GCC Press Review 17 May 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

We’re first in rapid tests, in everything else though?

The… success story of Cyprus depends on how we want – and they want – to look at it.

  • Murder in Limassol: Two more arrests
  • Israel-Gaza: Hostilities continuing

Phileleftheros

Raid from door to door

Mobilisation on all fronts with the aim of increasing party unity. The percentages of DISY, AKEL and DIKO determine the composition of Parliament.

  • Relaxations in effect from this morning: Without a SafePass at outdoor spaces
  • They’re studying the possibility of a third dose: Seminars continuing at nursing homes
  • The clash ended up in a murder
  • Sexual bullying an offence
  • Rockets and bombings without end

Haravgi

Anastasiades’ contradictions and U-turns in the Cyprus problem were costly

Developments do not allow for optimism for the desired outcome

  • Omonoia Assias association inaugurated monument for the fallen and missing
  • DIKO: Anastasiades government exclusively responsible for passports
  • Coronavirus: As vaccines increase new cases decrease
  • Relaxation of restriction measures against coronavirus implemented today
  • Israeli atrocities continuing

Alithia

The battle between DISY-AKEL for first place

Parliamentary elections: What the latest polls say. DISY remains first with a difference of one to two points from AKEL, but with lower unity among its supporters.

  • Murder in Germasogeia: 48-year-old dead after clash
  • Steps towards normality
  • Cruise ships: Cyprus will have benefits of €70 million from the cruise ships programme
  • Tourism: More massive flow expected the second half of the summer period
  • Israel: Back to back attacks between the Israeli army and Hamas continued yesterday with irreducible intensity

Main News

Cyprus, Jordan FMs discuss enhancement of bilateral relations

Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The need to strengthen the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Jordan was confirmed during a visit to Jordan paid by Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides for a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, who was also briefed on the latest Cyprus problem developments.

Christodoulides said he told Safadi that the GC side is ready and committed to engage in negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the agreed framework for a bi-zonal-bicommunal federation (BBF), as provided for by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSC). Christodoulides also said he expressed the GC side’s disappointment over the outcome of the recent meeting in Geneva. Christodoulides said he also thanked Safadi for Jordan’s continued and unwavering support in our efforts to reunify Cyprus.

He also noted that they exchanged views on the current state of affairs in EU-Jordan relations, noting that Jordan is a key partner for the EU in the region in many ways, and as such Cyprus will continue to actively support the enhancement of its ties and relations with Europe.

KEY ACTORS
Christodoulides
>> GC side ready and committed to engage in negotiations for comprehensive Cyprus solution based on BBF framework
>> GC side disappointed over Geneva meeting outcome


Parties express concern over Cyprob developments

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Announcements issued by parties showed a common concern for Cyprus problem developments, but with different approaches, Phileleftheros reports.

AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said over the past years we’ve seen a slippage of the Cyprus problem, with the current situation as it is developing being extremely difficult and dangerous and requiring strong reflection on what our next moves will be, Phileleftheros reports. Kyprianou said the GC side must clarify its goal and priorities and reflect on the tactics to be used to achieve it and how Turkey’s goals will be rendered unfeasible. He added that objective reflection is also needed on why we’ve gotten to where we are. Haravgi reports that Kyprianou said that AKEL is ready to contribute toward this end, and expressed hope that all parties will do the same to save the country.

Kyprianou was speaking from an inaugural ceremony of a monument for the fallen and missing persons of Assia, built at a Strovolos park. Kyprianou said Anastasiades’ moves so far have failed to counter Turkey’s intransigence and expose Turkey before the international community. This, Kyprianou said, is due to the contradictions and U-turns with which Anastasiades has handled the Cyprus problem. Haravgi reports that Kyprianou added that developments as they are unfolding to not allow for optimism as regards the desired outcome, which for AKEL has always been a supporter of a bizonal bicommunal federal (BBF) solution with political equality, as defined by UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

EDEK said a BBF solution is being confirmed as the worst kind of legalised partition of our country and that it is time for its supporters to either reconsider their opinions or assume their responsibilities. The party said that unfortunately its predictions regarding the dangers that lurk for the Republic of Cyprus are being confirmed due to the gradual slippage into a BBF solution framework, with the inclusion of sovereign equality either on the level of communities or states, as well as due to the mistakes in the management of the Cyprus problem since 2008, the suspicious role of Britain, and the slippages of the UN Secretary General (UNSG).

Citizens’ Alliance expressed concern over reports suggesting that Britain is continuing efforts for a confederal solution to the Cyprus problem. Even more concerning, the party said, are reports that also claim that the UNSG has been persuaded to a large degree by the ‘British formula’.

KEY ACTORS
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Current Cyprob situation extremely difficult and dangerous and requires strong reflection on what our next moves will be
>> Anastasiades’ moves so far have failed to counter Turkey’s intransigence and expose Turkey before the international community, mainly due to contradictions and U-turns
>> AKEL has always stood behind BBF solution with political equality

EDEK
>> BBF solution is being confirmed as the worst kind of legalised partition of our country

Citizens’ Alliance
>> Reports on mobility by Britain for confederal solution concerning


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