GCC Press Review 12 May 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Rapid tests smoothing out, same situation with the Portal

Have patience and the sky will be… clearer. The situation with the Vaccination Portal does not seem to be changing, with the public continuing to be put out. Over 15,000 people were yesterday waiting for around two hours, with the President of the Republic promising that the matter will be resolved immediately. The situation at rapid test spots has improved due to increase of centres. Within the next few days it will become clear whether there is substantial improvement, when the number of people is expected to rise again. Owners of food and drink spots are reacting and demanding a change in the terms of the safe pass. They want it to hold for one week and not just 72 hours, warning of mobilisations and closing down airports.

  • Checkpoints: They’re mulling over suggestions for their reopening as soon as possible
  • Record number of candidates and overturns: Today the submission of candidacies
  • Old rivalry at the investigative (committee): “Neoklis Sylikiotis was chasing me”

Phileleftheros

The Portal also blocked GESY

Rage by doctors and patients over chain reactions due to connection with the platform. “We can’t work”, doctors are shouting.

  • Election ballot box in unchartered waters: Submission of candidacies in the shadow of the pandemic
  • The SafePass unconstitutional, Christos Clerides insists

Haravgi

Without additional support small and medium-sized businesses lock up

AKEL submitted proposals for small to medium-sized businesses and workers.

  • Politics: Crossings can open with mutual dialogue

Cyprus Mail

Change promised as SafePass grates

Huge number of rapid tests it requires continues to cause problems

  • ‘Political meddling sped up bids for passports’

Alithia

Shame on you, sirs

Nicos Anastasiades: Strict language toward opposition parties. “To nullify a distinction of your country, either at the European or the global level, as regards the management of the pandemic, is an embarrassment for all who do so.” Another 390 new cases yesterday and two dead.

  • The British want Europe (and Cyprus) on the green list
  • Data for March: Airline traffic picking up speed
  • Lawyers: New confrontations over the SafePass

Main News

Dendias: Geneva impasse due to Turkey’s, TC side’s intransigence

Alithia, Haravgi
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said the informal five-party summit on Cyprus held in Geneva in late April was led to an impasse by the intransigence of Turkey and the TC side.

Speaking after meetings held with representatives of Greek parliamentary parties, Dendias said he updated his interlocutors on the outcome of the informal summit. Dendias stressed that all efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem must be conducted in the framework of international law and UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. He added that Greece will continue efforts within these frameworks in close cooperation with the Cypriot government in view of securing a solution.

Referring to Greece-Turkey relations, Dendias said Greece wishes to see de-escalation and seeks a peaceful co-existence with Turkey, but said honesty and the avoidance of provocations is a necessary aspect of these efforts, as is respect for international law and the law of the sea.

KEY ACTORS
Dendias (Greece)
>> Geneva 5+1 led to impasse by intransigence of Turkey & TC side
>> Cyprob peace efforts must be in the framework of international law and UNSC resolutions
>> Greece will continue closely cooperating with GC side to facilitate Cyprus solution


Tatar reiterates two-state solution ‘vision

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

TC leader Ersin Tatar told TC parties in a briefing on Monday that in Geneva he tabled his vision for two states that will co-exist side by side on the basis of sovereign equality.

The dailies report that the CTP did not participate in the briefing session to demonstrate against Tatar’s failure to keep TC parties informed regarding his positions and actions.  

Tatar said that ever since his pre-election campaign, he has always stressed that a solution in Cyprus could only be achieved through the cooperation and the equal international status of two states that live side by side. He said that in Geneva, the UN and all parties including the guarantor powers got his message, which was fully supported by Turkey.

Phileleftheros reports that Tatar called on TC parties to amplify his call for a two-state solution and sovereign equality, adding that if they do not, a grave injustice will have been committed against the TC community.

Referring to 40-page speech delivered at the informal Geneva summit during which he expanded on the substance of his two-state solution ideas, Tatar said that for efforts to move forward the UN Secretary General (UNSG) must appeal before the UN Security Council (UNSC) so that negotiations can begin on his new proposed basis. Tatar said that the six-point synopsis of his speech was photographed by the GC side and leaked to GC and international media as a “so-called submission on our part of a six-point proposal”, which he said is not the case, adding the TC side has nothing to hide.

Responding to accusations by the TC opposition that attributed the lack of success in Geneva to Tatar, the TC leader said this is not the case and pointed to the UNSG’s statement that efforts will continue. Phileleftheros reports that Tatar characterised as achievements his recording of injustices committed against TCs as well as the fact that a federal solution is unfeasible, with a solution on the basis of equality the only option.

Tatar also called on the international community and the GC side to look at the realities of the island, which hosts two separate states.  Phileleftheros reports that Tatar said that “if you are well-intentioned, then slowly lift the embargo and the isolation of Turkish Cypriots,” which will facilitate the development of the TC side’s economy, making a potential solution viable.

Haravgi reports that opposition parties said in statements after the session that Tatar said nothing new.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> In Geneva TC side informed UN & guarantor powers on vision for two states that will co-exist side by side on the basis of sovereign equality
>> Always supported that two-state solution is only way forward
>> International community and the GC side must look at the realities of the island, which hosts two separate states
>> If efforts for Cyprob solution are well-intentioned, then embargo against TC community must be lifted so that TC economy can develop, allowing potential solution to be viable
>> GC side leaked the six-point synopsis of his speech delivered in Geneva and portrayed it as a proposal submission by the TC side, which is not the case
>> UNSG’s announcement that efforts will continue prove that the TC side was not responsible for Geneva outcome


Reopening of crossings still pending

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi Politis
CBMs

OVERVIEW

GC co-chair of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health Leonidas Phylactou told Politis that specific proposals for the reopening of crossings as soon as possible were submitted to the TC side, which is expected to examine them and respond with any comments.

Haravgi reports that the proposals were submitted one month ago, with the TC side’s response still pending.

Politis reports that the aim of the Committee’s efforts is to see movement through crossings resume without any restrictions, if the epidemiological situation on both sides allows and vaccination coverage reaches satisfactory levels.  Intensifying efforts by the Committee may see crossings reopening by July, Politis reports citing information.

Citing a TC report, Haravgi notes that ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu said there is no timeframe for the reopening of crossings, and that the ‘infectious diseases supreme committee’ is the authority on the matter. Cyprus Mail reports that Ertugruloglu also said that the number of positive cases in the south will determine when the crossings can return to normal.

Currently, Politis reports that GCs wishing to cross to the north are subject to a lengthy quarantine period, while authorities in the north must approve the special reason for wanting to cross over and a coronavirus test must be have been conducted within 72 hours from crossing. Crossing into government-controlled areas is permitted only for TC workers, students and patients who must present a negative coronavirus test.

Politis reports that the demand by Kato Pyrgos residents to be permitted to move through crossings to travel government-controlled areas and mainly to Nicosia for work has been satisfied. The paper reports that Kato Pyrgos mayor Nikos Kleanthous said the Limnitis crossing was reopened on Monday for residents of the area, who are required to present a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours from crossing and a certificate confirming that they are residents of the area.


Protest by TCs demands fair share of Covid vaccines

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros Politis
CBMs

The dailies report that a group of TCs staged a protest on Tuesday at the Ayios Dometios crossing calling on the EU and the GC side to rectify what they called the unjust distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to the north.

Representatives of the Economic Organisations Platform, that represents the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), the chamber of Industry (KTSO), the construction contractors association (KTİMB), and the hoteliers association (KITOB), said in a joint announcement that that the EU has sent 482,965 vaccine doses to Cyprus so far and though deliveries to the north should have reached more than 100,000 doses by now, only 30,050 have been delivered to the north so far.

A fair distribution of the vaccines, they said, was not only a human right but also a fundamental requirement for the Turkish Cypriots, who live in isolation, so that they can continue their economic activities. Cyprus Mail reports that protestors added that the GCs and EU officials announce Turkish Cypriots are EU citizens at every opportunity but, “it seems they have forgotten our EU citizenship even if the issue is the measures to be taken against the pandemic.”

Phileleftheros reports that the matter of coronavirus vaccines was also raised by TC leader Ersin Tatar during his briefing of TC parties on Cyprob developments. Tatar said that along with the ‘health ministry’ they are constantly monitoring the EU in view of securing the number of vaccines that the TC community is entitled to.


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