Front Page Headlines
Congress ignores the pandemic
An individual in quarantine broke the rules by turning up to vote at the Rebirth Party’s (YDP) congress. Police vacated the hall. All pandemic rules, including the night-time curfew, were violated during the YDP’s ordinary congress.
Blood donation saves lives
The pandemic has deeply affected everyone however its impact on Thalassaemia patients has been worse. Thalassaemia patients, who regularly need blood to sustain a healthy life, have been enduring serious problems during the pandemic because of a drop in blood donations.
- Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu became the UBP’s general secretary – National Unity Party (UBP) held an election to elect its general secretary.
- The YDP to continue with Erhan Arıklı – Rebirth Party (YDP) held its third ordinary congress yesterday.
We will go bankrupt should there be a new lockdown
Daily Covid-19 cases in the TRNC have not gone down below the 70-mark. The country is on the verge of a new lockdown, but the people and the retailers are concerned.
- Serakıncı: We are lucky, we will overcome the pandemic – Turkish Cypriot Presidency Health Adviser Prof Dr Nedime Serakıncı spoke to TAK on the pandemic.
Stage comedy
Saturday: Do whatever you want…there is no coronavirus. Sunday: Stay at home…coronavirus is coming! Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu won the race for the post of the UBP’s general secretary. Özdemir Berova came second. Erhan Arıklı was re-elected as leader of the YDP with a narrow margin. Bertan Zaroğlu gave important messages.
- Wake up TRNC – Malta will be paying €200 per tourist visiting the island for three days.
Selling one tomato at a time
This is the latest situation in Turkey that Tayyip Erdoğan claims the world is envious of. It is not possible to conceal the level of poverty in Turkey any more. A chain supermarket has started to sell single tomatoes because of the public’s drop in purchasing power. The development was reported by the Independent newspaper and become a trending topic on social media.
- Arıklı won at the YDP – Rebirth Party (YDP) held its third ordinary congress yesterday. 4130 votes were given.
- 52 locally transmitted, 60 new coronavirus cases in the north, 470 cases in the south…
Main News
Leaders should give assurance on crossing points ahead of 5+1, says Özersay
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The leader of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Özersay on Sunday said the two leaders should give assurances on reopening the crossing points the moment the pandemic permits before they head off to Geneva at the end of the month for the informal five-plus-one meeting.
“There is no point in going to Geneva if we cannot solve a simple issue such as the crossing points,” Özersay said, arguing that such a gesture agreed between the two sides would also help the Geneva conference start on a positive note.
In a written statement issued by his party, Özersay reiterated his earlier view that the Greek Cypriot side’s real motive behind its decision to shut the crossings was to harm the Turkish Cypriot side’s economy and not to curb illegal immigrants as it claims.
Regarding the talks, Özersay warned that the Turkish Cypriot side must not imprison itself with meaningless and endless talks that will only prolong the status quo.
He argued that the Turkish Cypriot side must also demand the discussion of issues that will benefit the Turkish Cypriot community such as direct flights, direct contact with the international community, the opening of sea and airports, the lifting of the obstructions on tourism across the divide and the sharing of the island’s natural resources.
Özersay said the HP is in favour of a mutually acceptable comprehensive settlement in Cyprus but is opposed to the idea of open-ended talks. He also pointed out that the conditions to reach a federal solution in Cyprus, which the HP, in theory, is not against, have not matured yet.
“It is, therefore, necessary to launch a process with a different model, which would evolve into whatever it will,” Özersay said, adding that the two states must be at the core of any such new process.
“The HP advocates for a collaboration model between two states. This is a different partnership model similar to the establishment of the European Union,” Özersay said, noting that the sides could start collaborating on various issues gradually building a stronger relationship that could evolve into a federation.
KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> Two leaders should give assurances on reopening crossings before the 5+UN meeting in Geneva.
>> Such a gesture would allow the informal meeting to begin on a positive note.
>> TC side should also table demands on issues such as direct flights, easing embargoes.
>> HP favours a comprehensive solution but is opposed to open-ended talks.
>> HP supports a federal solution in theory but conditions are not ripe which is why a model on collaboration should be discussed.
>> Two-states should be at the core of such a process. If the cooperation model works it could evolve into a federation.
Tatar meets Lute one last time ahead of the Geneva summit
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Sunday reiterated his belief that a solution based on sovereign equality and the collaboration between two independent states is the only way for a sustainable and comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.
Tatar who was speaking to reporters following his meeting with UN special envoy Jane Holl Lute said that the two communities can live side by side based on a two-state solution. After 50 years of talking about a federation, the Turkish side will put a different solution on the table, Tatar said, adding that UN parameters must be re-examined.
He also noted that he found the opportunity to relay the Turkish Cypriot side’s position to Lute during the meeting, which is the last one before they head off to Geneva. Tatar said he told Lute that the Turkish Cypriots wanted to be equals on the island, living under the roof of their state.
“It is, therefore, necessary to agree on sovereign equality,” Tatar argued, adding that the relationship between the two states would ensure the sustainability of the agreement. He argued that the concept of single sovereignty was attempted before in the Annan Plan and Crans Montana but failed to yield any outcomes.
Commending Lute’s efforts to convene the five-party meeting, Tatar said he will table the Turkish Cypriot side’s position during the five-plus-one meeting to find a lasting solution on the island.
CDF’s library continues to receive appraisal
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The Cyprus Dialogue Forum’s (CDF) digital library on the Cyprus negotiations process is a valuable source of information for those who want to learn facts on the Cyprus Problem, Yenidüzen’s regular columnist Tayfun Çağra wrote on Monday.
Çağra said that the library was made available to the public to access documents, names, and chronological facts on the Cyprus negotiations process’s history.
He also referred to UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 186, dated March 1964 which ordered the UN Peacekeeping Force’s deployment (UNFICYP) in Cyprus to put an end to the hostilities on the island he accessed through the digital library.
“How’s that possible!!??” he wrote as he drew attention to the historical inaccuracy in the latest Turkish TV drama series filmed by Turkish state television TRT in the north which showed UN peacekeepers patrolling villages in December 1963.
“Our savior from Ankara is driving around in a UN jeep….So you don’t expect the TRT to lie do you?” Çağra wrote as he mocked series for its failure to show attention to facts and dates.