Front Page Headlines
Limassol once again on a path of new lockdown
Non-compliance with restriction measures negatively affects the whole of Cyprus.
- Cyprus problem: The riddle of the decentralisation of competences causing concern
- EU: Premiere for green vaccination certificate
- New headache for parties: Not even a cent on election costs
- Published today: All in the spotlight with names and addresses for PEPs
For one year they’ve been looking for beds
The Health ministry and State Health Services Organisation are turning to the private sector looking for cooperation for the management of the pandemic.
- Moves on the EU’s chess board by Nicosia: Battle for exclusion by Ankara
- Evidence of criminal offences in the intermediary report of the Investigative Committee (on passports)
- No evidence of favourable treatment of loans by 22 PEPs: Findings by Audit Service
- Independent Body against corruption with many objections
- 200 new members of police to check for compliance to measures
- Gordian knot of the Astromeritis-Evrychou highway solved
- Pandemic making the job of the election staff difficult
- Tourists from England sending positive messages
Balanced measures for return to normality
Dozens of professional fields with very serious operational problems.
- Cyprus problem: AKEL General Secretary – There’s a way to ‘corner’ Turkey
- Nikos Dendias to visit Turkey on April 14
- The EMA to issue final opinion on AstraZeneca today
- Green certificate for movement between EU countries
Full hospitals ‘a matter of time’
Minister warns that admissions are overtaking discharges, next days are crucial
- Cabinet green lights mountain highway despite serious environmental concerns
- Benefits outweigh risks of AstraZeneca shot, says WHO
Finally! It will happen…
After three decades of waiting. Green light from Council of Ministers for the Astromeritis-Evrychou highway. We didn’t manage to persuade the UN to allow the road to pass through the Buffer Zone. The tender for the project is expected to be launched in 2021, with work beginning early 2022 and the project will be completed in 2-3 years. The highway will have four lanes.
- Intense backstage: The EU’s involvement in the five-party hasn’t been cleared up yet
- Odyssea’s report without names (on PEP loans): Published today
- From the EMA: Green light to be lit today for continuation of vaccinations with AstraZeneca
- With two law proposals: Stricter penalties for sexual harassment being promoted
- Education Ministry: Educators not getting tested via rapid test to be prosecuted
Main News
EU involvement in Geneva still unclear, Koushos says
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said Wednesday that it has yet to be clarified whether the EU will be participating in the informal five-party summit on Cyprus scheduled to take place on April 27-29 in Geneva.
Alithia and Cyprus Mail report that Koushos said President Nicos Anastasiades has through his contacts been trying to convince his interlocutors of the need for the EU to be present in upcoming Cyprob processes. Alithia reports that Koushos said Anastasiades discussed the matter of the EU’s participation with both EU and UN officials, since Anastasiades firmly believes that the EU has much to offer both sides and has an important role to play given that the solution must be compatible with EU principles and values.
Koushos reiterated the GC side’s goal of securing a positive outcome at the informal summit allowing formal negotiations to resume from where they left off at Crans-Montana and on the basis of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Alithia reports citing diplomatic sources that the EU has yet to receive an invitation for participation in the summit, but the matter is expected to clear up soon as behind the scenes deliberations are picking up speed.
Phileleftheros reports that the relations between Brussels and Ankara may constitute the key that could open up the way for the EU’s participation in the informal summit. The paper refers to the EU’s ‘chessboard’, which it says Nicosia is willing to move along in an attempt to succeed in getting the EU to participate in the meeting on the Cyprus problem, adding that this is the direction towards which Nicos Anastasiades will move during next week’s European Council.
Citing sources, Phileleftheros reports that Nicosia’s strong cards are matters Turkey is most interested in, such as the customs union and entry visas. The paper reports that its information suggests during Anastasaides’ recent contacts with EU leaders and officials, he clarified that the GC side won’t be consenting to dialogue moving along on any of these issues or to a positive agenda while Turkey opposes the EU’s participation in Cyprus problem negotiations. The paper adds that sources suggest that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken the initiative to raise these matters before Turkey, with Nicosia now hoping for positive results.
Phileleftheros reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu said Tuesday after meeting with his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korcok that Ankara’s expectations from the EU are clear. Referring to Ankara’s desire for agreements on the customs union and entry visas, Cavusoglu requested that political obstacles are not inserted in between Turkey’s relations with the EU and stressed that the Cyprus problem and Greco-Turkish relations shouldn’t come in between Anakara’s relations with the EU. But, Philelelftheros reports, it is precisely on these matters that Nicosia and Athens are putting pressure on Turkey via the EU.
Philelefheros reports that in statements Korcok referred to the informal five-party meeting on Cyprob as “extremely important”, noting that it will feature an evaluation of UNSC resolutions. Korcok expressed his country’s wish to contribute in any way it can to the resolution of the problem.
Haravgi reports on statements issued Wednesday by the leader of AKEL Andros Kyprianou on the margins of a tour in Limassol. Kyprianou said that to ‘corner’ Turkey, the GC side must undertake initiatives that will persuade the international community that we are truly ready for substantive talks with the aim of reaching an agreement as soon as possible. Kyprianou said we should persuade others that we are ready to accept past convergences, including political equality, and to provide solutions for matters such as natural gas. Only in this way, Kyprianou said, will Turkey be forced to change its approach, since otherwise it will be left exposed. Kyprianou said for substantive negotiations to take place Turkey must abandon its unacceptable claims, be it a confederal solution or sovereign equality.
Politis reports that Cyprob mobility is maintaining speed ahead of the informal five-party summit. On Tuesday, the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) special envoy held contacts with Wendy Morton, the UK Minister for the European Neighbourhood, who reiterated her call for flexibility and compromise from both sides so that common ground can be achieved.
Politis also highlighted the importance of the visit to Turkey to be paid by the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart on April 14. In addition to discussing Greco-Turkish relations, the two are also set to discuss the Cyprus problem.
Meanwhile, Politis reports that the legal team set up by the GC side to deal exclusively with matters relating to Cyprob is still busy figuring out the details behind Anastasiades’ proposal for the decentralisation of competences in a decentralised federation. The paper writes that efforts are focusing on the one hand on clarifying which competences could be decentralised without affecting the philosophy of a federation that is being sought, and on the other providing legal solutions to potential gaps that may arise in the future regarding these competences. Discussions are also featuring a series of competences involving culture, antiquities management, environmental and forest management, and other aspects of daily life.
Given that a decentralised federation would have to preserve a single sovereignty, international personality, citizenship, foreign and defence policy, EEZ and air space, the GC side is focusing on how to decentralise important but peripheral competences. The paper reports that members of the legal team are having some differences in opinion but substantive discussions on the political aspects are set to begin in early April.
Politis reports that the legal team is preparing a document containing the basic points of the outcome of their discussions that will be submitted to the President. The team has so far dealt with matters such as the TC claim for a two-state solution, one positive vote (and how to get around it without trampling upon the rights of any of the two communities), political equality in practice, Britain’s ideas regarding two community states, decentralisation of competences without losing sight of a central federal government, and other alternative political frameworks that could be implemented.
Politis reports that the next stage for the GC side will be figuring out the tactics to be used during the upcoming Cyprob processes. Haravgi reports that a matter also up for discussion is which advisors will accompany Anastasiades given the limited number of around 3-4 that can tag along.
KEY ACTORS
Koushos (Roc)
>> Anastasiades mounting efforts through contacts to convince interlocutors of necessity of EU participation at 5+1
>> GC side’s goal is to secure positive outcome at 5+1 allowing formal negotiations to resume from where they left off at Crans-Montana and on the basis of UNSC resolutions
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Only way to ‘corner’ Turkey into adopting different approach is to convince international community that GC side is truly ready for substantive negotiations, committed to past convergences including political equality, willing to provide solutions to natural gas issue, and seeking a solution as soon as possible
>> For substantive negotiations to take place Turkey must abandon its unacceptable claims, be it a confederal solution or sovereign equality
Cavusoglu (Turkey)
>> Turkey seeking agreement with EU on customs union and entry visas
>> Political obstacles should not be inserted in between Turkey’s relations with the EU
>> The Cyprus problem and Greco-Turkish relations shouldn’t come in between Anakara’s relations with the EU
Korcok (Slovakia)
>> 5+1 extremely important, and will see UNSC resolutions evaluated
>> Slovakia wishes to contribute in any way it can to support efforts to resolve Cyprob
Morton (UK)
>> After meeting with Lute, reiterates UK’s call for flexibility and compromise at 5+1
Neophytou discusses BBF solution with CTP leader
Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
DISY leader Averof Neophytou met Wednesday with the head of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhuman at DISY’s headquarters in Nicosia as part of his ongoing contacts with TC parties ahead of the informal five-party summit.
The dailies report that DISY’s head of the Cyprus problem desk Charalambos Stavrides said during the meeting ideas and thoughts were exchanged on how the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) initiative can be supported in order to pave the way for a solution on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) in line with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the Guterres framework.
Phileleftheros reports that Stavrides said the meeting was held in reciprocation to the previous meeting held between the two politicians at CTP headquarters, adding that Neophytou’s contacts with TC political parties will continue.
Tatar meets with French Ambassador to Cyprus
Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The TC leader Ersin Tatar met with the French Ambassador to Cyprus Salina Grenet-Catalano on Wednesday, the dailies reported, with discussions focusing on April’s informal five-party summit.
The papers report a tweet by Grenet-Catalano, who said that during her meeting she listened to Tatar’s views ahead of the five-party summit, highlighting that France supports a resumption of negotiations and noting that “our long-standing position is that the best solution is a federation with political equality.” The French Ambassador said she and Tatar also discussed the reopening of crossings, vaccines and halloumi.
Haravgi reports that an announcement by the TC ‘presidency’ said Tatar highlighted the importance of a solution in which all emerge winners and that would safeguard peace and stability in Cyprus and the region. The paper writes that Tatar reiterated his position in favour of a two-state solution.
Phileleftheros reports that Tatar also met with the Australian High Commissioner in Nicosia Samuel Beever in Nicosia on Tuesday. TC reports picked up by the Press and Information Office said Tatar shared his Cyprus problem vision based on sovereign equality, highlighting its importance in terms of viable stability and cooperation. Phileleftheros reports that Tatar said that in order for trust to be created between the two communities, the first step should the termination of the “unfair isolation” imposed on the TC community. Referring to regional developments, Phileleftheros reports that Tatar said that TCs have legal rights as regards natural resources being located in the region, and called on the international community to cease the ongoing discrimination against TCs. On five-party summit to be held in Geneva, Tatar told Beever that the TC side is preparing to participate with a constructive and honest approach, Phileleftheros reports.
The paper also cites another TC report dealing with a meeting between the TC negotiator Ergun Olgun and the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav Osadchiy, who took the initiative to reach out for a meeting in a bid to be briefed on the TC side’s positions ahead of the five-party meeting. Phileleftheros reports that Olgun told his interlocutor that negotiations that have been ongoing for over half a century on a basis that has collapsed have not served to resolve the problem but to retain the status quo. Olgun also said that this has also been used as an excuse to keep the TC community devoid of a recognised status and in isolation. Olgun told the Russian Ambassador that the logical and viable way forward is the vision tabled by the TC side for a solution that features sovereign equality and equal international status for the two states that will be set up on the island, allowing cooperation, stability and security to prevail both on the island and in the broader region.