GCC Press Review 12 Mar 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Conflict of interest for Nicolas and Koulias

Politis reveals the documents on the dealings between Koulias and the Tassos Papadopulos law office with Altamira. Yesterday’s debate in parliament on responsibilities for the agreement between the former Co-operative Central Bank (CCB) and Altamira for the management of non-performing loans (NPLs) was stormy. The DISY deputies left after accusing DIKO and (its leader) Niclos (Papadopoulos). It was on an opinion of the Tassos Papadopoulos law office that the assignment of the management of red loans of the former CCB to Altamira was made. DIKO insists that Nicolas has nothing to do with the family law firm. (DIKO MP) Zacharias Koulias had proposed to the former CCB debt relief of €1.5 million in exchange with the concession of real estate. The proposal was rejected as the average value of the properties appears in the documents to be only €560,000. Ethics went out the door while the Code of Ethics and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament were completely violated. MPs with red loans in the former Co-op Bank discussed the red loans of the former Co-op Bank.

  • Cyprus problem: US message for a BBF with Erdogan as the recipient
  • Astromeritis razor wire: UNFICYP was informed, it is concerned and is patrolling the area
  • Another 431 cases yesterday – Freeze on relaxations due to the virus mutations.

Phileleftheros

An intermediary solution to relaxations

The opening of restaurants is to be decided today but only in outside areas and with strict terms. Ministerial negotiations until the last moment for the return of the gymnasium pupils.

  • Dynamic US comeback on the Cyprus problem – Messages to Turkey by the Secretary of State.
  • Brussels is saying one thing on the razor wire and Nicosia another based on the Green Line Regulation
  • Tour by Phileleftheros at the Astromeritis buffer zone – Tracing the footsteps of illegal migrants, drugs and smugglers.

Haravgi

It is urgent to provide solutions for the adequate number of vaccines and (hospital) beds

AKEL leader: Massive problems for the economy. People have reached their limits.

  • Blinken: Full engagement of the US diplomacy in the Cyprus problem
  • Nouris to the EU and UN on the razor wire: You don’t have a say in this…
  • Strong condemnation by AKEL over the arrests of TC leftists
  • DISY tried to prevent the discussion on the Co-op

Cyprus Mail

Failure to reopen will be a ‘disaster’

As the government ponders whether to relax measures businesses say they can’t take any more.

  • DISY MPs walk out of House meeting
  • New contact tracing app is ‘another tool to curb virus’

Alithia

Tough decision

Coronavirus: Crucial meeting of Cabinet which is under unbearable pressure exerted by businesses that remain closed. It will be decided today if we will proceed to relaxations or if the restrictions will remain as is since the epidemiological picture is daily getting worse. Another death yesterday and 431 new cases.

  • Joe Biden: Dynamic US involvement in the Cyprus problem
  • Response by the interior minister to AKEL: Everyone was informed about the razor wire, UNFICYP, the UNSG and the EU
  • What do MPs and DIKO fear? – Weird decisions on the NPLs. P. Leonidou (DIKO): The auditor-general’s opinion on the Co-op loan write-offs must not be made public because it will harm parliament…

Main News

Blinken: US will fully engage in Cyprob effort for BBF solution

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The dailies report that Nicosia welcomed the new US administration’s positions on the Cyprus problem, after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that American diplomacy will be fully engaged in the Cyprus issue.

The papers cite Government Spokesman, Kyriakos Koushos, who said that the government welcomes statements by the new US administration, under President Joe Biden, that it intends to actively get engaged at the diplomatic level with a view to help the task of the UN Secretary – General to find a settlement within the parameters determined by the Security Council decisions and the UN resolutions.

He added that the clear statements by Blinken, before the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs prove that the correctness of the significance which President Nicos Anastasiades and his government have attributed to the relations with the US.

Koushos expressed the government’s hope that Anastasiades’ personal relations Biden,  who had an actively role in the past in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and has an excellence knowledge of the problem, as the new US Foreign Secretary, “will be helpful to the efforts which we are making to solve the Cyprus problem.”

He also noted as important, Blinken’s statement that acknowledges the problems created in the Eastern Mediterranean due to Turkey’s activities, which violate the international law or Turkey’s commitments as a NATO ally.

Koushos stressed that Anastasiades has repeatedly expressed his readiness and determination for cooperation in a constructive way so that the new  efforts by the UNSG will be successful, adding that towards that end, the president is ready to cooperate with the Security Council members and particularly its five permanent members, which include the US.
Blinken, said while testifying on Wednesday evening before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that American diplomacy will be “fully engaged” in the Cyprus issue.

Responding to a question by Democratic Party Congressman David Cicilline, Blinken, referred to the engagement of President Biden throughout his career in the Senate and when he was Vice President and said that the Cyprus issue is “something he takes very – very seriously.”

“We strongly support a comprehensive settlement that reunifies Cyprus in a bizonal bicommunal federation. We will engage in the effort to advance that prospect, including supporting the critical role of the United Nations, as well as direct American engagement in that effort. I think you will see American diplomacy fully engaged,” he said.

In his remarks, Cicilline said that July marks the 47th year anniversary of Turkey’s occupation of the northern part of Cyprus. “For the first time we have a US President and a Secretary of State with substantial experience when it comes to Cyprus reunification, he added.

Cicilline asked what the US strategy is as regards Turkey and the TC leader, who are insisting on a two state solution and the opening of the ghost town of Varosha, ahead of April’s summit on Cyprus.

“Both moves contradict Security Council resolutions and US policy. There is a lot of expectation with this administration, we finally see a real progress on reunification,” he noted.

Replying to a question by Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Blinken reiterated that the US will add its own diplomatic weight to the effort for Cyprus’ reunification and support the UN’s efforts in that direction.

The US Secretary of State also said that “we are very concerned about some aggressive actions we have seen in Eastern Mediterranean. We have and we will continue to call them up.

“I can safely say that you will see the United States and our diplomats very much involved and engaged on Cyprus and trying after too many – many years to move things forward,” he added.

Responding to a question about the trilateral cooperation schemes in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey’s democratic backsliding and the role of the US, Blinken said, the US looks with real concern over the last year at some of the actions taken in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly by Turkey, in terms of the exercises and various claims, whether it is to territory, maritime areas or energy resources. “It is very important that the US stands up and engages in advancing stability and sovereignty and territorial integrity of all parties in the Eastern Mediterranean and insists that any disputes that arise to be resolved peacefully, diplomatically, not militarily and certainly not through provocative actions,” he added.

Politis, Alithia and Phileleftheros report that Blinken’s statement send clear messages to Turkey with Nicosia expressing satisfaction.

KEY ACTORS
Koushos (RoC spokesperson)
>>
Nicosia welcomes the stated determination by the new US administration to be fully engaged in Cyprob & efforts to find solution within UN parameters, proving correct Anastasiades’ expectations that his personal relations with Biden would be helpful in that respect.
>> Hopes Anastasiades’ personal relations with Biden will be helpful to the efforts to solve the Cyprob.
>> Anastasiades is ready & determined to cooperate in a constructive way so that the new efforts by the UNSG will be successful. He is also ready to cooperate with the UNSC, particularly the P5 which include the US.

Blinken (US)
>>
Biden has been taking Cyprus issue very seriously throughout his career in the Senate & when he was VP.
>> US strongly supports a comprehensive, BBF settlement to reunify Cyprus & will fully engage in the effort directly to move things forward but also by supporting UN’s critical role.
>> US very concerned about aggressive actions in East Med particularly by Turkey, & intends on calling them up but also engage to advance stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all parties in the region.
>> Any disputes in East Med must be resolved peacefully & diplomatically, not militarily or through provocative actions.


Anastasiades: EU involvement in Cyprob process a must

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Haravgi reports that President Nicos Anastasiades told European Council President Charles Michel during a teleconference on Thursday evening that the EU needs to be present at the Geneva informal meeting on Cyprus and contribute to the resumption of the reunification talks.
Anastasiades, along with the leaders of Greece, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, participated in a videoconference with Michel for the preparation of the upcoming European Council (EUCO) on 25-26 March and in particular for the discussion of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Citing a written statement by Government Spokesperson Kyriacos Koushos, the daily reported that Anastasiades stressed the significance of this strategic discussion in the light of the report on EU-Turkey relations to be tabled at the upcoming EU Summit. Anastasiades recalled Turkey’s obligations to the EU and its member states, while stressing the problems posed by Turkey’s continuing refusal to co-operate and do its part. He reiterated Nicosia’s strong concern in relation to the migration flows from Turkey to Cyprus.

The president underlined that in order for the EU relations with Turkey to be normalised, which is an issue for everyone, Ankara must first prove in practice its will for such a thing, to stay away from provocations,  including within the Cypriot maritime zones but also the fenced area of Varosha, and to show a sincere willingness to resolve any disputes with the EU and its member states through dialogue and in accordance with international law. He pointed out that the Turkish side, unfortunately, is not working constructively towards the creation of the necessary conditions that will lead to substantial negotiations on the Cyprus issue. On the contrary, it seems to insist on its unacceptable narrative of a two-state solution, which blatantly contradicts the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

Anastasiades also stressed the importance of the informal meeting on the Cyprus issue to be held next month in Geneva, reiterating his readiness to participate in it with a sincere political will , so that the resumption of the negotiation process is possible and which aims at a solution to the Cyprus problem. This solution should be based on the UN Security Council Resolutions, resolutions and decisions, as well as EU principles and values, and lead to the Republic of Cyprus evolving into a functioning and viable bi-communal, bi-zonal federation within the parameters that were reaffirmed at the joint meeting in Berlin on 25 November 2019.

He also stressed that, as in the past, the EU should be present at the Geneva meeting and assist in the resumption of the negotiation process within the agreed framework. He said EU involvement is required since a reunited Cyprus will continue to be an EU member state.

The dailies also report that ruling DISY leader Averof Neophytou continues his contacts with TC politicians on the Cyprus problem. Neophytou is scheduled to meet on Friday with head of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit, former TC leader Mustafa Akinci and former negotiator Ozdil Nami. On Wednesday, head of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhurman, will meet with Neophytou at DISY’s offices in continuation of their meeting earlier in the month.

Haravgi, in another article, reports that the GC side quietly continues its preparation for the five-party summit while diplomatic tactics and securing support from the international community for its position for a BBF solution continue at all levels.

KEY ACTORS
Koushos (RoC spokesperson)
>>
Anastasiades calls on EU to make Turkey realise it needs to fulfil its obligations to the member states, stay away from provocations, including within the Cypriot maritime zones and Varosha & show sincere willingness to resolve any disputes through dialogue and within international law.
>> Nicosia is very concerned about the continuing migration flows from Turkey to Cyprus.
>> The Turkish side, with its instance on a two-state solution, is not working constructively towards the creation of the conditions necessary for substantial Cyprob negotiations.
>> Anastasiades ready to participate in five-party summit with a sincere political will for resumption of negotiation process for a BBF solution.
>> EU should be present at the Geneva meeting & assist in the resumption of the negotiation process within the agreed framework since a reunited Cyprus will continue to be an EU member state.


Nouris: Nicosia informed EU of buffer zone fence though not obliged

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, EU Matters, Citizenship & Migration, Economy

OVERVIEW

Reactions to the installation by the government of a razor wire in the Astromeritis buffer zone to curb irregular migration continue, with the dailies recording that the EU Commission’s representative in Cyprus said they were not informed of this issue and the interior ministry insisting they did inform the EU but also the UN.

Haravgi reports that the European Commission Representative in Cyprus said in a written statement on Thursday that the Commission had not received any information from the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) on the construction of a new fence or on the change of the surveillance policy of the Green Line.

Phileleftheros quotes an EU source saying the same and citing Article 3 of the Green Line Regulation that stipulates that the RoC effectively monitors the entire length of the line in order to discourage persons from bypassing the controls at the crossing points. The source added that Article 10 states that any change in the policy of the RoC regarding the transit of persons or goods will take effect only if the proposed changes are notified to the Commission and the Commission has not objected to these within a month. The same source stated that the Commission will discuss the issue together with the RoC authorities.

The daily adds that the interior ministry said in response that though there was no obligation to inform the Commission in writing since there was no policy change based on the Green Line Regulation, the Commission’s Representative in Cyprus was informed of the matter on February 24, while the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP on February 25. The ministry reiterated that the installation of the fence was in fact based on the provisions of Article 3 which provide for the clear obligation of the RoC for effective surveillance of the entire length of the line in order to prevent illegal passage by third-country nationals without a residence permit or valid travel document, but also to discourage people from bypassing the official crossing points.

The daily also cites government sources saying that the fence falls outside the Green Line so as far as the RoC is concerned, it did not constitute a change to the state of affairs affecting the implementation of the Regulation. The fence does not affect the movement of all those provided for in the Regulation, the sources said, according to Phileleftheros.

Politis reported that UNFICYP was informed but is concerned. According to the paper UNFICYP has increased patrols in the area after the government’s expressed concerns over increased migration flows.

Haravgi reports that Interior Minister Nicos Nouris basically told the EU and UN they had no say on the matter. The daily cites Nouris’ statements to state broadcaster CyBC that though they briefed the EU, they did not enter into a dialogue with Brussels on the matter because this would have been a great mistake given that the move was a sovereign right since the fence was installed in the government-controlled areas and not the buffer zone. Nouris said they also informed UNFICYP and that they gave the peacekeeping mission maps.

 Haravgi also reports that farmers’ organisations will hold a symbolic event on Saturday afternoon at the Astromeritis crossing point to demand authorities to look into the problems they face due to this  decision. The farmers will arrive at the crossing point on their tractors.

The dailies report that the interior ministry, in another statement responding to criticism by main opposition AKEL, said that the placing of a razor wire fence along a segment of the buffer zone is not nor can it be construed as erecting a border. The ministry said the government would refrain from following AKEL in games aimed at ephemeral petty political gains. The occupation is not defined by the placement of a fence but by the 40,000 Turkish troops deployed along the ceasefire line. The ministry said that similar hyperbolic reactions had manifested last year after the closure of the crossing points to the north due to the corona virus pandemic. Nouris additionally briefed European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson during a video conference earlier this week, the ministry said.  

Cyprus Mail reports that a crew from the Alpha News channel tested the effectiveness of the razor wire finding that it does next to nothing as a barrier. All the crew had to do was to take a piece of wood and press it down on the wire and they were able to step inside the buffer zone. “It took us all of 20 seconds,” the media outlet reported, Cyprus Mail reports.

Phileleftheros, in another article, reporting on its journalist’s visit to the Astromeritis area where the fence was erected, records the view of the local residents that now migrants will not even need to hide so that they can illegally cross to the government-controlled areas. They will be able to just walk to the nearest outpost or any point within the buffer zone and wait for the UN to locate them and hand them over to the Republic’s authorities. Residents also said that installing the fence was a waste of money since it can be either cut with special scissors or even removed with a tractor. They said the fence will be destroyed either by GC farmers who want access to their fields or by foreigners crossing through the north. The daily was also shown by a local resident the point from where usually the smuggling of cigarettes from the north takes place.

The dailies also report parties’ reactions to the move.

AKEL said that the fence suggests that the RoC is leaving the buffer zone to the occupying army and sends the unthinkable symbolism that the Cypriot government is taking action that refers to the demarcation of borders and the deepening of the division of the island. This also gives arguments to the occupying power and the circles supporting the partition ahead of the crucial informal meeting in April. It is obvious that the government wants to play the xenophobia card ahead of the elections but the country cannot tolerate any games at its expense and at the expense of future generations. The government must put the benefit of Cyprus above any micro-political and electoral expediencies, AKEL said.

EDEK said that with Turkey making use of irregular migratory flows to change the free area’s demographic and economy, it was imperative to take strict measures. The party suggested the installation of a surveillance system and enhancing procedures for speedy procedure for the repatriation of irregular migrants.

The Solidarity Movement’s leader Eleni Theocharous said that though she was not happy to see the wire fence since it highlights the country’s division, if there was no other way of curbing the migratory flows channelled through Turkey to alter the demographics of the free areas, then the fence is a must.

KEY ACTORS
EC Rep in Cyprus
>>
RoC did not inform EC on a new fence or on the change of the surveillance policy of the Green Line.

Nouris (RoC int min)
>>
Though Nicosia had no obligation to inform EU about installing the fence since it was exercising its sovereign right & because it is within government-controlled areas, not the buffer zone, it did anyway. RoC also informed UNFICYP.

RoC MOI
>>
There was no policy change as per the Green Line Regulation since the fence was erected based on Article 3 stating the RoC’s obligation for effective surveillance of the entire length of the line to prevent illegal crossing of third-country nationals with no residence permit or valid travel document & discourage people from bypassing the official crossing points.
>> Denies accusations that the fence is like erecting a border & argues that occupation is not defined by a fence but by the 40,000 Turkish troops deployed along the ceasefire line.
>> Accuses AKEL of attempting to exploit situation for petty political gains & recalls it did the same last year after the closure of the crossing points due to the coronavirus pandemic.

AKEL
>>
The fence suggests that the RoC is leaving the buffer zone to the occupying army and sends message of demarcation of borders & deepening of division of the island. It also allows Turkey & partition proponents to use the situation ahead of April’s summit.
>> Calls on government to put Cyprus’ benefit above any micro-political & electoral expediencies, instead of playing the xenophobia card to gain votes at parliamentary elections.

EDEK
>>
Strict measures such as surveillance system along buffer zone imperative against use of irregular migratory flows by Turkey to change the free area’s demographic & economy.

Theocharous (Solidarity Movement)
>>
The fence highlights the country’s division but if there is no other way of curbing the migratory flows channelled through Turkey then it is a must.


Croatia supports a BBF solution

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, EU Matters

OVERVIEW

The daily reports that Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said his country supports the reunification of the island into a bi-zonal bi-communal federation (BBF) with a single sovereignty and in line with the UN resolutions, international law and the European acquis.

Radman, who was in Cyprus for consultations with his counterpart, Nikos Christodoulides, said that his country had recently declared an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea in consultations with Italy, which can serve as an example of good neighbourly relations.

Christodoulides stressed that a reunited Cyprus must be a functioning state, a viable EU member state, not associated with anachronistic systems and structures that have no place in the 21st century.

The two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Political Consultations.

Radman expressed his country’s gratitude for the financial aid that Cyprus sent to Croatia after the catastrophic earthquake at the end of December last year.  He also expressed his country’s intention to join the EU MED group so that it can participate in the dialogue between the Mediterranean countries and contribute to the further development of this region that connects all of these states.


Arrests in north over ‘Love Erdogan’ poster defacement

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

The dailies report on the arrest on Thursday of four people in the north in connection with the defacing of the ‘Love Erdogan’ posters.

According to the papers, authorities in the north detained and then released four leftist activists –general secretary of the Left Movement Abdullah Korkmazhan and three other members of the same movement – on suspicion of defacing the posters after someone had written the word ‘Diablo’ over Erdogan’s name. They were released later in the day following public outrage.

According to Korkmazhan he and the three other activists proved to authorities they were at home at the time the posters were defaced and said their arrest was an assault against thought and expression.  “I don’t know who did this in Famagusta, it was not us. But God bless whoever did do it,” he said.  The activist said he and the others were likely named by someone from the youth branch of the AKP party in the north.

 Haravgi reports that AKEL condemned the arrests and expressed concerns over that the complaint was filed by the Turkish ruling AKP’s youth branch in the north. “This further proves that these efforts are related to the increasing political enforcement of Ankara’s policies in the TC community,” AKEL said.

The party said it would report this action to international fora and expressed its solidarity to the Left Movement and “all of our compatriots facing attempts to keep them silent for their political views.”

The dailies report that there have been reactions in the north, including by the press workers’ union Basin-Sen.


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