TCC Press Review 27 Sept 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

We are dying suddenly!

Embolisms, heart attacks…Doctors are warning us: Do not put off getting a health check. The recent increase in sudden deaths, particularly among young people is concerning. Experts who say that heart attacks or embolisms are the leading causes of sudden deaths agree that the pandemic has contributed to the rise in such numbers. They said that the lack of exercise, stress and anxiety triggers such health problems, not Covid-19.

Kıbrıs

The economic situation is bad

The pandemic and the sudden rise in the value of foreign currencies against the Turkish Lira have only deepened the economic crisis. More and more people, who are unable to cope with the deteriorating economic situation, are being banned from using cheques. There is a 43 per cent increase in the number of people prohibited from using checks in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same period the previous year.

  • The trilateral meeting will be held todayPresident Ersin Tatar will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades over lunch.

Havadis

Debt spiral

The economic situation once again was revealed with the June 2021 report published by the TRNC Central Bank. The debt amount used by people and companies in the TRNC has reached ₺35.4bn (€3.54bn) as of June 2021. Legal action is taken for (non-performing loan of) ₺2bn (€200m).

  • Grey-economy could be the saviour In the first session of the “self-sufficient economy” panel organized by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the grey-economy was discussed, revealing interesting results.

Diyalog

Surprise meeting

Prime Minister Ersan Saner met with National Unity Party (UBP) MP Hüseyin Özgürgün who lives in Istanbul. They discussed the upcoming congress and early elections. Saner received Özgürgün’s support. Saner flew to Istanbul to meet with the UBP MP who has been living in Turkey for the past three years. Earlier last week DP leader Fikri Ataoğlu had visited Özgürgün.

Avrupa

Vaccinated persons to cross without tests

The new measure at the crossing points will enter into force today…As of today vaccinated persons are not required to show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test when using the crossing points … “Orange level” rules are implemented. Non-vaccinated people will still need to show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test obtained within the last 72 hours.

  • 58.41 per cent vaccinated two doses – 450,297 doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered to date.
  • Tatar told “two-states” to Guterres – Ersin Tatar will meet today with Nicos Anastasiades and Antonio Guterres in New York.

Main News

Tatar: “Guterres is fully aware of the injustice against the TCs”

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Saturday reiterated a solution on the island can only be found when the two separate sovereign states co-exist side-by-side and collaborate.

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster NTV, Tatar underlined that he will not detract from his position during the trilateral meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on Monday. “We are demanding our rights,” Tatar stressed, adding that it is unfair and unjust on the Turkish Cypriots that the Greek Cypriots are being perceived as the sole rulers on the island using the title of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC).

Recalling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s address of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Tatar also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side’s elected leader is not allowed to address the UNGA or hold official bilateral meetings.

“We will relay these problems to the UN Secretary-General on Monday, and we are determined to continue with our struggle,” he said. Tatar, noting that Guterres is very well aware of the details of the Cyprus problem, added that the Greek Cypriot side’s position to continue with the process from Crans Montana will only strengthen the status quo on the island. He added that he has shared his views with the Secretary-General during their bilateral meeting.

Tatar argued the Greek Cypriot side insists on a federal settlement to assimilate the Turkish Cypriots into a Greek Cypriot controlled state. He added that the Turkish Cypriots will never accept such an option. “The goal is to have a federal settlement under the EU umbrella in order so that the Turkish Cypriots’ ties with Turkey can be cut off,” Tatar argued, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will not be deceived.

“We also want a fair solution, but this can only be based on two separate independent and equal states that live side-by-side,” he said. Tatar also argued that the Greek Cypriot side has not come forth for a solution on the island to date.

Responding to a question on the Eastern Mediterranean, Tatar highlighted the importance of the region, pointing to its international aspects. “Even though some critics believe that the Cyprus problem can only be solved by Cypriots, but I am very happy and feel strong I advocate for my position with full support from Turkey,” Tatar said.

“Everyone must see the realities on the island sooner or later,” Tatar said. He also added that Turkey’s guarantees must continue in order not to return to pre-1974 days on the island.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Unfair that GCs are recognized as the legitimate government of Cyprus.
>> Resuming talks from where they left off in Crans Montana will only strengthen the status quo.
>> Federal settlement will cut off TCs’ ties with Turkey.
>> Turkey’s guarantees in Cyprus must continue.


Expectations from the trilateral meeting are low for different reasons

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Prime Minister Ersan Saner said the UBP does not have any expectations from the trilateral meeting on Monday due to what he said was the Greek Cypriot side’s irreconcilable and maximalist attitude that aims at depriving the Turkish Cypriots of their sovereignty and security.

In a statement issued from UBP, Saner added that the Turkish Cypriots will continue on their path by protecting the Turkish Cypriot state and with support from Turkey. Saner also slammed the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades for his proposal to return to the 1960 Republic in his address at the UN General Assembly. He reminded that the partnership republic ended abruptly when the Greek Cypriots by force of arms removed the Turkish Cypriots from it in 1963 after the latter refused to accept amendments proposed to change the constitution.

“As long as the United Nations and the other countries insist on not seeing the realities on the island, they will only be helping to embolden the Greek Cypriot side and strengthen their irreconcilable attitude,” Saner argued, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will not take any backward steps from its new vision. “It is only possible to reach a fair, lasting and sustainable solution on the island if the realities on the island are accepted,” Saner concluded.

In the meantime, the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP, former foreign minister and former negotiator Özdil Nami on Sunday said the environment in New York is a failure in terms of diplomacy.

Speaking on Kıbrıs TV, Nami said “I believe the world does not have time to focus on the Turkish Cypriot side’s rhetoric.” He added: “It’s obvious nothing has so far no progress has been achieved in acquiring recognition for the TRNC.” Criticizing the Turkish Cypriot side’s arguments, Nami said Ersin Tatar is asking for the Greek Cypriot side to accept two states in Cyprus.

“They are the last ones to do that… Moreover, the Turkish Cypriot side is also asking for the UN Security Council to adopt a decision in this regard,” Nami said. He also pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot delegation has not had any bilateral meetings to explain their position in New York so far. “What we see is that those who claim to get TRNC recognized are doing nothing in New York,” Nami concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Saner (UBP)
>> No outcome expected from the trilateral meeting due to the GC side’s position.
>> TCs will continue on their path with their state & support from Turkey.
>> As long as the UN & other countries insist on ignoring the realities on the island this will embolden the GC side.
>> Only possible to reach a fair & lasting solution on the island if realities on the island are accepted.

Nami (CTP)
>> Tatar’s contacts in NY has been a diplomatic failure.
>> World is not interested in Tatar’s rhetoric. No progress has been achieved on achieving recognition for ‘TRNC’.


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