Front Page Headlines
Curtain rises in Geneva with crash test on intentions
The two sides formally submit their positions on the solution model before the UNSG.
- USA-Turkey: Open wound in their relations
- CIA asked me to ‘finish off’ Makarios: The doctor in history – revealing confession
- Tourism: We’re opening for all vaccines
- Hospitals filled with youth: Lockdown and vaccines the magic combination
Moves in Geneva a riddle
Curtain rises for five-party today and the UNSG wants to hear from the two leaders. Anastasiades and Tatar going to the meetings with different positions.
- Strong words from Akinci and Tatar
- Vassos Lyssarides: He left a few days before he turned 101 – Curtain closes for the eternal teenager
- Cypriot legal experts drop bomb: Lockdown and mandatory vaccination unconstitutional
- 67 parents are taking the state to court: They’re litigating against Decrees for weekly rapid tests and use of masks at schools
- Commission sues AstraZeneca over vaccine delays
- Banks anxious: They’re scared of a potential tourism failure
No business can survive on €1,000 or €5,000!
Rent is ‘killing’ small to medium-sized businesses.
- ‘H’ correspondent in Geneva: Three scenarios for the unfolding of the informal five-party summit
- Parliamentary elections: Election centres only in Athens, Thessaloniki and London
- The honorary president of EDEK, Vassos Lyssarides, died yesterday aged 100 years old
‘Orwellian’ Covid pass condemned
‘Like shooting sparrows with a cannon’ says bar association.
- President: Geneva is a crucial moment
- Geneva: how the two sides finally got to the table
- Veteran politician, former EDEK leader Vassos Lyssarides has died aged 100
The Big Ones are pushing: Don’t miss this opportunity
Cyprus problem-Geneva: USA, China, France issue statements on the five-party. The EU might have not received an invitation from Guterres, but it sent to Geneva a team of experienced diplomats for support. A few hours before the crucial meetings, the Turks are insisting on a two-state solution. Charles Michel reminds Turkey of this coming June…
- Good morning tourism: From May 10, Cyprus opens for fully vaccinated travellers
- Lyssarides died: Politician, poet, artist – a story…
- They’re pushing vaccinations: Rhythms picking up for a faster coverage and population immunity
Main News
Informal 5+1 summit kicks off in Geneva
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The UN-led informal five-party summit on the Cyprus problem kicked off on Tuesday at the UN offices in Geneval, with UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres launching the summit with separate meetings with the island’s two leaders.
Politis reports that the GC representation arrived in Geneva on Monday amid strict coronavirus-related restrictions, with all but top officials driven directly from airplane to hotel where they will remain restricted unless special permission for exit is granted by Swiss authorities and only for exceptional cases.
The dailies report on the statements issued by both leaders before departing for Geneva on Monday, with Politis noting that the statements were indicative of both the low expectations for the Geneva summit as well as the tactics each side will use in discussions. Politis reports that whatever the intentions and tactics of either side, the UN is determined to not let their time be lost on another blame game.
On his part, Anastasiades said the informal summit is “truly critical for Cyprus.” He said the GC side is travelling to Geneva with determination and the political will to contribute to efforts seeking to create the conditions for substantive negotiations to finally resume, always on the basis of UN resolutions, National Council decisions, and the solution parameters as outlined in the statement issued in Berlin in November 2019. Anastasiades expressed the hope that the TC side will show up with the same willingness, noting that any divergence of the process will ultimately burden TCs.
Politis reports that Anastasiades’ position is realistic, noting that the TC side is well aware that a potential failure would ultimately allow Turkey to permanently tighten its grip. But on the other hand, Politis reports that for the time being, the TC side has no reason to trust that Anastasiades is truly interested in safeguarding the other side’s future too.
On his part, TC leader Ersin Tatar said on Monday after final consultations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara over tactics to be followed at the informal summit, that he was in full unanimity with the Turkish government and reiterated his position in favour of a two-state solution, Cyprus Mail reports. The paper adds that Tatar said the international community has seen the realities on the island, which de facto hosts two separate states, noting that the vision for two states is beginning to be understood by the international community. Cyprus Mail reports that Tatar also said that Britain is currently showing interest in the TC side’s policy.
Politis reports that Tatar said negotiations must resume but only among two states, with the papernoting that by this Tatar meant that the sovereignty of the ‘TRNC’ must first be recognised. Tatar said the UN must accept this, since it is the will of TCs, adding that UN parameters for the resolution of the Cyprus problem can be changed if necessary. Tatar also reiterated that the GC side is unwilling to share power and wealth, adding that negotiations cannot take place as long as TCs remain a community while GCs stand behind the Republic of Cyprus.
Tatar also said that in Geneva, he plans to share his new vision with the Guterres and with all other participants, calling on all to acknowledge the realities on the island. Ultimately, Politis reports that a strong card up Tatar’s sleeve is his chief negotiator, Ergun Olgun.
Cyprus Mail reports that on his part, Erdogan said Tatar will put on the Geneva agenda the vision of two states based on sovereign equality, which he said is fully supported by Turkey. Erdogan said Turkey will not tolerate the mentality that tries to condemn Cyprus to a dead end and tries to intimidate TCs with an embargo.
Cyprus Mail and Alithia report that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who briefed the Greek President on the latest Cyprus problem developments on Monday, acknowledged the difficulty of the task in Geneva, but said he is aiming for the best result. Dendias said Greece is in full coordination with the GC side.
Upon arrival in Geneva, Politis reports preparations continued with a National Council session held with the participation of the legal team accompanying the mission to touch base on matters raised by the political leadership last week. Phileleftheros reports that Anastasiades told the National Council that he will be approaching his meeting with Guterres by firstly reiterating his position in favour of a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) with political equality as defined by UN resolutions and underlining the significance of Cyprus’ EU membership, and secondly by reminding Guterres of the contents of his letters which provide a clear framework and approach to Cyprus problem settlement efforts.
Phileleftheros reports citing government circles that during his first meeting with Guterres on Tuesday, Anastasiades is not expected to show his cards, with his proposal for a decentralised federation to be presented in meetings later on in the summit.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> 5+1 truly critical moment for Cyprus
>> Will participate in 5+1 with determination and the political will to create the conditions for the resumption of substantive negotiations, always on the basis of UN resolutions, National Council decisions, and the solution parameters outlined in Berlin 2019 statement
>> Any divergence of the process will ultimately burden TCs
Tatar
>> In complete agreement with Turkish government on pursuit for two-state solution
>> Island already host two de facto separate states, something that the international community is beginning to understand
>> Negotiations must resume but only among two states – the UN must accept this, since it is the will of TCs
>> UN parameters for the resolution of the Cyprus problem can be changed if necessary
Erdogan (Turkey)
>> Tatar will put on the Geneva agenda the vision of two states based on sovereign equality, which is fully supported by Turkey
>> Turkey will not tolerate the mentality that tries to condemn Cyprus to a dead end and tries to intimidate TCs with an embargo
Dendias (Greece)
>> Greece is in full coordination with the GC side
‘Big players’ call on Geneva participants to seize new opportunity
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Three out of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) called on all parties set to participate in the informal Geneva summit on the Cyprus problem to seize the opportunity presented for the resumption of negotiations for a solution based on UN resolutions.
Public statements were issued Monday by the USA, China and France. The dailies reportthat the French Foreign Ministry said in an announcement that it fully supports the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) initiative seeking to see a resumption of Cyprus problem talks and encouraged all participants to take full advantage of the opportunity and show the political will and compromising spirit needed to overcome any differences. The paper writes that France also said that a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem cannot lead to partition, reaffirming its commitment to the framework approved by the UNSC based on a bi-zonal bicommunal federation (BBF), which it said offers both communities full guarantees regarding their political equality. The French Foreign Ministry added that the future of Cyprus must be that of a reunified and well-faring island within the EU, that will benefit all Cypriots and the stability of region.
On her part, US Ambassador to Cyprus Judith Garber in comments to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reiterated the US’ support for a BBF and expressed hope that in Geneva all sides will approach talks constructively, as well as with sufficient pragmatism and flexibility, so that common ground can be found, allowing for the resumption of formal negotiations.
Also speaking to the CNA, the Chinese Ambassador Liu Yantao said the Cyprus problem must be resolved on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and according to the will of the Cypriot people. Yantao said this would allow for stability and wellbeing in Cyprus, and would also serve the interests of the broader Eastern Mediterranean region. He added that China, as a permanent member of the UNSC, will continue to play a constructive role and attempt to facilitate efforts seeking a solution, while also continue supporting the work of bicommunal technical committees.
Meanwhile, the dailies report that European Council President Charles Michel also said that the informal summit on the Cyprus problem, as well as the easing of tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and the start of the Greek-Turkish dialogue, were all aspects on which Turkey would be assessed in relation to a potential positive agenda on EU relations with Ankara.
KEY ACTORS
France
>> In full support of the UNSG’s initiative seeking to resume Cyprob talks
>> All participants must take full advantage of the opportunity and show the political will and compromising spirit needed to overcome any differences
>> A fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem cannot lead to partition
>> Committed to BBF framework approved by the UNSC
>> BBF fully guarantees the political equality of both communities
>> The future of Cyprus must be that of a reunified and well-faring island within the EU, that will benefit all Cypriots and the stability of region
Garber (US)
>> US fully supports BBF solution
>> Hope that in Geneva all sides will approach talks constructively, with sufficient pragmatism and flexibility, so that common ground can be found, allowing for the resumption of formal negotiations
Yantao (China)
>> Cyprus problem must be resolved on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and according to the will of the Cypriot people
>> Appropriate solution would allow for stability and wellbeing in Cyprus and the broader Eastern Mediterranean region
>> China, as a UNSC P5, will continue to play a constructive role in efforts seeking a solution, >> China will continue supporting the work of bicommunal technical committees
Michel (EU)
>> 5+1, as well as EastMed tensions and Greco-Turkish dialogue, will be aspects on which Turkey will be assessed as regards a potential positive agenda
Parties express concerns, hopes as Geneva summit begins
Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Announcements issued by political parties as the informal five-party summit was launching in Geneva on Tuesday indicated that approaches to the new UN initiative remain divided.
According to Phileleftheros, DISY MP Nikos Tornarities said the entirety of DISY hopes that the window of hope that the five-party summit constitutes will lead to substantive negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus problem on the agreed-upon basis. Tornaritis said this is the big goal, and is what we should all be aiming for – the liberation and reunification of our country.
DIKO said the conditions under which the five-party summit is kicking off are not positive for the Republic of Cyprus and the GC community. The party said the summit is launching even though the Republic of Cyprus has not been invited and the EU remains absent, which undermines the Republic and enhances the position of the TC community.
EDEK stressed that what is now needed is not more concessions but a utilisation of the international environment that is being created due to the potential confrontation between the US and Turkey, so that our alliances against Turkish expansionism and in favour of our fair claims are fortified.
On its part, Solidarity said it disagrees with the holding of the five-party summit, and points to the dangers posed by the ‘British-Turkish axis’. The party also notes that it disagrees with the plan presented by President Nicos Anastasiades before the National Council, as well as with the domestic pressure being mounted for complacency and submission with the Turkish occupier.
The Greens said the GC side is travelling to Geneva with bad omens, and requested that it is given the documents that have prepared to tackle the informal summit. The party also expressed hope that political parties will be kept informed as the Geneva summit unfolds so that it can contribute in the best possible way.
DIPA said it supports the informal five-party summit being led by the UN.
KEY ACTORS
Tornaritis (DISY)
>> DISY hopes that the 5+1 window of hope will lead to substantive negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus problem on the agreed-upon basis
>> This is the big goal, and is what we should all be aiming for – the liberation and reunification of our country
DIKO
>> Conditions under which 5+1 is kicking off are not positive for RoC and the GC community
>> 5+1 starting even though RoC has not been invited and the EU remains absent, which undermines the Republic and enhances the position of the TC side
EDEK
>> What is now needed is not more concessions but a utilisation of the potential confrontation between the US and Turkey to fortify our alliances against Turkish expansionism and in favour of our fair claims
Solidarity
>> Disagrees with 5+1 summit
>> British-Turkish axis poses dangers
>> Disagrees with Anastasiades’ tactics and approach for 5+1, as presented at National Council
>> Disagrees with domestic pressure being mounted for complacency and submission with the Turkish occupier
Greens
>> GC side going to Geneva with bad omens
DIPA
>> Supports 5+1
EDEK founding member Vassos Lyssarides passes away
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Vassos Lyssarides, former Edek leader and founding member of the party, passed away on Monday afternoon, aged 100.
Current Edek leader Marinos Sizopoulos honoured Lyssarides shortly after the news broke, writing on Twitter that: “It is with deep sorrow but also pride that I bid farewell to the champion of democracy and freedom, who dedicated his life for the freedom of Cyprus.”
President Nicos Anastasiades also paid his respects, writing on Twitter that: “Cyprus has lost Vassos Lyssarides, one of the historical leaders who defined the identity of the Republic. We owe much to him. Above all, however, we owe it to him to fight for a free homeland.”
The news of Lyssarides’ death led to widespread commemorations from across the political spectrum.
The dailies pay tribute to Lyssarides’ central role in Cyprus politics, as well as in the events leading up to – and following – Cyprus struggle for independence.
Details of his funeral are expected to be made available over the coming days.