TCC Press Review 26 June 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Suspicious death, one arrested

The death of 38-year-old Hakan Yalçın in Göyneli (Geunyeli) left behind unanswered questions. According to preliminary findings, Yalçın was seriously injured after falling from a height. He was sent home with his friend by doctors at the hospital. He later died at his friend’s home. E. I was arrested.

  • Message from EU leaders’ summit to Turkey: “A federal solution in Cyprus based on political equality”President of the EU Commission Von der Leyen: “We are very clear that we shall never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus.”

Kıbrıs

Suspicious death

The death that occurred the other night in Gönyeli (Geunyeli) left many unanswered questions. E.I. first took his friend Hakan Yalçın, who fell from the top of a building to hospital only to return without seeing a doctor. Half an hour later E.I. called an ambulance however Yalçın died on the way to the hospital. Police found 1.3kgs of a Bonzai type drug in a search that was carried out at E.I’s house after the incident.

  • Take the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals seriously – President Ersin Tatar called on the UN and the EU.
  • We will never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus – President of the European Commission said.
  • The EU disregarded the legitimate rights and interests of the TRNC again – Foreign Ministry said.
  • The EU disregarded the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots – Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Diyalog

What is happening?

Hakan Yalçın who fell from his friend’s apartment flat lost his life; 1,296kg of drugs ready to be sold was found at the scene. His friend E. I was arrested.

  • EU reacts – President of the EU Commission von der Leyen said they will never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus.
  • More to be delivered – Turkey sent 50,000 more doses of Sinovac last night.

Avrupa

Questioning the one criticising Erdoğan

A TRNC citizen E.H. was called into the “special investigation police unit” in Köşklüçiftlik in (north) Nicosia for questioning over his/her criticisms directed at Tayyip Erdoğan. E.H. is being accused of his/her post in 2016 saying to Tayyip Erdoğan that ‘he cannot be a commander in chief.’

  • Demanding ₺2m (€200,000) in compensation – The court started hearing the January 22 case (filed by Avrupa) against the Turkish Security Forces (GKK) and the police general directorate.
  • Look at the mask – Tatar, who was wearing a mask with the TRNC flag on it, reiterated his two-state position.

Main News

Tatar: Solution can only be on the basis of two-states

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday stressed that he has no intention of restarting talks as long as the new process is not based on two states. He also repeated his view that a two-state solution would re-establish balance in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels following his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday, Tatar said it was important for him to meet with Guterres in line with the principle of equality since the UN chief was also scheduled to meet with the Greek Cypriot leader.

“The core of the Cyprus problem is inequality, which is the international community’s doing against the Turkish Cypriots,” Tatar said, adding that it is also the very reason for not being able to find a solution on the island.

Tatar also argued that the international recognition of South Cyprus had given both Greeks and Greek Cypriots a superior political advantage on the Cyprus Issue, a view he said which he had conveyed on several occasions to the UN Secretary-General.

The Turkish Cypriot leader also said that Guterres agreed with him but also said there was not anything he could do about this situation.

Tatar noted that he has told Guterres that the two-state solution will also safeguard protecting Turkish Cypriots’ ties with Turkey. “Turkish Cypriots’ existence on the island and their increasing status in the Eastern Mediterranean can only be protected through the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees,” he said.

Tatar, touching on his breakfast-hall meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said the two had a brief conversation in the morning when Mitsotakis greeted him. He said he had explained the reasons to the Greek premier as to why the Turkish Cypriot side no longer favoured a federal settlement and preferred a two-state solution.

He however admitted that Mitsotakis did not agree with his views and told him that the EU was only interested in a federal settlement on the island. Tatar stressed that any settlement to be reached in Cyprus needed to be based on strong foundations and the realities on the island.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said that negotiations could only start by respecting the two sides’ sovereign equality and assuring equal international status for both.

He added that during the meeting with Guterres he had underlined the importance of implementing confidence-building measures (CBMs) that will help the members of the two communities overcome the daily problems experienced.

“However CBMs to be implemented should not overshadow the efforts to find a common ground between the two sides,” he noted, adding that the UNSG also agreed with the need to implement more CBMs.

Also asked to comment on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks during a joint press conference at the end of the EU Summit, on not accepting a two-state solution on the island, Tatar noted that the Turkish Cypriot side wants the relevant parties to act in line with realities on the island.

“I urge the EU leaders to see the realities on the island once again,” the statement read, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will never accept an imposed solution or coerced into accepting a forced solution.

President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, speaking to the press in Brussels after the EU summit, in response to a question, said, the EU would “never accept” a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem.

She said she had spoken to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan “and I was very clear. We know that he intends to go to Cyprus in mid-July. This is a very sensitive issue for us, and we have made it clear that we will be watching how the visit will go.”

And that, she added, “we will never, but never as EU, accept the two-state solution to the Cyprus problem.” “I sent these clear messages personally to President Erdogan and it is up to him to send the positive messages,” von der Leyen said.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> No new talks possible unless a two-state solution is discussed.
>> Two-state solution will reinstate balance to the East Med.
>> Any settlement to be reached in Cyprus needs to be based on realities & a strong foundation.
>> CBMs important but should not overshadow efforts to reach a solution.
>> TCs will never accept an imposed or forced solution.

Ursual von der Leyen (EU)
>> EU will never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus.


EU once again disregarded TCs’ legitimate rights & interests

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters

OVERVIEW

Both the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish foreign ministries slammed the conclusions adopted by the EU Council held in Brussels on June 24.

In a written statement issued on Friday, The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry said the EU once again disregarded the Turkish Cypriots’ legitimate rights and interests. Condemning the remarks, the ministry described the conclusions as unfortunate and detached from the island’s realities, failing to mention the Turkish Cypriot community even though the decisions were directly related to Turkish Cypriots.

Also accusing the bloc of not honouring its promises made to the Turkish Cypriot community, the statement said insisting on a federal solution model was disrespectful of the Turkish Cypriots’ political will.

“The EU, by hiding behind the UN Security Council resolutions, which have lost their validity on the island, will only obstruct the two sides from reaching a realistic and lasting collaboration agreement on the island,” the statement read, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s position based on a two-state solution model will not change.

Also referring to the Maraş (Varosha) paragraph in the conclusions, the ministry said the authority and responsibility in the fenced-off town lie with the Turkish Cypriot side, reassuring that the decisions are taken by respecting the property rights and international law.

The ministry urged the EU to “stop rewarding the Greek Cypriot side at every given opportunity,” and to stop “its biased stance in favour of them.” Also issuing a statement on Friday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said the Summit Conclusions concerning Cyprus were, as usual, a repetition of the views of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo.

Echoing the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry’s viewpoint, the Turkish ministry said the EU, with this stance, once again ignored the Turkish Cypriots and disregards their equal rights. “The EU can’t make a constructive contribution to the Cyprus issue as long as it maintains this stance,” the statement read, asking the EU to acknowledge the realities on the Island, to recognize the existence of Turkish Cypriots and their inherent equal rights, and to honour its 2004 commitments.

KEY ACTORS
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> EU once again disregards the rights & interests of TCs.
>> EU summit conclusions detached from realities on the island.
>> EU’s insistence on a federal settlement disrespectful of political will of TCs.
>> Hiding behind UNSC resolutions will only obstruct a realistic & lasting collaboration on the island.
>> TC side’s position in favour of a two-state solution will not change.
>> Authority & responsibility in Maraş (Varosha) lies with the TC side but the decisions adopted are respectful of property rights & international law.

Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> EU should stop rewarding the GC side & abandon its biased stance.
>> Not possible for the EU to contribute to a solution as long as it maintains its stance.
>> EU should acknowledge the rights of TCs & honour its 2004 commitments.


Saner said Maraş (Varosha) Initiative brought a fresh perspective

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot officials continue to visit and inspect the ongoing works at the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha). While Turkish Cypriot Tourism Minister Fikri Ataoğlu was in the fenced-off town on Wednesday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner paid a separate visit on Friday to inspect what is believed to be part of preparations for the upcoming visit to the north by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on July 20.  

Saner who visited the beachfront and the tea garden soon to be opened also inspected the ongoing conservation work at the Bilal Ağa Mosque. It is believed that the Bilal Ağa mosque, which is being restored by the Evkaf administration of Cyprus, will be the centre of attention during Erdoğan’s visit.

Saner during his visit to the fenced-off town, underlined the government has broken the mould on the Cyprus issue with the Maraş (Varosha) initiative, bringing a fresh perspective. He added that the reopening of the town will continue with determination.

He also stressed the decisions taken on the fenced-off town are in line with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and international law.


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