Front Page Headlines
Common ground is acceptance of sovereign equality
Cavusoglu and Tatar put again the last nail to the BBF coffin by citing “realities”. They rejected the proposal of the UN Secretary-General for the appointment of a special coordinator, saying that the acceptance of the requirements for change of the solution base is an opportunity for the GC side. They consider the position for the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus to be illogical and they say that President Anastasiades wants to say the amen to a prayer that cannot be said. They proceed with the opening of Varosha while warning about new drillings in the Cypriot EEZ if ExxonMobil starts drilling next December.
- Party leaders’ summit: (ELAM’s) Christou remains in the House defence committee
- AKEL: Conference of self-criticism and change of leadership
- Coronavirus: We made it! We are going red again
Freedom to football pitches
They are placing their bets on football fans with Covid Free and soldiers with an honorary five-day leave. A convincing list for vaccinations is being sent back and forth between ministries, tonight it ends up at the Presidential Palace.
- Ultimatum by Cavusoglu-Tatar: Turkish blackmails for the restart of the talks
- The countdown for succession at AKEL
- Experts are coming, checks start on halloumi
- The racist episode against a Russian woman was a hate crime – The Supreme Court imposed a suspended prison sentence.
Its 23rd Congress, a milestone and a new beginning for AKEL
It starts today with an introductory speech by the AKEL general secretary and discussion. Many have their eyes on AKEL’s decisions that will set its future presence in political life.
- Pressure on Turkey by the US on Varosha
- Cyprus problem: M. Cavusoglu and E. Tatar held the same provocative & intransigent stance
Race is on to save Varosha
Cavusoglu says opening of ghost town will be ‘legal and above board’.
- BoC requires vaccination or twice weekly rapid test from unjabbed staff
Intransigent on everything!
The Turks: They even reject the special representative suggested by Guterres. They insist on a two-state solution and sovereign equality, eliminating any hope of rapprochement. Joe Biden assures of pressure on the issue of Varosha. Tayyip Erdogan is getting ready for a new fiesta on July 20.
- House defence committee: Christou remains, what will Sizopoulos do?
- Letter by 11 associations: President, we will not withstand another lockdown
- Coronavirus is on the rise: today the measures will be announced – Positivity rate of 1.26%, another 473 new cases were detected yesterday. Cabinet decides on incentives and counter incentives to convince people to get vaccinated. The 65% vaccination goal has been achieved.
- Erdogan did it: Turkey is officially out of the Istanbul Convention
Main News
‘Cavusoglu, Tatar keep up intransigent stand on Cyprob’
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The statements of TC leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish Foreign Ministry Mevlut Cavusoglu during the latter’s visit in the north were among the dailies’ main items on Friday.
Politis reports that the only common ground perceived by Ankara and the regime of the occupied territories as satisfactory for the resumption of talks is acceptance of sovereign equality and the abandonment of the bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) as a solution model.
It adds that Cavusoglu and Tatar rejected Antonio Guterres’ proposal for the appointment of a special representative for the Cyprus issue, arguing that as long as there is no common ground for the start of official talks it would be a wrong step. The daily also reports that they do not seem willing to make concessions on their demand for a two-state solution. According to Cavusoglu, the BBF is no longer relevant with the realities on the ground and that acceptance of the TCs’ sovereign equality was an opportunity for the Republic of Cyprus.
The daily reports that Cavusoglu referred to the positions expressed by President Nicos Anastasiades in Geneva, saying that the president said that ‘the new sovereignty would belong to me and that the TCs would be equal as long as I believe they are.’ According to the Turkish minister, this mentality treats the TCs as a minority, and Turkey no longer cares for such an attitude. He also said that the GC side was hiding behind the Security Council resolutions that were left on the shelf and died and that Turkey no longer accepts the presentation of non-solution as the search for a solution. This era is over, he said.
On the issue of natural gas, Cavusoglu said that if the Republic of Cyprus proceeds with the announced drilling by Exxon Mobil in December, Turkey would do similar moves. He also said the Turkish president’s proposal for a regional conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and the TCs’ proposal for a fair share in the distribution of proceeds were still on the table, Politis reports.
Phileleftheros reports that the demand by the Turkish side for acceptance of political equality and the TCs’ equal international status is an ultimatum to the UN and Nicosia.
Tatar and Cavusoglu demanded acceptance of the terms of the Turkish side so that the process can move towards talks. They also said that if common ground is found, then they will accept the appointment of a special representative.
Their statements diminish hopes by some, mainly outside Cyprus, for the improvement of the climate so that the UNSG could proceed with his next moves on the Cyprus problem, the paper reported.
Alithia reports that Cavusoglu and Tatar say ‘No’ to everything. The daily reports that while the mayor of occupied Famagusta Simos Ioannou was referring to the assurances of the US ambassador that President Joe Biden will put pressure on Turkey on the issue of Varosha, Mevlut Cavusoglu and Ersin Tatar burned every bridge of communication. In a new recital of intransigence, they rejected the proposal of the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special representative for the Cyprus issue, demanded again the recognition of the pseudo-state, insisted on a two-state solution and openly threatened that if the EU and the UN do not take the necessary steps of the equal distribution of gas revenues these steps will be taken by Turkey as it has done before. At the same time, Erdogan is preparing his new fiesta on July 20 in Famagusta, accompanied by the Central Committee of the ruling AKP party, Alithia reported.
Haravgi reports that, in full alignment, Cavusoglu and Tatar presented the same provocative and uncompromising stance on the Cyprus issue, saying that at the informal meeting in Geneva, an era for the Cyprus issue had closed and a new one had begun.
KEY ACTORS
Cavusoglu (Turkey)
>> BBF solution no longer relevant with realities on the ground, calls on GCs accept TCs’ sovereign equality.
>> It is time things change as regards GCs seeing TCs as minority but also hiding behind obsolete SC resolutions to promote a non-solution as the solution.
>> If common ground is found, through acceptance by GCs of TCs’ sovereign equality, Turkish side will accept the appointment of a special representative.
>> Warns that if RoC proceeds with announced drilling in December, Turkey will reciprocate.
Biden will pressure Turkey over Varosha, refugees told
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory, Property
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the Famagusta municipality was given reassurances on Thursday during a meeting with US Ambassador Judith Garber, that President Joe Biden would put pressure on Turkey on the issue of Varosha.
“We have been promised that the United States will do what it can,” Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou told the Cyprus News Agency after the meeting. He said that they told Garber that the issue of Famagusta is a matter of violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and if Turkey is allowed to do so, it will do so throughout the Eastern Mediterranean at no cost.
The delegation by the Famagusta municipality also met with Greek Ambassador Theocharis Lalacos.
Ioannou said that they have asked Lalacos to convey the message that they would like meetings with the Greek leadership in Athens and party leaders to discuss the Varosha issue.
He said that though Greece’s support is a given they have asked that Athens raises the issue of Varosha on every occasion and stress to their interlocutors that what is happening is violation of international law.
Cyprus Mail reports that the government has now weighed in on whether Varosha refugees should claim their properties through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) with the president and other state officials being adamant this is not the way.
It also cites statements by Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides to state broadcaster CyBC on Thursday that efforts were underway at all levels for results both as regards Varosha and progress on the Cyprus problem.
On the issue of refugees’ return to Varosha the minister said there was a way for that. “If Turkey truly wishes for all refugees to return to their properties there is a way to do it right away and in a way that will be welcomed through the implementation of specific UN resolutions,” Christodoulides said. He added that such a move would be welcomed by everyone and Turkey itself would benefit as well He said the government is there to provide guidance and that it stands by the people of Famagusta and supports their desire to return to their homes. He noted, however, that this must be done through legal means and the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the daily reports.
It also reports that ruling DISY leader Averof Neophytou also discussed the issue of Varosha during separate meetings with Garber and Chinese ambassador Liu Yantao. He is to also hold meetings with the rest of the ambassadors of the permanent members of the Security Council.
Phileleftheros and Haravgi also report statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Varosha. He said, according to the dailies, that the GCs are monitoring with interest the opening of Varosha while the number of people filing to the IPC has risen.
“As we tell everyone, the opening of Varosha will be done in a transparent manner under international law. The Security Council resolutions have not been violated, nor will they be violated. The steps taken did not violate property rights,” he said. Therefore, he said, Turkey will support every step taken by the pseudo-state on this issue.
Alithia reports that Biden will exert pressure on Turkey on Varosha.
KEY ACTORS
Ioannou (Famagusta municipality)
>> Biden will put pressure on Turkey over Varosha issue as per reassurances by US ambassador to Nicosia.
Christodoulides
>> Calls on Turkey implement UN resolutions on Varosha if it truly means it wants refugees return to their properties. Such a move would also benefit Turkey since it will be welcomed by everyone.
>> The government stands by the people of Famagusta & supports their desire to return to their homes but this must be done through legal means and the implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions.
Cavusoglu (Turkey)
>> Varosha will open in a transparent manner under international law as SC resolutions & property rights have not been violated.
Spehar briefs Moscow on Cyprob, UNFICYP
Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that UNSG special representative and head of UNFICYP Elizabeth Spehar discussed the Cyprus problem with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin in Moscow.
Spehar travelled to Russia on Moscow’s request so that it can be briefed over developments on the Cyprus problem and UNFICYP ahead of discussions at the Security Council.
According to information transmitted by Moscow, Vershinin and Spehar exchanged views on the future of the island. According to an official statement from the Russian foreign ministry, both sides noted the need to create conditions for further progress in the negotiation process and reaffirmed the key role played by UNFICYP in maintaining security on the island.
Russia states in the communication that it will continue to contribute in every possible way to the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution for Cyprus in accordance with the internationally recognised international framework on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation with a single international personality, sovereignty and citizenship, the daily reported.
Bureau Veritas in Cyprus for first contacts on Halloumi
Phileleftheros
EU Matters, Economy, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that members of the leadership and technocrats of Bureau Veritas (BV) are in Cyprus for three days for contacts with all stakeholders for the process of production of halloumi.
Meetings will be held with the minister and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, followed by meetings with the Departments of Agriculture and Veterinary Services and with those involved in the whole process of production and preparation of halloumi: sheep and goat farmers, cow farmers, cheesemakers and mill owners.
According to the paper these are very important meetings since, basically, in this way, the BV’s involvement in the verification process of the halloumi products starts since everything needs to be ready by October 1. With the implementation of the relevant Regulation from October 1, 2021 only products that will be produced in Cyprus and will comply with the required specifications will be named as halloumi, the daily reported.
The daily reports that what’s important is to sign the agreement with the independent and internationally accredited certification company BV. An agreement has already been reached between BV and the Ministry of Agriculture and the documents are in the Legal Service for final control and will be returned to the ministry within the next week. This was also an opportunity for everyone involved to get to know the company and the controls it will do. During the BV officials’ next visit that will take place soon, the representatives of the company will meet with a delegation of the European Union in Cyprus as well as with a delegation of the TCs.
According to the daily the appointment of BV as a control body of the product specifications for halloumi’s certification as a product of designated origin was made following a relevant tender by the Ministry of Agriculture as the competent authority.
Communities supply each other electricity during technical problems
Alithia, Haravgi
CBMs
OVERVIEW
Alithia, quoting information from the Transmission System Operator (CTSO) reports that on Monday, when a technical problem occurred in the occupied areas, they received electricity from the government-controlled areas while on Tuesday the opposite happened: when a problem was encountered with the electricity authority’s (EAC) generators the north provided power to the government-controlled areas.
According to the CTSO, providing assistance is common, especially in cases of technical problems such as in the previous days. The daily reports that according to the confidence-building measure (CBM) agreed, the electricity systems of the free and occupied areas are connected and synchronised. In case of failure the transfer is done automatically by the system. There is no longer a question of debts to each other since the payment is made by the method of offsetting thus avoiding the problems that occurred in the past with the exorbitant amounts that the pseudo-state owed to the EAC from the electricity supply to the occupied areas, the daily reports.
Both papers report that ‘energy minister’ Erhan Arikli told TC daily Diyalog that supply to the north from the EAC started a week ago. He said that because they could not meet demand due to the damage that occurred in the five of the eight generators of the power station in the Trapeza area in Kyrenia and the increased needs due to the high temperatures, they are receiving 20 megawatts from the south. Arikli also said that they were in consultations with a company to restore the damage.