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New relaxations with careful steps
The country’s epidemiological picture remains red
- ‘Os Dame’ (Enough): Reactions to ‘government of the south’
Gordian knots being untangled
From today nasal tests at schools in an effort to bend fears and reservations. The immediate resumption of the operation of middle and primary schools in Limassol on the table.
- They’re throwing their weight on preparations for 5+1: Lute coming within the first 15 days on April
- Insult to the Republic of Cyprus
- Hotels waiting for locals and Israelis
We should work with consistency for a successful conclusion of the Five-party
Averof Neophytou sees ‘new Helsinki’
- At their last residence: Five more TCs murdered by EOKA B buried
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For our mentalities – Averof’s hard truths
The president of DISY refers to nihilism and the prevalence of convenience. “Whenever we have a big national success, we hear the horns of some. Instead of being happy as a people, some prevail in a attempt to torpedo the big successes of this country.” What he has to say about the Phaneromeni school and halloumi.
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Main News
Neophytou: EUCO text opens path for Cyprus reunification
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailiesreport that DISY leader Averof Nephytou referred to the statement issued by EU leaders as creating the conditions for the reunification of Cyprus and likened it to the Helsinki declaration that opened the path for Cyprus’ accession to the EU.
Neophytou said Turkey has a window until July to show goodwill, allowing Cyprus problem processes to move forward, and allowing us to support Turkey’s future in the EU under this strict condition. If Turkey continues to remain intransigent, Neophytou said, then the measures must be such that they really hurt Turkey, but said this must not be our national priority.
Responding to Neophytou’s statements, AKEL MP Eleni Mavrou warned against the creation of excessive hopes, and called for consistency in working toward a successful outcome at the informal five-party summit, stressing that this is the only way to achieve a comprehensive solution on the agreed-upon basis. On his part, Greens leader Charalambos Theopemptou said Turkey’s stance will be assessed at the five-party meeting, and said he believes that Turkey will abandon its claim for a two-state solution allowing formal negotiations to resume. Phileleftheros reports that Mavrou said the summit will also serve for an assessment of Anastasiades’ stance, particularly at a time when a relationship of cooperation and mutual benefit is being built between the EU and Turkey.
Phileleftheros reports that with the completion of the EUCO, the Cyprus problem is returning to the top of the agenda and preparation for the informal meeting in Geneva is picking up speed. The paper writes that the EU is still waiting to hear from the UN on the role it will play at the meeting to be held on April 27-29.
Phileleftheros reports that the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) special envoy Jane Holl Lute is expected to pay a second visit to the island during the first half of April in view of continuing preparatory work with the two sides ahead of the five-party meeting. The paper writes that Nicosia views Lute’s visit as an opportunity to seek further clarification of the EU’s participation in the informal meeting, which Phileleftheros reports is the only pending matter as regards the participants. The paper writes that the issue is not likely to clear up quickly due to objections being raised by Turkey and the TC side.
Mobility ahead of the Geneva meeting is also picking up in the north, Phileleleftheros reports, with the TC leader Ersin Tatar holding meetings with political parties and sending the message that the safeguarding of equality between the two sides is necessary for a fair, lasting and viable solution.
Meanwhile, the dailies also report on the opposition expressed by former TC leader Mustafa Akinci and the leader of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay in response to a comment made by the head of the Board of Directors at the TC public broadcaster Bayrak, Ozer Kanli, who stood in favour of annexing the north with Turkey rather than landing a BBF solution. Akinci said that it is likely that the population policy being followed in the north for many years has sought to create a majority that would support annexation, a term which he said is being spoken more openly. Akinci said we have a dilemma of solution or annexation, noting that the rhetoric of two states is a camouflage allowing the path to open up for annexation. At this point, Akinci said, there is an urgent need for both sides to activate efforts toward a federal solution with equality.
On his part, Ozersay pointed to an article he wrote in 2016, which said annexation with Turkey is not an option, but neither is the integration of the TC community into the existing GC state, stressing that TCs don’t want to be ruled over by anyone.
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou
>> Statement issued by EU leaders creates the conditions for the reunification of Cyprus similar to the way the Helsinki declaration opened the path for Cyprus’ accession to the EU
>> Turkey has a window until July to show goodwill, allowing Cyprus problem processes to move forward, and allowing us to support Turkey’s future in the EU under this strict condition
>> If Turkey continues to remain intransigent then measures must be such that they really hurt Turkey, but this must not be our national priority
Mavrou (AKEL)
>> Instead of creating excessive hopes, we should show consistency in working toward a successful outcome in Geneva, since this is the only way to achieve a comprehensive solution on the agreed-upon basis
>> Anastasiades’ stance will be assessed in Geneva, particularly at a time when a relationship of cooperation and mutual benefit is being built between the EU and Turkey
Theopemptou (Greens)
>> Turkey’s stance will be assessed at 5+1
>> Turkey will abandon its claim for a two-state solution allowing formal negotiations to resume
Akinci (north)
>> Likely that the population policy being followed in the north for many years has sought to create a majority that would support annexation, that is now being spoken openly about
>> We have a dilemma of solution or annexation – rhetoric of two states is a camouflage allowing the path to open up for annexation
>> Urgent need for both sides to activate efforts toward a federal solution with equality
Ozersay (HP)
>> TCs do not want anyone to rule over them – nor annexation nor integration of TC into GC state is an option