Front Page Headlines
European dowry of €1.2 bn if we want to change
Green light by the Commission to the recovery plan with suggestions on its implementation. Ursula von der Leyen disassociated the funding from the pending referral to European Court of Justice on the ‘golden’ passports. The plan includes 58 reforms and 76 investment actions. It is a demanding project at both technical and political levels to approve reforms. The approval of the plan is not the end of the trip but the beginning, noted the President of the European Commission and called for responsibility.
- EU-Turkey: They are speaking different languages on the Cyprus problem
- Probe by the House on the deadly fire – Information was requested.
Fires over the SafePass
We will not become police officers, shop owners shout, the government has issued a decree. The entertainment venues will meet the minister today, they warn with disobedience.
- Clear statements by Ursula: The EU will never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus
- Inspection of projects by Oktay ahead of Erdogan’s visit
- EU Commission President: This is the beginning – Cooperation in parliament for the 1.2bn is a bet.
They are dumping the state’s responsibility for the SafePass checks on the dining facilities
The owners of entertainment venues are looking into the possibility of taking dynamic measures.
- Cyprus problem: Fuat Oktay in Varosha, in preparations for Erdogan’s visit
- Ursula chastised Anastasiades to his face – “There is an issue with the ‘golden’ passports and the process of pending citizenship applications,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told President Anastasiades to his face. She also sent the stern message that there are rules in the EU that apply for every member-state.
Recovery plan ‘well balanced’
EU Commission chief says is well constructed and received positive bloc assessment.
They gave us €1.2 bn, and they supported us also on the Cyprus problem
Statements by Ursula von der Leyen: Europe has sent Turkey “very clear messages”. Commission President to Turkey: I want to repeat that we will never ever accept a two-state solution, we are firm on that and very united and this is what Cyprus can expect. Britain: I support a solution within the UN parameters based on a BBF.
- Occupied areas: Reactions continue on the ban of entry to Turkey of Akinci’s advisor
- Cyprus in ECDC’s dark red – Tombstone to any hope for tourism. The few tourists that have arrived for holiday have stated cancelling their reservations.
Main News
Von der Leyen: EU will never ever accept two-state solution
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that European Commission Ursula von der Leyen sent clear messages to Turkey during her visit to Cyprus that the bloc will never accept a two-state solution.
The EU Commission president was in Cyprus on a two-day visit for the approval of Cyprus’ €1.2bn National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Responding to questions, von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s position that it will “never ever accept a two-state solution.”
“We are firm on that and very united and this is what Cyprus can expect,” she said.
The most precious part, she added, is unity in the EU and the knowledge that all other 26 member-states at the European level are standing by Cyprus’ side.
Recalling the June EU Summit’s conclusions, von der Leyen said the bloc has sent very clear messages.
“I want our neighbours to know that if they speak to one of our member-states, like for example Cyprus, in whatever tone, they speak to the EU,” von der Leyen also said. She added that EU member states stand by Cyprus’ side and that she was clear on that in her phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “so rest assured that you have the backing of the whole EU.”
Politis, citing also statements by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay who was in the north on Thursday for preparations ahead of Erdogan’s visit on July 20, reports that the EU and Turkey speak different languages when it comes to the Cyprus problem. According to the daily Oktay sent the message to von der Leyen and the international community that when it comes to Cyprus, “never say never”.
He also said that when it comes to the TCs, it seems the EU has gone back to the dark ages while there was already an independent, equal and strong state in the north and it needed permission from no-one. Oktay also said that Erdogan has never accepted nor will he ever accept instructions on what to say, especially on Cyprus. He said negotiations on Cyprus will be possible only if they take place between two states on the island, Politis reports.
The daily also reports that though the Presidential Palace assessed von der Leyen’s stand as positive, it has no right to be complacent as Ankara and the TC side continue preparations for Erdogan’s arrival.
The National Council is to discuss possible developments on Varosha on Wednesday morning, in the presence of Famagusta mayor Simos Ioannou, the daily reports.
Phileleftheros reported that Ankara got annoyed by von der Leyen’s statements with spokesman of ruling AKP, Omer Celik, telling the EC President to “mind her own business” and that this was not an issue that concerns the EU.
Phileleftheros also reports that DIKO said that it was been proven once more that no matter how clear and stern the EU’s and its officials’ messages are, unless they are coupled with actions, Turkish aggression and provocation cannot be curbed. The party said Ankara’s provocations will continue escalate as long as Turkey gets what it wants from the EU and at the same time the UN tolerates, with the policy of equal distances, the violation of its own resolutions. DIKO called on the EU and the UN to make Turkey accountable and send the message they will no longer tolerate its actions.
It also said Turkey uses Cyprus to impose its own interests and is using its so-called “protection from the GCs” actions as pretext. “Turkey is an aggressive and expansionist country and should be treated as such,” DIKO said.
According to Alithia ‘Europe has supported us once more both financially and politically’.
KEY ACTORS
Von der Leyen (EU)
>> EU will never accept a two-state solution & firmly supports Cyprus on this.
>> EU has already sent clear messages to neighbours, including Turkey, that if they speak to one member state, in whatever tone, they speak to the EU as a whole.
Oktay (Turkey)
>> Calls on EU and international community never say never on Cyprob & a two-state solution and not tell Erdogan what to say or do.
>> There is already an independent state in the north which needs no one’s permission.
>> Cyprob negotiations can only take place between two states in Cyprus.
DIKO
>> Unless EU matches its words with actions & if UN continues its equidistant policy Turkey will continue provocative stance.
>> Turkey does not really care about ‘protecting’ TCs from GCs, but is using this as pretext to impose its own interests as it is an aggressive and expansionist country & should be treated as such.
UK reaffirms commitment to BBF solution
Alithia
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the UK gave reassurances it continues to advocate a solution in Cyprus in line with UN parameters based on the model of a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF).
This statement was in a letter by British Minister for European Neighbourhood Wendy Morton in response to one sent by Sir Roger Gale, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus. He had sent a letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stressing that the UK government “must take every opportunity both publicly and privately to reiterate its support for the agreed basis for a solution.” Morton also said in her letter that the BBF model “is internationally accepted and one that we believe to be broad enough to address the concerns of both sides.”
Morton also said that it is for the GC and TC leaders to decide on the details of a settlement and the UK, as a guarantor power and a friend to all parties, will continue to provide support to the UN-led process.
Addressing concerns expressed by Sir Roger Gale about UK government statements for the need to end the “so-called isolation” of the TC community, which is only a result of the Turkish invasion and occupation, she states that the UK’s position has not changed: “Although UK Ministers regularly engage with Mr Tatar in the context of the Settlement process, on the question of UK recognition for the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, the UK’s longstanding position is one of non-recognition and we fully support UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550 in this regard,” she said. Morton added that the UK continues to support appropriately measures aimed at reducing the isolation of the TC community. “However, we maintain that the most sustainable means of addressing the isolation of communities on the island is through a just and lasting settlement,” she said.
KEY ACTORS
Morton (UK)
>> UK continues to support internationally accepted BBF solution which can be broad enough to address the concerns of both sides.
>> It is the GC & TC leaders that will decide on solution details while UK will continue to provide support to the UN-led process.
>> Though UK state officials engage with TC leader in the context of the settlement process, London does not recognise ‘TRNC’ but supports measures for reducing TCs’ isolation which, however, can be fully addressed through the Cyprob solution.
Anastasiades holds telephone conversations with regional leaders
Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
According to the papers President Nicos Anastasiades had separate telephone communication with the leaders of Jordan and Greece and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said that Anastasiades discussed with King of Jordan Abdullah II bilateral issues including regional cooperation and the forthcoming tripartite summit between Cyprus, Greece and Jordan which will take place in Athens in the near future with the prospect of enlargement with the participation of other Arab states. Anastasiades also informed King Abdullah, who is in the United States and next week will have a meeting with President Joe Biden, about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the ongoing Turkish illegal actions.
The president also spoke with Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis with the aim of briefing each other and coordination between the two governments.
Anastasiades also had a telephone conversation with Netanyahu, to whom he expressed warm thanks for their cooperation and friendship, as well as for the long-term and productive cooperation between the governments of Cyprus and Israel during the latter’s term in office.