Front Page Headlines
The vaccination appointments are unlocking today
The AstraZeneca vaccine is completely safe, the EMA (European Medicines Agency) ruled yesterday.
- EU-Turkey: Message… with a freezing on sanctions
- Agreement between Co-op Central Bank and Altamira: The Tassos Papadopoulos law office denies any involvement
They agreed but do nothing
Coordination for involvement of private hospitals in the pandemic but they have not been notified yet. “We have not been notified yet to offer beds,” private sector says. “There has been coordination and cooperation is expected with private hospitals,” the health minister and OKYPY say.
- Four legal studies ahead of the five-party summit
- TCs want federation while settlers annexation
- Battle of lawyers in parliament over the selection of Altamira (to manage the Co-op Bank’s red loans)
Green light by the EMA for the continuation of the use of AstraZeneca vaccine
EMA: The blood clots are fewer among the vaccinated persons than the wider population.
- Cyprus problem: The decentralisation of powers is a “riddle for strong players”
- Politics: AKEL condemns the new attack against HDP
- The CoE Commissioner is calling for a probe into the readmission and ill-treatment of migrants
‘Wide dispersal of British variant’
Health minister speaks of deep concern after B.1 1 7 found in all of latest samples sent to ECDC.
- CoE pressures Cyprus on migrants
Dark clouds over schools, scientists are torn…
Gymnasium pupils are probably going back to school on April 2. Parents demand return of the gymnasium pupils from Monday but there are disagreements between the members of the scientific advisory committee and refuse to meet before Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting so that they can submit a suggestion on the matter. Parents warn with measures if their demand is not satisfied today.
- EU official: The EU will be present both at the five-party summit and the talks
- Occupied areas-survey: TCs want a federation, settlers annexation
- Accusations, tension in parliament over Altamira, the Co-op Bank and lawyers
Main News
EU will be at informal summit, official says as bloc freezes Turkey sanctions
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Politis and Cyprus Mail, citing Reuters, report that the EU has frozen plans to blacklist more senior executives at Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Citing four diplomats, Reuters reports that this was the clearest sign that a diplomatic offensive by Ankara this year is bearing fruit.
One EU diplomat told Reuters that work has stopped on additional blacklistings of Turkish individuals “and we are not talking of economic sanctions anymore,” while a second EU diplomat said the work never really took off. A third said the diplomatic track is being prioritised while the EU’s Foreign Service declined to comment. Diplomats say a video conference between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the head of the European Commission on January 9 followed by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s face-to face talks with the EU foreign policy chief and separately with NATO’s secretary-general, marked the change in Turkish diplomacy.
Though EU leaders in December had proposed asset freezes and travel bans over Turkey’s unauthorised drilling activities for natural gas in disputed waters in the Eastern Mediterranean and on tougher economic sanctions at a summit on March 25-26, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s support for a more conciliatory approach and the first direct talks between old foes Turkey and Greece in five years have all helped to change the mood, the international news outlet reported. It added that the new administration of US President Joe Biden has also urged Brussels not to impose sanctions at a time when Turkey, a NATO ally, appears more willing to compromise.
Politis, cites government sources saying that though the sanctions are not going ahead, they are still pending before Relex depending on developments. The same sources state that during the adoption stage of the sanctions, an initiative was taken by an EU Member State to the Turkish government with the aim of withdrawing the research vessels, something that happened and as a result, their adoption did not proceed, the daily reported. It adds that EU High Commissioner Josep Borrell is preparing a report on Euro-Turkish relations to be presented to the EU leaders, which will include a positive agenda and additional measures that can be taken against Turkey. Sources say that the adoption of a positive agenda may be referred to next June depending on developments. Progress is expected at this stage only on the immigration issue which is something that seems to be accepted by the government, Politis reports.
All dailies report that the EU confirmed its presence at the conference on Cyprus convened by the UN, both in the initial phase in Geneva and in the next phase of in-depth negotiations.
Citing statements by a senior EU official to the Cyprus News Agency during a press point in Brussels ahead of the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council FAC on Monday, the dailies report that according to the official, the EU will be in Geneva and in the subsequent negotiations with the same status it had in Crans-Montana.
The EU official pointed out that the Cyprus problem was one of the most difficult diplomatic issues but whatever the solution, it will be implemented with the island inside the EU. “We have the acquis communautaire, it is a logical consequence that we will be there,” he said. He also explained that Turkey is one of the topics at the FAC meeting on Monday and pointed out that there is more unity in the Council than ever on the issue of Turkey among the member states. He added that the EU High Representative’s report will be comprehensive and contain a description of Turkey’s behaviour considering all the different possibilities.
The EU official’s statements came before the Reuters report about the bloc’s change of attitude on Turkey.
Phileleftheros points out that the EU official also said that the measures “remain on the table, they are not withdrawn and this will be part of our political guidance.” According to the official the discussion on Turkey at the FAC will prepare the leaders discussion at the European Council summit. He noted that the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean was better but all policy options remained on the table including both a positive agenda and the call of some member states for additional listings. The official reminded that the EU is also monitoring the human rights and rule of law situation but whether there will be a reaction such as sanctions under the new EU regime is up to the member states in the next phase, Phileleftheros reports.
The dailies also report that President of the European Council Charles Michel is scheduled on Friday afternoon to hold a video conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Earlier on Friday Michel is to hold a teleconference with President Nicos Anastasiades and the government leaders of Denmark Latvia Slovakia Slovenia and Estonia.
Phileleftheros also reports that France wants the EU present at the summit. The daily cites a tweet by French Ambassador to Nicosia, Salina Grenet-Catalano, who, after a meeting with Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, said they had a productive meeting, during which they discussed about the Eastern Mediterranean, coordination on next week’s EU meetings, preparation of the 5+1 informal meeting, paving the way for the resumption of negotiations, and a rich bilateral agenda.
Cyprus Mail reports that government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos had said on Wednesday the government was trying to persuade the UN to invite the EU to the informal summit set to take place from April 27 to 29 in Geneva. Though the EU had said it wanted to participate as an observer, Turkey and the TC side objected citing among other things a perceived lack of impartiality on the part of the bloc in favour of the GC side, the daily reports.
“Will the EU participate or not?” Politis asked recalling that the TC side does not accept official participation by the EU at the 5+1 summit. The intention of the TC side is to accept the presence of an EU representative in Geneva on the days of the informal 5 + 1 meeting, but without taking part in the discussions and processes within the conference even as an observer, it reports.
GC side prepares legal arguments ahead of informal summit
Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros, citing information, reports that the group of legal experts appointed to help with preparation ahead of the five-party summit, has been working on four studies: three aim to address demands or suggestions of the other sides of the five-party summit and one has to do with the suggestions of the GC side including the president’s suggestion for a decentralised federation.
The team has been meeting for almost a month under negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and their first mission is to deal with suggestions and proposals that, indirectly or directly, have been presented or promoted by the Turkish side and the British. The daily added that the studies and analyses of the legal experts who are in the negotiating team will not be an informal document but more of a reference point for future use. Everyone thinks that discussion in Geneva will not be just of a procedural nature but will need to get to the heart of the matter and that is why President Nicos Anastasiades asked the political leadership to accompany him to Switzerland next month, since he believes that the discussion will enter the essential issues, the paper reported.
Phileleftheros also reports that the law experts team is processing the arguments of the GC side with which it will rebuff the Turkish view both on the solution of two states and sovereign equality.
The team has also put under the microscope the ideas London informally promoted, and especially the concept of “community states”. The British position aims to bridge the gap between those aspects that have already been accepted by the GC side and the current demands of the Turks. The GC side has made a number of arguments in support of its opposition to this idea by the British, Phileleftheros reports. It added that during the last National Council, Anastasiades, while informing the political leadership about his conversation with UN envoy Jane Holl Lute, also referred to the British ideas. He said he pointed out to the UN envoy that the proposals of the UK were not helpful and brought as an example the idea of ”community states”. According to what was reported to the National Council, such reports refer to a community and to the abolition of the Republic of Cyprus with the president warning Lute that such a thing will not be accepted by the GCs.
From what the political leaders have heard, the following emerges in relation to the British idea: a) It was put orally and informally, b) Their approach is to reconcile the bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) with some demands of the Turks, the paper reported.
Haravgi reports that Anastasiades has assigned his legal-constitutional law experts a tough exercise as regards finding the powers that could lead to a decentralised federation since the sectors which government representatives give as examples of powers which could be assigned to the constituent states, such as tourism, environment and culture, do not lead to decentralisation.
The issue was raised to the president once more at the last National Council meeting with Anastasiades referring the matter to the next meeting of the National Council before his departure for Geneva. The daily reports that the only party that accepted decentralised federation so far is ruling DISY. Main opposition AKEL continues to point out that it would be dangerous to reopen convergences at the time when the GC side declares readiness to continue the talks from when they left off based on the UN framework and the agreed solution framework and the Guterres Framework.
In any case, all experts make clear that powers that have to do with the state’s foreign policy, the delimitation of marine zones including the exclusive economic zone, natural resources, fiscal policy and security and defence cannot be decentralised because they come together with the main characteristics of the state: a single sovereignty, single international personality, and single citizenship, Haravgi reported.
Phileleftheros also reports that the period between April 27 and 28 when all the consultations will be taking place at the informal summit, will be crucial. Attention is on the bilateral meetings the UN are scheduling while the result is expected to be reached on the evening of the 28th during the dinner held by the UNSG for the five parties. If deemed necessary, the UN will carry on their work also on the 29th, the daily reported.
AKEL tables Cyprob resolution ahead of House discussion
Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that AKEL tabbed on Thursday to the House plenum a resolution on the Cyprus problem ahead of today’s discussion between 10am and 6pm, on the issue.
The draft text reads: the parliament taking into account the criticality of the conditions as they are shaped on the Cyprus issue, is called to vote that it reaffirms its previous resolutions on the Cyprus issue.
It also stresses that the comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem must be based on the agreed framework of the bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and provide for a state with a single sovereignty, single international personality and citizenship. It also recalls that the solution must ensure the immediate withdrawal of all occupying troops and settlers, the abolition of the anachronistic Treaty of Guarantee and any invasive rights, the liberation and reunification of the state and the people, and guarantee the restoration and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
The resolution also stresses that the informal Geneva meeting should be used to resume substantive negotiations as soon as possible and reaffirms that the process must remain Cypriot owned.
It also stresses that the negotiation must take place on the basis of the agreed framework and the Declaration of the UN Secretary-General at the meeting of November 25, 2019 in Berlin.
It calls on Turkey and the TC leadership to abandon the unacceptable demand for a two-state solution and/or a confederation and to attend the informal meeting with a sincere will to reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework.
‘TCs favour BBF, settlers choose annexation’
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies, citing a survey published in TC daily Yeni Duzen on Thursday, report that TCs prefer a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) as the solution of the Cyprus problem while Turkish settlers prefer annexation of the north by Turkey.
According to the survey, 60.4 per cent of TCs and 51.9 per cent of settlers who acquired ‘citizenship’ in the north, said the fact that Cyprus was divided bothered them. When however they were asked about their preferred solution to the Cyprus problem, most TCs said they preferred a BBF while most settlers said annexation.
As regards BBF, 42.5 per cent of TCs and 32.6 per cent of settlers said they were fully in favour. Another 26 per cent of TCs and 17.9 per cent of settlers said that it could be a compromise solution, while 22.8 per cent and 39.8 per cent, respectively, said they were against.
The study, funded by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Cyprus Office, was prepared by academics Sertac Sonan, Ebru Kucuksener and Enis Porat. It focused on the differences and similarities between TCs and Turkish immigrants who arrived in Cyprus after 1974.
Cyprus Mail, reporting more extensively on opinions on the Cyprus problem, reported that according to the survey, more than half (53.2 per cent) of TCs rejected annexation of the north by Turkey, though one in five in this group responded that they would strongly support this model. For 44.2 per cent of settlers, on the other hand, this was a satisfactory option. But a sizeable group of settlers, almost one in three, strongly opposed this option, the report said.
In total 40 per cent of TCs supported a two-state solution, while almost 39 per cent of Turkish immigrants totally rejected this option while around one in three said they were in favour.
“What was even more surprising was to see that a reunification under the Republic of Cyprus in a unitary model was seen as a favourable option by a (wafer-thin) majority of native Turkish Cypriots either as a ‘satisfactory option’ or as a ‘compromise solution with mutual concessions’,” the report said, according to Cyprus Mail.
To the question what their vote would be if an agreement, also supported by the three guarantor powers was reached and put to referendum, the TC groups’ clear majority said that they would vote in favour while only around one fourth said that they would vote ‘no’. Though a higher proportion of settlers said that they would vote ‘yes’ than those who said they would vote ‘no’, the difference between the two groups was narrower, and the supporters of this model fell short of constituting a majority, the report said.
On whether they wanted to have a GC neighbour after the solution of the Cyprus problem, almost half of TCs (48.8 per cent), expressed a positive opinion while a majority (58 per cent) of Turkish immigrants opposed the idea.
Politis, in a comment, said that at a critical time for the Cyprus issue, the news that 42.5 per cent of TCs fully support a BBF with political equality and that an additional 26 per cent believe an agreement could be reached in this context gives a positive note to the current black news and the officially expressed positions by Tatar. At the same time, it rebuffs the rhetoric of those who claim that the TCs want a two-state solution on the island, it said.
AKEL condemns latest attack on HDP
Haravgi
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that AKEL condemned what it called as the new attack on the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey and expressed its solidarity with its members and leaders who are in prison as well as all forces in Turkey opposing the Erdogan regime.
The party said that its representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament will also denounce this new attack.
The daily reports that AKEL’s announcement follows a court decision sentencing the MP of the pro-Kurdish HDP, doctor and human rights defender Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, to two years and six months in jail.
The party said that continuing the practice of silencing any voice against the AKP government, the Turkish authorities lifted Gergerlioglu’s parliamentary immunity. The HDP MP was convicted for a post on social network he had made five years ago. This is the 14th member of the HDP parliamentary group seeing their immunity lifted and taken to prison within the last four years. At the same time, a prosecutor of Turkey’s Supreme Court asked for the ban of the HDP. This is a full-frontal attack against the HDP and the democratic and political rights of any opposition political or other organised group, according to AKEL’s the statement, Haravgi reported.