GCC Press Review 22 Feb 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

The clergyman had also tried to rape a 16-year-old

Woman’s testimony to ‘P’ about the lecher, high-ranking clergyman. A few days ago an old story was resurrected involving a woman who was sexually abused by a high-ranking clergyman. The second woman who had suffered sexual harassment from the same clergyman spoke to ‘P’ after the intervention of El. Michaelidou. “And at some point as he was sitting next to me he pushed me and I fell back onto the couch and he fell on top of me.”

Phileleftheros

Final rehearsal with Lute

The UNSG is sending his special envoy to prepare the groundwork for for the five-party. She’s returning in early March.

  • With a full agenda: A week of hot issues in Parliament

Haravgi

Consistency in goals so as to not facilitate Turkey

A specific proposal is expected to be submitted by Great Britain.

  • Vaccinations, naturalisations, demolitions and Al Jazeera on the agenda of Parliamentary Committees

Alithia

Preparation of groundwork

String of contacts by Anastasiades with European leaders. Ahead of the EU Summit in March and the five-party on the Cyprus problem in April, the hoped-for result is positive moves by Turkey. Yesterday President Anastasiades spoke on the phone with Emmanuel Macron, while communication is also expected with Angela Merkel. Nikos Christodoulides in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Main News

Anastasiades talks with EU leaders ahead of EU, Cyprob summits

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters

OVERVIEW

The dailies report on contacts made by President Nicos Anastasiades over the weekend with EU leaders in a bid to garner support for Nicosia’s pursuits at both the EU summit and the informal five-party meeting on the Cyprus Problem.

The papers, citing a written statement by government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushos, report that Anastasiades spoke over the weekend with French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Politis reports that Anastasiades is seeking to create a network of international support for the resolution of the Cyprob.

The dailies report that at noon on Sunday Anastasiades relayed to Macron the GC side’s pursuit for an enduring and viable solution in the form of a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) and in line with UN resolutions and EU principles. Given France’s role as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), Anastasiades highlighted how France could assist the Republic in securing its goals, particularly as regards security and the implementation of a solution agreement.

The papers report that Macron assured Anastasiades of France’s full support for the resumption of talks with the aim of resolving the Cyprus Problem on the basis of UN resolutions and EU principles. Macron also reiterated Paris’ dedication to the strategic relations shared by France and Cyprus which facilitates a joint handling of provocations in the Mediterranean as both countries share the same vision for regional peace and stability.

Regarding the visit expected to be paid by the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) special envoy Jane Holl Lute ahead of the five-party summit, Phileleftheros reports that this is expected to take place within the first 10 days of March.

Haravgi and Alithia also report that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides was in Brussels on Monday to participate in the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, where EU FMs are scheduled to hold a teleconference with their new US counterpart Antony Blinken for a first exchange of opinions on international and peripheral matters relating to transatlantic relations. Christodoulides will also hold a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss bilateral and EU matters of mutual interest.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades

>> In phone call with Macron, reiterates the Republic’s goal of achieving a BBF solution in line with UN resolutions and EU principles.
>> As a member of the P5, France could play an important role in security matters and the implementation of a solution agreement.

Macron
>> France fully supports efforts to resume Cyprob negotiations in view of securing a solution in line with UN resolutions and EU principles.
>> France dedicated to strategic relations shared with Cyprus that facilitate a joint handling of regional provocations.


Translate »