Front Page Headlines
There is no project, no inspections…it was just put into service”
The head of the Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) Ali Murat Cellatoğlu said that the pandemic hospital was opened with a ceremony on November 15 despite the fact that the building did not have a construction project or permit nor was it inspected before opening. Cellatoğlu said that to make matters worse, the government had shown EMO as a target following their criticisms. Cellatoğlu said that the hospital building needed to be inspected at all costs and that their objection was not to the construction of such a hospital but to ensure it was up to safety standards.
The wheels of the locomotive sectors must turn
It is necessary to start taking action to revitalise the country’s economy, which is suffering from a financial crisis due to the pandemic. Economy experts point out that urgent measures are needed in sectors such as tourism and higher education that bring foreign currency into the economy.
- Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu travelling to Ankara today (Monday) –Ertuğruloğlu will be going to Ankara upon invitation from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
- No business left – Sector representatives are suffering severely due to the failure of the authorities to manage the economy in parallel with health. RES-BİR (Turkish Cypriot Restaurateurs’ Association) President Salih Kayım urged the authorities to act in a way that will ensure the economy remains afloat while implementing health measures. He added: “We cannot talk of reduced business. There’s no business left as it is.”
- Our goal is to bring 30,000 students to the country – National Education Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu spoke to YÖK (Turkish Higher Education Board) President Yekta Saraç about the problems the TRNC universities are facing due to the pandemic. He added the Ministry is working on re-launching in-class education.
The situation is dire
Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) Mayor Suphi Coşkun and cardiology expert Dr Alptekin Özkoç uttered the bitter fact that: patients die on the roads. Dr Özkoç said 288 people were taken to the Famagusta Hospital after suffering heart attacks, 99 of them acute, in 2020. 31 of these patients could not be saved. Moreover, 677 patients, who were admitted to the Famagusta General Hospital, had undergone coronary-angiography at the Nicosia Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital. Mayor Suphi Coşkun said, “We also have constitutional rights like the other municipalities, but our main problem is health. Our people are afraid of falling ill, people for years have lost their lives on the roads. Many in the region have died of heart attacks because we could not get them to a hospital on time. They have died on the roads.”
- Life comes to a standstill in the south – The three-week lockdown is in place in South Cyprus due to increasing Covid-19 cases and deaths.
- Lute will sweat for the five-party (conference)
Day of destiny
Voting will be repeated until a result is obtained in the election for a new Speaker of Parliament. An election for the new speaker will be held today (Monday). Should there be 26 votes against National Unity Party’s (UBP) candidate Resmiye Canaltay, the session will be postponed and a new election will be held at another date. Even if Canaltay receives the majority of the votes but stills fails to receive the support of 26 MPs then the vote will be repeated up to four rounds.
- The sides are ready – Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias said they supported a five-party conference.
- Ms Lute, please read this article
Ercan (Tymbou) in exchange for Maraş (Varosha)
Anastasiades proposed three confidence-building measures… According to a report in Kathimerini newspaper, Nicos Anastasiades will accept direct flights to Ercan (Tymbou) airport if Maraş (Varosha) is returned to the Greek Cypriot side. Additionally, he is proposing the opening of Famagusta port (to direct trade) and creation of a hydrocarbons fund on the condition that the Ankara Protocol is implemented.
- 399 positive coronavirus cases and one death in the south, 14 new cases in the north…
Main News
Tatar will convey to Lute determination for two-state solution
Havadis, Kıbrıs Postası, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar will convey to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute in a meeting on Monday the Turkish Cypriot side’s position in favour of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, the Anadolu News Agency reported on Sunday.
Citing sources close to Tatar’s office, the news agency reported that Tatar will also express the view that the resolution of the Cyprus issue, the basis of which will be determined, would contribute to the restoration of regional security and stability.
According to Tatar, the non-solution of the Cyprus Problem and the Greek Cypriot side’s stance is also preventing cooperation from taking place on the issue of hydrocarbons.
The agency also said that Tatar will make it clear that, for the Turkish Cypriots, there is no question of continuing the process from where it left off in Crans-Montana in 2017.
It added that Tatar will tell Lute that the new Turkish Cypriot side’s position has been developed jointly with Turkey.
Tatar is set to meet with the UN special envoy on Monday at 2:30 pm. Lute will be meeting earlier in the morning with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
Also on Sunday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner urged the UN to “persuade the Greek Cypriot leader to agree to discuss a two-state solution.”
Saner, in a statement issued from his office, stressed that the “realities on the island” must guide the way towards a solution, a two-state solution based on equal sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu will meet with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara on Monday.
The two are expected to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on the Cyprus Issue as well as regional developments.
Nine irregular migrants arrested en route to south
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Migration and Citizenship
OVERVIEW
Nine undocumented Syrian migrants, who arrived by boat at an unidentified location near Kyrenia, were detained by police near the Akyar (Strovilia) crossing point on Saturday, January 9.
The police first took the migrants to the Famagusta Hospital for a medical examination and PCR tests before placing them in an undisclosed quarantine facility.
Citing sources at the hospital, the dailies note that the migrants told a “translator/interpreter” brought by the police that each one of the migrants had paid $3500 to human traffickers to bring them to a coast near Tatlısu (Akanthou). The human trafficker apparently returned to Turkey after the drop-off.
Following entry to the north, another person met with them and took the Syrian migrants to a place near the Akyar (Strovilia) crossing point.
Police continue with their investigation.