Front Page Headlines
‘Rents are very high, life is expensive’
University students arriving from abroad complain of high prices. While face-to-face education at universities has resumed, many foreign students have arrived on the island. Many complain that their arrival has been marred with difficulties such as high rent, high supermarket prices and insufficient public transport as well as access to Covid-19 testing.
- “Our future lies in peace” – Cypriots marched for a solution and reunification.
Difficult for parliament to continue like this
President Ersin Tatar reiterated “two states on sovereign equality” and pointed to the quorum issue in the parliament during an interview with the Kıbrıs team. He said: “There is a serious conflict among some MPs who are obstructing the work of parliament by refusing to show up and then demanding an early election.”
- The parliament will convene to discuss the early election.
This gap cannot be bridged
TRNC’s total exports were $46.1m from January to March 2021 and imports were $264.8m. Even though there is a decrease in imports and an increase in exports, the result is still the same.
No No No…this is not the way
Passengers arriving at Ercan (Tymbou) are regretting it because of procedures unseen anywhere else in the world. The introduction of an online ‘Passenger Entry Form’ requirement by the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases on the weekend has added to the confusion over the ‘Adapass’ safe pass making Ercan (Tymbou) an undesired destination. Almost all arriving passengers at the airport yesterday reacted to the new procedure. Passengers speaking to Diyalog complained that they did not even experience this much bureaucracy when entering strict EU countries.
- He was going to receive $5000 – The boat captain tried to dump the 18 migrants he was taking to the north to the south after being tipped off that police was waiting in ambush.
Republic of rubbish
This is Apostolos Andreas Monastery (Illustrated with a full-page photograph showing litter). Apostolos Andreas Monastery, which is one of the most historic sites in Cyprus that attracts the highest number of tourists has turned into a dumpsite… Rubbish is piled up like mountains. This photograph is taken by Yıltan Taşçı. He said he has also taken a similar photo in May and had warned the Dipkarpaz (Risokarpaso) Municipality. “Four months have passed, and the rubbish has yet to be removed,” Taşçı said, adding “Shame on them.”
Main News
Wrangling over new UN special envoy continues
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The appointment of a new special envoy by the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) continued to remain on the agenda on Monday, as Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar insists that the Turkish Cypriot side will not endorse a UN official that will operate outside the mandate given to the former envoy Jane Holl Lute.
Tatar said that the Greek Cypriot side was eager to see the appointment of a new special envoy who will answer to both the Secretary-General and the UN Security Council so that they can create the perception that official talks on the Cyprus Issue can begin.
“To the contrary, we clearly outlined both before and during our meetings in New York that we will not enter into a new and official negotiations process unless the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality is accepted,” Tatar said. He added that the Turkish Cypriot side therefore will only accept the appointment of a ‘personal envoy’.
“The term ‘personal envoy’ was also used in the draft text presented to the two sides following the trilateral meeting as well,” Tatar said. He insisted that any new talks must be carried out to reach a two-state solution “The common ground for us is acceptance of our sovereign equality. It is not political recognition of the north,” Tatar said.
Asked whether he believes the Greek Cypriot side will accept the Turkish Cypriot side’s position, Tatar said “We cannot accept their position just because they do not accept ours,” and added that this would be a wrong approach.
Responding to a question in the situation of not finding a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Tatar said the only other alternative is to strengthen and develop the Turkish Cypriot state. “Our new vision is based on TRNC being our alternative,” Tatar said, adding that Ankara is fully supportive of the Turkish Cypriot side’s new position.
Tatar also complained about being referred to as “Ankara’s puppet.” He said he had raised the matter with Anastasiades, however, the Greek Cypriot leader pointed to the Turkish Cypriot opposition. “The entire opposition presents the office of the president to the world as Ankara’s puppet! I wonder if they are aware of the magnitude of the damage they cause to TRNC and its institutions,” Tatar said.
Tatar also responded to questions on the coalition government’s ability to manage the pandemic, economic crisis and the financial situation in the north as well as the debates on the early election and the quorum problem within the parliamentary breakdown.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> New special envoy should have the same mandate as the previous envoy Jane Holl Lute.
>> No new official talks can begin before the TC side’s sovereign equality is accepted.
>> New talks must be carried out to reach a two-state solution.
>> TC side cannot accept GC side’s position just because GC side rejects TC side’s position.
Tatar calls on the GC side to collaborate on natural resources
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Energy
OVERVIEW
“We need collaboration in the Eastern Mediterranean not tension,” Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said on Sunday, drawing attention to the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral actions on the natural resources.
In a statement issued from his office, Tatar said the Greek Cypriot side, which to date has refused to share governance and wealth, continues with its policy based on escalating tension in the region, threatening peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The natural resources on and off Cyprus, as all relevant sides have accepted, belong to the two peoples on the island,” Tatar stressed, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s rights on natural resources are not limited to revenues but also includes the management of these resources.
He said that the Turkish Cypriot side will not allow the Greek Cypriot side to usurp these rights, disregarding the rights of Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriot leader added that in this regard the Turkish Cypriot side had signed agreements and granted licenses to the Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) to carry out hydrocarbon exploration activities.
Tatar also recalled the Turkish Cypriot side’s hydrocarbon co-management proposal submitted on July 13, 2019, was still valid and on the table. He added that the proposal is based on a win-win policy for all sides and envisages the creation of a joint committee to manage and decide on the natural resources.
“Nonetheless, the Turkish Cypriot side will not refrain from giving the necessary responses to the Greek Cypriot side, which has rejected the proposal and decided to continue with its policies to escalate tension,” Tatar warned. He also urged the international community to respond positively to a proposal by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to hold a joint conference to settle the issue through diplomacy.
Echoing similar views in a separate statement issued on Sunday, the Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry also urged the Greek Cypriot side to stop its unilateral hydrocarbon activities that violated the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
“Despite the Greek Cypriot side’s aggressive actions that aimed at escalating tension in the region, the Turkish Cypriot side has displayed its stance in favour of reconciliation and collaboration,” the statement read, recalling the Turkish Cypriot side’s co-management proposal.
“It is never too late for dialogue and collaboration,” the statement stressed, highlighting that a regional conference on the issue will be the way to overcome the differences. “We wish to reiterate that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey will resolutely defend our rights and interests and will take joint and simultaneous steps in this regard,” the statement concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Collaboration, not tension needed in the East Med.
>> GC side continues to threaten peace & stability in the region by supporting tension-based policies.
>> TCs’ have rights over hydrocarbons, not only in terms of revenues but its management as well.
>>TC side’s July 13, 2019 proposal for co-management of resources is still valid & on the table.
>> International community should positively respond to Erdoğan’s proposal for an international conference.
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> GC side should shop unilateral activities that violate the rights of TCs.
>> It’s never too late for dialogue and cooperation.
>> TC side & Turkey will take joint & simultaneous steps to protect its rights & interests.
Thousands marched for peace & reunification
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Thousands of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots gathered on Sunday in Derinya (Deryneia) in an event organised by AKEL, to march in favour of peace and reunification in Cyprus. Dozens of organizations and parties from both communities, representatives of parties from abroad as well as the co-chairman of the Left at the European Parliament participated in the march.
The Cyprus problem is at its worst phase, AKEL leader Stefanos Stefanou said addressing the crowds, adding that it is caused by the prolonged impasse in the negotiations but also the insistence by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership for a two-state solution, and the unilateral opening of part of the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha).
He also pointed out that the failure of the UN to issue a statement following the trilateral meeting in New York on September 27, shows “the magnitude of the stalemate.” Stefanou reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side ought to insist on the restart of the talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana in 2017 based on the Guterres Framework, and by safeguarding all convergences reached so far.
“This is the common ground that is being sought today,” he stressed, warning that the impasse will simply intensify, given the great differences that exist between the two sides if there’s no insistence on this position.
Stefanou also criticized the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, arguing that his position on the Cyprus problem allows Turkey to push for partition of the island.
Koral Aşam, head of Turkish Cypriot Revolutionary workers’ unions’ federation (DEV-İŞ), in his address on behalf of the “This Country is Ours Platform,” said both leaders are now presenting as “new and creative” ideas however they are both outside the known UN parameters. He also urged the unilateral actions in the fenced-off town to cease and Maraş (Varosha) should instead be utilized as a confidence-building measure (CBM) through the implementation of UN resolutions 550 and 789.
“At this point of time, the only way forward in Cyprus is towards peace,” Aşam said, adding that the negotiations must resume without further delay to reach a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution based on the political equality of the two communities and the basis of the Guterres Framework.
“The people who want peace and reunification of the island must work in this direction and put pressure on the two leaderships,” he stressed, warning those against a federal settlement that the future on the island will be based on a culture of peace. “We will find solutions to our joint problems with our joint values and will make Cyprus an island of peace,” Aşam concluded.
Turkish man arrested en route to Turkey after migrants drop off
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A 22-year-old Turkish boat captain was arrested on Sunday off the coast of Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) after dropping off 18 undocumented migrants at Kato Pyrgos.
The police officer in charge of the investigation told the court the suspect, who is charged with the crime of human trafficking, was discovered and subsequently arrested by the Turkish Cypriot coast guard as he was trying to head back to Turkey.
The officer also told the suspect, who is captain of a 7m-long boat, in his voluntary testimony said he had taken $5000 from each Syrian migrant to deliver them to the Cypriot coast from Manavgat, Antalya district of Turkey. The suspect also said he decided to drop off the migrants at the Kato Pyrgos coast when he was tipped off by an accomplice in Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) about a possible police raid.
The court remanded the suspect for another three more days until the police complete their investigation.