Front Page Headlines
Bankruptcy
1. The Association for Travel Agencies issued a statement expressing their objections to the government’s rules for entry into the country. 2. We cannot hold on any longer. Representatives of various sectors staged a protest in front of the Prime Ministry calling on the government to find solutions to their problems. 3.The Livestock Breeders’ Association are continuing with their protest actions. “There are proposals but no agreement.” 4. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman: “Are our contractors not qualified enough to build or repair our village roads?” 5. The ugly face of unemployment. Those who were laid off during the pandemic spoke to Yenidüzen. “Some days I go to bed hungry so that my kids can have something to eat.”
We will increase TRNC’s export potential
Deputy Prime Minister Erhan Arıklı and Turkish Minister for Trade Mehmet Muş signed a protocol agreement aimed at strengthening commercial and economic collaboration between the two countries. Muş said their goal is to open the way for the social and economic development of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- 16-month long longing comes to an end – Retailers in Arasta (shopping area in old town Nicosia in the north) are very excited. The crossing points which had been closed since February 2020 because of the coronavirus measures are reopened following an agreement reached between the two leaders.
- Vaccinated people from Turkey must be given freedom of movement – Turkish Cypriot Tourism and Travel Agencies Association and Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association submitted their demands to the government in writing.
- We have lost tourism, we don’t have the luxury to lose higher education – Six organisations staged a protest outside the prime minister’s office demanding solutions to the problems faced by the higher education sector.
“Be part of the case”
Lawyer Efkan Bolaç from the Istanbul Bar of Lawyers gave important information on Kutlu Adalı’s murder investigation. Bolaç argued that the investigation launched by the prosecutor’s office in Istanbul is to relieve public pressure. There are already existing investigations on the Uzi sub-machine guns Atilla Peker was talking about, but nothing has emerged so far.
- The first official step in the murder – The prosecutor’s office in Istanbul applied to the TRNC for the murder file following Atilla Peker’s testimony.
- Protect the producers – Social Democratic Party (TDP) MP Hüseyin Angolemli highlighted the problems faced by producers in the parliament.
- Bring back the students – Six organisations staged a protest outside the prime minister demanding for the universities to start face-to-face education.
Shopkeepers ready
The crossing points which have been closed for months are reopening today. While UN personnel cleared the buffer zone in preparation, shopkeepers in the Arasta area cleaned their shop windows and stacked their shelves. Speaking to Diyalog, shopkeepers in the area expressed their happiness over the reopening of the crossings but said they were not expecting the area to be as busy as it was in the past. “Nevertheless we can still make ends meet with the limited number of crossings,” they said.
Denktaş had sent a letter to the police commissioner after the murder
It emerged that the late Rauf Denktaş had sent a letter to the police commissioner Atilla Sav on August 26, 1996, a month-and-a-half after the murder of Kutlu Adalı-attempting to prove that the St. Barnabas issue was not the reason why Adalı was murdered… According to Denktaş, Adalı was killed because he was going to be a witness in a case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). According to Denktaş, the Greek Cypriots had killed Kutlu Adalı to strengthen the case for a British professor, who called Adalı as a witness.
- The crossings are opening – The longing is over. As of 8 am this morning, all the crossings will be opened.
Main News
Crossings reopen after a year-and-half, leaders welcome the move
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Friday was a day of reunion and joy as all nine checkpoints spread along the 180km green line reopened to cross. Perhaps one the of most popular if not the busiest of crossing points, Nicosia’s central Lokmacı/Ledra Street pedestrian checkpoint was shut for more than a year.
Others checkpoints had opened sporadically but different rules on either side of the line made crossings practically impossible. To cross, adults and minors aged 12 and over must present negative rapid or PCR test certificates in print form, not older than seven days.
Results on text messages (SMS) will not be accepted. The test certificates must also be in English, to be understood by the officials of each community.
All Cypriot citizens and members of their families will have the right to cross, as well as European citizens and members of their families, who are third-country nationals, provided that they are accompanied by the EU citizen, United Kingdom citizens and their family members who hold residence permits of Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and third-country nationals who hold residence permits of the RoC.
Third-country nationals holding an RoC visa (90 days), third-country nationals belonging to the list of countries that do not need a visa (90 days, including UK nationals who do not hold residence permits of the Republic), third-country nationals holding residence permits in other member states (90 days), and third-country nationals holding Schengen visas, dual and multiple (90 days) will also have the right to cross.
Meanwhile, the two leaders Ersin Tatar and Nicos Anastasiades held a videoconference on Thursday under the facilitation of the SRSG/Deputy Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Ms Elizabeth Spehar.
According to a statement issued by Tatar’s spokeswoman Berna Çelik Doğruyol, both leaders expressed their happiness over the reopening of the crossing points. She said that the UN Special Representative had also expressed her gratitude to the two leaders for “displaying the necessary political will.”
“The first step taken for collaboration should be developed further evolving into collaboration opportunities in other areas as well,” Doğruyol quoted Tatar as saying, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue in goodwill and constructive attitude to explore other areas of collaboration between the two sides for prosperity and stability on the island.
“It is our expectation the Greek Cypriot leadership will reciprocate in the same positive and constructive way,” Tatar was noted as saying. Doğruyol also said Tatar stressed the importance of allowing everyone to use the crossings.
“Without any discrimination, all TRNC citizens and third-country nationals should be allowed to use the crossings in line with the right of freedom of movement,” Tatar stressed. The Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades during the meeting also expressed his pleasure for the reopening of the crossings.
“Anastasiades also touched on the issues, which he brought to the table during the Geneva meeting and which he classified as confidence-building measures (CBMs),” Doğruyol noted, adding that the Greek Cypriot leadership will support efforts on developing the CBMs and exploring areas of collaboration.
Doğruyol added that in response Tatar agreed that collaboration could be established in other areas in line with the principle of equality. “Collaboration will also help build confidence between the two communities,” she said, stating that Tatar had instructed his special adviser Ergün Olgun to continue his dialogue with his counterpart on the Greek Cypriot side.
Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades also expressed his readiness during a teleconference with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Thursday for a meeting to discuss the confidence-building measures (CBMs) he has proposed.
Meanwhile, the reopening of the crossing points was welcomed by the pro-solution NGOs on both sides of the divide. “The closure split families, friends and loved ones and risked cementing the division of our country,” the peace group that has long campaigned for the opening of the checkpoints UniteCyprusNow (UCN) said.
UCN said the decision was a step in the right direction to fulfil UN Security Council Resolution 2561/2021 of January 2021, which “Calls upon the sides to reduce existing barriers to intercommunal contact”.
It said however it should not be mistaken for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The group said that the agreement “on synchronizing the two sides’ respective COVID-19 measures concerning crossing points” was in keeping with what they were advocating, a joint and coordinated effort to tackle the virus.
“We would like to thank the UN, all our fellow civil society actors, other concerned Cypriots and the international community for their efforts,” the statement posted online said.
“We demand tangible cooperation to honour this agreement, including taking measures to make rapid tests (antigen tests) available free of charge on both sides and to implement mutual recognition of vaccines,” it added. The group will also be holding a musical symbolic celebration at 18:30 on Friday, a walk from Eleftherias Square in the south to Büyük Han in the north.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TC side welcomes reopening of crossing points, looks forward to other areas of collaboration for the prosperity of both communities.
UCN
>> The decision to reopen crossings step in the right direction to fulfil UNSC resolution calling on sides to reduce existing barriers for intercommunal contact.
>> Reopening crossings should not be mistaken for a solution of Cyprob.
>> Reopening crossings right step for a joint & coordinated effort to tackle the virus.
>> Tangible cooperation to honour this agreement, such as making tests available for free on both sides & implement mutual recognition of vaccines should be taken.
MGK decision strengthens the TC side’s hand in negotiations, Tatar says
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Thursday said Ankara’s resolute stance in favour of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality expressed in the MGK decision strengthens the Turkish Cypriot side’s hand.
Evaluating the decisions adopted by the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) on Wednesday night with a written statement issued from his office, Tatar also expressed his gratitude to the MGK for its decision.
“The MGK decision proved again that Cyprus is no longer the old Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean is no longer the same,” Tatar stressed, underlining the importance of Turkey’s resolute support for the Turkish Cypriot side’s position on the Cyprus issue.
“The entire world must read the messages given by the MGK carefully,” Tatar said, adding that Turkey and the north will together walk in the path towards the future.
“We will not give up on our demands for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality which is in line with the realities of the island and the best interest of the region,” he said.
Tatar also stressed the Turkish Cypriot leadership will never accept a federal agreement that aims at annulling Turkey’s guarantees and forcing the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island while forcing the Turkish Cypriots to become a minority. “The only solution is the one based on the existence of two separate states which will have equal sovereignty,” he concluded.
The MGK in its statement said Ankara resolutely supports the sovereign, equal, and independent two-state solution approach put forth by the Turkish Cypriot side, adding that Turkey will continue to take all kinds of measures to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.
“It is necessary to stay away from provocations, unlawful actions, and aggressive rhetoric that disregard Turkey’s rights and interests to maintain peace and security in the region through mutual dialogue within the framework of international law and good neighbourly relations in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and to make progress towards resolving the issues,” the MGK had stressed.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Ankara’s resolute stance in favour of a two-state solution strengthens the TC side’s hand.
>> MGK decision proved again that Cyprus is no longer the old Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean is no longer the same.
>> World must read the messages given by the MGK carefully.
>> TC side will never give up its demands for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.
>> TC leadership will never accept a federal agreement that aims at annulling Turkey’s guarantees & forcing the withdrawal of Turkish troops.
>> It is necessary to stay away from provocations, unlawful actions, & aggressive rhetoric that disregard Turkey’s rights & interests.
CTP underlines importance of building trust between the communities for peace
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Thursday said confidence between the two communities on the island must be reinstated for peace in Cyprus.
In a written assessment of last Sunday’s parliamentary elections in the south, the CTP said that the results had dealt a blow to pro-federal solution parties, pleasing the political parties on both sides which opposed a settlement. It said the results proved that pro-solution parties in the south must work harder to overcome the deadlock in the Cyprus problem and to reach a comprehensive settlement on the island.
“The federal solution can only be established when the sides empathise with each other; end debates on political equality and accept as well as show tolerance for each other’s minimum-security expectations,” the CTP said, adding that the peace process to bury the Cyprus problem in the history pages is no doubt a very sensitive and a long-haul process.
The CTP argued that peace as seen in other resolved conflicts in the world was achieved through a participatory process involving negotiations, dialogue and confidence-building measures (CBMs).
“The settlement will be achieved by the politicians whereas peace will be through economic, social and cultural interaction between the two sides,” the CTP said, adding that intercommunal confidence & trust is almost a prerequisite in the peace processes.
The party said that the implementation of CBMs and the EU harmonisation processes remained a priority for the north as these will prepare the members of the two communities for a federal settlement. The CTP also said that the Turkish Cypriot leadership needed to abandon its position in favour of a two-state solution once and for all as well as refrain from provocative actions.
KEY ACTORS
CTP
>> Confidence between both communities needs to be reinstated.
>> Outcome of Sunday’s election in the south proves pro-solution parties need to work harder for a solution of Cyprob.
>> A federal solution can only be achieved through empathy, an end to the debate on political equality & tolerance.
>> Intercommunal confidence & trust is a prerequisite for any peace process.
>> Two-state solution must be abandoned immediately & both sides should refrain from provocative actions.
5,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to be delivered to the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs
OVERVIEW
5,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines will be delivered to the Turkish Cypriot community on Friday morning through the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, the Turkish Cypriot dailies reported.
Citing Greek Cypriot media reports, the Turkish Cypriot dailies note that Greek Cypriot co-chair of the health committee Leonidas Phylactou has confirmed the delivery, adding that the next shipment for the north will even be in higher quantity. The delivery of the vaccines was not confirmed by the Turkish Cypriot members of the bicommunal technical committee on health.
Conservation works at Panagia church completed
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) announced on Thursday the completion of conservation works at Panagia church and its perimeter wall within the framework of the “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus” project funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to a press release, the 15th-century church, which was selected as part of the priority intervention projects, benefited from two phases of conservation works. The first phase began in November 2018 and consisted of soft cleaning of wall surfaces, structural consolidation and protection of historical plasters, roof and crack repairs, installation of a drainage system in the yard, provision of new floor material and restoration of walls, windowsills and doorsills. Following the installation of a drainage system, the first phase of conservation works ended in September 2019.
The statement added that in January 2020, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage agreed to proceed with additional conservation works at the perimeter wall of Panagia church. The second phase of works began in December 2020 and included vegetation removal, repair and rebuilding of the existing perimeter walls, the installation of a drainage system in the yard and construction of the access landing. The second phase of conservation works ended in May 2021, marking the completion of the project.
“Through its work, TCCH aims not only to restore the monuments but also to create an atmosphere for building confidence and a culture of peace on the island of Cyprus,” the statement read, adding that each conservation site is a reflection of the cultures behind it as well as an intersection of civilizations.
The TCCH also thanked the UNDP and the European Union to help preserve the common cultural heritage of the island.
Since 2012, 88 cultural heritage sites island-¬‐wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP, with funding from the EU. Approximately €22.4 million has been provided by the European Commission to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage in Cyprus.
The European Union is the biggest supporter of the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus.