Front Page Headlines
Outdoor dining until the end of April
With a fear of coronavirus until Holy Week so that we can salvage Easter.
- American report on Cyprus: Dive into the corruption map due to… ‘golden’ passports
- Assets declaration: Certified auditors will investigate officials
- Cabinet: Further support of 250 mil. euro
- Justice: The Supreme Court’s ‘NO’ distances the reform
EU investigating €3.2 million fraud
Under the microscope of OLAF for potential illegal sponsorship with EU funds. Behind eight companies is the same entrepreneur.
- Restriction of movement with Erdogan’s stamp
- New relaxations of measures during Holy Week
Interest rates for households and businesses ‘bite’
Banks charging around 90% higher interest rates in comparison with the eurozone.
- President Anastasiades making a ‘mini’ reshuffle
- The breathtaking moments of a big EOKA attack
- Middle schools reoperating tomorrow, three SMS for movements on weekends
- Government requesting fast track vote for Justice (reform). Supreme Court wary.
Tourism needs a ‘clear strategy’
From today, restriction free entry for vaccinated travellers.
- (photo caption) Flowers on the graves of Eoka fighters in Nicosia central prison ahead of April 1, the 66th anniversary of the launch of the Eoka struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
- Gymnasiums to reopen, three SMS on weekends
Turkey: Two states the official policy
The National Security Council speaks again of the ‘realities’. Erdogan calls on all Turkish-speaking states to support Turkish Cypriots as an “integral part of the Turkish world.” Will Leyen and Michel change Turkey’s stance?
- 1st April 1955: EOKA’s gigantic battle of EOKA begins
- ‘Avrupa’: Turkish series ‘Once Upon a Time in Cyprus’ falsifies history
- Coronavirus-Measures: Small relaxations with eyes strapped to Easter
- Fears, insecurity: Are we turning our back to vaccination?
- Turkey: The economic crisis intensifying reshuffle scenarios – Lira sliding dangerously
Main News
Turkish NSC calls for two-state solution in Cyprus
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s National Security Council (NSC) called on Tuesday night for the realities in Cyprus to be taken into consideration, which it said necessitate a solution on the basis of two independent states.
The dailies write that an announcement issued after the meeting said the latest developments in the Cyprus problem were evaluated, and it was declared that during upcoming negotiations, instead of approaches that have for half a century failed to bear fruit and that ignore the presence of TCs, it is necessary for Turkey to pursue comprehensive and permanent solutions that will take into account the realities on the island, pointing to the basis of two independent states.
Phileleftheros reports that the NSC’s position will determine the direction to be taken by the Turkish delegation at the informal five-party meeting to be held in Geneva in late April.
The announcement said the NSC also discussed the Greek human rights violations against its Turkish minority and against asylum seekers. The NSC called on Greece to act in line with good neighborly relations and abide by international law, instead of stepping up its policies against Ankara. Phileleftheros reports citing diplomatic sources that in response, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said such announcements do not help in the cultivation of a constructive climate between the two countries, and called for an avoidance of provocative actions.
Regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, the NSC announcement said the senior Turkish officials issued a renewed honest call for the development of policies that safeguard regional stability, and highlighted the importance of adopting a common approach in line with the mutual rights and interests of countries in the region. The NSC also called on countries beyond the region to take a neutral and prudent stance.
Phileleftheros reports that the announcement showed that four weeks ahead of the Geneva meeting, Turkey is choosing to take an increasingly intransigent stance, with Nicosia monitoring and recording the approach being taken by both Turkey and the TC side. The paper writes that the government’s position is that, without underestimating the importance what is being publicly stated by Turkey, true intentions will be revealed at the negotiating table. Phileleftheros adds that as regards the TC side, the TC leader Ersin Tatar is also stating that he is only willing to discuss a two-state solution.
Phileleftheros also reports that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) to show the necessary solidarity to the TC community in order to assist in bringing them “to the position they deserve.” Erdogan said TCs are an integral part of the Turkish world, and called on the Turkic Council to assist TCs in their efforts to lift the embargo imposed upon them and terminate the long-standing unfairness they have been subjected to.
KEY ACTORS
Erdogan (Turkey)
>> Turkic Council must show necessary solidarity to the TC community, an integral part of the Turkish world, in order to assist in bringing them to the position they deserve, by lifting embargo and ending unfairness
National Security Council (Turkey)
>> Realities in Cyprus necessitate solution based on 2 independent states.
TC television series stirs controversy in north
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on Wednesday’s screening of the first episode of the new TC series ‘Once Upon a Time in Cyprus’, with a gala to be held in the north triggering reactions from TC parties and organisations.
Politis reports that the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay was in the north on Wednesday to attend the gala being organised for the viewing of the episode. The paper reports that the series has left TC public opinion divided, noting that many view the production solely as propaganda by Ankara, and believe the Turkish President to be pulling the strings. Reactions have also targeted the gala taking place on Wednesday, with parties and organisations unhappy that the gala is being organised despite months-long restrictions in place for TCs.
Alithia reports on an article published by the TC daily Avrupa which referred to a falsification of history by the series, but said reactions to the series in the north aren’t against the content but against the violation of coronavirus rules. Alithia reports that representatives of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) staged a protest outside the conference hall that is to host the gala on Wednesday, calling for a cancellation of event which is in violation of protocols prohibiting gatherings in indoor spaces. The paper reports that 24 other organisations have signed a call for the cancellation of the event, that is expected to feature around 400 attendees, 150 of which will be flying in from Turkey.
Phileleftheros reports that the series, which deals with events taking place between 1963 and 1974 in Cyprus forms part of the broader hybrid war Turkey is staging.
State Department report deals with Cyprus human rights violations
Alithia, Haravgi, Politis
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
A US State Department country report on human rights practices in 2020 proved damning for Cyprus which was found to have had significant human rights issues last year, the dailies report.
The report showed human rights issues in Cyprus involved serious acts of corruption, crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting members of national and ethnic minorities, as well as a lack of investigation of and accountability for violence against women.
Politis reports that the report put particular emphasis on incidents relating to corruption, referring especially to the Al Jazeera revelations regarding the island’s citizenship for investment programme. The report also noted the sentencing of the former mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Louroudjiatis for corruption, bribery, money laundering, and other related charges in connection to waste management plants operated by the municipalities of Larnaca and Paphos. The paper writes that the report also records the five-year sentence handed to the Paphos municipality financial director, as well as the prison sentences imposed on two engineers of the town planning department.
The report also recorded cases of abuse of power by members of police, noting that the Independent Police Complaints Authority reported receiving 39 complaints against police officers for abuse of power, inappropriate behaviour, and unjustifiably issuing fines during the enforcement of COVID-19-related restrictions. The report also records the 2019 case involving a British teenager who claimed Ayia Napa police denied her access to a lawyer during questioning and pressured her to sign a statement revoking her claim of rape against several Israeli teenagers.
The US State Department report also notes that the government imposed restrictions on some internal movements and movements through crossing points to the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The report also notes that local media reported police officers at the crossing points occasionally harassed GCs returning from the area under TC administration.
In the section covering the TC administration, the report notes that significant human rights issues there included serious restrictions on freedom of expression and the press including criminal libel laws, refoulement of asylum seekers, serious acts of corruption, lack of investigation of and accountability for violence against women, trafficking in persons, and crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting members of national minorities. Despite efforts taken to investigate officials following allegations of human rights abuses, the report said there was evidence of impunity.