Front Page Headlines
Only Guterres’ framework in Anastasiades’ luggage
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- Commission: EU’s Quality Committee to vote on halloumi on March 26
- AstraZeneca: 7,500 appointments for vaccinations postponed
- The 10 terms Egypt is laying before Turkey so that they can sit down anew on the negotiating table
Main News
All party leaders bar ELAM to accompany Anastasiades to Geneva
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Leaders of all political parties barring ELAM said Tuesday they would accompany President Nicos Anastasiades to the informal five-party summit set to take place next month in Geneva to support and advise him, the dailies report.
Political leaders came together for a National Council meeting on Tuesday when Anastasiades issued a briefing on his contacts with EU and UN officials on the Cyprus issue but also on the upcoming informal summit. Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and chief negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis were also present at the meeting.
Phileleftheros reports that Anastasiades briefed party leaders on the procedural details of the summit that emerged from his meeting earlier this month with the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) special envoy Jane Holl Lute. Specifically, the paper writes that three-day summit to take place on April 27-29 will feature a day of social meetings between all sides, while the next day will feature a joint meeting of all five parties plus the UN and separate bilateral meetings with the UN or between parties, while the third day has been left blank in case a third day of deliberations is needed.
Phileleftheros reports that Anastasiades emphasised the importance of the bilateral meetings since the joint meetings will see all parties repeat their well-known positions. Citing sources, the paper reports that Lute expressed the opinion that any significant progress is not expected.
Politis reports that Anastasiades outlined the GC side’s strategy and tactics for the informal meeting. The paper writes that this includes sticking to past convergences, UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and the Guterres framework, particularly as regards the matter of political equality.
Politis reports citing sources that through contacts held by the GC side, it has sent the UN the message that the Geneva summit could feature an open agenda allowing all sides to table their positions and concerns, but any intentions to discuss a change to the solution framework (in the form of both two-states and a confederation) will not be accepted. The paper writes that the GC side will be going to the meeting with a view of persuade all parties that it remains fully streamlined with past convergences, leaving the ball in the Turkish side’s court. Such a stance, however, will shift a large portion of the weight onto the UN which will have to put its foot down if Ankara insists on its positions, Politis reports.
Phileleftheros reports that Anastasiades also informed political leaders that the UN’s goal for the informal summit is to secure a joint declaration which would involve a bare minimum agreement among the five parties on the procedure and potentially on the substance of the Cyprus problem.
Phileleftheros reports that beyond the divergent positions held by the Turkish side, Nicosia is also concerned over Britain’s stance. The paper reports that Anastasiades told the National Council that during his meeting with Lute, he clarified that the UK’s proposals aren’t helping, referring especially to the UK’s notion of ‘community states’ which cannot be accepted since it signals the abolition of the Republic of Cyprus and relegates the GC side to the status of a community. Phileleftheros reports that Anastasiades also said that during his meeting with the UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, he characterised the positions of the British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie as unacceptable, and reiterated his opposition to the position for a ‘review clause’ for guarantees and troops.
Government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said Anastasiades informed party leaders that before the Geneva summit there will be another meeting of the National Council, while in the meantime the meetings of the group that will advise Anastasiades and the negotiator will continue.
Politis reports citing sources that after Anastasiades extended an invitation to the National Council to accompany him to the Geneva meeting, certain political leaders asked whether they will be substantively contributing to the meeting or whether they will simply accompany him for appearances, with Anastasiades in response calling on all political leaders to take their own decisions, taking into account the importance of upcoming developments.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros reports citing sources that in teleconferences with leaders of EU member states, Anatasiades proposed that the discussion on EU-Turkey relations is pushed back until June, allowing for Turkey’s intentions to become clear during April’s informal conference on Cyprus. The paper writes that Anastasiades told political leaders that through his contacts it emerged that EU leaders don’t consider that Turkey is undertaking any actions that require measures, but stressed that the upcoming European Council summit on March 25-26 should not grant Turkey a blank cheque.
After the meeting, DISY leader Averof Neophytou said it is our responsibility and obligation to do everything we can to be rid of the occupation and reunite our divided homeland. AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said the informal conference in Geneva is of great importance because it will determine the future and prospects for the country. He said he would be in Geneva with a constructive attitude. Kyprianou added that regardless of whether there are concerns, AKEL believes that the side that will face the most difficulties is the Turkish side because it is the one that deviates from the agreed framework for resolving the Cyprus issue. Kyprianou said that if we work properly, positive results are feasible, which will lead to the resumption of substantive negotiations, with the aim of securing a solution as soon as possible.
The other opposition leaders, however, expressed serious concerns over the outcome of the summit and Turkey’s plans, Cyprus Mail reports. Politis adds that British plans were also a source of concern for some opposition leaders.
DIKO leader Nicholas Papadopoulos expressed concerns over the possibility of the process straying from the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. “If Mr Guterres allows Turkey to submit its own proposal for a two-state solution and our side remains on the position of a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF), we are very afraid and anticipate that some well-wishers will submit their own alternative proposals, to meet somewhere in the middle, with the solution for a confederation,” Papadopoulos said, with Politis noting that he was indirectly referring to Britain. Papadopoulos said they were concerned not only because the Republic will find itself set up but also because “we see that our side, the Greek Cypriot side, does not have a comprehensive strategy to deal with Turkish tactics.”
Politis writes that EDEK leader Marinos Sizopoulos also referred to Britain, and warned of potential “dangers and suspicious activity.” Cyprus Mail reports that Sizopoulos said he suggested the president ought to have avoided his involvement but since he is going after all, he needed to be very well prepared to prevent dangers looming for the Republic. The head of the Citizens Alliance Giorgos Lillikas too raised concerns over the looming dangers and urged Anastasiades to go there thoroughly prepared to avert Turkish plans and Britain’s traps.
Solidarity Movement leader Eleni Theocharous said she would go to Geneva even though her party was against a BBF to back Anastasiades so that he does not make any concessions toward a confederate solution under Turkish pressure. Head of DIPA Marios Garoyian also said his party would escort the president and try to contribute to the efforts. He said the Greek Cypriot side must insist on principled positions, UN framework, and exert preventive diplomacy.
ELAM leader Christos Christou justified his party’s refusal to join citing their rejection of the BBF solution but also their belief that Turkey would take advantage of the event to table “new absurd claims.”
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou (DISY)
>> It is our responsibility and obligation to do everything we can to be rid of the occupation and reunite our divided homeland
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Informal conference of great importance as it will determine the future and prospects for the country
>> Will accompany Anastasiades to Geneva with a constructive attitude
>> The side that will face the most difficulties is the Turkish side because it is the one that deviates from the agreed framework for resolving the Cyprus issue.
>> If the proper work is put in, positive results are feasible allowing for a resumption of substantive negotiations, with the aim of agreeing on a solution to the Cyprus problem as soon as possible
Papadopoulos (DIKO)
>> There is a possibility that the process will stray from UNSC resolutions
>> If Guterres allows Turkey to submit its own proposal for a two-state solution and our side remains adamant on a BBF, others may submit their own alternative proposals on a confederation to bridge the two sides
>> The Republic will find itself set up at the informal summit
>> The Republic does not have a comprehensive strategy to deal with Turkish tactics
Sizopoulos (EDEK)
>> Behind Britain’s involvement lurk dangers and suspicious activity
>> Anastasiades ought to have avoided getting involved in the informal summit but since he is going, he needs to be very well prepared to prevent dangers looming for the Republic
Lillikas (Citizens’ Alliance)
>> Dangers loom for Republic, Anastasiades must go to Geneva prepared to fend off Turkish plans and Britain’s traps
Theocharous (Solidarity)
>> Despite opposing a BBF solution, her presence in Geneva will serve to prevent Anastasiades from conceding to a confederal solution under Turkish pressure
Garoyan (DIPA)
>> Republic must insist on principled positions, UN framework, and exert preventive diplomacy
Christou (ELAM)
>> ELAM will not be joining Anastasiades in Geneva as it rejects a BBF solution
>> Turkey will take advantage of informal meeting to table new absurd claims
AKEL, CTP agree to work together to boost BBF solution efforts
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
A meeting between representatives of AKEL and Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in Nicosia on Tuesday saw both parties agreeing to work together and contribute to efforts seeking to achieve a resumption of substantive negotiations in order to resolve the Cyprus problem in the form of a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) with political equality.
The dailies report that the AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said in statements that the two parties discussed Cyprus problem developments ahead of the informal five-party summit to take place in Geneva in late April.
AKEL and CTP agreed to issue joint declaration over the coming days that will expand on the two parties’ positions on what a solution should entail and what prospects it should open up for a reunited homeland, Kyprianou said according to the dailies. Kyprianou highlighted that both parties share roughly the same ideas on a solution, and despite any disagreements and differences, both parties have for many years now been contributing to efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem in a way that will reunite Cyrus and its people.
The dailies report that the CTP leader Tufan Erhurman said we are at a critical junction in the Cyprus problem, and called on all powers that seek an immediate comprehensive solution to intensify their contacts ahead of the informal summit. Erhurman said his party’s contacts with AKEL will continue ahead of the Geneva meeting.
UK says it will ‘invest significantly’ in British Bases
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Politis
External Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the British government is to invest significantly in the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, and other Overseas Territories (OT) according to a 100-page report entitled Global Britain in a Competitive Age, released in the UK on Tuesday.
To support the OTs and Crown Dependencies in deterring and defending against state and non-state threats, the armed forces will continue to deter and challenge incursions in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, the report said.
“Significant investment in the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus will assure our ability to contribute to security, with allies, in the Eastern Mediterranean,” it said.
“To provide a more solid overseas foundation we will invest in the strategic hubs that give our forces reach, access, influence and insight. As well as investing in our facilities and infrastructure in Cyprus, Gibraltar and Germany, we will improve those in Oman, Singapore and Kenya,” it said, adding that it would also invest around £60 million in expanding and improving its global network of British Defence Staffs, increasing it by nearly a third.
The dailies reported that that the UK is also seeking to boost its arsenal of nuclear warheads by more than 40%, increasing the current cap from 180 to 260.
Halloumi PDO to be put to a vote next week
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros
CBMs, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The European Commission’s Quality Committee will on March 26 be voting on the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status of halloumi and hellim cheese, spokeswoman Miriam Garcia Ferrer said on Tuesday according to the dailies.
The case has been on the agenda since 2015 and the Commission is now in a position to present a proposal, Garcia Ferrer told the Cyprus News Agency.
The PDO proposal will incorporate a parallel decision that will tweak the Green Line Regulation to allow halloumi and hellim cheese producers to cross the Buffer Zone, provided that they produce it in full compliance with EU health and safety standards, she added.
The decision will then pass through the Standing Committee on plants, animals, food and feed (PAFF Committee), setting the conditions on halloumi and hellim trade between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities via the Buffer Zone. This will also open up the possibility for cheese produced in the north to be exported to Europe by passing through government-controlled areas.
Asked whether the Commission is confident it can ensure compliance, Garcia Ferrer said that discussions with both sides established that only those in full compliance of the conditions will be able to cross the Buffer Zone.
Phileleftheros reports that Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis said the Commission has prepared two legal documents, one for the registration of the cheese as a PDO product, and another amending the decision involving the movement of products across the Buffer Zone.
Cyprus Mail also reports that cheesemakers and cattle farmers said Tuesday that over 6,000 tonnes of halloumi cheese remain unsold as a result of lockdowns across the EU.
Greece, Turkey begin new round of exploratory talks
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Greece and Turkey began another round of exploratory talks in Athens on Tuesday, seeking common ground on a long-standing maritime boundaries dispute before an EU summit later this month, the dailies report.
Haravgi and Alithia report diplomatic sources said that contacts were conducted in a positive climate and that the 63rd round of talks will take place in Istanbul with the date still to be confirmed.
The two countries are at odds over issues such as competing claims over their respective continental shelves, maritime rights and air space in the Mediterranean, energy, Cyprus and the status of some islands in the Aegean, Cyprus Mail reports.
Athens has said it will discuss only the demarcation of exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, not issues of “national sovereignty,” according to the Cyprus Mail. Ankara, which hopes to improve its relations with the EU, which has supported Greece and threatened sanctions on Turkey, has said it wants all issues, including air space and the Aegean islands, on the table. The talks are scheduled to end on Wednesday.
European leaders are expected to discuss the eastern Mediterranean at a meeting on March 25-26.