, External Security, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
European Council President Charles Michel told Turkish President Tayip Erdogan that Turkey needs to enter into negotiations with Greece and to support Cyprus reunification talks, during a phone conversation on Tuesday, the dailies report, citing the Cyprus News Agency.
According to an EU source that spoke to CNA, Michel told Erdogan that exploratory talks with Greece need to restart, and underlined that negotiations under the auspices of the UN over Cyprus reunification should restart as soon as possible. The two Presidents agreed to keep channels of communication open.
The call was initiated by the Turkish side, according to the same source, who added that Michel told Erdogan that de-escalation should continue and deepen. Asked to clarify by CNA what deepening de-escalation means, the EU official said that the EU has seen aggressive comments and actions during the past few months, and that de-escalation is necessary.
Following from the European Council’s recent condemnation of Turkey’s unilateral moves on Varosrha, Phileleftheros further reports on a legal opinion issued by the services of the Bundestag (German parliament) regarding the partial opening of Varosha. According to the report, which was requested by leftist MP Sevim Dagdelen, Turkey’s actions contravene international law and Security Council resolutions that prohibit the opening of Varosha to anyone other than its legal residents.
The report notes that resolutions are not binding in and of themselves, and that this is the approach adopted by Ankara. It adds however that these resolutions cannot be fully ignored legally, and points out that they reflect the approach of the international community.
The dailies also report on Turkey’s reaction to the decision of the US to sanction the country over the purchase of Russian S-400 missiles. Haravgi reports that the US sanctions single out the head of the Turkish Presidency’s defence industry directorate and another three Turkish officials, imposing measures such as the freezing of assets and travel bans, and bans on the activity of Turkey’s defence industry.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Turkey to immediately solve the issue that came up with the S-400 and said that the US will not accept such significant interchanges with Russia’s defence industry, especially since this would create security threats for US military staff. He noted that Turkey did not heed warnings on this issue.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded in angry tones, calling the sanctions a one-sided and unfair decision, and called for its reversal. The Turkish MFA also threatened the US with retaliatory measures but said this will happen in a way and a time Turkey finds necessary.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also criticised the sanctions, saying that this is an instance of the US’s arrogant approach to international law, and that this approach does not make the US a more responsible actor on the international stage.
KEY ACTORS
Mike Pompeo (US Secretary of State)
>> Turkey should immediately deal with the issue of the S-400
>> The US will not accept such significant interchanges with Russia’s defence industry as this would create dangers of US military staff
Turkish MFA
>> US sanctions are a one-sided and unfair decision that should be reserved
>> There will be retaliatory measures in a way and time Turkey deems necessary
Sergey Lavrov (Russian Foreign Minister)
>> These sanctions are an instance of the US’s arrogant approach to international law and does not make it a more responsible actor on world stage
Anastasiades: Gas explorations to restart in second half of 2021
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy
OVERVIEW
President Anastasiades said that the RoC is determined to proceed with its energy exploration programme regardless of Turkey’s illegal actions and threats as Cyprus is an independent and sovereign state. He added that he expects seismic surveys and drillings to restart during the second half of 2021.
Speaking at the 8th Energy Symposium organised online by the Institute of Energy for South-East Europe and Financial Media Way, Anastasiades said the government is in constant contact with all companies that have been licensed for exploration of the Cypriot EEZ, and that the companies have given assurances they remain committed to their obligations.
Specifically, Anastasiades said ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum, as well as Total and ENI, are ready to restart work during the second half of the new year.
The president underlined that the companies did not announce they would cancel their work, or that they would withdraw from the Cypriot EEZ, as has happened in other geographical areas.
Politis reports that according to Energy Minister Natasa Pelides, analysts predict that demand for natural gas will remain high in the next 15 years, which would make it attractive for companies to continue drillings. Pelides noted that natural gas is seen as a tool for the gradual shift of the energy market to sources with zero carbon emissions.
KEY ACTORS
Nicos Anastasiades (Cypriot President)
>> Government is in constant contact with hydrocarbon companies that are licensed to explore the Cypriot EEZ, and has received assurances that the companies are committed to their obligations
>> ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum, as well as Total and ENI, are ready to restart work during the second half of 2021
Natasa Pelides (Energy Minister)
>> Analysts predict that demand for natural gas will remain high in the next 15 years
>> Natural gas is seen as tool for gradual shift of energy market to sources with zero carbon emissions
Sigma poll: Public thinks parties unclear on desired solution
Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
A Sigma TV poll revealed on Tuesday that the vast majority of the public believes political parties are not clear and have not decided what form of Cyprus problem solution they want, Phileleftheros reports. The survey was conducted on December 10-14 with a sample of 1,000 persons.
The newspaper notes that what that particular response confirms is that the Cyprus Problem is seen by parties as the easiest political issue, on which political party leaders make superficial statements, but that these statements don’t seem very convincing to the public.
According to the report, when asked whether they believe that political parties “have clarified internally which solution model of the Cyprus Problem they wish for”, 78% of respondents said that the parties don’t seem to have a clear approach. Only 22% said that parties know what they want regarding the Cyprus Problem.
Regarding whether President Anastasiades is convincing when he speaks of a federal solution, 51% said ‘no’ and 49% said ‘yes’. More than half, 56% assessed the President’s handling of the Cyprus Problem unfavourably, and 44% favourably.
An 83% of respondents replied negatively to a question on whether they would accept a solution that would not include an end to guarantees and the withdrawal of Turkish troops. Two thirds, 66%, said they would not accept a solution that provides for the presence of Greek and Turkish troops in numbers similar to those included in the 1960 Treaties.
Asked whether they believe that we are closer to a solution based on UN resolutions, only 8% responded with a ‘yes’. When asked whether President Anastasiades should go to a five-party informal meeting, given the circumstances and Turkey’s provocations, 48% were in favour and 52% against.
Also, respondents are split evenly (literally 50% for and 50% against) on whether the the President can refuse to attend a five-party meeting. Also, 6 out of 10 believe that the T/Cs and Turkey are changing their approach on the Cyprus Problem.
ELAM supports budget but will reject funds for T/Cs & checkpoints
Phileleftheros
Economy
OVERVIEW
For the first time since it entered parliament four years ago, far-right ELAM has said it would vote in favour of the RoC’s state budget, in response to governing DISY’s desperate efforts to pass the bill. However, ELAM also said it will refuse to approve funds for migrants, T/Cs and the opening of new checkpoints.
The budget crisis came about after DIKO announced it would not approve the budget if the government does hand over files related to the “golden” passports scandal to the Auditor General’s office.
Phileleftheros reports that ELAM leader Christos Christou said during Tuesday’s plenary discussion on the budget that the far-right group will vote in favour, but added that it would not approve funds for assistance of asylum seekers, the upkeep and opening of new checkpoints or the funding of the tuition for T/C students going to private schools.
However the newspaper notes that during his speech Christou did not set any particular terms to the government to amend the budget bill to ELAM’s specifications. According to the report, it’s likely that ELAM will choose to make its position known by voting in favour of amendments that will be submitted by the far-right group or another party on Thursday.
Paphos Mayor speaks of party pressures regarding T/C properties
Politis
Property, Economy, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Paphos Mayor Phaidonas Phaidonos wrote on social media that he is facing endless interventions from political parties regarding his position on the handling of T/C properties in the city centre, and threatened to disclose more specifics.
Phaidonos wrote that there are many such cases and that many are aware of the situation but encourage such actions instead of preventing them. Without naming names, the Mayor referred to the case of a businessperson who asked for a change in the law because they did not like decisions taken by the Municipality.
The newspaper also reports that municipality crews are moving through the Mouttalos district, a government-designated refugee (displaced) settlement, demolishing abandoned storage spaces made with shoddy materials, as well as buildings that are collapsing.
Phaidonos said that the municipality plans to create a square, parking spots and playgrounds in the area. He also promised residents of the area that the quality of life there will increase.