Front Page Headlines
“It is necessary to vaccinate 60 to 70 per cent of the public against the pandemic”
Turkish Cypriot Associate Prof İhsan Gürsel spoke to Yenidüzen about the pandemic. Prof Gürsel who is part of the team developing a vaccine in Turkey said that vaccination was the only way to exit the pandemic and break the chain of infection. “I support the emergency approval of all vaccines whether it is Sinovac, Astra, Moderna or Pfizer. They are all useful. Protect yourselves, get vaccinated,” he said.
- Vaccines from Europe arrive – Much anticipated step in the field of health for bicommunal cooperation. 1,080 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines reserved by the EU for the Turkish Cypriot community through the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) were delivered to the north yesterday (Monday).
- ‘Government’ chooses Sennaroğlu –They had rejected Resmiye Canaltay. National Unity Party (UBP) MP Önder Sennaroğlu was elected as the new Speaker of Parliament. He received 26 votes in favour, 20 against. Two MPs abstained. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Armağan Candan was elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament with 30 votes in favour, 15 against.
Industrialists place their hopes on the regulation
The organised industrial areas, which have been left unattended due to confusion over authority, are battling serious problems. The Council of Ministers is expected to approve the regulation, which was prepared to solve problems experienced in such areas due to a lack of infrastructure and pollution.
- 1,080 doses of “Pfizer” vaccines arrived from the EU – The EU vaccines for the Turkish Cypriots through the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health was handed over to health ministry officials.
- Sennaroğlu became the speaker of the parliament, Candan his deputy – National Unity Party (MP) Önder Sennaroğlu received 26 votes in favour, 20 against and two abstentions. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Armağan Candan was elected his deputy, receiving 30 votes in favour, 15 against, one abstention. Two ballots were rendered invalid.
- The marathon talks on the budget starting on Thursday – The 2021 state budget will be discussed in the parliament.
The Sennaroğlu formula worked
The crisis which erupted when Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, who was nominated by the UBP, failed to be elected three times or even receive all the votes from her party, was overcome with Önder Sennaroğlu’s candidacy. The Sennaroğlu formula, which was proposed by a group within UBP to avert an early election called by Prime Minister Ersan Saner has worked.
- Barbaros left, Germany is pleased – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is pleased with Turkey’s steps revealing its intention to lower tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
We are asking on behalf of the public
How many doctors and health care professionals have been vaccinated; at which centres and during which hours will those above the age of 65 be vaccinated today (Tuesday)? The exact number of health professionals vaccinated is not known. According to information obtained by Diyalog, there are 1,000 registered doctors, 800 nurses and 25 midwives in the TRNC.
- They finally succeeded – Önder Sennaroğlu was elected as parliamentary speaker and Armağan Candan as his deputy.
- Five Greek Cypriots lose their lives – 14 new cases in the north, 162 cases in the south.
- Anastasiades receives his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
EU vaccines for 1,080 people
This is how the EU Pfizer vaccines were received from the south at the Metehan (Ayios Domethios) crossing! (Photographs comparing the condition of the vehicles used by Greek Cypriot health officials and Turkish Cypriot health officials) The health ministry officials received the 1,080 doses of Pfizer vaccines from the south. Co-chair of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health Cenk Soydan announced the 1,080 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines will be included in the vaccination programme.
- We are struggling for our lives – Turkish Cypriots working in the south sent a letter to (UN Special Representative Elizabeth) Spehar highlighting their problems and asking for her support.
- Finally elected – Önder Sennaroğlu becomes the speaker of the parliament.
- 162 positive cases of coronavirus in the south and five deaths, 14 cases in the north…
Main News
Sovereignty & international status of sides need to be respected
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Economy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Monday said that a lasting, just and viable solution in Cyprus could only be reached if the sovereign equality and international status of the two sides were respected.
Tatar spoke on the phone with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, discussing a wide array of issues including the upcoming 5+1 informal meeting. He also conveyed the Turkish Cypriot side’s desire for the process of registering Hellim (Halloumi) as a Product of Origin (PDO) to be carried out simultaneously with arrangements that will allow its trade through the Green Line Regulation.
Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), currently in charge of trade carried out within the framework of the Green Line Regulation, should retain its authority and status. He also said that health and production standards of Hellim (Halloumi) production in the north should be inspected by a team of experts to be appointed by the EU Commission along with officials from KTTO.
Among other things, Tatar thanked the EU High Representative for the first batch of coronavirus vaccines reserved for the Turkish Cypriot community which were delivered on Monday. Borell for his part said that the EU will continue to send vaccine shipments to the north. He also said he looked forward to meeting with Tatar on his next visit to the island.
Meanwhile, the EU official tweeted that he had spoken with both leaders and that the EU was ready to assist for the restart of the Cyprus negotiations process.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Cyprob solution possible if sovereign equality & equal international status respected.
>> Hellim (Halloumi) PDO & arrangements for its trade through GLR should be carried out simultaneously.
Borell (EU)
>> EU will continue to send shipments of coronavirus vaccines.
>> EU ready to assist two sides for a restart of talks.
Debate on sovereignty raises tensions in TC parliament
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu said on Monday a new partnership on the island could be established based on a confederation model.
Ertuğruloğlu nonetheless warned that working towards achieving a settlement on this model should not be perceived as abandoning the Turkish Cypriot side’s current policy in favour of a two-state solution. Responding to criticism from the opposition during Monday’s session in parliament, Ertuğruloğlu warned against the dangers of focusing on a single option for a solution.
Both the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP) slammed the government for promoting conflicting positions on the Cyprus Problem. TDP leader Cemal Özyiğit said that the foreign minister was advocating a confederal settlement while the president was advocating a two-state solution.
“These conflicting positions are creating the image that the Turkish Cypriot side is in disarray and there is no unity,” he said.
Özyiğit also said that whether it is a confederation or a two-state solution, tabling these ideas at the upcoming 5+1 informal meeting will result in the Turkish Cypriot side being branded as intransigent.
Referring to Tatar’s meeting with the political party leaders on January 15, Özyiğit claimed the arguments in favour of a two-state solution were being made upon Turkey’s request and that Tatar was pursuing unrealistic goals. CTP leader Tufan Erhürman echoed Özyiğit’s warning and said the Turkish Cypriot side will be accused of not respecting the UN resolutions on the Cyprus issue.
Urging the Turkish Cypriot officials to revise their positions on the Cyprus problem, Erhürman warned their approach could not lead to a comprehensive settlement.
Responding to the opposition’s remarks, Ertuğruloğlu said the EU was a good example of a confederation where sovereign member states, all of whom were equal in status, conceded part of their sovereignty.
Ertuğruloğlu also argued it was not possible to find any solution on the island as long as the Turkish Cypriots are recognized as a community of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC). He stressed that the resumption of a negotiations process now, as if there is any desire for a federal solution, would only mean a waste of time for the Turkish Cypriots. Ertuğruloğlu also claimed that this is what the Greek Cypriot side and the UN wanted to achieve.
He argued that if there is going to be a new partnership, it must be built on stronger foundations than the 1960 partnership hence his emphasis on sovereignty.
“The Turkish Cypriot community must claim its sovereignty first,” Ertuğruloğlu concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> A new partnership can be based on a confederation model.
>> Not possible to find a solution on the island as long as the TCs are recognized as a community.
>> New partnership must be built on stronger foundations than the 1960 partnership hence emphasis on sovereignty.
Özyiğit (TDP)
>> Tabling a two-state or confederal solution model at 5+1 meeting will result in TC side being branded as intransigent.
>> Two-state solution is Ankara’s position imposed on TC side.
>> Tatar pursuing unrealistic goals on Cyprob.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> TC officials should revise their positions on the Cyprob.
First batch of Pfizer vaccines delivered to north on Monday
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
1,080 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines reserved for the Turkish Cypriot community were delivered and handed over to Turkish Cypriot officials on Monday morning.
The delivery of the vaccines was organised by the bicommunal technical committee on health. Greek Cypriot co-chair of the committee Dr Leonidas Pylachtou handed over the vaccines to the Turkish Cypriot co-chair Cenk Soydan.
Speaking briefly to the media, Soydan said they were happy to have received the first doses of the vaccines for 1,080 people, noting that a second batch will arrive within the next month. Soydan said the Turkish Cypriot side has asked for 400,000 doses in total. He added that the timeline on the delivery is not yet known. Soydan also confirmed that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will initially be administered to people aged 65 and over.
In the meantime, the UN also issued a statement welcoming the delivery of vaccines as a positive development building on the ongoing exchange of information through the technical committee. The UN also welcomed an increase in cooperation between the two sides in their efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the island, for the benefit of both communities.
TC workers express their torment in a letter to the SRSG
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A group of Turkish Cypriot workers employed in the south expressed their ordeal and suffering they are experiencing as a result of the restrictions on the crossing points due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a letter addressed to UN Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar on Monday.
The workers drew attention to what they said were “double standards” imposed on them, claiming that their situation was being deliberately ignored by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.
The workers stressed they were made to suffer due to the absence of a joint health committee that could manage the pandemic across the divide simultaneously and in a coordinated manner. They also argued that the latest decisions adopted on crossings had nothing to do with public health concerns and asked Spehar for her help to reduce the pressure being put on them.
The workers drew attention to the conflicting measures imposed by the Higher Committee of Infectious Diseases, questioning why they were subject to quarantine and restrictions whilst Turkish Cypriots employed by the UN and the EU were allowed to cross with a negative PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours.
The workers also claimed that the north was Turkey’s sub-administration and was being governed based on “recommendations” from the “dictatorial regime in Turkey.”
“We are informing the Republic of Cyprus and the EU, whom we are citizens of, that we are trying to survive and to continue our existence under occupation in the north,” the workers said.
Germany commends Turkey’s positive stance
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu reiterated Ankara’s willingness to turn a new page in Turkey-EU relations during a joint press conference in the Turkish capital on Monday.
“We are engaging in new initiatives towards the EU because of the bloc’s constructive stance towards Turkey,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding that the threat of sanctions would not work.
As far as the Eastern Mediterranean crisis is concerned, Çavuşoğlu pointed to the upcoming exploratory talks with Athens, hoping that Greece will be willing to cooperate.
He warned that the responsibility of raising tensions between the two countries would be on Greece if Athens insists on not cooperating.
Ahead of his visit, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged a “solution-oriented” dialogue between Turkey and Greece to overcome ongoing disputes between the two countries and de-escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Maas added Germany welcomes the recent diplomatic initiatives by Ankara and expects the positive momentum to continue.
The start of these talks now offers a real chance of permanent de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Maas added, recalling Germany’s earlier efforts. He also commended Ankara for taking concrete steps to contribute to the region’s stability by ending some of its drilling activities.
“Our efforts are for establishing constructive and sustainable ties between Turkey and the EU,” he said, agreeing on the need to open a new chapter in Turkey-EU ties.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey MFA)
>> Ankara wants to turn a new page in Turkey-EU relations.
>> Ankara hopes Greece will cooperate with Turkey during exploratory talks.
Maas (Germany MFA)
>> A “solution-oriented” dialogue between Turkey & Greece is needed to overcome ongoing disputes between the two countries & de-escalate tensions in the East Med.
>> Ankara did well taking concrete steps to contribute to the region’s stability by ending some of its drilling activities.
>> Germany’s efforts are to establish constructive & sustainable ties between Turkey & EU.
Sennaroğlu elected new parliamentary speaker in north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Önder Sennaroğlu was elected as the new speaker of the Turkish Cypriot parliament putting an end to a heated row within the ruling National Unity Party (UBP) that lasted weeks.
Sennaroğlu’s election came just two weeks after UBP MP Resmiye Canaltay, who had been nominated by her party, failed to win the support of the majority of MPs in parliament, including those from her own party.
Former deputy parliamentary speaker Zorlu Töre had strongly objected to Canaltay’s candidacy, openly expressing his desire to be nominated for the post.
Although the votes in parliament were held by secret ballot, it was no secret that he and other frustrated UBP MPs voted against Canaltay. Following two repeated rounds of voting, Canaltay had failed to win enough votes, exhausting her chances.
Sennaroğlu was elected with 26 votes in favour, 20 against and two abstentions. Main opposition Republican Party (CTP) MP Armağan Candan was elected as the new deputy speaker of parliament.