Front Page Headlines
Yes to vaccination… just not with AstraZeneca
Despite the EMA’s recommendations, Cypriots remain wary about the British-Swedish drug.
- Cyprus problem: Sides fortifying behind basic positions
- Comission-Turkey: Erdogan’s stance toward Ursula von der Leyen causes shock
- Pr. Anastasiades: GESY saved us from the worst
They skyrocketed insecurity
The turmoil over AstraZeneca adverse effects brought the confusion and unwillingness of the public. Rare cases of blood clot officially in the adverse effects of the vaccine.
- They’re preparing for a conference without expectations: Lute and the British are searching for an agreement
- They paid Erdogan with the same coin
- First folder on naturalisations with the Attorney General
- Open war at hospitals, OKYPY expecting a study
We should create the preconditions for a positive outcome in Geneva
A potential failure would accumulate huge problems in the development of the Cyprus problem.
- Vaccines: AstraZeneca linked with very rare cases of blood clot
- Elections: Mobile polls in parliamentary elections for coronavirus cases
- Implementation of the agreed, or else intensification of measures (at hospitals)
- Events to remember and honour Kavazoglu and Misiaoulis. Buses for Sunday
EU still approves AZ despite risks
Possible links to rare blood clot but ‘benefits outweigh risks’
- Ioannou: Inconsistent messages on AZ ‘delaying vaccination programme’
As if you would get it now…
AstraZeneca vaccine: Linked with blood clots, but not withdrawn. Blood clots possible but rare adverse effect of AstraZeneca, says the European Medicines Agency, but Cypriots by the thousands rushed to book appointments for other vaccines, causing the Vaccination Portal to fall due to the overload. Two more deaths yesterday and 529 cases.
- Erdogan close-mouthed regarding Cyprus
- Accusation of autocracy: Akinci against Erdogan – Two states are lies and duplicitous
- President of the Republic: Hopes for reopening of economy by end of spring
- Life sentences to 22 former soldiers for the failed coup in Turkey
Main News
UK Minister: Both sides should seize Geneva opportunity
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Britain said on Wednesday it was important for all parties involved in Cyprus to seize the opportunity presented by the upcoming conference taking place in Geneva from April 27-29.
The UK’s Foreign Minister for the European Neighbourhood Wendy Morton after a meeting with President Nicos Anastasiades on Wednesday at the presidential palace reiterated Britain’s support for the UN-backed talks.
Morton tweeted that “it is important that all parties seize the opportunity presented by the UN Secretary-General’s 5+1 talks to push for a settlement which will benefit all Cypriots and enhance regional stability.”
Morton added that the UK and Cyprus have an historic partnership built on shared history, common values and legal systems and joint membership of the Commonwealth.
Haravgi reports citing government sources that Morton did not relay the ideas expressed by the British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab regarding an intermediary solution that bridges a BBF and two states.
The dailies report that sources said Morton conveyed London’s willingness to help during the upcoming peace process. The paper writes that during her meetings with Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, Morton said London is not promoting a settlement that falls outside a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF), and said Britain does not object to the EU participating in talks. The paper adds that Morton also said she stood ready to assist in the conveying of any message Nicosia would like to send to Turkey and the TC side.
According to an announcement by government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos after the meeting, Anastasiades had made clear his readiness and determination to be creatively involved in the talks but the basis must remain UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and EU principles, and must resume from where they left off retaining all past convergences. Koushos said Anastasiades also made clear that he is seeking a solution that will ensure functionality and viability, without the presence of foreign troops, guarantor powers and dependencies on third countries, Phileleftheros reports.
Earlier in the day, during a visit to the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) head office, Anastasiades said the positions of the Greek Cypriot side were clear and stood as they were presented to the EU Council, Cyprus Mail reports.
KEY ACTORS
Morton (UK)
>> Important that all parties seize opportunity presented by 5+1 to push for a settlement which will benefit all Cypriots and enhance regional stability
>> UK and Cyprus have an historic partnership built on shared history, common values and legal systems and joint membership of the Commonwealth
Koushos
>> In meeting with Morton, Anastasiades made clear his readiness and determination to be creatively involved in the talks but the basis must remain UNSC resolutions and EU principles, and must resume from where they left off retaining all past convergences.
>> Anastasiades seeking a solution that will ensure functionality and viability, without the presence of foreign troops, guarantor powers and dependencies on third countries
Lute to meet with both leaders in Cyprus this week
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that during a briefing of the UN Security Council (UNSC) P5, the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) special envoy Jane Holl Lute, who is due in Cyprus on April 11, said not much is expected from the Geneva meeting, since neither side has shifted from its positions.
The news was relayed by a diplomat of a UNSC member, the dailies report. Politis reports citing UN sources that recent statements and leaks have sought to downgrade the outcome of the Geneva meeting. Politis notes that Lute’s comment could simply be an observation or it could also potentially be an attempt to mount pressure on all parties to show greater flexibility in contacts leading up to the informal conference.
Phileleftheros reports that Lute’s visit to Cyprus will seek to secure the consent of both sides for a drafting of a text in Geneva that would allow the continuation of UN efforts toward reaching a Cyprus settlement. Citing information, Phileleftheros reports that in her contacts, Lute will focus on preparations for the Geneva meeting and will discuss with the two sides ways of achieving a bare minimum agreement. The paper cites sources that said Lute is not expected to present any substantive proposals toward this end.
Lute is scheduled to meet with Anastasiades at 9.30am on Sunday morning and with the Turkish Cypriot leader at 2.30pm. Politis reports that her scheduled departure early on Monday morning indicates that her visit will only serve to confirm certain details and not to achieve any progress as regards the positions of the two sides.
Commenting on reports that Lute had low expectations for the Geneva talks, Anastasiades said all expectations or lack thereof, were down to the positions of the Turkish side. He added that if a solution is found that protects the entirety of Cyprus’ inhabitants, and that doesn’t neglect the concerns of GCs, he could not see a problem in securing a solution.
Phileleftheros reports that all parties have received the programme of the Geneva conference, which will kick off with a dinner provided by the UN Secretary General (UNSG). The informal meeting has been scheduled for the following day, to be followed by bilateral meetings and then a renewed informal conference.
Politis reports that AKEL has sent a memo to the UN, highlighting the importance of the informal meeting as an opportunity to put an end to all negative rhetoric and incendiary actions, as well as an opportunity for the resumption of substantive talks. The party said that such developments would require that Turkey and the TC leader abandon their positions in favour of two states and sovereign equality. AKEL also stressed that the preservation of the existing body of work is necessary if the new process has any real chances of succeeding. The memo also called on the UN and the international community to exert its influence in order to overturn the current climate.
Haravgi reports that in statements during a Paphos tour, AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou expressed concern over Anastasiades’ statement in an interview regarding Cyprus’ willingness to veto developments in the EU-Turkey customs union if a positive outcome is not achieved in Geneva. Kyprianou said such comments show that what Anastasiades is interested in is not how to achieve a positive outcome but how to satisfy a portion of voters ahead of the parliamentary elections.
Haravgi writes that Kyprianou said that the way things stand, the new peace process will likely end in failure, which will accumulate huge problems in the development of things as regards the Cyprus problem.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> All expectations regarding the 5+1 or lack thereof, are down to the positions of the Turkish side
>> If a solution is found that protects the entirety of Cyprus’ inhabitants, and that doesn’t neglect the concerns of GCs, there shouldn’t be a problem in securing a solution
AKEL
>> In memo to UN, notes importance of 5+1 as an opportunity to put an end to all negative rhetoric and incendiary actions, as well as an opportunity for the resumption of substantive talks
>> Positive Cyprob developments require that Turkey and the TC leader abandon their positions in favour of two states and sovereign equality
>> Preservation of the existing body of work is necessary if the new process has any real chances of succeeding
>> UN and international community must exert its influence to overturn the current climate
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Anastasiades’ statement regarding Cyprus’ willingness to veto developments in the EU-Turkey customs union if a positive outcome is not achieved at 5+1 concerning
>> The way things stand the new peace process will likely end in failure, which will accumulate huge problems for Cyprob
Cyprob clearly an EU problem, EEAS spokesperson says
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The Cyprus problem is clearly an EU problem, since Cyprus is a member state of the union, now and after reunification, Nabila Massrali, the European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson told the Cyprus News Agency, according to the dailies.
Massrali said the EU stands ready to provide whatever assistance both leaders and the UN would find most useful, noting that regional stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean is closely bound to a solution to the Cyprus problem. She added that a future settlement needs in particular to comply with the EU acquis and safeguards, the integrity and decision-making responsibilities and processes of the EU.
Massrali also said the EU would be an observer at the Geneva conference. “The sooner the EU becomes fully involved in the renewed settlement talks, the better,” she added. Asked about an official invitation to the talks from the UN Massrali said the EU would be an observer. “The EU has a delegation in Geneva so de facto we are in Geneva,” she said.
Meanwhile, the dailies report on statements issued by the chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Eric Mamer, who said the meeting on Tuesday between the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel respectively, with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was not meant to settle any of the issues that were being discussed, but simply to convey the message of the 27 EU member states to Erdogan personally.
Mamer said there will be a time for the EU to assess whether Turkey has taken these requests into account, with the evaluation expected to be made during the next European Council in June.
Alithia, citing sources, reports that Erdogan did provide his positions on any of the Cyprus problem-related matters posed by the EU officials, including their reference to the Geneva informal meeting. The paper reports that the EU officials told Erdogan that the EU’s stance is a result of Turkey’s behaviour, and adds that when Michel and Ursula stressed the need for the EU to participate in the Cyprus problem dialogue, Erdogan did not respond. This is also backed up by Phileleftheros.
The dailies also report on an incident that marked the meeting between the EU officials and Erdogan. The reports write that two chairs had been prepared for the meeting, which were quickly occupied by Erdogan and Michel, leaving Von der Leyen to sit on an adjacent seat. Phileleftheros claims that the move relegated the European Commission chief to the status of the Turkish Foreign Minister who was seated on a couch opposite her. Phileleftheros reports that in response, the EU officials refused to hold a joint press conference with Erdogan.
Meanwhile, Politis reports citing a report by Milliyet that the first meeting between the Presidents of Turkey and the US is being organised for June 19 in the framework of the NATO heads of state and government summit.
KEY ACTORS
Massrali (EU)
>> Cyprus problem is clearly an EU problem, since Cyprus is a member state of the union, now and after reunification
>> EU stands ready to provide whatever assistance both leaders and the UN would find most useful,
>> Regional stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean is closely bound to a solution to the Cyprus problem
>> A future settlement must comply with the EU acquis and safeguards, the integrity and decision-making responsibilities and processes of the EU
>> EU will be an observer at the Geneva conference; the sooner the EU becomes fully involved in the renewed settlement talks, the better