GCC Press Review 26 July 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Rally for 14 milestones until the end of the year

The list of obligations for the first dose of the packet of 1.2 billion euros.

  • Nicosia’s pursuit: Retraction of decision or mesures
  • Supreme Court: This is how they led us to the Immovable Property Commission
  • Cyprus-Israel: The relationship of cooperation remains strong

Phileleftheros

The Presidency chapter closes

Nikos Anastasiades to ‘Ph’: I will not be claiming re-election in 2023. “The choice of a presidential candidate is an issue for the pancyprian conference of the party.”

  • Diplomatic fever on two fronts: The reaction of the ’27’ coming with the Germans a shield for Ankara

Haravgi

Contradictions and U-turns exacerbates our credibility internationally

The President should choose: Either negotiations on the basis of convergences or he doubts the convergence for political equality.

Alithia

The Turks aren’t digesting it

For the third day they’re accusing the Security Council. Their response without arguments. They’re insisting that the Security Council succumbed to the pressures of Greek-Cypriots and Greece. They’re arguing that they aren’t violating Security Council decisions.

  • Accusations against the UNSG: Anastasiades revoking Tatar’s passport
  • Israel: Proposal by the Israeli president to Erdogan for coffee
  • Avgoustinos Papathomas: This is the area the occupation regime will open

Main News

FM seeking Turkey condemnation from EU27

Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides was throughout the day on Sunday holding contacts with European counterparts in a bid to secure a clear and strong statement on the part of the 27 EU member states which would condemn Turkish actions in Varosha and would warn of measures in the event that the moves are not reversed.

Politis and Phileleftheros report that Christodoulides’ contacts on Sunday also included the EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell. The papers also write that Germany is creating obstacles for Nicosia by pushing for a milder wording as regards the warning of the possibility of sanctions against Turkey. Politis reports that France, the only EU member state that is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) is acting as a counterweight to Germany’s pressure.

Phileleftheros reports that on Sunday Christodoulides also held contacts with spokespersons for the five permanent members of the UNSC, as well as with Ireland and India, ahead of the UNSC’s upcoming vote on the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate. The paper writes that a new draft text will be released on Monday before the final text is presented on July 29.

Nicosia’s position, Phileleftheros reports, is that the text must also include a condemnation of Turkey’s actions in Famagusta as well as a clear reference to a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) as the framework for a Cyprus solution. References to actions for the resumption of formal talks as soon as possible are also being sought. Politis agrees with Phileleftheros, but also notes that Britain is working to leave many aspects regarding the solution framework open to interpretation. Britain however is being met with resistance from the US, France, India and Ireland, the paper reports.

Phileleftheros reports that Christodoulides departed for Israel on Sunday night where he will be paying an official visit after an invitation was extended by his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid. Among other things, Christodoulides is expected to brief Lapid on the latest Cyprob developments, including Turkey’s moves in Varosha. Christodoulides will also get an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and Cyprob with Israel’s President and Prime Minister. President Nicos Anastasiades will also be departing for Athens on Tuesday for a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Phileleftheros reports.

Meanwhile, the dailies report that on Sunday, the ‘presidency’ in the north accused the UNSC of bowing to pressure from Greece and GCs, with the paper noting that the announcement mirrored the recent statements issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The statement said the decision to reopen part of Varosha was in fulfilment of relevant UN resolutions and was allowing its original inhabitants could return to their homes.

It added that after the latest talks in Geneva, the UNSG himself realised that based on the facts on the ground, there was no point in starting official talks between both sides in Cyprus. It went on to stress that TC leader Ersin Tatar will continue in his attempts to achieve a viable solution which is a “win-win” based on equality, sovereignty and equal international status of the TC side.

KEY ACTORS
TC ‘presidency’
>>
UNSC bowed to pressure from Greece and GCs
>> Decision to reopen part of Varosha was in fulfilment of relevant UN resolutions and was allowing its original inhabitants could return to their homes
>> In Geneva the UNSG himself realised that based on the facts on the ground, there was no point in starting official talks between both sides in Cyprus
>> Tatar will continue in his attempts to achieve a viable solution which is a win-win based on equality, sovereignty and equal international status of the TC side


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