Front Page Headlines
Expert opinion on vaccines: “Approval first, then vaccination”
While the uncertainties over Covid-19 vaccinations continue to loom around, heath experts in Turkey and South Cyprus are insisting that more information is needed about the vaccines. The common view they have been expressing is that approved vaccines are safer.
- “We did not vote for Canaltay. UBP (National Unity Party) should solve its problems” – UBP MPs gathered at the Prime Minister’s office in the early hours of the morning. Prime Minister Ersan Saner met with each MP separately, sounding out the situation.
Nearly 15,000 people unemployed
Türel Öksüzoğlu, head of the Department of Statistics said the unemployment figures which were 6.3 per cent in December 2019 had gone up to 10.1 per cent by the end of 2020. Pointing out that the pandemic had its toll on unemployment figures in the north; she said the number of unemployed had reached 14,950.
- Increase in mobile internet usage – According to the third quarter report for 2020 published by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, there has been a 192 per cent increase in the use of smartphones and tablets in the last eight years. There were 115,000 smartphone and tablet users in 2013 and as of the third quarter of 2020, there are now 336,000 users.
- Covid-19 claims yet another life in the TRNC.
An election will clean up the mess
Following a defeat in parliament to elect its candidate as parliamentary speaker,UBP has started to float the idea of an unexpected early election. A great majority of the MPs in the party have started to put pressure on UBP leader Ersan Saner to call for an election by the summer, the latest.
- Anastasiades’ new action plan is ready – Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades discussed the new measures to be adopted tomorrow (Thursday) with the Health Ministry’s Scientific Advisory Board and with relevant ministries.
- UBP cannot go on with this government – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman evaluated the election held for the speaker of the parliament in which the UBP’s candidate only received 13 votes in favour.
- Lute’s aim is a date – Jane Holl Lute, who is expected on the island on Sunday, will hold a meeting with President Ersin Tatar.
Open warning
Deputy Prime Minister Erhan Arıklı warned that there will be problems concerning the continuation of the coalition if the new Speaker of Parliament is not elected tomorrow (Thursday). Arıklı said that the YDP (Rebirth Party) will be supporting Resmiye Canaltay in line with protocol rules in parliament. He, however, warned that should there be another failure to elect the new parliamentary speaker this would create problems for the future of the coalition government. Arıklı, speaking to Diyalog said, “We did not vote for Canaltay in the first round to test the stance of the UBP’s MPs. However, we shall be supporting the UBP’s candidate tomorrow (Thursday). I only hope that the UBP will overcome its problems.”
- New measures on the way in the Greek Cypriot side – 26 cases in the north, 569 in the south.
Chinese Sinovac vaccine is too risky
There are serious risks in the Chinese vaccine Sinovac, which Turkey will send… The vaccine has not been approved by the World Health Organisation…Additionally, the Chinese company is being accused of bribery… MP Jale Refik Rogers, General Secretary of the People’s Party (HP) and molecular genetics expert drew attention to risks of the Sinovac vaccine warning that very careful steps must be taken following diligent examination.
- Another death from Covid-19 – 80-year-old Kazım Şimşek, who received treatment for cancer in intensive care, passed away.
- 26 new coronavirus cases and one death in the north, 569 cases and one death in the south.
Main News
Lute to meet with the two leaders next week
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary-General’s special envoy to Cyprus Jane Holl Lute is set to arrive on the island on Sunday, January 10 as part of her efforts to convene a 5+1 informal meeting on the Cyprus Problem.
According to information obtained from the Office of the President, Lute will be received by the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday, January 11.
The UN envoy will also be meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
Lute had met separately with both leaders during her last visit to the island in December before embarking on contacts in Athens, Ankara and London as part of preparations to convene the informal conference.
TC side’s efforts for a two-state solution to continue, says Tatar
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Tuesday said that his efforts to reach a two-state solution in Cyprus based on sovereign equality will continue.
Tatar, speaking during a visit to the “National Archives” in Kyrenia, said that despite all contrary claims, there were two separate states and peoples on the island.
He added that the documents stored at the “National Archives” were a testament to the Turkish Cypriots’ existence and presence on the island.
Tatar, speaking later in the day at a panel organised by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, said that both sides had a different understanding of what a federal settlement entailed.
He added that the Turkish Cypriots no longer want to share sovereignty with Greek Cypriots but desired an independent state that had close ties with Turkey.
“It’s necessary to change the basis of the talks to be able to achieve a successful outcome. The UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions should be examined again as was the case with Kosovo,” he said.
Tatar argued that the time had come to change the rules of the game.
“This is the message we are giving,” he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot leadership’s understanding of the negotiations had changed with his election as president.
Tatar concluded by saying that he will find the opportunity to voice his views and the Turkish Cypriot side’s position at the informal 5+1 meeting to be held under the auspices of the UN.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Efforts to find a two-state solution based on sovereign equality will continue.
>> There are two separate & politically equal peoples & states on the island.
>> Two sides have a different understanding of what a federal settlement entails.
>> TCs no longer desire sharing sovereignty with GCs.
>> Basis of talks needs to change to achieve a successful outcome. UNSC resolutions should be reviewed as they were on Kosovo.
Çelik: 2020 an important year for the protection of TC rights
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesman Ömer Çelik on Tuesday said that 2020 was an important year in terms of the protection of the Turkish Cypriot people’s rights and interests.
Çelik, speaking to reporters while a meeting of the AKP’s Central Executive Board chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was underway, stressed that Turkey was committed to defending the rights of Turkish Cypriots to the end.
He noted that Erdoğan’s visit to the north was historic in proving that Ankara stood in solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots.
Çelik argued that both the Greek Cypriot side and Greece wanted to usurp the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, claiming that their lobbying efforts will eventually lead to a larger crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He pointed to Washington’s decision to lift the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot side and the EU’s rush to defend the Greek Cypriot side under the pretext of membership solidarity.
KEY ACTORS
Çelik (AKP)
>> Ankara remains committed to protecting the rights & interests of TCs in Cyprus & East Med.
Two of 10 irregular migrants detained
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Migration and Citizenship
OVERVIEW
Two members of a larger group of undocumented Syrian migrants were apprehended by Turkish Cypriot police in Famagusta on Monday night.
The two, who arrived in the north by boat and entered from an unknown location, told the police they were part of a larger group of 10.
Following medical checkups and PCR tests, the two were placed in a quarantine facility.
Police are currently looking for the missing eight migrants.