Front Page Headlines
“There is money for transfers but not money for medicine”
The head of the TIP-İŞ (Doctors’ Union) Dr Mustafa Taşcıoğlu said that millions of Turkish liras were being paid to transfer patients to private hospitals but the purchase of equipment, medicine and hiring of personnel to public hospitals was constantly being postponed or delayed. He also complained that half of the doctors working in the public sector were contract-based and had no job security.
Another life was lost in a crash
There were dozens of collision accidents on the roads in the last 24 hours. One person died, six injured in seven separate traffic accidents that involved 13 cars. 36-year-old O.M.P. died in a horrible accident around 2 am on Sunday in Nicosia when she got stuck under her car that flipped over. Her three friends were injured.
- The government programme will be read out in the parliament – The government programme of the National Unity Party (UBP)-Democratic Party (DP) coalition formed under the leadership of Faiz Sucuoğlu will be read out in parliament today.
It has become a talent to put food on the table
The expensiveness in the TRNC reached its peak. The era of full shopping baskets is over. People are forced to buy their fruits and vegetables by the item instead of by the kilo. The price hike in fuel oil has forced people to opt for alternative ways of getting around. The price hike for bottled cooking gas has forced people to tighten their belts even more.
- System change, not climate change – Dozens of Cypriot political parties and civil society organisations staged a protest at Lokmacı (Ledra St) to draw attention to climate change simultaneously with the world.
They drink and get high
A second accident took place in front of the Atatürk Stadium in Nicosia in the first hours of Sunday morning just shortly after an earlier accident nearby that claimed the life of one person. The second accident was caused when a driver who failed to stop at a red light. The drivers in both accidents are believed to have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- We are rich, filthy rich – It has been claimed that the value of Turkish properties in the south amount to €18bn.
- Six out of ten unemployed – It has been announced that Greek Cypriot youth are not hopeful about the future.
Are his lies a sign of his illness?
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan played basketball with a group of young men but it was not enough to quash rumours that he is ill. It is now claimed that Erdoğan is suffering from time and place disorientation. Erdoğan, speaking at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, said: “Who built this airport? We did it. There was not an airport here before the Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule.” His remarks regarding the airport in Ankara are regarded as a symptom of his illness. Esenboğa Airport was inaugurated in 1955, whereas Erdoğan was born in 1954.
- 61,000 hectares – The total area of the Turkish Cypriot properties left in the south amounts to 61,000 hectares and is valued at €18bn.
Main News
Tatar: We want our sovereignty to be acknowledged
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, who was in Istanbul on Sunday for a day-trip left, said that the Turkish Cypriot side sincerely desired a solution in Cyprus but this settlement could not be a federation.
Speaking during an event organised by the Turkish Cypriot Cultural Association in Istanbul, Tatar argued that the two-state solution model will help resolve all the problems both on the island and in the region.
“The two-state solution is also the only model acceptable by the two peoples and is the only model in the best interests of the two sides,” Tatar argued. Tatar also argued that the two-state solution is the most feasible and sustainable model on the island.
Providing a detailed historical overview, Tatar noted that the Turkish Cypriots had achieved the means of forming their own state following Turkey’s arrival on the island in 1974. “We have our now state in the northern part of Cyprus now,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side was done with giving away concessions following his election as the Turkish Cypriot leader.
“We as the Turkish Cypriot side are now working towards a two-state solution based on sovereign equality,” Tatar stressed, reminding the past failures in attempts to reach a federal settlement. Tatar argued that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to accept a solution based on equality.
“Turkish Cypriots want to continue their existence on the island as equals and not as a minority,” Tatar said, adding that it is therefore a federal settlement is no longer possible. He also touched on the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative claiming that the reopening of the fenced-off town is one of the legs of his position vis-à-vis the Cyprus problem.
“As a result of the reopening of Maraş (Varosha), which will have the utmost respect for international law, former inhabitants will be able to return to their properties through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC),” Tatar said. He added that the reopening was done to end past grievances and to end human rights violations.
Tatar noted that even though it will take time for the international community to accept his new solution vision on the island, Ankara is fully supportive of the Turkish Cypriot side’s vision for the two-state solution based on the sovereign equality of the two sides.
“The Turkish Cypriots are equal to Greek Cypriots. We have as many rights as the Greek Cypriots and we are as sovereign as they are,” Tatar stressed, adding that “sovereignty is our right based on international agreements.”
“We want our sovereignty to be acknowledged and the UN must take these steps without further delay,” Tatar concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TC side sincere about a solution but a federation is impossible.
>> A two-state solution is the most feasible option that will benefit everyone & the region.
>> TC side done with giving away concessions.
>> Former residents of Maraş (Varosha) will be allowed to return to their properties by applying to the IPC.
>> The time has come for the international community to accept the new solution vision in Cyprus.
>> TCs’ sovereignty must be acknowledged & necessary for the UN to take these steps without further delay.
Bicommunal event, a joint voice against climate change
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties, as well as civil society organisations from both sides of the divide, came together on Saturday to draw attention to climate change at the Lokmacı (Ledra St.) crossing.
Reading a joint statement with the theme “Change the System, Not the Climate,” in Greek and in Turkish, the organisers demanded “actions, not just words,” expressing the worry that the UN organised Conference of the Parties – COP26 summit will be a repeat of big words and empty promises instead of striving towards climate justice.
“The temperature of the planet has already risen to 1.1C above the pre-industrial levels, and all around the planet, we’re experiencing the destructive consequences: killer floods in Europe and China, heat waves in North America, a damaging drought in Madagascar, and our neighbourhood – fires in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, and the hottest summer that Cyprus ever experienced,” the joint statement read.
The participants said they demand social and climate justice and laid out their global demands. “Dealing with the climate crisis, which is vital to the survival of the planet, is an integral part of the struggle for a fairer, more peaceful world,” the joint statement concluded.
The event was organized by the bi-communal action against climate change and was supported by Environmental Movement of Cyprus, AKEL, EDON New Cyprus Party (YKP), Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Social Democratic Party (TDP), Communal Liberation Party – New Forces (TKP-YG), United Cyprus Party (BKP), Bağımsızlık Yolu (Road to Independence), Sol Hareket (Left Movement), Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS), Çağ Sen (Turkish Cypriot union for state employees), Baraka Cultural Centre and the Green Peace Movement.
Legislative procedures are underway for the new minority gov’t in the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The legislative procedures for the 25th government in the north are underway with the National Unity Party (UBP) – Democratic Party (DP) coalition government led by newly elected UBP leader Faiz Sucuoğlu presenting its ‘government programme’ to the parliament on Monday.
Following that the minority government will seek a ‘vote of confidence from the parliament. The parliament had convened on Saturday to approve the new cabinet following its approval by the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday.