Front Page Headlines
Bidding farewell to his mother, father, brother and sister
Four members of the Katırcı family were laid to rest. The only survivor, 12-year-old Barış Katırcı also attended the funeral.
- System change in KIBTEK to be implemented – Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy said the Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority (KIBTEK) will have a more corporate structure. He said the most important step will be to separate the corporation’s accounting department.
- 269 illegal workers, ₺961,130 fine – Labour Department continues to clamp down on businesses with illegal workers. Authorities detected 269 illegal workers during inspections held from January 1 to June 21 2019. While the workers have been deported, the Labour Department has issued monetary fines to employers totalling ₺961,130.
The public demands the government improve the economy
Speaking to “Street’s Pulse” programme on Kıbrıs Postası web TV, members of the public complained of the fall in people’s purchasing power and demanded that the government improve the economy.
- Yavuz [drilling vessel] to start drilling soon – Economy and Energy Minister Hasan Taçoy announced Yavuz to commence drilling soon.
- TRNC to celebrate 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day
No one could believe it
A mass funeral was held for the four members of the Katırcı family who drowned in Kaplıca (Davlos) on Friday. Family members could not accept the loss. The only survivor, 12-year-old Barış Katırcı, also attended the funeral.
- 28 kilograms of drugs washed ashore in Gaziveren (Kazivera) – Police, upon a call, went to the Aphrodite Beach in Gaziveren (Kazivera) and found 19 packages of what is believed to be marijuana.
Woman’s chemistry in politics
People’s Party (HP) MP Jale Refik Rogers hosted Havadis reporters at her home in Kyrenia. The day-long conversation started from her childhood. Rogers: “developing health policies is part of my job.”
- The saddest farewell – Ramazan, Filiz, Merve and Mert Katırcı who drowned in Kaplıca (Davlos) were laid to rest. The only survivor, 12-year-old Barış Katırcı, also attended the funeral.
- Kilos of drugs washed ashore – 28 kilos of marijuana were found in 19 separate packages at the Aphrodite Beach in Gaziveren (Kazivera).
Deadly
While the synthetic drug ‘bonsai’ is banned in the European Union (EU) including South Cyprus, it has become a popular drug among Turkish Cypriot youth due to its cheap price. Greek Cypriots do not take this drug but sell it to the north. Drug addiction and trafficking are on the rise on both sides of the island. While wealthy Greek Cypriots prefer ‘cocaine’, the Greek Cypriot police reports do not talk about ‘bonsai’ at all. Greek Cypriots do not use ‘bonsai’ because it is considered the most dangerous type but they sell it to the north.
- The saddest day for Barış – Barış Katırcı, who lost his mother, father and two siblings attended the funeral. Osman Göztaş, who tried to save the Katırcı family from drowning, spoke to Diyalog and said: “I battled the waves for 30 minutes.”
- Not concerned about threats – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Yavuz, Fatih and Barbaros are being protected by both the air force and navy.
Turkey finds natural gas
Phileleftheros, which has the highest circulation in the south, makes two very important claims. The first one is that the Fatih drilling vessel, which is currently off the shore of Baf (Paphos) discovered 170 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. The second claim is that Turkey will station S-400 missiles in North Cyprus to ensure protection of its activities.
- Heartbreaking funeral for four – Funeral held for the Katırcı family. Mustafa Akıncı, who attended the funeral, said both the state and the community must help Barış (Katırcı), who is the only survivor in his family, to save his future.
- Yet another threat – [Turkish FM] Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu: Turkey will continue its activities unless the Greek Cypriots agree to collaborate.
Main News
Taçoy says Yavuz to commence drilling soon
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot economy and energy minister Hasan Taçoy announced that Turkey’s second drillship, the Yavuz, will commence its drilling soon in an interview to the Turkish Cypriot TAK news agency, published on Monday by all six dailies.
Taçoy stressed Turkish Cypriots have rights over the island’s natural resources and added: “It is only natural for Turkey to be protecting our rights.”
Taçoy recalled an agreement was signed with Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) in 2011 as a result of the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities.
“The 2011 agreement with TPAO provides the legal basis for carrying out drilling,” Taçoy added.
He also noted his priority will be updating the law on the TRNC territorial waters on the basis of reciprocity.
“Together with the law on territorial waters, there will also be legal efforts on the exclusive economic zone bill, coastal safety bill, adjacent zone bill, and a bill on how to utilize the hydrocarbons. If we can achieve all these, we would open the path for ourselves and will allow the people to have a stronger hand in the future,” Taçoy said.
He also noted that a Higher Board of Energy will be established soon and the efforts for it were already underway.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said “we are taking concrete steps against the understanding that aims to eliminate the rights, interests and benefits of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in Eastern Mediterranean”, during a meeting in Istanbul with the chief editors of prominent newspapers and TV channel.
Erdoğan stressed that the Yavuz and Fatih drillships as well as the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa seismic research vessel were continuing with their activities without any fear of threats.
“The Turkish navy and air forces provide protection and security to our ships,” Erdoğan added.
Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Ömer Çelik tweeted on Sunday: “We expect the guarantor states to support TRNC’s peaceful politics against European Union’s and Greek Cypriot side’s conflict-oriented approach.
He added Turkey is determined to protect both its own rights and TRNC’s rights without any concessions.
Çelik stressed President Mustafa Akıncı’s proposal on collaborating in hydrocarbons, submitted to the Greek Cypriot leadership via the United Nations, is an important step. “The Turkish side once more raised collaborative politics over conflict politics,” Çelik added.
The proposal to manage the resources through a joint committee by the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot sides under the supervision of the United Nations is one that highlights the importance of collaboration, he said.
“Moreover, simultaneous utilization of the natural resources is a requirement of fairness,” Çelik added.
Pointing to the need to appreciate the TRNC’s peaceful approach contrary to the EU’s support for the Greek Cypriot side, Çelik said: “There are enough heated conflicts in the world. TRNC’s approach, therefore, must be appreciated. Both Turkey and the TRNC have adopted a stance in favour of justice and law against unjust and unlawful attempts.”
Çelik said it is their expectation to see the guarantor states supportive of TRNC’s peaceful position on the issue. “If justice and law will be the basis, then TRNC’s proposal, which was put forward as a result of diplomatic intelligence, must be backed by all,” Çelik concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Taçoy
>> TCs have rights over the island’s natural resources.
>> Only natural for the TCs to be protecting their rights.
>> TPAO agreement in 2011 signed in response to GC side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities provides the basis for TC side’s hydrocarbon activities.
>> Priority will be to update the laws on the TRNC territorial waters, on the exclusive economic zone, coastal safety and adjacent zones.
Erdoğan
>> Taking concrete steps against the understanding that aims to eliminate the rights, interests and benefits of Turkey and TCs in East Med.
>> Turkey’s hydrocarbon vessels continue their activities without fear due to protection and security provided by the Turkish navy and air force.
Çelik
>> Turkey determined to protect both its own rights and TRNC’s rights without any concessions.
>> Akıncı’s proposal on collaborating in hydrocarbons is an important step.
>> Simultaneous utilization of natural resources is a requirement of fairness.
>> TRNC’s peaceful approach must be appreciated.
>> Guarantor states should be supportive of TRNC’s peaceful position on the issue.
>> If justice and law will be the basis, then TRNC’s proposal must be backed