TCC Press Review 27 Nov 2019

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Ten-year-old Atlas was discharged, but then lost his life

The sudden death of ten-year-old Atlas Rüstemoğlu from Yayla (Gialia) at his home in the early hours of Tuesday morning has drowned his family and country in sorrow. He was first taken to the Cengiz Topel public hospital in Morphou on Monday night with complaints of a stomach ache before being transferred by ambulance to the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital in Nicosia. A few hours later he was discharged only to die in his home early the next day.

  • Tufan Erhürman: “We shouldn’t waste more time”, President Akıncı: “We shall not rush for a five-party meeting”
  • “In the freezer until the spring” – This is how the Berlin meeting was reported in the Greek Cypriot press.

Kıbrıs Postası

Atlas passed away hours after doctors examined him

Ten-year-old Atlas Rüstemoğlu went to Cengiz Topel with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea at three in the morning. He was then sent to the state hospital in Nicosia. Allegedly, he was diagnosed with “intestinal gas” and his parents were told to take him to a paediatrician the next day. Around seven o’clock in the morning, he passed away in the ambulance on the way back to the hospital.

  • “The first movement in the Cyprus problem will be after spring” – President Mustafa Akıncı spoke on his return from Berlin and said the realistic expectation would be the process to gain momentum after the spring.

Kıbrıs

Pensioners file a lawsuit against the Greek Cypriot administration

As a result of the amendments to the general health scheme GESY in the south, Turkish Cypriots, who have retired from the south, are not able to benefit from health services. The first hearing of the case will be held on 3 December. Tanyol Çeribaşı and Asım Ebeoğlu are the plaintiffs but the case concerns thousands of Turkish Cypriots.

  • Is there a doctor’s negligence in Atlas’ death? – The north shook by the news on Atlas Rüstemoğlu’s passing away. His parents claim there is gross negligence on the doctor’s part and want to pursue the case. Burhan Nalbantoğlu state hospital also launched an investigation into the case.

Havadis

Winking at the presidential race

Democratic Party (DP) Nicosia MP Serdar Denktaş responds to questions from Havadis regarding his presidential election candidacy. He said he has received positive feedback from the people regarding his candidacy.

  • The President returns pleased – President Mustafa Akıncı held a press briefing upon returning to the island at Ercan (Tymbou) airport.

Diyalog

What is happening?

Ten-year-old Atlas Rüstemoğlu who was taken to hospital with complaints of dizziness lost his life four hours after being discharged.

  • Message to the government – İŞAD (TC Businessmen’s Association) and many other economic organisations are staging a protest at the Metehan (Ayios Dometios) crossing point today (Wednesday) to demand measures to speed up crossings.

Afrika

The emphasis on a federal settlement leaves its mark

Those who claimed the “federation model” was dead and who advocate a two-state solution are unhappy with the result of the trilateral meeting in Berlin. Turkey has yet to make a clear statement on the issue.

  • Protest at the crossing point – İŞAD, KTZEO, MÜSİAD, GİAD and RESBİR will be protesting the ordeal people endure when crossing through checkpoints and will be demanding a solution to the problem.

Main News

Akıncı says the five-party meeting will not be rushed

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

President Mustafa Akıncı said the grounds for a five-party meeting had been prepared at Berlin but that such a meeting will not be rushed.

Akıncı who was speaking to reporters at Ercan (Tymbou) airport on Tuesday night upon his return from Berlin repeated that positive steps had been taken at the trilateral meeting.

He said that the principles and terms which the Turkish Cypriot side defended had made its way into Guterres’ documents. 

“Firstly, the goal of achieving a bizonal, bicommunal federation based on political equality has been reaffirmed. A settlement which does not include our political equality and its elements is not on the agenda,” he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot community was against partition.

Akıncı also said that there will be no negotiations for the sake of negotiations anymore and that any new process will be very different compared to processes of the past.

“We will first establish a strategy. The UN Secretary-General in his statement made it clear that the process will be results-oriented,” he noted.

Akıncı also drew attention to the UN’s involvement in the process.

“The UN’s support is very important. The UN Secretary-General (UNSG) will personally explore the possibility of a five-party meeting. When I mean five-party I mean the two sides, the three guarantor countries plus the United Nations,” he added.

Akıncı pointed out that the UN was working hard for a solution.

He, however, said that there will be no rush for the five-party meeting.

“A realistic expectation is the start of a new momentum on the Cyprus Problem. The reason why it won’t be rushed is the domestic developments within the respective parties involved,” he added.

Akıncı said that a collective effort was needed to solve the Cyprus Problem, adding that the support of the international community, particularly the UN, EU and guarantor countries are very important.

“More importantly is for the two communities to support the process and to uphold it,” he said.


Mixed reactions over outcome of Berlin trilateral

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power sharing

OVERVIEW

The outcome of the trilateral meeting held in Berlin on Monday was met with mixed reactions from the political parties and actors in the north.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay was also critical of the outcome of the trilateral meeting in Berlin.

In a post on social media, Özersay said the statement issued following the trilateral meeting in Berlin only served the continuation of the status quo on the island and endless talks.

Referring to Akıncı’s metaphor on bringing the process back on track, Özersay wrote: “The same train remains on the same tracks pretending to move but it’s not going anywhere!” 

“Unless someone questions this anomaly by displaying a bit of courage, it will not be possible to reach any results,” Özersay said.

Özersay noted that the issues, mainly the definition of “political equality,” that have been reaffirmed during the trilateral meeting in Berlin were also at the table during the Cyprus conference in Crans Montana.

“The disagreement in Crans Montana was not in the ability to reaffirm the same old sentences and principles but was on the meaning of these sentences,” Özersay said.

He said the sides might be uttering the same sentences but were interpreting them very differently.

As an example, he said even though there had been references made to the definition of political equality from the 1990s, it does not mean that the Turkish Cypriot side’s primary position of ‘one-positive vote’ principle requirement has been met.

“The Greek Cypriot leader will continue to demonize the one-positive vote principle if I may use Akıncı’s words,” Özersay said.

Özersay also argued that the bizonality aspect of the solution, which is one of the known UN parameters, is gradually fading away from the ongoing debates and the process has been downgraded to a discussion on political equality and guarantees.

“Even though the UN documents define bizonality as a ‘clear majority’ in property and population in the respective constituent states, the Guterres framework does not refer to this and it is doubtful the Greek Cypriot side has any intention of accepting this parameter,” Özersay stressed.

Özersay said he was not convinced any new process would be different as stated by the UNSG, recalling the Greek Cypriot side’s stance in Crans Montana and the period that followed.

“The Greek Cypriot side had claimed the sides did not prepare well for the Cyprus conference. It will use the same line to insist on a full agreement on all internal issues before moving on to the five-party conference,” Özersay said.

He argued that if the next process is going to be different, then the difference should have been defined otherwise the sides will interpret this very sentence however it suits them.

Özersay also criticized Akıncı for claiming a new process will not be open-ended as the UNSG had made no reference to clear timelines or dates in his statement.

Özersay also argued that the trilateral meeting was held without the Terms of Reference (ToR) document, which was supposed to be finalized before the meeting, to define the basis for the new process and lay out the joint vision.

He added UN Secretary-General said in his statement that Jane Holl Lute will continue her work to try to prepare the ToR.

“We found the same old unproductive process before us once again after Berlin,” Özersay concluded.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre on Monday also criticized the Greek Cypriot side and the outcome of the Berlin trilateral.

Töre, speaking in Büyükkonuk (Komi Kebir) said that same words and promises were being repeated for the last 50-60 years.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side’s stance was inconsistent with goodwill.

“The Greek Cypriots want Turkey to halt its drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, to put an end to the presence of Turkish troops on the island and scrap the system of guarantees. All these contradict with goodwill,” he said.

UBP MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu on Tuesday also said that nothing of substance had emerged from the trilateral meeting in Berlin.

He criticized Akıncı for failing to adopt a new negotiating strategy for the past five years.

“Neither a time table or deadline for talks emerged from the Berlin meeting. The UNSG says he will do all he can but fails to give any deadlines or dates. What Akıncı is basically saying is that we should leave this issue to after the 2020 presidential elections. This is not the right way to go,” he said.

The UBP MP also said that the Berlin meeting could not be described as successful.

“To get the Greek Cypriots back on track on issues that were already agreed upon in the past is not a success because the process is entering an endless and dark tunnel with no light at the end,” he said.

Hasipoğlu reminded out that any new negotiations needed to be results-oriented.

The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman on Monday said that everyone was fully aware that the basis of the negotiations conducted under the UN umbrella was a bicommunal, bizonal federation based on political equality.

In a post on social media, Erhürman said that two years have been wasted as a result of the ‘creative proposals’ and delaying tactics the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had resorted to.

“Political equality requires the effective participation of both communities in all bodies and decision-making processes of the federal government. This has been clear since UN Security Council resolution in 1991. Rotating presidency is also part of past convergences. But Mr Anastasiades even tried to open this issue to discussion. Two years were lost as a result,” he said.

Erhürman said that it was a positive thing that the UN Secretary-General had finally put an end to these unnecessary debates with the overdue initiative he took with the Berlin trilateral meeting.

He, however, pointed out that the uncertainty concerning the Terms of Reference (ToR), the strategic agreement, a five-party meeting and a timetable for results-oriented talks continued.

“It is at this point that we need to work together tirelessly through proactive diplomacy to prevent further loss of time. We shall continue to do all that is necessary,” he added.

“I still cannot see when the status quo will end,” CTP MP and former negotiator Özdil Nami expressed his displeasure with the outcome of the trilateral meeting. Nonetheless, he noted that confirming past convergences is a positive development.

“The question as to how to structure a results-oriented negotiations process within a given time-line is not answered during the meeting, most likely due to an objection from the Greek Cypriot leader,” Nami stressed.

He added the UNSG instead contented by stating that the process this time will be different without going into any details.

Nami also said, “The Secretary-General’s commitment to assisting the sides to reach an agreement on the ToR even though his special envoy has been working on the issue for more than a year, is like dark humour!”

He reminded that more than two years had passed since the UNSG advised the two leaders time to reflect on the process.

“The UNSG should have clearly told [Nicos] Anastasiades that the UN will no longer tolerate his delaying tactics not will it allow its resources to be wasted but he didn’t!” Nami said.

He argued that as a result, it is now proven that appointing a special envoy, who does not know anything about the Cyprus problem was a mistake.

“It is revealed that Ms [Jane Holl] Lute, since the day of her appointment has not done anything to take the process forward,” Nami said.

Nami, referring to Anastasiades’ statement following the meeting, said the Greek Cypriot leader believed he had taken the first positive step towards re-initiating dialogue.

He argued that Anastasiades summarized his position on continuing with the negotiations without any desire to end the status quo.

“As a result, the process is now postponed to a date after the presidential elections in the north,” Nami noted, expressing disappointment over the prolonging of the process which he added was close to being finalized.

“Instead of clearly stating how the process will be concluded, the sides agreed to continue the dialogue from the point it had been left off. It took them two years to say that! I am not happy with the outcome because I cannot see when the status quo will be over!” Nami concluded.

CTP MP Fikri Toros said, “the outcome of the Berlin trilateral is a road map with its route known for the final phase of the comprehensive settlement.” 

“Reaffirming their loyalty to the bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution model based on political equality; clarifying the basis of the negotiations process, and UNSG’s commitment to working towards reaching the comprehensive strategic political agreement pointing to an action plan have met the people’s expectations,” Toros noted. 

“I see the outcome of the tripartite meeting as a positive development and I salute it,” he added.

The CTP MP noted that the reaffirmation of the solution model in line with the 11 February 2014 joint declaration, puts an end to the various viewpoints such as “equal sovereignty”, “models based on collaboration” or the “two-state solution model”. “Such ideas, which are aimed at creating confusion among the community are left behind now,” Toros said.

He also expressed his approval for the references made by the UN Secretary-General to UNSC resolutions that define political equality.

“As CTP, we will continue our work towards the comprehensive settlement, with a sense of urgency and in line with the party’s vision towards a united federal Cyprus,” Toros concluded.

The Rebirth Party (YDP) on Tuesday said that nothing new had come out of the meeting.

In a written statement, the deputy leader of the YDP Enver Öztürk said that Turkey as a guarantor country should not allow a five-party meeting from going ahead.

“All they did was beat the air,” said Öztürk, claiming that the Berlin meeting had rekindled Akıncı’s hopes for re-election in the 2020 presidential election.

He argued that nothing of substance had been discussed at the trilateral meeting and that the same old vague wording and statements had been repeated.

“I would like to know, has the Greek Cypriot side accepted the Turkish Cypriot state which will be formed as an equal partner? Has Anastasiades abandoned his position in favour of zero troops and zero guarantees?” Öztürk asked.

Öztürk said that the UN Secretary-General and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had allowed Akıncı to use the Cyprus Problem for his re-election but that this would not be enough to get him re-elected. 

“This will not prevent new arguments and positions being presented on the Cyprus Issue,” he said.

İzzet İzcan, leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) on Tuesday welcomed the outcome of the meeting, arguing that the stones had fallen into place and a roadmap had been drawn for the future.

“The reaffirmation of the two leaders’ commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution is the most important outcome of the meeting,” said İzcan.

He added that polices advocating a confederation or two-state solution were no longer on the agenda.

“The priority of the two sides at this stage is to prepare for a five-party meeting by displaying the necessary political will, to finalize the ToR as soon as possible,” he concluded.

In a statement on Tuesday, UniteCyprusNow (UCN) urged the UN Secretary-General to hold the two leaders accountable in his upcoming report to the Security Council. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, UCN argued the outcome of the Berlin trilateral meeting is a return to the point the process was left off in Crans Montana in the summer of 2017.

“There is enough time for the guardians of the status quo and/or the promoters of partition to throw the process off track again,” UCN said as the ToR needs to be finalized before convening the five-party meeting or before the resumption of the talks. 

Referring to and quoting from the past reports by the Secretary-General on the Cyprus talks, UCN underscored the two leaders have the responsibility to prepare their respective communities for a settlement through public messages on convergences by refraining from actions or rhetoric that detracts from a successful process.

Also referring to the Secretary-General’s statement after the trilateral meeting in Berlin, UCN said “if it will be different this time,” the two sides must deliver what they have been saying for the future well-being of both communities. “And if this time is indeed different, the sides should be held accountable if they don’t,” UCN concluded its statement.

KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> The statement issued following the trilateral meeting in Berlin only serves for the continuation of the status quo & endless talks.
>> The process is the same. It pretends to move forward but is not going anywhere.
>> Unless someone questions this anomaly by displaying a bit of courage, it will not be possible to reach any results.
>> The disagreement in Crans Montana was not in the ability to reaffirm the same old sentences and principles but was on the meaning of these sentences.
>> The two sides might be uttering the same sentences but interpret them differently.
>> The TC side’s primary position of ‘one-positive vote’ principle requirement has not been met even though there is a reference to the definition of political equality.
>> The GC leader will continue to “demonize the one-positive vote principle”.
>> The bizonality aspect of the solution is gradually fading away from the ongoing debates.
>> The process has been downgraded to a discussion on political equality & guarantees.
>> Even though the UN documents define bizonality as a ‘clear majority’ in property & population in the respective constituent states, the Guterres framework makes no reference to it & GC side does not have any intention of accepting this parameter.
>> The GC side will use the same line to insist full agreement on all internal issues before moving on to the five-party conference.
>> If the next process is going to be different, then the difference should have been defined. Otherwise the sides will interpret this the way it suits them.
>> No mention of clear timelines or dates to prove Akıncı right that the next process will not be open-ended.
>> The trilateral meeting was held without the ToR and Lute will continue her work to finalize it.
 >> We found the same old unproductive process before us once again after Berlin.

Töre (UBP)
>> The same words and promises have been repeated for the last 50-60 years.
>> The GC side’s stance is inconsistent with goodwill.

Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> Nothing of substance emerged from Berlin meeting.
>> No timetable or deadline agreed at Berlin meeting.
>> Akıncı failed to develop a new strategy in talks for the past five years.
>> Akıncı Berlin meeting cannot be described as successful.
>> Postponing progress until after 2020 presidential elections not appropriate.
>> To get the GC back on track on issues that were already agreed upon in the past is not a success.
>> The process is entering an endless & dark tunnel with no light at the end.
>> Any new negotiations needed to be results-oriented.

Erhürman (CTP)
>> Everyone is fully aware that the basis of the negotiations conducted under the UN umbrella was BBF based on political equality.
>> Two years have been wasted as a result of the ‘creative proposals’ & delaying tactics the GC leader Nicos Anastasiades had resorted to.
>> Political equality requires the effective participation of both communities in all bodies & decision-making processes of the federal government. This has been clear since UN Security Council resolution in 1991.
>> Rotating presidency is also part of past convergences.
>> It was a positive thing that the UNSG had finally put an end to these unnecessary debates with the overdue initiative he took with the Berlin trilateral meeting.
>> The uncertainty concerning the ToR, the strategic agreement, a five-party meeting and a timetable for results-oriented talks continues.
>> All actors need to work together tirelessly through proactive diplomacy to prevent further loss of time.
>> CTP shall continue to do all that is necessary.

Nami (CTP)
>> End of status quo not in sight.
>> Confirming past convergences is a positive development.
>> The question as to how to structure a results-oriented negotiations process within a given time-line is not answered.
>> The UNSG’s commitment to assisting the sides to reach an agreement on the ToR even though his special envoy has been working on the issue for more than a year is like dark humour!
>> UNSG should have clearly told Anastasiades that the UN will no longer allow his delaying tactics & will no longer allow its resources to be wasted but he didn’t!
>> It is now proven that appointing a special envoy, who does not know anything about the Cyprob was a grave mistake.
>> Lute, since the day of her appointment has not done anything to take the process forward.
>> It is very unfortunate to see the process, which was so close to being finalized, will be prolonged.
>> Instead of clearly stating how the process will be concluded, the sides agreed to continue the dialogue from the point it had been left off. It took them two years to say this!

Toros (CTP)
>> The outcome of the Berlin trilateral is a road map for a comprehensive settlement.
>> Reaffirming their loyalty to the BBF based on political equality; clarifying the basis of the negotiations process; & UNSG’s commitment to working towards reaching the comprehensive strategic political agreement pointing to an action plan have met TCs’ expectations.
>> The outcome of the tripartite meeting is a positive development.
>> The reaffirmation of the solution model in line with the 11 February 2014 joint declaration, puts an end to the various viewpoints such as “equal sovereignty”, “models based on collaboration” or the “two-state solution model”.
>> Such ideas, which are aimed at creating confusion among the community are left behind now.
>> CTP will continue its work towards a comprehensive settlement, with a sense of urgency and in line with the party’s vision towards a united federal Cyprus.

Öztürk (YDP)
>> Nothing new has come out of the trilateral meeting in Berlin.
>> Turkey as a guarantor country should not allow a five-party meeting from going ahead.
>> All the sides did was beat the air during the trilateral meeting.
>> The Berlin meeting has rekindled Akıncı’s hopes for re-election.
>> UNSG & the GC leader has given Akıncı the opportunity to use the Cyprob for his re-election but that this would not be enough to get him re-elected.
>> This will not prevent new arguments & positions being presented on the Cyprob.

UCN
>> UNSG should hold the two leaders accountable in his upcoming report to the UNSC.
>> The outcome of the Berlin trilateral meeting is a return to the point where talks left off in Crans Montana.
>> There is enough time for the guardians of the status quo and/or the promoters of partition to throw the process off track again until the ToR is finalized & a five-party meeting is convened.
>> The two leaders have a responsibility to prepare their respective communities for a settlement through public messages, by refraining from actions or rhetoric that detracts from a successful process.
>> If it will be different this time, the two sides must deliver what they have been saying for the future well-being of both communities.
>> And if this time is indeed different, the sides should be held accountable if they don’t.


Turkey’s policy is based on a structure for equal rights in Cyprus

Kıbrıs Postası, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

“Turkey’s policy on Cyprus is based on establishing a structure based on equal rights,” Turkey’s Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Foreign Policy Forum in Berlin, Kalın noted that the Greek Cypriot side continued with its intransigent attitude on the negotiations process.

Kalın said Ankara has adopted a viewpoint that the open-ended negotiations process will not yield any results. “The future negotiations process must be a clearly defined process with its principles and its road map,” Kalın said, adding that no new round of talks can be open-ended. 

Kalın said Turkey is advocating for a structure in which the Turkish Cypriots will have equal status on the island with assurances for their political and economic rights. “Any other alternative is unacceptable from Turkey’s point of view,” Kalın said.

Reminding Turkey’s initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Kalın said, “the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean continue to be a problem as long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved.”

He accused the European Union of being biased towards the Greek Cypriot administration instead of adopting a constructive approach on the matter. 

“Turkey is ready and willing to assist in any effort towards the solution of the Cyprus problem but our primary principle is to establish a structure safeguarding Turkish Cypriots’ best interests and their rights,” Kalın concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Kalın (Turkey)
>> Turkey’s policy on Cyprus is based on establishing a structure based on equal rights.
>> The GC side continues with its intransigent attitude on the negotiations process.
>> Turkey has adopted a viewpoint that the open-ended negotiations process will not yield any results.
>> The future negotiations process must be a clearly defined process with its principles and its road map and it cannot be an open-ended process.
>> Turkey is advocating for a structure in which the TCs will have equal status on the island with assurances on their political and economic rights.
>> Any other alternative is unacceptable from Turkey’s point of view.
>> The natural resources in the East Med. continue to be a problem as long as the Cyprob remains unsolved.
>> EU is being biased towards the GC administration instead of adopting a constructive approach on the matter.
>> Turkey is ready and willing to assist in any effort towards the solution of the Cyprob but our primary principle is to establish a structure safeguarding TCs’ best interests and their rights.


Government callous to problems at the crossings

Kıbrıs Postası
Economy, CBMs

OVERVIEW

The Cyprus Turkish Businessperson’s Association (İŞAD) on Tuesday said that congestion at the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point was hurting the Turkish Cypriot economy.

The association also criticized the authorities for remaining callous to the problems and to the proposals the business community had made in September.

In a written statement issued, the President of İŞAD Enver Mamülcü said, “the best way to build trust and confidence between the communities is through trade.” He urged the authorities to transform the current value of the Turkish Lira, despite negative propaganda in the south against crossing into the north, into an opportunity by facilitating faster crossing procedures for Greek Cypriots.

Mamülcü suggested the introduction of a “the fast track” procedure for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under UN monitoring to speed up the crossing procedures.

“The government remained callous to an earlier call by the business community on the crossing points,” Mamülcü said, adding that İŞAD (TC Businessmen’s Association), KTEZO (TC Chamber of Artisans and Shopkeepers), MÜSİAD (Muslim Businessmen’s Association), GİAD (Young Businessmen Association), RESBİR (Restaurant Owners’ Union) and other economic organisations will repeat their protest at 11 am at the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point on Wednesday.

He argued that conditions at the crossing points needed to be improved to increase the state of welfare in the country and laid out the proposals.

Increasing the number of staff at the crossing points, improving the crossing point’s technological infrastructure as well as opening new crossing points for vehicles should be the government’s priority, he added.

Mamülcü pointed out that long queues forming at the crossing point at certain hours of the day made it a torturous ordeal for those trying to make their way across the divide. He suggested the vehicle insurance booths should be carried elsewhere to facilitate the flow of traffic as well.


Pensioners file a lawsuit against the GC administration

Kıbrıs
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

Tanyol Çeribaşı and Asım Ebeoğlu have filed lawsuits against the Greek Cypriot administration for not being able to benefit from health services in the south under the general health scheme, GESY.

Çeribaşı and Ebeoğlu both receive their retirement pensions from the south and are registered with the Republic of Cyprus’s (RoC) Social Security Department.

Speaking to Kıbrıs, they noted that the 1.7 per cent deduction from their pensions continue to be made even though they are not able to benefit from GESY.

They also said the reason why they are excluded from the system is because of their address of residency.

They said they filled the necessary forms from the GESY website but the system does not accept their residence in the north.

Ebeoğlu said he also wrote a letter to the Social Security department in Greek e and the response he received stated clearly that “the deductions will continue to be made from the pensions but the Department cannot include him in the system because he lives in the north.” Ebeoğlu said he then filed a petition with the Ombudsperson’s office but he has not received a response yet.

As the final option, both Ebeoğlu and Çeribaşı have contacted a Greek Cypriot lawyer on the issue and filed a lawsuit. The first hearing of the case will be held on 3 December and the court’s decision will set the precedent for thousands of Turkish Cypriots.


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