TCC Press Review 10 Dec 2019

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

It’s against regulation

The Council of Ministers erased AKSA’s debt. The Court of Audits said that it was against regulations. The Court of Audits did not show any leniency on government for the amnesty it granted to AKSA Energy Company for its unpaid storage fees for a generator waiting at the state storage facilities for the past two and half years.

Kıbrıs Postası

Patients will be able to choose their doctor and a hospital

Labour and Social Security Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu spoke to Kıbrıs Postası about the agreement signed with Turkey regarding the new Health Insurance Scheme. He said as a result of the agreement, the ministry will allow the patient to choose doctors and hospitals.

  • “Not possible to transfer gas without Turkey’s consent” – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke about the agreement signed between Turkey and Libya.

Kıbrıs

UBP has grown stronger

Kıbrıs media group owned polling company COMAR looked into the vote percentages of the political parties. National Unity Party (UBP) is by far the leader among all the other parties if there were to be a general election soon.

  • The issues raised on the development plan not enough to reject it – Economic associations platform criticized those who rejected the development masterplan for Famagusta-İskele (Trikomo)-Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios).

Havadis

Children target of perverts

148 cases filed at the TRNC Heavy Crimes court from 2010 to 2018. There are currently 43 people sentenced to prison on sexual abuse charges. Police received 16 complaints of sexual abuse from January to December 2019 and eight of these cases concern children.

  • 18 locations declared mine-free – UNFICYP announced 210,882m2 of area in 18 minefields on both sides have been cleared of landmines. 

Diyalog

Who is going to pay the ₺30bn?

The TRNC’s domestic and foreign debt has reached alarming figures. North Cyprus’s domestic debt has reached ₺8.1bn. This figure should not surpass 60 per cent of the Gross National Product (GNP) but its 125 per cent in the TRNC and this violates the European Union (EU) criteria.

Afrika

Another conquest?

Tayyip Erdoğan: Would we send Turkish troops to Libya. The minute we receive such an invitation from the Libyan people and administration we earn the right to send troops. We have signed a military pact and then there is the issue of maritime jurisdiction. Turkey and Turkey alone will decide what kind of an initiative it will take if such an invitation comes. We need to get permission from somewhere.

Main News

Turkey’s Libya deal is neither a threat nor a violation of int’l law

Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations, External Security

OVERVIEW

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Monday that Ankara has shown its determination to protect its rights under international law during a live televised interview with state broadcasting company TRT.

“Other international actors cannot carry out any hydrocarbon related activity in the area marked by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Libya,” Erdoğan said.

He also added the Greek Cypriot side, Egypt, Greece or Israel cannot establish an energy corridor to Europe without Turkey’s consent.

Erdoğan also noted that Turkey will continue exploration and drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and it will purchase another drillship.

Also speaking at a joint news conference on Monday with his counterpart from Afghanistan, following Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process – Eighth Ministerial meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Turkey foiled Greek Cypriot plans in the Eastern Mediterranean when it deployed its ships.

“When we sent our ships out of our continental shelf and to the areas licensed by the TRNC, the balance in the region changed.

They were not expecting such a move from Turkey. There is panic there now!” Çavuşoğlu said.

He also reiterated the deal signed between Turkey and Libya complies with international maritime law.

Çavuşoğlu also noted that the attempts made by Greece to contact commanders in Libya were futile.

He reminded that Turkey has signed the agreement with Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) which is the only United Nations recognized administration in Libya.

“Turkey’s agreement with Libya is neither a threat nor a violation of international rights,” Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a separate statement on Monday.

Speaking at the Editor’s Desk programme on Anatolian news agency, Akar said the deal was not signed against any neighbours, but rather to protect the rights and interests of Libya and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Touching on the reaction given by Greece to Turkey’s agreement with Libya, Akar said their decision will not have any effect on the implementation of the agreement.

He added the said agreement is in line with international maritime law and does not breach the rights of any country in the region.

Akar also reminded that Turkey is one of the three guarantor states in Cyprus.

“We will not allow anyone to usurp or violate the rights and interests of Turkey or the Turkish Cypriots in the region,” Akar stressed.

He reiterated that none of the plans can be implemented in the Eastern Mediterranean unless Turkey is included.

“We have been saying that it is not possible to take any decisions in the region without Turkey’s say in it,” Akar said and invited all to the table to discuss the solution of the Eastern Mediterranean problem.

“The simplest thing to do on this issue is to fairly share all the resources and wealth in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus in line with international law”, Akar concluded.

Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay on Monday said “Turkey will not make any concession on its rights in Cyprus, Aegean or the Eastern Mediterranean” during a budget planning meeting at the Turkish Parliament.

In addition to reiterating Turkey’s determination to protect its rights and interests, he added Turkey will carry out five new drillings in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2020.

“Turkey will continue to pursue an active strategy in its hydrocarbon activities,” Oktay concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>>
Ankara has shown its determination to protect its rights under int’l law.
>> Other international actors cannot carry out any hydrocarbon related activity in the area marked by the MoU signed with Libya.
>> The GC side, Egypt, Greece or Israel cannot establish an energy corridor to Europe without Turkey’s consent.
>> Turkey will continue exploration and drilling activities in the East Med. by purchasing another drillship.

Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>>
Turkey has spoilt their game in the East Med. when it deployed its ships.
>> When we sent our ships out of our continental shelf and to the areas licensed by the TRNC, the balance in the region has changed.
>> No one not expecting such a move from Turkey.
>> The deal signed between Turkey & Libya complies with the int’l maritime law.
>> The attempts made by Greece to contact with other commanders in Libya are futile as Turkey signed MoU with UN-recognized GNA.

Akar (Turkey)
>>
Turkey’s agreement with Libya is neither a threat nor a violation of int’l rights.
>> The deal was not signed against any neighbours, but rather to protect the rights & interests of Libya &Turkey in the East Med.
>> Greece’s reaction will not have any effect on the implementation of the agreement.
>> The said agreement is in line with int’l maritime law & does not breach the rights of any country in the region.
>> Ankara will not allow anyone to usurp or violate the rights & interests of Turkey or the TCs in the region.
>> None of the plans can be implemented in the East Med unless Turkey is included.
>> Not possible to take any decisions in the region without Turkey’s say in it.
>> All should come to the table to discuss the solution of the East Med problem.
>> The simplest thing to do on this issue is to fairly share all the resources & wealth in the Aegean, East Med & Cyprus in line with int’l law.

Oktay (Turkey)
>>
Turkey will not make any concession on its rights in Cyprus, Aegean or the East Med.
>> Turkey will carry out five new drillings in the East Med. in 2020.
>> Turkey is determined to protect its rights and interests.
>> Turkey will continue to pursue an active strategy in its hydrocarbon activities.


UBP has grown stronger

Kıbrıs
Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

A survey conducted by COMAR, polling company owned by Kıbrıs media group revealed that National Unity Party (UBP) is by far the leader among all the other parties if there were to be a general election soon.

The company asked the 2,189 randomly selected participants who they would vote for should there be a parliamentary election next week.

44.6 per cent of the participants ticked UBP among the seven political parties put before them. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) came in second place with 19.7 per cent. Rebirth Party (YDP) received 11.4 per cent followed by the Democratic Party (DP) with seven per cent of the votes.

People’s Party (HP) received 6.9 per cent and listed sixth. Social Democratic Party (TDP) received 5.8 per cent of the votes.

In a further breakdown of the votes based on districts, the poll reveals that UBP is also ranked in the first place in all six districts followed by CTP.

YDP is in third place in all six districts, whereas HP is in the fourth place in Nicosia, Famagusta and Morphou.

TDP, on the other hand, is listed in the fourth place in İskele (Trikomo) and Lefke (Lefka), while DP is in the fourth place in Kyrenia.


Heading towards a mine-free Cyprus

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
CBMs, Internal Security

OVERVIEW

The United Nations Peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) announced that the 18-suspected hazardous minefields on both sides of the island have been declared mine-free, all six dailies report. 

“We are thankful for the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by both sides in speedily clearing these 18 locations while adhering to International Mine Action Standards, as checked and approved by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS),” Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus said in a statement issued on Monday.

The confidence-building measure (CBM) on de-mining was agreed upon by both Mr Mustafa Akıncı and Mr Nicos Anastasiades during their meeting on 26 February 2019 and as part of their commitment towards a mine-free Cyprus.

“The achievement of this CBM underlines the importance of dialogue, trust and co-operation for an enduring peace across Cyprus,” Spehar concluded.


Translate »