TCC Press Review 24 Sept 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Four more arrested in (the Adapass) scandal

Investigation into the fake Adapass (safe pass) scandal deepens. The director of the private company which provides the service to the health ministry Duygu Eroğlu said they were cooperating fully with the police and the investigation.

  • Test requirement for vaccinated at crossing points lifted.

Kıbrıs

The foreign exchange nightmare is back

The Turkish Central Bank contrary to market expectations, and a surprising move decided to lower the interests by 100 points triggering shockwaves in the foreign exchange markets. The value of the foreign currencies against the Turkish Lira, which had been calm for some time, soared after the decision. The British Pound, which is one of the most frequently used currencies in our country went over ₺12. The US dollar ₺8.82 and Euro ₺10.35.

  • “Fake AdaPass (safe pass)” investigation expands – Given the suspect C.M.’s testimony, four more people were detained by the police in the fake AdaPass (safe pass) scandal in which unvaccinated persons were issued fake safe passes. Three of the suspects were released on bail, whereas one was remanded under police custody.

Havadis

Government’s instructions: 29.67 per cent

The government is going through difficult days in terms of finances. Ankara has tightened the tap on the minority government, which came to power with the promise of easily acquiring much-needed funds from Turkey.’ It was planned that the Republic of Turkey would make ₺2.5bn (€250m) payment for the TRNC 2021 budget (including August) however only ₺741,838,513 (€74.1m) was sent. The realization ratio remained at 29.67 per cent. Even though ₺600m (€60m) was envisioned for investments in 2021, only ₺14,350.000 (€14.3m) was given. 

  • The test requirement for the vaccinated lifted The fully vaccinated people will not be required to show coronavirus tests when using the crossings from September 27 onwards.

Diyalog

Do they have building plans? Projects?

A large number of the homes and buildings in the walled city of Nicosia pose a safety hazard for those living in them and the people passing by. The fact that many of these historic buildings are collapsing or crumbling due to neglect is being shamed by the public and visitors. Many of the tourists who cross through the Lokmacı/Ledra Street crossing are shocked with the state of the buildings, criticizing the authorities for neglecting them. Local residents who spoke to Diyalog say they fear for their lives, not knowing when the buildings they reside in will collapse.

  • Good newsThe PCR/rapid test requirement for vaccinated individuals wishing to cross between the north and south is being lifted as of Monday, September 27.

Avrupa

It’s a doormat, not a safe pass

The police hold the owner of the company and its director responsible for fraud…No statements were issued on the amount of money earned from this fraud either…Three of the four suspects detained by the police, released on bail by the court… Employee C.M remains in police custody. Company Director Duygu Eroğlu Pehlivan, in a written statement, said they are cooperating with the police in the investigation.

  • Addressed an empty hall – Tayyip Erdoğan, whom Ersin Tatar claimed Erdoğan became the voice of the Turkish Cypriots, delivered his address at the UN General Assembly to an empty hall.
  • The test requirement at crossings lifted – Fully vaccinated people will not be required to show any tests while crossing from Monday onwards.
  • Whatever is necessary will be done for Asya – Health Minister in the South Michalis Hadjipantelas said on Thursday.

Main News

No test requirement at crossings for fully vaccinated

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs, Internal Security

OVERVIEW

No coronavirus test will be required for fully vaccinated persons who wish to visit the north from Monday, it was announced on Thursday night. A statement from the United Nations in Nicosia said that the bicommunal technical committee on health during their latest meeting on Thursday decided that the test requirement for vaccinated people will no longer be necessary from September 27.

For the unvaccinated, a 72-hour negative rapid or PCR test will still be required. The exceptions are high school students crossing over for studies and people residing in Kato Pyrgos who will instead need a 7-day negative rapid or PCR test.

People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay welcomed the bicommunal committee’s decision. In a social media post on Thursday evening, he underlined that the bicommunal technical committee’s decision will have a positive impact on the Turkish Cypriot economy.

“The committee’s decision will increase the foreign currency flow to the north and will revive the economy,” Özersay wrote, expressing his hope for increased crossings for economic and social purposes. “We believe the committee’s decision, which we support, will also contribute to the tourism sector as well,” Özersay concluded.


Tatar says no backing out from vision for a two-state solution

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Thursday reiterated that it is out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to abandon its vision for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality. Speaking to Turkish broadcaster Haber Global from New York, Tatar also said he should have been allowed to address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as the elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. He pointed out that it is unfair on Turkish Cypriots that the UN only allowed the Greek Cypriot leader to address the UNGA as representative of Cyprus.

“There are two separate peoples and two administrations on the island,” Tatar said, arguing that the 1960 Republic was created by taking the Turkey-Greece balance in the Eastern Mediterranean. He also said it is not possible to speak of that balance since the Greek Cypriot side had been admitted into the EU as a full member.

“The conditions on the island and the Mediterranean have changed. Cyprus is no longer the Cyprus we know, nor is the Mediterranean the same Mediterranean,” Tatar argued, adding that he since his election in office has changed the rules of the game.

Reiterating his known rhetoric, Tatar noted that the Republic of Cyprus(RoC) has turned into a Greek Cypriot controlled state in which they do not see the Turkish Cypriots as their equal. Tatar said the informal five-plus-one meeting in Geneva was a milestone in the Cyprus negotiations processes, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will not retract its demands for a two-state solution.

“The new position put forth by the Turkish Cypriot side with full support from Turkey is vital for the future of the Turkish Cypriots as well as for Turkey’s security in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Tatar stressed.

Asked to comment on the Greek Cypriot side’s latest proposal, Tatar dismissed them claiming that the Greek Cypriot leader aimed at confusing the international community. “These attempts are in no way acceptable. We will not allow anyone to bully the TRNC,” he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will not take any steps that would strip Turkish Cypriots of their sovereign rights or independence.

“The Turkish Cypriot side is as sovereign as the Greek Cypriot side,” Tatar stressed, noting that he can’t accept anything to the detriment of the Turkish Cypriots. Tatar also noted that he will convey the Turkish Cypriot side’s position during the meeting with the Secretary-General on Saturday as well as reiterate his objections to the appointment of a new special advisor who will insist on restarting talks for a federal settlement.

“The UN Secretary-General needs to free himself of the parameters and framework set in the 1960s for a federal settlement. There is no common ground, only a new vision in Cyprus. That vision favours a two-state solution based on sovereign equality,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions are clear.

Tatar concluded by stating that the two sides must give their consent to a solution plan on the island and that he does not have any intentions of changing his position from a two-state formula.

Meanwhile, Tatar on Thursday slammed the Greek Cypriot leader for “attempting to present the trilateral meeting as an official meeting.” In a statement issued from his office, Tatar underscored that the Secretary-General invited the two sides for an informal trilateral meeting over lunch.

“The Turkish Cypriot side will not agree to the launch of an official round of negotiations unless its sovereign equality and equal international status are accepted,” Tatar reiterated, urging the Greek Cypriot side to abandon their manipulative and misleading acts.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TC side will not abandon its vision for a two-state solution.
>> TC leaders should be allowed to address UNGA.
>> TC side’s new vision is vital for TCs & Turkey’s security in the East Med.
>> TC side will convey its objections to appointing of new UN envoy who will insist on negotiating a federal settlement.
>> UNSG needs to free himself of parameters & framework set in the 1960s.
>> Trilateral meeting in NY is not a formal meeting as Anastasiades is attempting to show.
>> No official talks can begin before recognition of the TC side’s sovereign equality.


Cypriots must do their part for a Cyprus settlement, Spehar said

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

“Cypriots in addition to the two leaders, must do their parts and get engaged to contribute to efforts for a sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem,” the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar said.

Spehar addressed a reception on Wednesday to mark the completion of the UN Youth Champions Programme for Environment and Peace 2021, organised together with the British Council and the COOPower project, as well as to also celebrate the International Day of Peace.  

Spehar said that to solve the Cyprus problem sustainably “We need all citizens to pitch in and certainly we believe that young people, in particular, have a crucial role to play.”

Spehar addressing the young people in attendance, told them every little contribution they will make “towards environment and peace, towards reconciliation, towards understanding the views and the aspirations of young people from the other side,” will be a stepping stone towards sustainable peace.

Moreover, Spehar expressed gratitude to all those that contributed to the implementation of the UN Youth Champions Programme for Environment and Peace 2021, in which 25 young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots participated.

The event was also attended by the UK Deputy High Commissioner to Cyprus and the Director of the British Council in Cyprus, who also addressed participants, underlining the role of young people in establishing peace. Co-chairs of the bicommunal Technical Committee on the Environment were also present at the reception.

KEY ACTORS
Spehar (UN)
>> Cypriots as well as two leaders, must do their parts & get engaged to contribute to efforts for a sustainable solution to the Cyprob.


KTÖS asks for applications for the Intercommunal Choir


Avrupa
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS) has called on the parents to register their children aged between five and eleven with the Intercommunal Children’s Choir (ICC).

In a statement issued on Thursday, KTÖS said the choir will start its practices next month for its 2021-2022 season. The Intercommunal Children’s Choir is supported jointly by the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS), Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), Home for Cooperation (H4C) and the Greek Cypriot Primary School Teachers’ Union (POED).

The statement, which also provided a web link for the parents to fill the application form, additionally noted that the choir is also in need of two choirmasters – one Greek-speaking and one Turkish-speaking.


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