Front Page Headlines
Hostages of anti-vaxxers and the state’s weaknesses
We almost… reached 1,000 cases yesterday, with a positivity rate of 2.16%.
- Recovery and Cyprus problem: Von der Leyen going from fire to fire
- Metaxas Case: Disciplinary for 17 police members
This is the rebuilding plan
Formalities won’t stand in the way of human pain, the Government is promising. Financial aid to those who lost their homes and properties and saw their plantations being destroyed.
- Diplomatic marathon by Nicosia for Varosha
- Key of a burnt house to Ursula
- Ankara deported an associate of Akinci
- 17 members of police to take the stand for disciplinary measures due to Metaxas
- Safepass everywhere from tomorrow: Things getting tougher for the unvaccinated
PEO-SEK: No to retirement at 67, no to a manipulation of the dialogue
Social insurance system that meets the modern needs of workers.
- Ursula von der Leyen in Cyprus for the Recovery and Resilience Plan
- Safepass everywhere, the responsibility lies with owners… Yesterday, 952 new cases
- Predictions for the summer of 2021 worse than last year
Aid package for workers’ families
Cabinet allocates €95,000 to each family of the four Egyptian men who were killed in weekend fires.
- Disciplinary action to be taken against police in serial killer case
- Cabinet reintroduces some measures as positive cases hit a daily record of 952
- (photo caption) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Soon after arrival she visited the village of Ora, one of the areas stricken by fire at the weekend
And suddenly, emergency measures against coronavirus
Council of Ministers: Decision to protect public health. Obstacles on gatherings, going out and places of worship. SafePass everywhere. The owner or manager of businesses and properties will be responsible for ensuring that safety measures are followed. 952 more cases announced yesterday (positivity rate of 2.16%)
- Occupied areas: Turkey deported an associate of M. Akinci
- Metaxas case: Disciplinary action against 17 members of police
- Ursula von der Leyen: She’s approving the Recovery Plan today
- Rich help to those affected by the fire
Main News
Crossings to remain open despite Covid surge in Republic
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Politis
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The TC leadership is not thinking of closing the crossing points despite the surge in coronavirus cases in the south of the island, but they are contemplating limiting the test certificates’ validity period, the dailies report on Thursday.
Citing media in the north, the dailies report that ‘health minister’ Unal Ustel said during a web TV programme that they would do anything necessary to keep the crossings operational but noted he did not know what the GC side’s thoughts about this were.
Unal said that during a videoconference of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health last week, the TC side recommended adjusting testing requirements, making the PCR tests valid for 72 hours and the rapid tests for 48 hours. Currently, people crossing are required to present PCR or rapid tests not older than seven days.
Ustel said that so far five cases of the Delta variant were detected in the north. He also said they have decided to reintroduce the mandatory PCR testing at the Tymbou (Ercan) airport again. This, he said, will also apply to tourists who have been fully vaccinated.
“We are doing everything to prevent another lockdown,” Ustel said. The north announced 88 coronavirus cases on Tuesday evening, and 97 on Wednesday. The south recorded a daily record of 952 positive cases on Wednesday, with the Cabinet agreeing to reintroduce certain measures that will come into effect on Friday, and which include a requirement to present a SafePass practically everywhere.
Michel says two-state solution a non-starter
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
A two-state solution in Cyprus is a non-starter, European Council President Charles Michel, said on Wednesday, speaking before the European Parliament plenary.
According to the dailies on Thursday, in a debate with MEPs about the outcome of the recent European Council meeting, Michel said the EU will continue to actively support the process to settle the Cyprus problem, including the issue of Varosha, stressing that a two-state solution is a non-starter.
Michel said de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean is a good sign, but constructive engagement needs to be deepened. He noted that engaging with Turkey remains the EU’s policy aiming at modernising the EU-Turkey Customs Union, but at the same time they need to deepen on addressing existing irritants.
Michel referred to the framework for the continued financing of Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and other parts of the region, noting that the European Council expects this work to be taken forward, without delay, and calls for formal Commission proposals.
Furthermore, he noted that the rule of law and the respect of fundamental rights is a key concern, in particular the targeting of political parties in the media and Women’s Rights Dialogue and these issues remain an important part of the EU-Turkey relationship.
KEY ACTORS
Michel (EU)
>> A two-state solution in Cyprus is a non-starter
>> EU will continue to actively support the process to settle the Cyprus problem, including the issue of Varosha
>> De-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean is a good sign, but constructive engagement needs to be deepened
Nicosia maintaining Varosha diplomatic marathon
Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory
OVERVIEW
In view of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s forthcoming visit to the north on July 20 and the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) reports on UNFICYP and his Good Offices mission, Phileleftheros and Politis reports that Nicosia is continuing to hold contacts with foreign diplomats from whom support is sought to curb Turkish plans for Varosha.
The papers write that the arrival on Wednesday of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen may not be directly related to the Cyprus problem, but President Nicos Anastasiades is expected to raise the issue of Varosha during her stay on the island.
At the same time, Phileleftheros reports that Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides is holding contacts with foreign counterparts, including of permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC). On Wednesday, Christodoulides held a telephone discussion with his British counterpart Dominic Raab, to whom he said that all necessary actions must be taken to deter Turkish plans, or else the consequences will be detrimental to all parties including Britain, the paper writes. Citing information, Phileleftheros reports that Raab told Christodoulides that this is the direction in which Britain is moving.
Phileleftheros reports that Christodoulides also told Raab that if the report on Cyprob includes anything other than a clear reference to a bizonal bicommunal federal (BBF) solution, or if it includes a constructive vagueness that allows room for discussion of a two-state solution, there will be negative consequences which will also affect Britain’s interests in Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros and Politis also report that DISY leader Averof Neophytou has sent letters to European People’s Party (EPP) President Donald Tusk, Secretary-General Antonio López-Istúriz, Parliamentary Group Leader Manfred Weber, and European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman David McAllister, with a focus on Varosha. The paper writes that Neophytou’s letters make extensive reference to what has followed the informal Geneva summit and zooms in on Turkey’s intentions, which include the weakening of efforts to resume formal negotiations that could lead to a BBF.
Neophytou said that if Turkey decides to reopen Varosha, the EU should respond immediately and effectively, adding that the EU holds the necessary tools and vows to do more than issue announcements, since if Turkey’s plans are followed through, the EU’s credibility will be negatively affected, Phileleftheros reports.
KEY ACTORS
Christodoulides
>> In telephone call with Raab, says all necessary actions must be taken to deter Turkish plans, or else the consequences will be detrimental to all parties including Britain
>> If Cyprob report includes anything other than a clear reference to a BBF or if it includes a constructive vagueness that allows room for discussion of a two-state solution, there will be negative consequences which will also affect Britain’s interests in Cyprus
Neophytou (DISY)
>> In letters to EPP leadership, states that EU should take effective measures if Turkey decides to reopen Varosha
>> If Turkey’s plans are followed through, the EU’s credibility will be negatively affected