Front Page Headlines
That tears it!
Contractors are in protest. The government is acting like Turkey’s consulate. They are announcing and carrying out the instructions of the Turkish embassy. Bayram Erköse (Aksim Construction): “We are struggling with unemployment. There are no tenders in the country and they are awarding what little work there is to companies abroad.” Adil Görüş (Canikan Construction): “The mentality that I give the money so I decide who to award the tenders to is bringing our end.” Emrah Çakır (Cysings Construction): “Could you do the same thing in Turkey? It’s not like we can apply for tenders in Turkey.” Ahmet Uçanok (Uçanok Construction): “The government should support local firms.”
The border crossings revitalized
The reopening of the crossings on June 4 for keeping them closed for over a year due to the pandemic, was well-received by the people on both sides of the island. 33,404 people have entered and exited from Friday (June 4) to 6 pm yesterday.
- Fast-ferry service from Hatay to the TRNC – Hatay Metropolitan Municipality announced the first leg of its HADO project to launch fast-ferry service to the Famagusta Port.
Sell by auction
Living conditions in TRNC becomes harder each year. Thousands of people have been debt-crippled in the past two years. The public’s economic situation is also reflected in the court reports. According to the 2019-2020 court reports, there are already filed 11,291 cases due to unpaid loans. Another 8,965 cases were filed in 2019 and 4,797 in 2020.
- Hatay to be connected via fast ferry service to Famagusta – The preparations are nearing the end to launch the fast-ferry service between Hatay, Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
It’s not deterring enough
While the dog raped by a 62-year-old man is under protection, it has emerged that the pervert Güneş Deniz faces up to three years in prison.
- It would contribute to the economy – President Ersin Tatar proposed that the crossing points open to third-country nationals as well.
Erhürman passed the bucket to the police
The architect behind the ‘protection of privacy of life’ law, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman asked the police to clarify under which provisions of the law in question three journalists were being charged of violating. He said he could not form any links between the law and the charges being made.
- Is the TRNC consul general in Germany a gang member? – Sedat Peker continues with his revelations. After photographs showing Ersin Tatar and the banned gang leader Taner Ay together were exposed, it emerged that Ay wrote “TRNC Dusseldorf Chief Consul” on the driving plate of his car.
Main News
Arıklı: Not possible to exclude Turkey or TCs from the East Med energy equation
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/ International Relations, Energy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı on Monday said Turkey has foiled the plans of neighbouring countries and global powers to leave Turkey out of the energy equation in the Eastern Mediterranean. He said that Turkey had successfully put its plans into action by signing a hydrocarbon exploration agreement with the Turkish Cypriot side and a maritime agreement with Libya.
“The agreements have shown the world that it is not possible to act without Turkey in the region,” Arıklı said, adding that as a result of the latter the Greek Cypriot side’s East Med project had come to a grinding halt.
Addressing the 4th Energy and Natural Resources Summit in Istanbul, Arıklı argued that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have rights in 11 of the 13 blocks announced by the Greek Cypriot side for hydrocarbon exploration activities.
Providing information about the north’s energy production systems and capacity, Arıklı highlighted the importance of bringing electricity to the north via cable from Turkey. He added that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side could veto the interconnectivity project between Turkey and the north and disallow the north being part of the ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity).
“However, in the long run, I don’t believe that the Greek Cypriots would object as the south is also suffering from high electricity costs,” he said. “It could be a bridge for good neighbourly relations; it could be a confidence-building measure (CBM) contributing to the peace efforts on the island and in the region,” Arıklı added, reminding that electricity grids on the island are already connected.
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez who also addressed the conference announced new drilling activities will begin in the Eastern Mediterranean soon. He recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have conducted eight drilling activities in areas where the north has granted licenses to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).
“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey will never make any concessions on their rights and interests stemming from their international rights in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Dönmez stressed.
KEY ACTORS
Arıklı (YDP)
>> Not possible to exclude Turkey from the energy equation in East Med.
>> Turkey has foiled plans of other countries in East Med with deals signed with TC side & Libya.
>> Electricity from Turkey via cable could be used as a CBM.
Dönmez (Turkey)
>> New drilling activities to begin in East Med soon.
>> Turkey & TC side will never make concessions in the East Med.
Çavuşoğlu: Cyprob solution only possible through sovereign equality
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/ International relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu emphasized that a solution in Cyprus can only be possible if it is based on equal sovereignty and equal international status of the two sides. In an editorial he penned for the French daily L’Opinion, ahead of his scheduled visit to Paris, Çavuşoğlu also added that Ankara will support the negotiations process that is mutually agreed by the two sides on the island.
Recalling the failures of previous initiatives between the two sides of the island, Çavuşoğlu said Ankara believes that only efforts based on the principles of sovereign equality and equal international status stand a chance of reaching a solution.
Regarding issues in the Eastern Mediterranean, Çavuşoğlu said disputes between Turkey and Greece are now being handled with calm dialogue within the framework of various mechanisms between the two countries.
Turkey has never had any expansionist ambitions, he said, adding this dialogue with Greece is another confirmation of this. Çavuşoğlu will pay a visit to France on 6-7 June 2021 upon the invitation of Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.
During the meetings, the bilateral relations between Turkey and France as well as Turkey-EU relations will be discussed and views on current regional issues and international developments will be exchanged.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Solution of Cyprob only possible if based on sovereign equality & equal international status of the two sides.
Tatar says federal solution aims to turn TCs into a minority
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Monday reiterated his opposition to a federal settlement in Cyprus, adding that such a solution would effectively be a continuation of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and in time would transform Turkish Cypriots into a minority. He added that a federal partnership would have single sovereignty which in turn would diminish Turkey’s presence on the island.
Receiving a delegation from the Çukurova Association – a society of Turkish nationals from Adana’s Çukurova District living in the north – Tatar said that Turkish Cypriots have been living in security under their own “sovereign state” and would never accept a minority status on the island. He said two distinct peoples are belonging two different cultures on the island.
“It is, therefore, necessary to find a solution based on two states, as there have been two separate states for many years,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s new position was based on the realities of the island.
Tatar also claimed that it is time for the UN parameters to be revised. “The UN Secretary-General (UNSG) did not shut the door on the Turkish Cypriot side,” Tatar claimed, saying that he was looking to the future with hope.
Touching on the issue of the crossings, Tatar said all citizens of the north must be allowed to cross to the south without any discrimination. Tatar also argued that the north’s importance had grown as a result of the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In another meeting on Monday, Tatar reiterated his view that the reopening of the crossings will help revive the Turkish Cypriot economy. In a statement issued from his office regarding his meeting with the newly elected president and the board members of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO), Tatar said as a result of his efforts and meetings with the UN and EU officials, the check-points were reopened allowing the third-country nationals to cross as well.
Arguing that the north is developing in all areas, Tatar argued trust, stability and the growth in the north’s economy is growing thanks to the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot businesses, industrialists and entrepreneurs.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Federal settlement will transform TCs into a minority; diminish Turkey’s presence in Cyprus.
>> UN parameters must be revised.
>> All citizens of the north should be allowed to cross over to the south.
>> North’s importance has grown with the discovery of hydrocarbons in the East Med.
>> Reopening of crossings will benefit the north economically.
Akıncı: TC community is part of the European family
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı on Monday said the Turkish Cypriot community is a part of the European family during his meeting with the Director-General of the Structural Reform Support division Mario Nava.
In a social media post on the meeting, Akıncı added he has found the opportunity to share his views and recommendations on the Cyprus problem and the way forward.
Also emphasizing the importance of continuation of the EU assistance to the Turkish Cypriot community, Akıncı underlined the importance of the EU harmonisation process in the north carried out with the support of the EU Commission.
The visit hours for Maraş (Varosha) change
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Security Forces (GKK) announced the visiting hours for the beachfront of Maraş (Varosha) will be from 9 am to 8 pm until further notice.
When the beachfront of the fenced-off town was first opened on October 8, 2020, the visiting hours had been announced from 9 am to 5 pm.
CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu to visit the north on Thursday
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Turkish main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will pay a working visit to the north on Thursday, June 10.
According to the information obtained, Kılıçdaroğlu and the CHP delegation will be received by the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar first, and then by Prime Minister Ersan Saner. Kılıçdaroğlu will also meet with the heads of the Turkish Cypriot political parties in north Nicosia.