Front Page Headlines
“I’ve appointed him, it’s all done…I don’t need your permission”
The appointment of a name convicted of forging documents to the Lefke European University’s Board of Trustees ignited tensions in parliament. Deputy Prime Minister Erhan Arıklı defended the decision, stating he did not need to seek anyone’s permission to make such appointments. He said that he had paid a debt of loyalty which outraged opposition MPs. Okan Erdemsiz had been tried and convicted of four counts of forgery in 2017.
Digital infrastructure is needed for home isolation
The debate on switching to “home isolation” started after Finance Minister Dursun Oğuz announced that ₺104m (€11.6m) had been paid to quarantine hotels in 2020 and ₺16m (€1.8m) in 2021. Experts nonetheless draw attention to an important point. Dr Özlem Gürkut, head of the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association, said they have been talking about home isolation for months but reminded that such a practice required monitoring mechanisms and proper infrastructure. Economist Okan Veli Şafaklı said the digital infrastructure in the country is not up to meeting the requirements for home isolation, adding that the current system also keeps the tourism sector alive.
- Not going back to normal unless 70 per cent is vaccinated – Economist Derviş Kemal Deniz urged the government to prepare the vaccination action plan and urgently channel necessary funding to sectors that are struggling to keep afloat.
- The vaccination programme to be announced tomorrow – Prime Minister Ersan Saner said the government especially the Health Ministry is working strenuously to overcome the problems caused by the pandemic.
- The mastermind behind the crime received six years, accomplices four years each – C.K., Y.S., and H.Ö. sentenced to a jail term for stealing a Greek Cypriot’s car worth ₺200,000 (€22,300) after beating him up at the British Base Area (SBA) in Beyarmudu (Pergamos).
- We will die of starvation not of coronavirus – Tourism professionals who had staged a protest in Kyrenia to make themselves heard by the government, took to the streets in Nicosia yesterday, marching to parliament.
I’ve appointed him and it’s done
Rebirth Party (YDP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Erhan Arıklı appointed an individual who was convicted of fraud and forgery of official documents and who served a 74-day prison for the crimes he committed, to the Board of Trustees at the European University of Lefke (Lefka) (EUL). He said to those who demanded an explanation: “I paid my debt of loyalty.” People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay said the appointment was unlawful according to EUL’s bylaws. Arıklı in response said, “The convicts also have the right to be rehabilitated.” Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Erkut Şahali said “EUL is not a place for rehabilitation” but Arıklı responded by telling him to stop talking before jumping at his throat. The two were prevented from exchanging punches by the other MPs.
- There are no vaccines, but its programme is ready – Prime Minister Ersan Saner said the 20,000 doses of vaccines obtained from Turkey will be used for second jabs. The new vaccination programme will be announced on Wednesday.
- “My child is hungry” – Tourism Professionals Initiative staged a protest in Nicosia, marching from the bus terminal to the parliament.
- Private sector workers are not alone – KTAMS (Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Union), KAMU-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants’ Union), KAMU-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Public Workers’ Union) and GÜÇ-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Customs’ Workers’ Union) held a two-hour-long strike to show support to private-sector workers.
- Thousands of people rushed to get infected – Limassol, which is currently a hotspot for Covid-19 cases following the partial relaxations in South Cyprus, witnessed shocking celebrations as part of the city’s annual carnival.
‘My child is hungry’
Tourism sector workers who have been unemployed due to the lockdown decisions gave important messages to the government in the protest staged in front of parliament. The protestors who gathered at the Nicosia bus terminal marched to the parliament building.
- Let this set an example to the south’s justice system – Cemal Kanioğlu was sentenced to six years, Yasin Süygün and Harun Özer were both sentenced to four years in prison for carjacking a vehicle belonging to a Greek Cypriot man.
Is there anyone left who hasn’t paid their debt of loyalty?
Erhan Arıklı, who had appointed an “ex-convict” to the European University of Lefke (Lefka) (EUL) Board of Trustees, lashed out at those who reacted against his decision, stating that he had paid a debt of loyalty. He said anyone who objected to his decision could take the matter to court. It was Erhan Arıklı who admitted openly in parliament that every political party that came to power had paid a debt of loyalty to someone. Arıklı’s confession reminded everyone that Serdar Denktaş’ had admitted to ‘purchasing votes…’ Arıklı said, “I appointed him, it is done. If you have any objections, take it to the courts.” He then apologized, showing remorse and asked that his words be struck from the parliament’s records.
- The tourism professionals staged a protest by singing “Bella Ciao.”
- The private sector is not alone – Four trade unions staged a protest.
- 218 positive cases of coronavirus in the south, 14 in the north…
Main News
Tatar says Cyprus heading towards talks on a two-state solution
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated his position in favour of a two-state solution for Cyprus on Monday, claiming that the island was heading towards negotiations based on a two-state solution.
“The TRNC will live on! Both the Turkish Cypriots have reaffirmed it, and it is the policy we have jointly developed with Ankara,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s position, which is fully supported by Ankara, will from now be based on the sovereign equality of the two states co-existing side-by-side and collaborating.
Speaking with TÜRKONFED (Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation) via video link on Monday, he also accused the Greek Cypriot side of insisting on ‘single sovereignty,’ and trying to impose majority rule over the Turkish Cypriot community.
“Such a model harbours the threat of Turkish Cypriots being assimilated in time into a state dominated by the Greek Cypriot community,” Tatar argued.
Touching upon the issue of Maraş (Varosha), Tatar argued that the area belonged to the Evkaf and that property had been unlawfully sold during the island’s British colonial period. “Our proactive policies in Maraş (Varosha) and the Eastern Mediterranean will generate economic movement in the TRNC,” Tatar said.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Cyprob heading towards negotiations for a two-state solution.
>> TC side’s position from now on will be based on the sovereign equality of the two states co-existing side-by-side & collaborating.
The EU is not one of five in the 5+1 meeting
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu on Monday reiterated his view that the Turkish Cypriot side will not consent to the EU’s participation at the five-plus-one meeting in Geneva.
“The five in the 5+1 meeting does not include the EU,” Ertuğruloğlu stressed, adding that the bloc is biased in favour of the Greek and the Greek Cypriot sides. He also argued that the EU has forgotten about its principles on the Cyprus problem.
He added that the representatives from the EU could hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the meeting but the bloc has no place at the table with the three guarantor states and the two Cypriot sides.
Ertuğruloğlu also said that the meeting in Geneva will in no way be a resumption of the process in Crans Montana. “The meeting is solely being held to explore whether or not there is common ground for the launch of a new process,” he said.
KEY ACTORS
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> TC side will not consent to EU’s participation in 5+1 meeting.
>> EU can attend as an observer & hold bi-lateral talks.
>> Geneva meeting will not be a resumption of talks in Crans Montana.
An imposed federal solution will only bring war not peace
Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Sibel Siber, former Turkish Cypriot Speaker of Parliament and Prime Minister, on Monday warned that an imposed federal solution could trigger a new conflict on the island.
Speaking on ADA TV, Siber said she did not have any expectations from the upcoming five-plus-one meeting, expressing cynicism over the Greek Cypriot side’s attitude in the talks. “I am not so sure if the Greek Cypriot side will be able to show enough flexibility for new ideas,” Siber said, adding the UN parameters have in time reinforced the status quo on the island.
She also claimed that it is nearly impossible to establish achieve a federal settlement that would address the Turkish Cypriot side’s concerns and demands.
“The deadlock in the federal talks is on political equality,” Siber argued, adding that the Greek Cypriot side wants a unitary state in which they will be the majority ruling over the minority. “It is necessary to table new ideas as the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) said so after the Crans Montana conference,” Siber concluded.
Inspectors issue main obstacle before Hellim’s (Halloumi) PDO registration
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Economy
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot Minister for Agriculture and Natural Resources Nazım Çavuşoğlu on Monday said the only problem in the registration of Hellim (Halloumi) as a product of designated origin (PDO) is the issue of inspections.
Speaking on Bayrak, Çavuşoğlu said the process will be completed only once the disagreement over the issue of inspectors is settled. He also noted this is the political aspect of the PDO registration which the Office of the Turkish Cypriot President is trying to overcome.
Also touching on the issue of potato exports through the Green Line Trade regulation (GLR), Çavuşoğlu said the EU phytosanitary experts are to blame for the current situation.
He said they had not travelled to the north on time to inspect the potato saplings during the planting season and now the Turkish Cypriot potato growers were left with a surplus because they were not allowed to export their produce. “This is EU responsibility and our efforts are underway for the bloc to deliver its responsibility towards the Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding the damages caused to the farmers must be covered by the EU.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (UBP)
>> Issue of inspections only obstacle for PDO registration of Hellim (Halloumi).
Ankara sends diplomatic note to Greece, Israel & EU over East Med
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security
OVERVIEW
Turkey on Monday issued a diplomatic note to Greece, Israel and the EU, asking them to seek Ankara’s permission before carrying out work on its continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The diplomatic note came as a response to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 8, among the Republic of Cyprus (RoC), Israel and Greece on cooperation on the EuroAsia Interconnector Project of Common Interest, which aims to link the three nations with the longest underwater cable network and ensure 2000MW of electricity supply.
Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, argues that the underwater cables will violate its territorial waters. Ankara argued the Greek-Greek Cypriot claims, which Turkey says are excessive, violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.
Three who stole a luxury car in Pile (Pyla) sent to prison
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Three men were found guilty and received a jail sentence in the north on Monday for stealing a luxury car from a 24-year-old man in Pile (Pyla) last year.
Turkish Cypriot authorities sentenced Cemal Kanioğlu to six years and Yasin Süygün and Harun Özer to four years in jail for stealing a yellow Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution after beating up its Greek Cypriot owner in January 2020.
The suspects had pretended to be interested in buying the car and they arranged through social media to meet the owner. At the meeting, they pepper-sprayed and beat up the 24-year-old who then reported the incident to the police.
The three were arrested in the north within a week.