GCC Press Review 24 Aug 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

We won’t be renewing Tatar’s (expired) passport

Yesterday’s decision by the Council of Ministers was politically wrong and without substance.

  • EDEK: The war of attrition continues
  • Exercises on paper for a third dose: They’re pending on the matter of PCRs

Phileleftheros

Passports yok for 14 TCs

Two decisions of legal nature by the Council of Ministers – An appeal to the EHCR for Famagusta will follow. Officials of the pseudo-state will be informed in writing.

  • Investigations for the collapse of the Co-op at point zero
  • Serious gaps in checks for gun possession
  • The Lebanese man who wanted to arrive by swimming is nowhere to be found
  • Age-related racism at hospitals and services
  • Third vaccine dose pending

Haravgi

Sensationalism instead of persuasive initiatives

The government’s decision to revoke the Cypriot passports of ‘officials’ of the pseudo-state has stirred reactions.

  • Occupied areas: The granting of ‘citizenships’ a ‘drama’ for TCs
  • October 1: Intense preparations for the export of halloumi from the occupied areas
  • Decision pending from EMA on third vaccine dose

Cyprus Mail

Turkish Cypriots’ passports revoked

Decision affects Tatar, his ‘cabinet’ and others linked to Varosha reopening.

  • More doses of Pfizer, Moderna vaccines ordered ahead of decision over third jab

Alithia

Block on 14 TCs who are promoting partition

The government took the passports of Tatar and 13 other TC officials. “They are undermining the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus, contrary to provisions of the Constitution.”

  • Tatar: “Morphou is very important to us, it will not be returned…”
  • Sleeves have been rolled up: They’re preparing to begin halloumi exports in the occupied areas

Main News

Cabinet agrees to revoke RoC passports of 14 TCs

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory

OVERVIEW

The dailies report that the Council of Ministers on Monday agreed on two moves of a legal nature in response to the reopening of Varosha, with the first involving the rescinding of the passports of 14 TC officials including leader Ersin Tatar, and the second involving an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The decisions were during after a three-hour meeting at the Presidential residence in Troodos. Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos said “during today’s session, the Cabinet decided to rescind or refuse renewal or issue Republic of Cyprus (RoC) passports to a number of individuals who either participate in the so-called cabinet of the breakaway state or are members of the committee to open Varosha.”

Their actions undermine the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security of the RoC, Pelekanos added. He said “they are the same individuals who, through particular hostile actions towards the RoC, promote the implementation of Turkey’s plans to change the regime of the closed-off area of Varosha,” which he said violate UN resolutions.

The dailies, citing TC newspaper Kibris Postasi, report that the decision concerns 10 members of Tatar’s ‘cabinet’ including Tatar himself, and four members of the Varosha committee. Those targeted include ‘prime minister’ Ersan Saner, ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu, ‘tourism minister’ Fikri Ataoglu and the rest of the ‘cabinet’.

Alithia reports citing the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that those affected will be informed of the Cabinet’s decision in writing. Politis reports that government sources refused to confirm the names of those affected, citing personal data protection reasons, since those involved first have to be formally notified.

Politis reports that in taking this decision, the government essentially adopted proposals tabled by ELAM, EDEK and DIKO when the matter was discussed among the National Council.

Phileleftheros reports that those affected by the decision will remain remain RoC citizens and will still hold an RoC ID. The paper reports that the move is of symbolic importance, and one that wants to send a message to the TC leadership and Turkey that TC officials cannot simultaneously undertake actions that burden the RoC while using its official documents.

How the move will affect those involved is something that remains to be seen, Phileleftheros notes, since some already do not use their passport to travel abroad. Tatar, for example, has not used his RoC passport which expired some years ago, but this does not hinder his travels abroad, the daily writes.

The Cabinet also decided to seek recourse at the ECHR against Turkey in connection with its decision to open Varosha. This would be the fifth application filed by Cyprus against Turkey. Phileleftheros reports that in the event that the ECHR accepts Cyprus’ appeal, the process will take years.

Pelekanos said the Cabinet will ask the Attorney-General to submit an appeal relating to Turkey’s and the breakaway state’s actions in the closed-off area of Varosha in “line with the recommendations of legal consultants of high standing.”

Phileleftheros reports that the Cabinet decision left open the possibility of additional measures being taken against persons acting against the RoC.

KEY ACTORS
Pelekanos
>>
The actions of those whose passports will be revoked undermine the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security of the RoC
>> They are the same individuals who, through particular hostile actions towards the RoC, promote the implementation of Turkey’s plans to change the regime of Varosha in violation of UN resolutions


Passports revocation decision receives mixed reaction from parties

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory

OVERVIEW

The Cabinet decision to revoke the Republic of Cyprus passports of 14 TCs, as well as the decision to seek recourse at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) received mixed reactions from GC parties on Monday, the dailies report.

AKEL described the decision as a PR stunt for domestic consumption instead of coming up with initiatives that can stop Turkey’s partitionist plans. Of the ECHR appeal, the party said it was important to exhaust every realistic potential that would cost Turkey politically and legally. “Considering that four other appeals against Turkey have been filed by the Republic, we expect to be briefed by the President of the Republic on the legal premise of this new state appeal and what cost it is expected to cause the occupying force,” AKEL said.

It added that the only way to stop Turley and rid Cyprus of the occupation and division was the solution of the Cyprus problem. “This is where President Anastasiades should have focused, assuming convincing and decisive initiatives with the aim of restarting the talks from the point they had stopped in Crans-Montana in 2017.”

DIKO welcomed the decision, which, as it said, was one of the most important proposals the party made in 2017 as part of its chairman Nicolas Papadopoulos’ New Strategy. “Causing the Turkish side political and diplomatic cost, in a manner in which the lack of a solution would mean continuous attrition is of exceptional importance as a pressure tactic to change the unacceptable Turkish stance,” the party said. But, DIKO said, this also requires a comprehensive and consistent strategy, and suggested that the operation of the Deryneia crossing is also suspended.

ELAM also welcomed the decision, noting that it was happy to see that the government and some parties have finally embraced their positions. Nevertheless, the party said that the government should go further, starting with the closure of crossing points. It said the government should “immediately abandon the wrong dogma of appeasement” and “shut down crossing points once and for all” along with putting additional measures in place like demanding termination of all funding to the breakaway state, the imposition of sanctions on Turkey by the EU, the imposition of an arms embargo, and the exercising of veto power on Turkey’s EU accession talks.

EDEK and DIPA also welcomed the decision.

Haravgi reports that Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou told CNA that any move, either legal or political, which puts pressure on Turkey is welcome, but noted that legal moves alone cannot solve the Cyprus problem. Even so, he said that he will wait and see what results the current decisions will yield.

Alithia and Politis report on Saner’s response to the government’s decision to revoke passports, as relayed by TC media. Saner said he was saddened by the decision, which he described as hostile.

KEY ACTORS
AKEL
>>
Passport revocation merely a PR stunt for domestic consumption instead of coming up with initiatives that can stop Turkey’s partitionist plans
>> ECHR appeal a better move, since it is important to exhaust every realistic potential that would cost Turkey politically and legally
>> The only way to stop Turley and rid Cyprus of the occupation and division is the solution of the Cyprus problem – Anastasiades should have focused here and taken initiatives to resume talks from where they left off

DIKO
>> Welcomes passport revocation decision, one of the most important proposals DIKO made in 2017 as part Papadopoulos’ New Strategy
>> Causing the Turkish side political and diplomatic cost, in a manner in which the lack of a solution would mean continuous attrition is of exceptional importance as a pressure tactic to change the unacceptable Turkish stance
>> A comprehensive and consistent strategy is needed, suggests suspending the operation of the Deryneia crossing

ELAM
>> Welcomes decision, happy to see that the government and some parties have finally embraced their positions
>> The government should go further, starting with the closure of crossing points
the government should go further, starting with the closure of crossing points
>> Additional measures should also include demanding the termination of all funding to the north, the imposition of sanctions on Turkey by the EU, the imposition of an arms embargo, and the exercising of veto power on Turkey’s EU accession talks

EDEK & DIPA
>> Welcome Cabinet decisions

Ioannou
>> Any move, either legal or political, which puts pressure on Turkey is welcome
>> Legal moves alone cannot solve the Cyprus problem

Saner
>> Saddened by the hostile decision to revoke passports


Tatar says NY meetings will be informal

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

TC leader Ersin Tatar said meetings to be held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly will be informal and no formal negotiations will be conducted, the dailies report.

He added that that meetings could involve a tete-a-tete with President Nicos Anastasiades or they could also include UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres.

Phileleftheros reports that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said several contacts are being held ahead of the trip to New York. He said that for the time being the details of the meeting between the two leaders remain unclear, but said that the GC side has conveyed to the UNSG its wish for such a meeting to take place.

Phileleftheros reports that the picture is expected to clear up with the arrival of the UNSG’s special envoy Jane Holl Lute next week, when she is expected to hold separate meetings with the two leaders.

Meanwhile, the dailies report that Tatar reiterated his support for a two-state solution model, arguing that there were many opportunities to resolve the Cyprus problem since the GC side rejected 16 proposals for negotiations. The dailies write that Tatar also referred to Morphou, stressing that it will not be returned since it is of crucial importance for the ‘TRNC’ and major investments have been made in the area relating to the transfer of water from Turkey.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>>
Meetings to be held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly will be informal and no formal negotiations will be conducted
>> Reiterates support for a two-state solution
>> There were many opportunities to resolve the Cyprus problem since the GC side rejected 16 proposals for negotiations
>> Morphou will not be returned, since it is of crucial importance for the ‘TRNC’ and major investments have been made in the area relating to the transfer of water from Turkey

Christodoulides
>> GC side has conveyed to the UNSG its wish for a meeting between two leaders


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