Front Page Headlines
“The circle is not closing in, it’s gone”
Pulmonologist Dr Yağmur Aldağ who is part of the team battling Covid-19 for the past year spoke to Yenidüzen. Dr Aldağ said, “Case numbers have risen. We are doing all that we can but we are going through a difficult phase. Everyone is either positive or has come into contact with someone positive. We are constantly talking about the circle closing in but the truth is the circle has gone altogether. Perhaps everyone has come in to contact with the virus and they don’t even know it.
- Storm rips through – There was widespread damage caused in Lefke (Lefka) and Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios) as a result of the storm on Saturday night. Roofs flew off, power lines were downed and trees were uprooted. Dozens of livestock perished. An assessment of the damage is expected.
Storm hits hard
The thunderstorm and heavy rains which hit the country the previous night blew away the roofs of houses, workplaces, pens and garages; downed trees and power lines; perished or injured livestock and caused power outages.
- Three admitted to the ICU – 2,826 PCR tests were carried out in the TRNC yesterday, identifying 29 local and a total of 38 new cases. Health Minister Ali Pilli, in a breakdown of the cases, said 19 cases were identified in Nicosia, 14 in Kyrenia and four in Famagusta, one case via air travel. He added three more coronavirus patients were admitted to the ICU, bringing the current total to 14.
Bad news: No more vaccines
A total of 40,000 doses of vaccines were delivered by Turkey and 2,500 from the EU. The elderly are being given their second dose jabs but the (health) ministry says it cannot announce a programme for vaccinations because it doesn’t know when new shipments will arrive. Health Minister Ali Pilli said the vaccination drive, which was held at 15 centres, will continue in 20 centres, adding that the ministry plans to conclude the vaccination campaign by the end of March if they can get a hold of more vaccines.
- Pharmacists treated like stepchildren – Umut Öksüz, head of the Turkish Cypriot Pharmacists’ Association talked to Havadis about the problems faced by pharmacists.
- No justice – The Trade Unions Platform are holding the government responsible for the chaos in the country. The platform said that resources needed for economic support for people working in the private sector and affected by the lockdown, are available and must be given to them without delay. It also proposed the introduction of a wealth tax.
- The cost of the storm heavy – The thunderstorm which was mainly felt in Famagusta, İskele (Trikomo) and Lefke (Lefka) toppled century-old trees, broke power lines, blew away roofs, perished animals and damaged crops.
Another blow
The strong storm ripped through many areas; buildings, cars, greenhouses and barns were damaged. Producers who are already struggling with the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic were dealt another blow as a result of the heavy rain and strong winds that ripped through the island the other night. While Tatlısu (Akanthou), Gaziköy (Afania), Kumyalı (Koma tou Galou), Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios), Mormenekşe (Limnia), Yayla (Syrianochori) and Aydınköy (Prastio) were the worst hit; greenhouses, barns and pens were destroyed, livestock perished. Trees and power lines in Famagusta, İskele (Trikomo), Güzelyurt (Morphou) and Lefke (Lefka) were downed. Some cars were also damaged.
Here is ₺500m (€56.8m) in resources
The trade unions platform demanded that the government collect wealth tax and suggested how available resources could be used to overcome the problems in the pandemic period. Trade unions platform: The actual tax companies need to pay to the state is ₺1bn (€113.6) but only ₺500m (€56.8m) has been paid. The tax debt is there, and so are the bank accounts of the indebted…
- Queued up for free PCR tests.
- 106 positive cases of coronavirus and two deaths in the south, 38 cases in the north…
Main News
TC side will not be deterred from tabling two-state model, says Tatar
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Sunday hit back at criticism regarding his position in favour of a two-state solution. Attempts by various circles to create the perception that a two-state solution based on sovereign equality had been shelved following the reference to a federal settlement in the latest UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution were unacceptable, he said.
Tatar reminded that the two-state solution model had been brought into the limelight together with Turkey following the exhaustion of efforts to reach a federal settlement, most recently in Crans Montana.
Tatar’s comments came after a warning by both former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı and main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman that the pursuit of a two-state solution would have dire consequences for the Turkish Cypriot community.
In two separate social media posts on Saturday and Sunday, Akıncı noted that the UNSC in its latest resolution had reaffirmed that a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) was the basis of a solution in Cyprus. “A different expectation [from the UNSC] would be absurd,” Akıncı said.
“But there is not much time left for those who imagined that they could put [a solution with] two separately recognised states on the table of a five-party conference and expect it to be acceptable,” he added.
Also touching upon Ankara’s last statement, Akıncı argued it is not possible to build good relations with the EU and the new US administration while rooting for secession in Cyprus.
For his part, Erhürman on Saturday warned that Turkish Cypriots would be doomed if the Turkish Cypriot side insisted on a two-state solution.
In response, Tatar said that even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had expressed the view there was no impediment to discussing new ideas at the upcoming 5+1 informal meeting.
In a defiant tone, he said the Turkish Cypriot side will not be deterred from tabling a two-state solution at the informal summit where new ideas will be open to discussion. “We are determined on our policy and there is no turning back from it. Our people cannot tolerate another 50 years of talks,” he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is set to arrive in the North on Monday for talks with Tatar ahead of the upcoming 5+1 informal summit on the Cyprus Problem. The two are expected to determine the joint strategy which the Turkish side will pursue during the talks. Çavuşoğlu is also expected to meet with other Turkish Cypriot officials to discuss bilateral issues.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> UNSC references to a BBF as the basis of talks will not deter TC side from pursuing a two-state solution.
Akıncı
>> Absurd to think that a two-state solution will be accepted.
Economic package on the way for private sector
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Economy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner on Sunday announced that a new economic package for the private sector would be announced on Monday or Tuesday the latest following the recent lockdown measures in the north.
Saner said the package will aim to address the economic problems caused by the latest lockdown, underlining the importance of keeping the economy running while ensuring the public’s health.
“Let everyone be assured that the government is working to address the economic crisis,” he said, adding that the public’s salvation was the coronavirus vaccines.
The north has been in a partial lockdown since Thursday last week, with all businesses except for essential services closed until February 3. While the lockdown for Kyrenia will continue until February 10, other areas will be decided following an assessment of the epidemiological situation to be held on Tuesday. Travel between all districts is also banned.