Front Page Headlines
The pot is empty
The trade unions were on the streets to protest and draw attention to the real agenda. They pointed out that the price hikes have made the public poorer. Empty pots and pans were placed in front of the Office of the Prime Minister during the protest which gathered a large crowd.
- Arıklı replaced by Atun; Ustel has gone, Pilli comes – The National Unity Party (UBP)-Democratic Party (DP) minority government has been set up. Sunat Atun was appointed to the post of the Minister of Economy and Energy vacated by Arıklı who did not take place in the new government. Health Minister Ünal Üstel was replaced by Ali Pilli again.
Here is the new cabinet
The UBP-DP coalition is formed. The Rebirth Party (YDP) and the independent MPs will support the new government headed by UBP leader Faiz Sucuoğlu as the prime minister. The only changes in the cabinet were the posts of health ministry and ministry for economy and energy.
- Colin Stewart has been appointed by Guterres as the new SRSG.
On duty for three months
North Cyprus’s 25th government has been established under the leadership of (Faiz Sucuoğlu). Sucuoğlu only changed two of the ministers from the previous cabinet. Ali Pilli replaced Ünal Üstel and Sunat Atun replaced Erhan Arıklı as minister of economy. Ünal Üstel who served as public works minister for two months and health minister for eight months during Ersan Saner’s government was the only name to change from the UBP’s wing of the government. Ali Pilli who was removed from the post on February 20 was reinstated eight and half months later. Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said that the new government will remain in office until January when early elections are held.
- The Greek Cypriot public should be informed – South Cyprus spent €61m for PCR and rapid test kits.
Ali Pilli returns to the cabinet
Only two ministers were changed in the National Unity Party (UBP)-Democratic Party (DP) coalition. Ali Pilli returned as the health minister replacing Ünal Üstel. Sunat Atun, who is known as a Haji was appointed as economy and energy minister replacing Erhan Arıklı.
- Spyros Hatzigrigoriou bids farewell – Hatzigrigoriou, who spent his efforts for peace on our island and a true patriot passed away.
Main News
Colin Stewart appointed as the new SRSG in Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday announced the appointment of Colin Stewart of Canada as his new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
Stewart, who is succeeding Elizabeth Spehar, a fellow Canadian, will also perform the role of Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.
According to a press release issued by the UN, Stewart brings a demonstrated record of leadership and management, with over 28 years of experience in peace and security and international affairs, having most recently served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
He previously served as Deputy Head and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and held appointments in several United Nations field missions, including as Acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Political Affairs at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) (2007 to 2009).
He was a Canadian diplomat from 1990 to 1997.
Amcaoğlu: Bureau Veritas submits to GC pressure not to work w/ TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Economy, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Head of the Hellim (Haloumi) coordination board Huseyin Amcaoğlu on Friday said Bureau Veritas, which is the company tasked to carry out compliance inspections on the Hellim (Halloumi) production, is being prevented by the Greek Cypriot side from getting in touch with the Turkish Cypriot producers.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, Amcaoğlu, said nothing has been done in the north on the Hellim (Halloumi) process even though the product designated origin (PDO) registration of the Cypriot cheese had entered into force on October 1 along with the amendments to the Green Line Trade regulation, allowing exports of Hellim (Halloumi) to EU member states.
He pointed out that the compliance process for PDO registration is well underway in the south and Bureau Veritas is being stopped from getting in touch with the Turkish Cypriot producers due to pressure put on the company by the Greek Cypriot side.
“Politics is once again in the foreground in the Hellim (Halloumi),” Amcaoğlu argued, adding that the promises made by the European Union are left in the air.
“We also believe that the Turkish Cypriot side’s two-state solution vision is the issue here as the EU is providing the financial aid for the reunification of the two communities,” Amcaoğlu argued, adding that “We believe this is the main reason as to why they create problems.” He also underlined that the Turkish Cypriot side “has also made a mistake of neglecting relations with the EU.”
He pointed out that the dairy sector, as well as authorities, have decided to wage an intense struggle to protect the Turkish Cypriots’ rights and to raise awareness on the issue. He said Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s letter to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EC, was sent in this regard.
“The Greek Cypriot side even distorted the contents of the letter, claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side is not ready, but the letter clearly states the PDO process was not launched simultaneously,” Amcaoğlu said, noting that there are at least four Turkish Cypriot producers who fulfil the requirements.
“Our producers are being forced to submit their applications to the Greek Cypriot Agriculture Ministry,” Amcaoğlu said, adding that they can’t agree to it. He also pointed out that the EC decisions clearly outline that an internationally accepted organisation will carry out compliance controls in the north.
“Bureau Veritas, the company tasked to carry out production compliance inspections has signed a contract with the authorities in the south side and has already started working with them but has yet to get in touch with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, which is the competent authority in the north for matters related to Green Line trade,” he said.
He also added that the European Commission has not appointed a company to carry out the hygiene controls to date. “We urge the EC to take the necessary steps without further delay for the Turkish Cypriot producers to benefit from the processes equally and in a fair approach,” he said, stressing the Turkish Cypriot side’s determination to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot producers.
“We together with the relevant stakeholders, will not refrain from taking the matter higher up or even to the courts to protect our rights,” Amcaoğlu concluded.
Sucuoğlu’s cabinet approved by Tatar
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Faiz Sucuoğlu’s cabinet was approved by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday officially launching the start of the 25th government in the north. The next step for the cabinet will be to prepare a “government programme” and seek a “vote of confidence” from the Turkish Cypriot parliament.
It is not yet known whether the new government will see any need in preparing a programme or not since there is a consensus among all the political parties represented in the parliament to hold an early election.
There are only two changes in the new UBP-Democratic Party (DP) coalition government and Sunat Atun, who had served in the same post in the past, replaced former coalition partner Erhan Arıklı from the Rebirth Party (YDP) and the former Health Minister Ali Pilli is reappointed to his old post, replacing Ünal Üstel. The rest of the ministers remained in their posts.
In this regard, the new cabinet is as follows: Prime Minister: Faiz Sucuoğlu (UBP), Economy and Energy Minister: Sunat Atun (UBP), Tourism and Environment Minister: Fikri Ataoğlu (DP), Foreign Minister: Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu (UBP), Finance Minister: Dursun Oğuz (UBP), Minister of Interior and Local administrations: Kutlu Evren (UBP), Agriculture and Natural Resources: Nazım Çavuşoğlu (UBP), National Education and Youth: Olgun Amcaoğlu (UBP), Minister for Public works and Communication: Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay (UBP), Health Minister: Ali Pilli (UBP), Labour and Social Security Minister: Koral Çağman (DP).
Meanwhile, it emerged that the proposed date to hold an early election might be changed.
Yenidüzen on Saturday reported that Sucuoğlu during the ‘parliamentary advisory board’ meeting, submitted January 16, 2022, as a possible date for an early election.
Speaking to the daily on the condition of anonymity, a source close to the UBP said Sucuoğlu wants to hold an early election as soon as possible to evade the state budget deliberations and the ordeal of getting it approved by the parliament. The same source noted that holding an early election without the budget in place would result in serious economic problems for the north.
Echoing similar views, People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay said the opposition has a consensus on passing the state budget before the elections.
In a social media post on Friday, Özersay pointed to the “painful experience” of the 2018 election, which was held before approving the state budget.
“We believe Sucuoğlu is likely to agree on the proposal of holding the elections after passing the budget, but the parliamentary advisory board meeting could not be completed due to Sucuoğlu leaving early,” Özersay said, adding that the opposition is ready to reach an agreement on the issue in the next meeting.