Front Page Headlines
Bishop’s ‘confession’ of rape
The former Bishop of Kition, Chrysostomos, at the Criminal Court with heavy accusations by two women. The first case concerns the rape of a woman in 2011 in his office and the second, indecent assault against a female minor in 1981. Two more women have reported attempted rape.
- Halloumi got its PDO: The challenges of the day after
- Parliamentary elections with mobile ballots – Confirmed coronavirus cases will vote from home, their contacts at the elections centres.
The vaccination progamme is shaken
The health ministry remains firm in its position, scientists are studying the data, the citizens got scared. Yesterday 7,500 vaccines were available, 1,497 appointments were booked.
- Tatar sets preconditions before Geneva
- The Commission rubber-stamped the decision on the Cypriot halloumi – The decision will be in force from October 1.
- Voting from home for COVID patients
- Chrysostomos at the Criminal Court for rape – The former bishop was set free on a €50,000 guarantee. Second decision for indecent assault against a minor.
“Whichever stone you lift, you find the Anastasiades family environment underneath”
Irregularities, privileged treatment, loss of millions of euros for the public coffers. The (Ayia Napa) Marina naturalisations took place illegally and with a loss of €1m for the public funds, the Audit Service insists. Moral and physical perpetrators of the scandal that swept the country, they messed up the criteria and then violated the messed up criteria. A major issue is raised for the dozens of millions of euros lost by the Cypriot state from unpaid taxes.
- Cyprus problem: It is the president’s actions that harm national interests and not criticism (against him)
- Elections: Candidacies will be announced on May 12, mobile ballots for 3,500 patients
- EU Commission: Real estate buyers have been misled by contractors, lawyers and banks
Get vaccinated, officials plead
Government pressing ahead with vaccine programme as portal opens for new age group.
- European Commission registers halloumi PDO
- Shooting range for special forces (photo caption): Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides and EDEK leader Marinos Sizopoulos try out the new range which was inaugurated on Monday at the Stavrovouni special forces camp to be used by the 33rd battalion. The shooting range has a total length of 40 metres and a width of 21 metres and can safely withhold up to 80 per cent of rapid reaction combat shots in line with international standards. Three levels of green sound barriers reduce the noise.
- Former bishop to stand trial for rape
Opposition blocks two more reforms
On the local government and justice. For the local government, the parties insist on local referendums and reject the government’s proposal to hold a pan-Cypriot referendum on the same day as the parliamentary elections – Justice is left for after the elections. . .
- New bomb by Tatar: returning Varosha will not be possible
- Something is going on at the Nikolatos committee (investigating naturalisations of foreign investors) – Anger by (member) Pavlos Ioannou with hints against the deputy auditor-general. The finance commissioner warns with measures if the findings are not given to the attorney-general soon.
Main News
‘Rivalries at home continue ahead of Geneva summit’
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on a new spat between the government and main opposition AKEL on the Cyprus problem following the separate meetings of the UNSG special envoy Jane Holl Lute with the two leaders.
They also cite a source that told the Cyprus News Agency that the aim of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the upcoming informal meeting in Geneva is to determine whether there is common ground between the two sides. CNA quoted a source saying that the procedural issues have not yet been finalised due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that Lute would meet the UNSG before the informal meeting to determine the final arrangements noting that everything would depend on the epidemiological outlook and the recommendations by the UN medical team. Regarding the issue of the EU’s presence at the conference, the CNA source said this would be handled by the EU along with Turkey as the Turkish side does not agree with the EU attending.
Cyprus Mail reports that Government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos said following Sunday’s meeting that Anastasiades reiterated to Lute that the GC side is ready to constructively and creatively take part in the meeting, and he expressed the hope that the TC side will show the same so the Geneva meeting will have a result. TC leader Ersin Tatar said that based on a two-state solution, the two communities can live side by side.
Alithia and Haravgi report that Koushos, responding to criticism by AKEL, said that the government would not follow the tactics of AKEL that chose to blame the GC side and the president just before the five-party summit in Geneva for the possibility of an impasse, especially when the AKEL leader himself notes the Turkish side’s unacceptable demands. Koushos also said that the GC side will not be held responsible for any impasse at the summit.
Haravgi reports that Kyprianou hit back at the spokesman’s statements on Monday that criticism to the president was deemed as harmful to the national interests. The AKEL leader said that harmful to national interests were the actions of those who bring the country closer and closer to the final partition. Kyprianou said that during the past eight years, massive steps have been made toward the final partition of the country. He also said that a person who is anxious and struggles and is trying to create a situation that will prevent this negative development was a patriot in his opinion.
He recalled that AKEL has formulated and submitted its proposal on what should be done “so that we can expect some developments in the five-party summit.” “It is clear to us that we have before us a Turkey that is far more provocative and far more aggressive than before and unfortunately has been absolved of blame in the eyes of a large portion of the international community,” he added. He said it was necessary to find an effective way to force Turkey to change its unacceptable demands and to cooperate on the basis of the agreed framework. Kyprianou said the president would be judged by his actions at the summit.
He added that AKEL’s proposal, though not guaranteed it would lead to the start of substantive talks, would, at least help so that “no one will be able to blame us for any negative developments.”
Haravgi reports that Koushos’ statement that the president ruled out an impasse for which he is to blame, can only be explained if the GC side hides behind Turkey’s position on two states.
Alithia reports that the situation is worrying also at home with the rivalry between the opposition and the government heightened. It added that Lute’s visit last Sunday did not provide any answers to important questions such as the UNSG’s stand to the Turkish side’s expected position on a two-state solution, or on whether the EU will be able to participate as an observer. This issue is expected to be raised again by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias during his meeting on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart but also European officials. The daily reports that the UNSG will not invite the EU without everyone’s consent.
Politis, Phileleftheros and Haravgi also report that head of the People’s Party, Kudret Ozersay has suggested the resumption of crossings with a negative PCR test for 12 hours per day to boost TC economy. Ozersay called on the experts to assess his proposal.
KEY ACTORS
Koushos
>> Anastasiades is ready to constructively & creatively take part in the Geneva meeting, hopes TC side will do the same so that there is a result.
>> AKEL’s preemptive criticism of Anastasiades over Geneva summit harms national interests.
>> The GC side will not be blamed for any impasse at the Geneva summit.
Tatar
>> GCs & TCs can live side by side within a two-state solution.
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> It is the actions of those who bring the country closer to the final partition that harm national interests given that during last eight years massive steps have been made toward the final partition of the country.
>> AKEL’s proposal, which was not adopted, though not guaranteed it would lead to the start of substantive talks, at least, it would prevent anyone from blaming GCs for any negative developments.
>> GC side must find an effective way to force Turkey that is far more provocative & aggressive than before and seen by large portion of international community as not the guilty party on Cyprob, move away from its unacceptable demands & cooperate on the basis of the agreed framework.
>> Anastasiades will be judged by his actions at the summit.
Tatar: Varosha will not be returned
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory, Property
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on statements by TC leader Ersin Tatar on the Cyprus problem and especially about Varosha.
Phileleftheros reports that Tatar said after his meeting with UNSG special envoy Jane Holl Lute that for a solution to the Cyprus problem, there must be two states side by side cooperating, based on sovereign equality.
According to the daily, the UN have chosen to keep their bar of expectations low as regards the Geneva summit while the TC side has raised the bar of its demands. The Turkish side’s preconditions make things more difficult for Nicos Anastasiades, who, rejects a solution based on two states and who declares he will go to Geneva to discuss a solution based on a bizonal bicommunal federation. The UN and mainly the international factor hope that the parties, once in Geneva, and mainly Anastasiades and Tatar, will partially change their discourse and approach to allow an agreement so that the talks can start, the paper reported. It adds that Tatar’s statement that Varosha will not be returned was another negative aspect.
Alithia reported that Tatar, speaking on Sunday to Turkish state TRT on the propaganda TV series ‘Once upon in Cyprus’ said that the TCs were reborn with Turkey’s arrival in Cyprus. He claimed that if Turkey had not arrived in 1974, not a single TC would be left, citing the case of Crete. He also said TCs were forced to immigrate to the UK, Canada and Australia because of the tyranny they were subjected to and now more TCs live abroad than in Cyprus.
On Varosha, he said that those lands belong to EVKAF and that there are documents for this, but were given to GCs and foreign nationals as a gift during the British rule. He said the aim is to ensure the resettlement there of people through applications by the old owners to the EVKAF management through the Immovable Properties Commission. Tatar also said returning Varosha was no longer possible, Alithia reported.
He also said obstacles were being put to efforts for direct flights to the north and that GCs were trying to prevent the development of TCs, who, however, with Turkey’s help, are carrying out all kinds of contacts abroad, the daily reported.
Alithia reports that Tatar, more or less, torpedoes again the climate with his statements that it will not be possible to return Varosha but also cultivates hatred with his claims that GCs want to eradicate TCs.
Haravgi reports that Tatar went on yet another delirium of intransigence, this time on Varosha.
The dallies also report that head of opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhurman said it is unbelievable how confused Tatar was and lacking knowledge on the Cyprus problem just before the five-party summit. Erhurman also said that it was clear that in Geneva it will be said that the TCs are not in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and will be branded as intransigent. After the Geneva meeting, he said, it was not only the comprehensive solution process that will be dissolved but also the TCs’ cooperation with the EU and their struggle for a way of ending their isolation.
EU Commissioner Ferreira: Halloumi PDO helps bring GCs & TCs closer
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, CBMs, Economy
OVERVIEW
The European Commission officially registered halloumi on Monday as a protected designation of origin (PDO), the dailies report.
As of October 1, the name halloumi will be used only for products produced in Cyprus with specifications. A workable arrangement will be set up to ensure efficient PDO controls throughout Cyprus, which will be closely monitored by the commission.
The EU Commission said in an announcement that the registration “allows producers of this iconic Cypriot cheese, famous around the world for its characteristic texture, folded appearance, and suitability for serving grilled or pan-fried, based anywhere on the island of Cyprus to benefit from the PDO status.” It added that the protection of the name against imitation and misuse across the EU is expected to bring clear economic benefits to the island and will help bolster trust between the two communities.
So that producers in the TC community can benefit, the commission also adopted a measure allowing the PDO product to cross the Green Line, provided that the cheese and milk from which it was made has met all EU animal and public health standards.
The two measures, that give effect to the Common Understanding on the cheese reached in 2015 is to be implemented pending the reunification of Cyprus, the commission said.
Commissioner for Cohesion, Elisa Ferreira, who is also responsible for the Cyprus Settlement Support, said the symbolic aspect of halloumi helping to bring the two communities closer was a major achievement with political and economic significance for the entire island of Cyprus.
“It shows that mutually beneficial solutions are possible, as well as the important role of the commission in bringing them about. The implementation of these arrangements, in a spirit of cooperation, should contribute to bolster trust and confidence between the two Cypriot communities. The commission will continue to play an active role with a view to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem,” she said.
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski noted that the PDO registration arrangement ensures equal and fair treatment for all producers on each side of the Green Line.
Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said the two communities in Cyprus can now reap the economic benefits of this decision, pending the reunification of the country, “while ensuring that our stringent food safety standards are upheld.”
Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis welcomed the decision noting that it will protect the product throughout the EU and in countries with which the EU has trade agreements. Today’s decision was the result of concerted efforts and will benefit all Cypriot producers, Greek and Turkish, he said and added: “It is a historic, positive development for Cyprus and an excellent investment for our generation and the generations to come.”
Politis reports that Cypriot livestock farming and cheese-making sectors in both communities are called upon to adapt to the new situation after the official registration of halloumi as a PDO. It adds that it is expected that steps will be made for changes to the standards set in the PDO file and the possible request by TCs for a five-year extension of the transitional period of application of the standard. The daily recalls that cheesemakers and animal breeders reacted strongly about two weeks ago to the registration of halloumi on the basis of the dossier submitted in 2014 as they consider that the standard cannot be applied both in terms of the quota between cow and sheep/goat milk with the obligation for the content in sheep/goat milk to be more in all products named halloumi. They also raised other issues such as the breeding of specific sheep and goat breeds, animal feed and grazing.
The daily also reports that if the TCs file a request for a five-year extension of the transitional period, since in the occupied areas there are still many problems that need to be sorted out, the Republic of Cyprus will back this demand since it will also give the GC side time to increase its sheep/goat milk production and find a solution to the surplus cow milk.
EDEK questions 1Cyprus campaign
Haravgi, Politis, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that EDEK seeks to find out for transparency purposes the sources of funding for the costly, it said, advertising campaign of 1Cyprus platform. The party said that, in its campaign, the 1Cyprus group insults the symbol (flag) of the Republic of Cyprus, does not condemn the Turkish invasion, nor does it call on Turkey to withdraw its troops from the island. “We believe that transparency on the sources of funding for this platform is imperative due to the experience we have had from the funding of millions of dollars to promote the Annan plan,” the party said, according to Phileleftheros.
Politis, in a comment, said that EDEK was disturbed by the 1Cyprus platform that promotes the goal of Cyprus’ reunification, and, following the tactic of tarnishing, attempts to raise an issue on the platform’s ad campaign. The party, so that we do not question its motives, notes that the investigation of the issue is imperative due to the experience we had from the financing of millions of dollars for the promotion of the Annan plan. Well done, EDEK, you do not need to try anymore because as the song says, “your humiliation is perfect,” the paper said.
Haravgi, also in a comment, said EDEK’s concern for the Cypriot flag was moving. Of course, EDEK did not think of the Cypriot flag a few days ago when the streets, squares, mountains and fields were full with Greek flags, making the Republic of Cyprus, absent. It thought of the flag now and with the 1Cyprus signature collection campaign as an excuse. EDEK is distraught because with the way the Cypriot flag is portrayed, a tortured and shattered Cyprus is projected. EDEK did not bother to read the question posed under this flag and especially answer: “Is this the Cyprus we want?”
“We do not, we want one homeland, one people. We vote for a united and federal Cyprus,” the daily said.
Tassos Papadopoulos published archives given to parliament
Phileleftheros
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that Parliament President Adamos Adamou received on Monday the published volumes containing the archives of former President Tassos Papadopoulos.
The volumes were presented to Adamou by the head of the Tassos Papadopoulos Research Centre, Panos Papadopoulos and historian and author Petros Papapolyvion who was in charge of the scientific direction and general supervision of the publication.
Adamou said this was a priceless historical treasure and a legacy for future generations. He also stressed that every people must study its history in depth and learn from its mistakes while pointing out that, unfortunately, the due importance is not usually given in such scientific research.
Papadopoulos noted that the ‘Historical Edition’ is a painstaking project based on independent scientific research documented with genuine documents. He said the archive includes over 100,000 documents.