TCC Press Review 1 Dec 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

“How much longer with these high prices?”

Yenidüzen spoke to people about the foreign exchange rates and price hikes. While the loss in the value of the Turkish Lira has led to daily price hikes and a drop in purchasing power, the public is overwhelmed and fed up with those who try to exploit the situation. People say they have no strength left to go on and feel extremely desperate.

Kıbrıs

Health professionals don’t know what to do!

While the daily number of Covid-19 cases is swiftly climbing, the 24-bed capacity ICU at the pandemic hospital is full. No one knows what to do as and when the 25th patient requiring intensive care arrives at the hospital. The number of patients in the hospital also rose significantly. Health professionals are not able to cope with the growing demand. On top of that, there is not an end to the queue formed by the positive patients outside waiting to be examined by a doctor.

  • Nations Party as a whole to join the UBPBertan Zaroğlu, the founder of the Nations Party, announced the party will be dissolved and the party members will join the National Unity Party (UBP).

Havadis

Bad news: The ICU is filled to the brim

While the world expects a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, the (medical) system in the TRNC is already stretched to its limits. The ICU is full and there are not enough nurses to deal with the growing number of patients.

  • The Greek Cypriots ask for the return of their properties The new head of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) Növber Veçhi talked about the applications made to the commission by Greek Cypriots and responded to questions on Maraş (Varosha).

Diyalog

It’s not a western…it’s the TRNC reality!

The Özşahin brothers who turned down two hitchhikers were then locked in a fight after one of them flipped them. Punches were not the only thing thrown around during the brawl as guns were fired.

  • The figures concerning unvaccinated: 5,473Only 387 cases detected in 599 vaccinated.

Avrupa

Shortages

We have seen such days! It is as if we are going through a war. (Illustrated with photographs of signs on supermarket windows, reading sales of alcohol, cigarettes and sugar limited to two bottles or packs.)

Main News

Veçhi: Increase in IPC applications for Maraş (Varosha)

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property

OVERVIEW

The number of applications to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) concerning the fenced area of Maraş (Varosha) has grown massively since the beginning of last year, the head of the IPC Növber Ferit Veçhi said on Monday.

In an interview with the Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK, Veçhi said the number of applications concerning properties in Maraş (Varosha) has risen from 280 in February last year, to 338 when part of the fenced area opened in October 2020, to 410 today.

Veçhi said that since the establishment of the committee to date 6,999 applications have been received, 1,301 of which have been completed. But she added that the IPC so far has ruled in favour of compensation to applicants amounting to a total of £325.6m.

She added that the commission also ruled in favour of restitution of three properties, exchange and compensation for two cases, restitution and compensation for seven properties, the restitution of one property following a solution to the Cyprus Problem and partial restitution for another property.

Vehçi reminded that the IPC just as was the case with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had no financial obligations. “We are an authority that takes decisions. We have no authority, initiative or financial responsibility to make out payments. That is completely in the hands of the interested parties,” she said.        

Regarding properties in Maraş (Varosha), Vehçi said that the majority of applicants were requesting the return of their property.

Asked about how restitution of property is implemented, she said restitution presupposes that the said property is not used by someone in the north or by someone whose return will not endanger “national and public security”. She also said the people whose property has been returned have all rights within the framework of the north’s laws.

Veçhi also noted that besides those who want to build a house and settle down, some want to sell their property. In such cases, the interested parties can turn to the IPC for the sale procedure. To-date, she added, 24 applications have been made to the IPC, 12 of which have been completed while permission for the sale of property has been granted for eight.

Vehçi also said that they have received no information that such individuals wishing to exercise their property rights in the north were subject to any mistreatment.


Hasipoğlu says north has stepped up efforts for political recognition

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) and member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiations team Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said on Monday that the Turkish Cypriot side had intensified its efforts towards achieving diplomatic recognition of the north.

Speaking during a BBNTürk programme, Hasipoğlu argued that the recognition of the north’s sovereignty was the only way for the ‘TRNC’ to be included in the international arena.

“The Greek Cypriot side will eventually understand the fact that they cannot achieve what they want through unilateral steps they take, instead of reaching a two-state solution based on sovereign equality,” Hasipoğlu stressed, adding that the north will continue its hydrocarbon activities in cooperation with Turkey.

He also stressed the Turkish Cypriot side will not make any concessions on its sovereignty rights on the island or from its rights in the seas or the air.

Pointing to the recent Navtex (navigational telex) issued by the Greek Cypriot side, Hasipoğlu argued that “This is unlawful,” adding that this is a violation of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, who have been waging a struggle for their sovereignty.

The UBP General Secretary reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side had submitted proposals on the issue of hydrocarbons on four different occasions calling for the establishment of a joint committee to discuss sharing of authority and revenues.

“However, all the four proposals were rejected by the Greek Cypriot side,” Hasipoğlu said, accusing the Greek Cypriot side of being insincere and of refusing to share wealth and power with Turkish Cypriots.

He added that the Turkish Cypriot community had other alternatives to a federal settlement, arguing that the rules of the game had changed following Ersin Tatar’s election as the new Turkish Cypriot leader.

“Instead of remaining a hostage at the negotiating table, the Turkish Cypriot side has adopted a position in favour of the acceptance of the north’s sovereign equality and equal international status,” Hasipoğlu stressed, adding that this was in the best interest of the Turkish Cypriots.

He also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side has stepped up its efforts for the political recognition of the north, engaging in close contact with Pakistani and Azeri officials. The UBP official said that the Turkish Cypriots had stopped waiting time at the negotiating table and were now seeking ways of drawing their path.

Hasipoğlu also defended the government’s initiative to reopen Maraş (Varosha), stating that this was one of several blows dealt against the status quo. He said that the fenced-off town was no longer included in the list of areas that would be considered in the event territorial concessions are to be made in the negotiations.

KEY ACTORS
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> TC side has stepped up efforts towards achieving political recognition of the north.
>> Recognition of the north’s sovereignty only way for ‘TRNC’ to be included in the international arena.
>> TC side will continue hydrocarbon activities with Turkey & will not make any concessions on its rights.
>> TC side has alternatives to a federal settlement & rules of the game have changed with the election of Tatar.
>> Maraş (Varosha) removed from the list of areas to be given away in the event of territorial concessions.


Tatar: TC side’s new position on Cyprob closed its doors to a federation

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday said the Turkish Cypriot side has adopted a new position that is based on the sovereign equality of the two sides and closed its doors to a federal settlement.

Speaking during a meeting in Istanbul organized by the Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, Tatar also underlined the Turkish Cypriot side will never accept revoking Turkey’s guarantees or withdrawal of the Turkish troops.

“If there is going to be an agreement in Cyprus, it can only be based on two states which are equal to each other and co-exist side-by-side,” Tatar reiterated. Explaining the course of the negotiations throughout the decades, Tatar argued the federal settlement aimed at forcing Turkey to cut off its ties with the Turkish Cypriots.

“The fairy tale of a federation is over,” he stressed, adding that the Greek Cypriot side accuses Turkey of being an ‘occupying force’ on the island even though the Turkish troops had brought peace in 1974.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Turkish Cypriot parliament Önder Sennaroğlu on Tuesday urged the Arab and Islamic world to work towards encouraging the Greek Cypriot side to abandon what he described as its intransigent stance on the Cyprus Issue.

Addressing MPs and delegates from Arab and Islamic countries at the 4th conference organised in the Turkish capital Ankara by the Inter-parliamentary Jerusalem Platform, Sennaroğlu said that the Turkish Cypriot community perhaps were the best to understand the strife of the Palestinian people and what it meant to be forced to abandon their ancestral homes by violence and war.

Also touching upon the Cyprus Issue, Sennaroğlu said that the Turkish Cypriot side with the support of Turkey had tabled new, creative and fresh ideas at the informal summit held in Geneva earlier this year in an attempt to break the vicious circle on the Cyprus Problem.

“Our proposal is a two-state solution based on sovereign equality and equal international status. It has become clear that only through this approach will it be possible to reach an outcome,” he said.

Sennaroğlu said that the Turkish Cypriot side was exerting great diplomatic efforts to convince everyone that this is the most feasible option in Cyprus. “It is vital for the international community to convince the Greek Cypriot side to abandon its irreconcilable stance. This is a regional necessity,” Sennaroglu concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TC side will never accept giving up Turkey’s guarantees or removal of Turkish troops.
>> Time for a federal settlement is over.

Sennaroğlu (UBP)
>> Two-state solution based on sovereign equality & equal international status is the only option for reaching a reasonable outcome.
>> International community should convince the GC side to abandon its irreconcilable stance.


MoD: Ankara determined to protect the rights of the TCs in the East Med


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/ International Relations

OVERVIEW

Turkish Ministry of Defence reiterated that it will continue to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean and will be the assurance of peace and security on the island based on rights emanating from international treaties.

Speaking during the routine press briefing, Ministry spokeswoman Major Pinar Kara also underlined Ankara is working intensely to resolve all the disputes in line with international law and within the scope of good neighbourly relations.

“Despite Turkey’s efforts, Greece continues with its provocative and hostile attitude towards Turkey, which aimed at escalating tension in the region,” Kara stressed, adding that it is unfortunate to see Greece continuing with baseless accusations against Ankara despite repeated calls for dialogue.

Kara noted that Greece has committed 2,321 violations on the demilitarized islands in 2021 to date. She added that Greece also continues to issue new Navtex despite the 1988 dated moratorium agreement. In 2021, Kara noted, Greece has violated the moratorium 59 times.

She also underlined that Greece continues to carry out military drills by bringing in countries outside of the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. “Ankara no doubt responds to Greece provocative and hostile attitude within the principles of reciprocity,” Kara stressed, adding that actions carried out by Greece pose a threat to regional peace, stability and security.

Moreover, Kara added that Greece continues to invest in arms with encouragement from other countries. “This is a futile effort. In addition to Ankara, Greek politicians, commanders and academicians also note that the investments in arms are not needed,” she said.

Kara also noted that contrary to the international rights, and universal principles, Greece continues to push back the irregular migrants, leaving children and women out in the open seas.

“It is our expectation from Greece to abandon its irreconcilable stance and agree to dialogue without trying to impose any preconditions,” Kara stressed, adding that the Turkish Ministry of Defence officials continue to wait for their Greek counterparts to agree for the fourth round of negotiations for confidence-building measures.

On the Cyprus issue, Kara stressed that the repeated methodologies to find a lasting agreement have failed to date. “It is seen that the negotiations will not be launched unless the equal sovereignty and the equal international status of the two states on the island are accepted,” Kara stressed, pointing that the two-state model is the most feasible option for the island.

Kara concluded by noting that Turkey will be the sole assurance of peace and security on the island with rights emanating from international treaties.

KEY ACTORS
Akar (Turkey)
>> Turkey will continue to defend its & TCs’ rights in the East Med as well as remain the assurance of peace in Cyprus.
>> Actions carried out by Greece pose a threat to regional peace, stability & security.
>> Greece should abandon its irreconcilable stance & agree to dialogue without trying to impose any preconditions.
>> Two-state model in Cyprus is the most feasible option.


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