Front Page Headlines
Wrong measure, moment and choice
The barbed wire-fence brought a wave of reactions and political turmoil. Strong political reactions and criticism from both the free and occupied areas, but also from the area’s communities were created by the placement of barbed wire along 11 kilometres of the Astromeritis Buffer Zone. The government is defending its move, does not see anything reproachable, rejects claims dubbing the measure partitionist and one that isolates TCs, and is citing reasons of public safety related to migration. Local authorities are refuting that consultations were made with the Interior Ministry over the measure, while government planning foresees the placement of barbed wire at other points along the Buffer Zone too if this is deemed necessary in the future.
- Averof Neophytou: Baseless and unjustified fears over a solution
- Aphrodite gas field: One more step toward utilisation
- Investigative (Committee) on ‘golden’ passports: Letters embroil Syllouris in the business
- Paphos: Hotels opening in April
- ‘Bombshell’ of 420 cases yesterday: New relaxations in…fear
€16 million and rising for tests
Four companies shared €8 million – Tenders running for another €8.1 million. Velorious Ltd, over which noise was made, took €2 million. Tens of millions more in costs for crews conducting the tests.
- Euro-wars to prevent a Turkish block: It wants to keep the EU far away from the Cyprus problem
- Averof going for a second round of contacts in the occupied areas
- Turkish games for Egypt and EEZ
- Hunt for the lost treasure of the occupation
- They promised refugees plots of land on paper
- Locating violators a thorny issue for road cameras: The pilot phase begins end of May
- Green light today for food and drink spots: Government with a positive approach
Four companies shared the gold-bearing rapid test pie
For just four months we paid a total of €6.7 million for tests.
- Intense mobility ahead of the five-party with Lute to return
- They remembered the ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘Yishai’ gas fields. Discussions also on the EastMed pipeline
- Nowhere in the world has the migration issue been solved by raising fences
- They’re being unlawful and are deceiving refugees on housing programmes
Cyprus, Israel break impasse
After nine years, new agreement over gas fields seen as breakthrough
- Easing of measures thrown into doubt with spike in cases
- Bioethics committee says vaccines not mandatory yet
They agreed after nine years of discussions
Historic agreement between Cyprus and Israel over ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘Yishai’. The solution was given in a joint letter by the Cypriot and Israeli Energy Ministers to the companies to which the plots were licensed for a resumption of talks and securing of an agreement on commercial terms. Cyprus to assume presidency of the East Med Gas Forum.
- Government to AKEL over barbed wire: We will not become free-for-all
- Food and drink services to reopen, SMS to remain
- They’re moving forward with resuming the economy in a meeting at the Presidential Palace
Main News
Nicosia welcomes Borrell’s acknowledgement of Cyprob as an EU problem
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Nicosia on Tuesday welcomed EU High Representative Josep Borrell’s comments which emphasise that “the Cyprus problem is clearly an EU problem”.
In saying that the Cyprus problem is clearly an EU problem, Borrell also reiterated that Turkish Cypriots are EU citizens, Cyprus Mail reports.
Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushos referenced Borrell’s comments made in a blogpost on Monday and said that: “We welcome the request of the European Commission to upgrade the role of the EU, from an observer to fully participate in negotiations as soon as possible.”
Politis reports that the government also viewed Borrell’s comments as working to link the Cyprus problem with the with the broader Euro-Turkish relations that will be up for discussion during the European Council summit on March 25-26.
Phileleftheros reports that together with the European Council and Commission Presidents, efforts will be made to send the message that the EU fully supports the upcoming talks on Cyprus. The paper reports that Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen are planning to visit Turkey in the coming period, with Cyprob one of the issues on the agenda of discussions.
But Phileleftheros reports that Turkey, and by extension the TC leadership too, are exerting efforts to keep the EU out of Cyprus problem peace processes altogether, despite this being the wish of all parties including the UN. Phileleftheros view’s Borrell’s comment that “regional stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean is closely bound to a solution to the Cyprus problem” to be an indirect response to Turkey’s attempts to block EU participation in Cyprob processes.
Philelftheros reports that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, in statements after meeting with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio in Nicosia on Tuesday, said that “any decision for the adoption of a positive agenda in EU-Turkey relations depends solely on Ankara, which must, in the midst of everything, cease its illegal actions on land and sea, but also contribute substantially to the resolution of the primarily European problem that is the Cyprus problem, on the basis of UN resolutions and EU principles and values.” Christodoulides clarified that the solution he is seeking is a viable and functional bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF). Since Cyprus will continue to be an EU member state post-solution, Christodoulides added, and given Turkey’s publicly-stated wish for enhanced relations with the EU, the role of the EU in negotiations is therefore of crucial and decisive importance.
On his part, Di Maio said Italy strongly rejects any attempt to secure a solution to the Cyprus problem that is outside the scope of UN agreements and decisions, and expressed support for Cyprus’ efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. Di Maio also highlighted Italy’s support for Cyprus and Greece against any violation of their rights in the region, noting that the proper exploitation of energy reserves must be grounds for cooperation and not conflict.
Phileleftheros reports on statements issued by the TC leader Ersin Tatar, who the paper says is more intent on promoting the interests of Ankara than those of the TC people. Citing the Press and Information Office (PIO), Phileleftheros reports that Tatar said that in full agreement and harmony with Turkey, the public is being informed of their new joint policy, adding that “we will defend our state and sovereignty. We will not let the sovereignty of the south expand into the north.”
Reiterating that negotiations have in the past attempted and failed to secure a federal solution, Tatar said that this time they are seeking something else, noting that whether common ground exists will be seen at the informal five-party summit. Phileleftheros reports that Tatar maintained that UN officials are listening to their new ideas and are attempting to develop them, stressing that the important thing is to ensure that Turkey’s right to intervene remains intact.
Alithia and Haravgi report that in a separate written statement to mark the resistance by TCs in Paphos in 1964, Tatar said such historical incidents reaffirm the necessity of maintaining Turkish guarantees and troops, which he said are a red line. The papers also report on the reactions to Tatar’s insistence on two states by the leader of CTP, Tufan Erhurman, who stressed that “it must at least be understood that in a federation there aren’t two communities with one being sovereign over the other, since sovereignty is shared in the framework of political equality between the two communities.” Erhurman said Tatar’s back-to-back statements are a waste of precious time, since what must be focus of discussions on the future of the TC people is political equality and finding the appropriate degree of decentralisation.
Phileleftheros reports that Tatar said that during his meeting with the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) special envoy Jane Holl Lute, he explained the new ideas being pursued by Turkey and the north, which he said envisions cooperation on the basis of the sovereign equality of two states living side by side. Tatar said that they discussed the details of the informal meeting and stressed that the TC side will participate with goodwill.
Haravgi reports that following her contacts in Cyprus earlier this week, Lute is expected to return to the island around mid-April ahead of the informal summit to be held at the end of that month. The paper writes that in the event that the political climate improves by that time, there may even be a meeting between the two leaders, something that was not officially tabled this time round but was nevertheless rejected by the TC side.
KEY ACTORS
Borrell (EU)
>> Cyprus problem is an EU problem, that involves both GCs and TCs as EU citizens
>> Regional stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean is closely bound to a solution to the Cyprus problem
Koushos (RoC)
>> RoC fully supports the upgrading of the EU’s role in peace processes from observer to full participant
Christodoulides (RoC)
>> It is up to Turkey to achieve a positive agenda with the EU through terminating its illegal actions on land and sea and contributing to the resolution of Cyprob – a primarily EU matter – on the basis of UN resolutions and EU principles and values
>> Turkey’s wish for improved relations with the EU signals that EU participation in Cyprob processes is crucial
>> Seeking viable and functional BBF solution
Di Maio (Italy)
>> Italy strongly rejects any attempt to secure a solution to the Cyprus problem that is outside the scope of UN agreements and decisions
>> Italy support Cyprus and Greece against any violation of their rights in the region
>> Proper exploitation of energy reserves must be grounds for cooperation and not conflict
Tatar
>> In complete agreement and harmony with Turkey, the north will defend its state and sovereignty; will not let GC sovereignty expand into the north
>> Whether common ground exists will be seen at the informal five-party summit, where the north will participate with goodwill.
>> Crucial to ensure that Turkey’s right to intervene remains intact
Erhurman (CTP)
>> A federation does not mean that one community will have authority over the other, as political equality ensures that sovereignty will be equally shared among the two communities
>> Tatar’s statements are a waste of precious time, we must now focus on political equality and achieving the appropriate degree of decentralisation of the central government
Neophytou rebuts ‘three biggest fears’ accompanying Cypob solution
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the attempt by DISY president Averof Neophytou to calm what he called the “three biggest fears” that accompany a solution to Cyprus problem and which he said have been developing for decades among Cypriots.
In statements after meeting with Costas Apostolides, a professor and Cyprus problem advisor to almost all Cyprus presidents, Neophytou said the three biggest fears linked by a settlement are that first, our daily lives will change; second, we’ll be at risk of Turkification; and third, we’ll go bankrupt.
Rebutting these long-standing fears, Neophytou said that the daily lives of GCs and TCs do not have to change, and this can be achieved through an almost absolute autonomy of the constituent states. Regarding Turkification, Neophytou said: “I will say this simply: Yes, there is a risk of Turkification if the Cyprus problem is not solved.” Finally, addressing fears of economic consequences, Neophytou said that the value of GC properties in the north may be of a value of €8-10 billion, if not more, while currently, their value for hundreds of thousands of property owners, refugees or not, is zero. The same is true, he said, for TC properties currently assigned to GC refugees. Further, Neophytou said that concerns over a drop in real estate value post-solution are unfounded, since he said the opposite will happen across both sides. Imagine beginning to rebuild Famagusta, Neophytou said, noting that this will pump several billions into the economy.
Alithia reports that Apostolides agreed with Neophytou that a solution will benefit not just refugees, but all GCs and TCs. Regarding property value, Apostolides said studies based on data held by the land registry can easily find answers and solutions. Commenting on the influx of Turkish-speakers in Cyprus, Apostolides said UN decisions include solutions involving citizenship. Ultimately, Apostolides agreed that not only will a solution not lead to bankruptcy, but it will open up a new development dynamic.
Phileleftheros reports that on Wednesday Neophytou is scheduled to meet with the lawyer Polys Polyviou, and will be launching a new round of contacts with TC politicians, with the first meeting to be the former TC leader Mustafa Akinci on Friday, while meetings with other TC parties are to follow.
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou (DISY)
>> The three biggest fears accompanying a Cyprob solution (change in daily life, Turkification, and economic bankruptcy) are unfounded
>> Almost absolute autonomy of constituent states post-solution will guarantee that daily life of both communities will not change
>> Turkification is only a risk if Cyprob is not solved
>> Solution will boost local economy
Cyprus, Israel reach understanding over gas reserves impasse
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Energy
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that after a nine-year impasse, Israel and Cyprus on Tuesday reached an understanding over gas reserves straddling their maritime border in a development hailed as a “breakthrough” by Israel’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz.
Cypriot Energy Minister Natasa Pilidou said she and Steinitz, during his brief visit to Cyprus, had agreed upon a framework to resolve the issue, and guidelines would be passed on to the companies involved in the project.
The Aphrodite-Yishai field is a cross-border natural gas reservoir but the two governments have been unable to reach an agreement on the fine print of its commercial exploitation, since though Cyprus had in 2019 signed a 25-year concession with Noble Energy, Shell and Delek Drilling for exploitation of Aphrodite, Israel had maintained an agreement was required before work started because around 10% of the Aphrodite deposit overlapped on to the Israeli side, Cyprus Mail reports. Development of the Aphrodite field has been held up because of the protracted dispute.
Pilides said she and Steinitz had agreed upon a framework to resolve the issue, and guidelines would be passed on to the companies involved in the project. She said the framework will be set out in a joint letter which is being prepared, adding that the framework agreed upon involves laying down specific guidelines that companies involved in the project will follow in discussions they will have to resolve the issues within a specific period of time. After the proposed settlement is agreed, the two states would, after studying the matter, give final approval, Pilides said.
Steinitz who said he could even call the development “a breakthrough” said there was a ‘fair chance’ of an eventual resolution. He explained that the general idea is that the two governments will enable the companies involved on both sides of the demarcation line between the Exclusive Economic Zones of Cyprus and Israel to sit together for the next half a year and to try to reach commercial arrangements between them that will be later submitted to the two governments to approve.
He also said that together with his Cypriot counterpart they would be leaving for Egypt to participate in the first meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) as a regional organisation.
The dailies also reported that at the fourth EMGF ministerial meeting on Tuesday it was agreed that Cyprus will be assuming the presidency of the EMGF on January 1, 2022, following the completion of Egypt’s current presidency that will span until the end of the year. The Energy Ministers of Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan and Palestine also agreed to welcome France as an EMGF member Country and the United States as an observer.
Meanwhile, in statements on Tuesday Steinitz also said that the EastMed pipeline project, which he described as extremely important, could be in place within five years. In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency during his visit to Cyprus, Steinitz said that Israel’s huge surplus of gas, combined with that of Cyprus, could justify not just one but even two or three such pipelines.
Asked about Turkey’s stance as regards energy developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and its activities in Cyprus’ EEZ and whether Turkey could be part of joint energy projects in the region, Steinitz he hoped that one day Turkey would decide to join the region. He said Israel is ready to cooperate with Turkey, noting that in the past gas export from Israel to Turkey was considered but with no results. He said he would prefer to see Turkey as part of regional cooperation rather as a source of conflict.