TCC Press Review 26 March 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Critical day in Hellim (Halloumi) registration

The European Commission will start deliberations on the product of origin (PDO) registration of our traditional cheese today. Once registered, the cheese will only be produced in Cyprus under its Turkish or Greek name, creating the opportunity to export it to European markets via the Green Line Regulation (GLR). Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Fikri Toros: “I am extremely pleased with developments on Hellim (Halloumi). MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek: “Those who are trying to prevent this historic move on baseless political excuses or who are misinforming the public are hurting Turkish Cypriot producers. The Food Health Safety Commission has approved the changes to the GLR. The amendment will allow the cheese to be sold to the European markets through the Green Line.

Kıbrıs

Anxious start

Administrations at schools are concerned following the decision to call 12 graders back to school on Monday for in-class education on a rotational basis. High-school principals say that face-to-face education should not start unless all the teachers are vaccinated.

  • Protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots – The proposal for registration of Hellim (Halloumi) as a PDO allowing the exports from North Cyprus to Europe, will be put to a vote in the European Commission. Hellim (Halloumi) producers appealed to the commission representatives ahead of the voting.
  • KIB-TEK to purchase 24,000 tons of fuel-oil before April 15 – Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı said a tender for the purchase of fuel-oil for the power plan will be withdrawn if an agreement is reached to sign a deal on Monday with TPIC (Turkish Petroleum International Company) for 24,000 tons of fuel oil. He said after that he could negotiate the terms of reference for the 220,000 tons of fuel-oil with the opposition parties.

Havadis

Worse than being ashamed

Three young men are arrested on charges of repeatedly raping a 14-year-old girl. It was revealed that the girl, who is now 16, is 31 weeks pregnant. The girl testified to rape and confirmed her pregnancy after her father filed a complaint to the police.

  • “Protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots” – Stakeholders in the Hellim (Halloumi) sector called on the European Commission during the event they organised at the Ledra Palace crossing point.
  • Good news from Brussels – The EU Food Safety Commission has amended the GLR, allowing the sales of Hellim (Halloumi) to Europe via the south.
  • Hellim (Halloumi) at a critical stage – AKEL MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek said the Turkish Cypriots will be affected by the problems arising if the Hellim (Halloumi) issue is not dealt with correctly.

Diyalog

Who is the father?

Three young men have been arrested on accusations that they each raped a 16-year-old girl twice. Police were informed by the father of the girl from Dipkarpaz (Risokarpaso) after it emerged, she was seven months pregnant. It is claimed that İ.G, S.D and S.Ç who were taken into police custody for questioning each raped the girl several times over the past year. DNA testing will be done to determine who the father is.

  • Military and religious ceremonies heldStreets in South Cyprus were decorated in white and blue to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution.

Avrupa

Arrested for songs

Hayrettin Yıldırım, who was residing in the TRNC without a permit but who was granted leniency until April 5 on grounds he could be given a work permit was arrested after police discovered songs on his mobile phone praising the PKK (Peoples’ Workers Party) and Abdullah Öcalan. No one gets arrested in any other country for songs. This constitutes a crime only in Turkey and the TRNC. 

  • Protect our rights too – Hellim (Halloumi) producers, ahead of the voting today, called on the European Commission to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in their decision at the event they organised at the Ledra Palace crossing point.
  • Announcement from Health Ministry on the vaccination drive – The lower age groups will be vaccinated after all the people aged 65 and above and chronic patients are vaccinated.
  • 12th graders returning to school – Education Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu said the 12th graders will return to school on Monday.

Main News

TC authorities condemn defacing of a mosque in Episkopi

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

Authorities in the north on Thursday strongly condemned the defacing of a mosque in Episkopi by vandals, calling on those responsible to be brought to justice. The mosque’s walls were smeared with graffiti referring to the 1821 Greek revolution, and drawings of Greek flags.

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar condemned the incident with a written statement on Thursday night, describing it as a provocation ahead of the upcoming informal UN-led five-plus-one meeting.

He said that the attack once again revealed the Greek Cypriots’ mentality towards Turkish presence on the island. Tatar said that Turkish Cypriot mosques had been subject to similar attacks in the past. He called on the Greek Cypriot leadership not to support such acts, to prevent their occurrence and to bring the perpetrators responsible to justice.

The leader of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Özersay who was the first to bring the issue to the Turkish Cypriot side’s attention, said the Greek Cypriot leadership was just as equally guilty as the perpetrators. In a post on social media, the HP leader pointed out that it was not the first time such incidents had occurred.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot leadership of failing to take measures to deter or punish such groups, Özersay said that the Greek Cypriot authorities’ failure to act encouraged repeated attacks on places of worship or of significance for Turkish Cypriots.

“Whatever has happened on the island is the result of such people with a fascist mindset,” Özersay concluded.

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner also condemned the incident with a statement on Thursday night. Describing the attack as a provocation, Saner said that the Greek Cypriot leadership needed to catch and punish those responsible.

“Those responsible must not go unpunished,” he said, reminding that none of the suspects who have vandalized mosques or attacked Turkish Cypriots in the south to date has been caught or punished.

“Is the Greek Cypriot leadership so helpless that it cannot catch those involved in such attacks? We demand the perpetrators be caught and punished,” he said. Saner also called on the Greek Cypriot authorities to adopt a deterring stance.

The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry was also quick to condemn the incident with a written statement. It pointed out that this was not the first incident of its kind and was proof of the growing racist and Islamophobic mentality in the south. The ministry also called on the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The Greek Cypriot government on Thursday strongly condemned the incident. The government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos, in a written statement, condemned the action of “the brainless people who under the pretext of so-called patriotism, insult religious places of worship, but also the very meaning of patriotism as taught to us by our glorious heroes, who were all about honour and ideals and not destruction”.

“Malicious actions, such as these, do not in any way contribute to the creation of the right climate that we seek in our effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland,” he added.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Such incidents reveal GC mentality & are a provocation ahead of the 5+1 meeting.
>> GC leadership should not support such acts & bring perpetrators to justice.

Özersay (HP)
>> GC leadership just as guilty as perpetrators.
>> Failure of GC authorities to act encourages such groups to continue attacks.

Saner (UBP)
>> Incident is a provocation. Those responsible must be caught & punished.

Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> Not the first incident of its kind. Incident a sign of growing racism & Islamophobic mentality in the south.


The EU Food Safety Committee approves amendments to the GLR for Hellim (Halloumi)

Yenidüzen
Economy

OVERVIEW

AKEL MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek on Thursday announced that the “Food Safety Commission” has approved the amendments to the Green Line Trade (GLT) regulation which will pave the way for the export of Hellim (Halloumi) produced in the north to European markets through the Green Line.

He pointed out that the amendment was the first important step in the registration process of Hellim (Halloumi) as a product designation of origin (PDO). “Now the PDO registration is next. I do not expect any problems,” Kızılyürek said, adding that he hopes the process will be completed by mid-April at the latest.

He however warned the Turkish Cypriot leadership over attempts to block the process through baseless political excuses or campaigns of misinformation. Kızılyürek said that such moves will only harm Turkish Cypriot Hellim (Halloumi) producers.

The proposal for registration of Hellim (Halloumi) as a PDO, will be put to a vote in the European Commission on Friday. Once registered, the traditional cheese will only be produced in Cyprus under the name Hellim or Halloumi.

Earlier in the day, dairy producers operating in the Hellim (Halloumi) sector, staged a protest at the Ledra Palace crossing point, calling on the European Commission to “adopt decisions by taking the Turkish Cypriots’ rights into consideration.” The organisations also expressed outrage over reports that inspectors, who will check production in the north will be appointed by the Greek Cypriot side.

Representatives from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, Farmers’ Association, Dairy Products’ Producers’ Association, Livestock Breeders’ Association, Chamber of Agriculture Engineers attended the event.

The Hellim (Halloumi) issue was also among the main issues debated at Thursday’s session of parliament. Turkish Cypriot Agriculture Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu said his ministry was working on raising the standards of Hellim (Halloumi) production quality in the north.

He said it has been possible to achieve certain gains on the Hellim (Halloumi) issue with collective efforts, noting that the discussions on the inspection aspect of local production were still underway.

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Fikri Toros who addressed the session welcomed the developments, particularly the amendment made to the GLR. He however pointed out that it was important for authorities in the north to follow up on the process, prepare the necessary legislation and raise standards.

Toros added the production process from start to finish must be in accordance with the EU standards. He added that the necessary inspections will be carried out by independent and impartial institutions.

“It is out of the question for the Republic of Cyprus to exert its authority in the north,” Toros stressed, noting that the EU-appointed inspection company will collaborate with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.


Tatar: Sovereign equality is needed for Turkish-Greek balance

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Thursday claimed that a two-state solution based on sovereign equality was necessary to establish a Turkish–Greek balance in the region.

Addressing a seminar organised at Ankara University through video link, Tatar said that Cyprus was of great strategic importance for Turkey particularly following the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Demonizing a federal settlement, Tatar said a federation posed threats not only for Turkish Cypriots but Turkey as well. “Peace can only be established based on two-states and with the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees,” Tatar argued, highlighting the need for acting with national interests in mind.

Touching on the Maraş (Varosha) issue, Tatar described the Turkish Cypriot side’s initiative to reopen the fenced-off town as progressive. He said that once fully opened, Maraş (Varosha) will become a global destination, contributing greatly to the north’s economy and tourism.

He pointed out that the newly opened section had seen more than 130,000 visitors in the last six months. Tatar however gave the reassurance that Maraş (Varosha) will be opened in compliance with international law and that property claims will be dealt with through the Immoveable Property Commission (IPC) through compensation, exchange or restitution.

“Majority of the properties in the fenced-off town had belonged to the Evkaf Administration however they were unlawfully distributed to foreigners during the British Colonial rule,” Tatar said.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> A two-state solution necessary to establish a Turkish-Greek balance in the region.
>> Peace in Cyprus can only be achieved with a two-state solution & continuation of Turkey’s guarantees.
>> Maraş (Varosha) initiative is a progressive move that will benefit the north’s economy.
>> Any move on Maraş (Varosha) will be in line with international law & property claims to be dealt with through the IPC.


Olgun: TC side changed its position after decades of failed talks


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s Special Representative Ergün Olgun on Wednesday argued that the Turkish Cypriot side has adopted a position in favour of a two-state solution following decades of failed attempts to reach a federal settlement.

Olgun was speaking as one of five key-note speakers at the third “Future of Cyprus” webinar was organised by the British Turkish Cypriot Association (BTCA), the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations UK (CTCA) and in cooperation with the Circle Foundation think tank held on Wednesday.

Olgun argued that the reason for the failure to reach a bicommunal bizonal federation (BBF) was the Greek Cypriots’ obsession to bring the island under its control as well as its refusal to share power with Turkish Cypriots “President Ersin Tatar was directed towards a two-state solution, a solution that the Turkish Cypriots are willing to cooperate on with the Greek Cypriots,” Olgun said.

Tatar’s special representative also said that the Greek Cypriot side’s ongoing perception of Turkish Cypriots as a minority and not as its interlocutor was one of the biggest problems at the negotiating table.

Olgun also noted that the Turkish Cypriot objects to the EU’s participation in the five-plus-one meeting even as an observer since the EU cannot be objective on Cyprus.

KEY ACTORS
Olgun (Tatar)
>> TC side adopted a position in favour of a two-state solution after decades of failed attempts for a BBF.
>> BBF cannot be achieved because GCs don’t see TCs as their equals.
>> EU cannot attend the 5+1 meeting as an observer because it is not impartial.


EU continues to be biased & prejudiced on Cyprus Issue, says Ankara


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters

OVERVIEW

Despite welcoming the general rhetoric in the memorandum adopted by EU leaders at a virtual summit, Ankara on Thursday said that the EU continued its biased and prejudiced stance on Cyprus.

 “It is against international law for the EU, which is not capable of preventing the maximalist attitude of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo and its unilateral provocative activities in the spirit of EU solidarity, to describe the drilling activities of both our country and the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean as illegal,” a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry read.

Mentioning that the EU does not have any authority to do so, it said “statements on Cyprus are detached from reality aimed at defending the interests of the Greek Cypriot side and do not contribute to a possible compromise.”

“The fact that the declaration, again, does not refer to the Turkish Cypriots and their legitimate rights and interests shows that the EU’s biased attitude towards Cyprus continues. Positive steps that the EU will take in the direction of our common interests will be welcomed by candidate Turkey with positive steps,” it concluded.

The EU leaders met virtually to discuss foreign policy issues, including Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean. The council adopted a conclusion saying that the EU is ready to engage with Turkey in a “phased, proportionate, reversible manner” to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest.

It also said that the EU is ready “to take further decisions at the European Council meeting in June,” mentioning that the de-escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, resumption of talks between Turkey and Greece, and upcoming talks on Cyprus under the auspices of the UN were welcomed.

KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> EU continues to be biased & prejudiced on Cyprus Issue.
>> Against international law to describe Turkey’s drilling activities in East Med as illegal.
>> EU’s statements on Cyprus are detached from reality & do not help reach an agreement.
>> EU’s failure to refer to TCs shows it is biased.
>> Turkey will respond positively to positive steps to be adopted by the EU.


TC MFA condemns appointment of new UNICYP commander without TC side’s consent


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security

OVERVIEW

The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the UN over its appointment of a new force commander to UNFICYP.

According to a written statement, the ministry said that the appointment of a new force commander Major General Ingrid Gjerde ahead of the informal five-plus-one meeting could harm sensitive balances on the island.

It described the appointment made without consulting or seeking the consent of the Turkish Cypriot officials as unacceptable. “We are strongly condemning the announcement of the appointment of the new UNFICYP force commander via the media, despite all our warnings made by our ministry and representation office in New York before the appointment,” the statement read.

It added that the success of UNFICYP’s operations on the island required cooperation with Turkish Cypriot officials which was why the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side was essential in matters concerning the island.

“We particularly urge the UN to refrain from any actions on the eve of the five-plus-one meeting which could upset the sensitive balance between the two sides,” the statement added.

KEY ACTORS
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> Appointment of UNFICYP force commander without consent of TC side is unacceptable.
>> Success of UNFICYP’s operations on the island requires cooperation with TC officials which is why consent of the TC side is required.
>> UN must refrain from such actions which could upset the sensitive balance between two sides on the eve of the 5+1 conference.


UN must undertake initiatives on hydrocarbons, stop supporting the status quo


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

People’s Party (HP) Kyrenia MP Erek Çağatay on Thursday urged the UN to take on initiatives on the natural gas resources instead of being part of the ongoing status quo.

Speaking during Thursday’s session at the Turkish Cypriot parliament, Çağatay said it was not known yet whether or not a new round of negotiations will be launched following the five-plus-one conference on the Cyprus issue.

The HP MP said that there are divergences among the issues recorded as convergences, and the Greek Cypriot side’s reluctance to share wealth is obvious.

“What is necessary is to find a way that has not been attempted before,” Çağatay stressed, adding that the Greek Cypriot side must be brought to a position where it sees a solution necessary as much as the Turkish Cypriot side does.

“As long as there’s no progress in this regard, it will not be possible to reach a solution on the island,” he said and added that the Turkish Cypriot side should demand the UN to take on initiatives on the natural gas instead of being part of the status quo on the island.


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