Front Page Headlines
Buildings are being constructed but there is no infrastructure
Heavy rains in İskele (Trikomo) have revealed the facts about the area and its much-debated master plan. Homes and businesses were flooded in İskele (Trikomo) on Wednesday with locals complaining that they have been suffering from this for the past two years after a nearby stream was blocked by buildings. İskele (Trikomo), shadowed by the debate on the masterplan, was severely affected by a short torrential downpour.
80 per cent of the discussions have nothing to do with the budget
Addressing parliament during the debate on the annual budget of the prime ministry, People’s Party (HP) MP Gülşah Sanver Manavoğlu said the majority of the discussions were a waste of time.
- “I am not undecided on my candidacy. I am just collecting input from the people” – President Mustafa Akıncı spoke about the possibility of running for the April 2020 presidential elections in the north.
- “Turkey has the right of say in the Eastern Mediterranean” – PM Ersin Tatar said.
Confessed to murder
It is now definite that Halil Karakız, whose body was found in Kyrenia after falling into the sea, was murdered. Suspect Arif Gökçek admitted to killing him.
- Tatar: Economic protocol with Turkey will be signed in 2020
- “The Greek Cypriot side should work to collaborate with the Turkish Cypriot side” – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said.
The first case to set a precedent
Police told the court that senior family members are putting pressure on the 15-year-old victim to withdraw her accusations against Abdulkadir Boydaş, who sexually assaulted her. Social services officer Sinem Köroğlu said the victim was terrified from the pressure. Köroğlu recommended the victim seek adolescent counselling.
- “We still have a long way to go” – United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Deputy Special Advisor (SRSG) Elizabeth Spehar said.
They were bought for €50 and sold for €100
National Unity Party (UBP) MP Aytaç Çaluda makes important claims concerning purchases made by KIB-TEK (TC Electricity Authority). He said that electricity meters purchased for €50 each had been sold to customers for €100.
- Critical day –The US Congress is voting today (Thursday) on lifting the arms embargo on South Cyprus.
If Corbyn wins
Elections in the UK which could have a deep impact on the solution of the Cyprus Problem and developments in the region are taking place today. The possibility of a victory by the leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn who has promised changes and strong reforms in domestic and foreign policy winning the UK election has set fear into the hearts of various circles. New polls, however, show Corby trailing 11 points behind his rival Boris Johnson. The fate of the UK’s European Union (EU) membership depends on this election.
- Another threat from Çavuşoğlu – “We shall not allow anyone to conduct activity within our continental shelf without our permission.”
Main News
Akıncı: “I’m not undecided on running for a second term”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance and Power Sharing, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı on Wednesday night said that he was not undecided about running for a second term but added that he had still time to announce his candidacy should he decide to run.
“There are still four months to go and I have a duty to continue with,” Akıncı said during an interview televised on all Turkish Cypriot networks, entitled “Berlin and Beyond.”
Akıncı added that he had strong public support behind him.
Recalling the steps leading to the trilateral meeting in Berlin on November 25, Akıncı noted that the meeting had been successful particularly as it had removed any remaining ambiguity caused by (Nicos) Anastasiades’ changing statements and positions.
He pointed out that the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) had sought the Turkish Cypriot side’s approval before publishing it.
Akıncı also noted that the Guterres framework document, which its date was debated for two years on the island, was reaffirmed as 30th June 2017.
“This is not a signed or sealed document, but contains substantial elements,” Akıncı said, adding that it was with this document that the UNSG committed himself to work towards convening a five-plus-one type conference.
“If the five-party meeting is successfully concluded, I would not object to having the representatives of the European Union (EU) at the table as observers,” Akıncı added.
Responding to a question on what a strategic agreement as mentioned in the UNSG’s statement entails, Akıncı said the goal of thiş agreement would be to finalise the remaining issues in a balanced package approach.
Akıncı also rejected the criticisms that nothing came out of the Berlin trilateral meeting. He said it is important that the UNSG maintained a dialogue with the two sides.
“Whatever is going to be done, it will be done through negotiations and under the auspices of the UN. There is no other way,” Akıncı stressed.
He also rejected the government’s “two-state under EU umbrella” solution model. He said, “everyone knows that the EU would never accept the two separate state concept within the EU.”
Touching on the security and guarantees chapter, Akıncı pointed to the existing system of the 1960 guarantee mechanism, which safeguards the 1960 structure.
He added Turkey intervened when the 1960 structure collapsed with the aim reinstating the constitutional order of 1960.
“In theory, the guarantee treaty gives three countries guarantor powers. If the goal was to reinstate the 1960 system, it would have been done a long time ago,” Akıncı said.
“However we are talking about a new structure,” he said, adding that all sides needed to sit down to discuss the status of security on the island.
Akıncı said discussing the guarantees should not be a taboo as even the guarantor powers themselves were talking about it.
He recalled there were two tables in Crans Montana – one for Cypriots and another one to discuss security and guarantees. “Cypriots will be the ones deciding at the end of the day. No one wants to return to pre-1974 days,” Akıncı stressed.
Asked to comment on Turkey’s reaction to the Berlin trilateral meeting, Akıncı said a solution in Cyprus is in the best interest of Turkey, and the Greek Cypriots as well.
He added Turkish Presidency spokesman İbrahim Kalın, who was also in Berlin at the same time, talked about political equality for Turkish Cypriots.
“We were in Berlin to achieve exactly that too,” Akıncı said.
Akıncı, on Turkey’s agreement with Libya, said: “The said agreement is Turkey’s response to being ostracised in the region.”
He added Turkey openly states it is ready to talk with any country in the region other than the Greek Cypriot side.
“As long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved, Turkey will not sit at the same table with the Greek Cypriot side,” Akıncı said.
He added however with the solution of the Cyprus problem, the dispute over jurisdiction would be over.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> Not undecided about running for a second term.
>> There is strong public support behind me.
>> Berlin trilateral meeting had been successful in removing any remaining ambiguity caused by Anastasiades’ changing statements & positions.
>> If the five-party meeting is successfully concluded, I would not object to having EU representatives at the table as observers.
>> The goal of the strategic agreement will be to finalise the remaining issues in a balanced package approach.
>> The UNSG must maintain a dialogue with the two sides.
>> Any settlement will be found through negotiations & under the auspices of the UN. There is no other way.
>> Everyone knows that the EU will never accept the two separate state concept within the EU making the government’s proposal unrealistic.
>> The existing system of the 1960 guarantee mechanism safeguards the 1960 structure.
>> If the goal was to reinstate the 1960 system, it would have been done a long time ago.
>> As we are talking about a new structure all sides needed to sit down to discuss the status of security on the island.
>> Discussions on guarantees should not be a taboo.
>> Cypriots will be the ones deciding at the end of the day. No one wants to return to pre-1974 days.
>> A solution in Cyprus is in the best interest of Turkey & GCs.
>> The Turkey-Libya agreement is Turkey’s response to being ostracised in the region.
>> Turkey openly states it is ready to talk with any country in the region other than the GC side.
>> As long as the Cyprob remains unsolved, Turkey will not sit at the same table with the GC side.
>> The dispute over jurisdiction will be over with the solution of the Cyprob.
Tatar praises Turkey-Libya deal
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs,Havadis
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said on Wednesday that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side was left with no choice but to take serious steps and measures in the eastern Mediterranean after the Greek Cypriot side repeatedly rejected all Turkish offers to establish a joint committee to co-manage hydrocarbons in the region.
In an interview with Anadolu News Agency, Tatar said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Turkey and Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) was an important development that had changed the scope and dimension of the hydrocarbon issue in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“It is out of the question for small islands such as Crete or Rhodes to have Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). The facts put forward by Turkey on the basis of maritime law and international practices have led to the emergence of a new map, shifting paradigms,” he said.
Tatar added that Turkey with its population of 82m and 1800km long coastline along the Mediterranean could not be excluded from any major development in the region.
“It is time the world acknowledges this fact. All we want is to get our share. We are not after anyone else’s rights or share,” he said.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Foreign Minister on Wednesday said Ankara will not allow any activities within its continental shelf without permission granted.
“No one can conduct any activity within our continental shelf, without our permission, if it happens, we will prevent it,” Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told local news channel, A Haber, in a televised interview.
“While Israel, Egypt, Greece and the Greek Cypriot side want to imprison Turkey to the Antalya coast, we have expressed our willingness to collaborate with everyone to convert the Mediterranean into a sea of peace,” Turkish Presidency spokesman İbrahim Kalın said.
Speaking following a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Kalın added: “the Greek Cypriot side is an exception in this call for collaboration because Turkey does not have any diplomatic ties with the south side.”
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Turkey & the TC side had to take serious steps & measures in the East Med after GCs repeatedly rejected all Turkish offers for cooperation.
>> The agreement has changed the scope & dimension of the hydrocarbon issue in the East Med.
>> It is out of the question for small islands such as Crete or Rhodes to have EEZs.
>> The facts put forward by Turkey on the basis of maritime law & int’l practices have led to the emergence of a new map, shifting paradigms.
>> Turkey with its population & long coastline along the Med cannot be excluded from any major development in the region.
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> No one can conduct activity within Turkey’s continental shelf, without its permission. If it happens, we will prevent it.
Kalın (Turkey)
>> Despite efforts of Israel, Egypt, Greece and GC side, Turkey has expressed its willingness to collaborate with everyone to convert the Med into a sea of peace.
>> GC side is an exception in this call for collaboration because Turkey does not have any diplomatic ties with the south side.
SRSG says sides still have a way to go on solving Cyprob
Yenidüzen, Havadis
Negotiations Process, CBMs
OVERVIEW
United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Deputy Special Advisor (SRSG) Elizabeth Spehar said on Tuesday that “the inability to get back to the negotiating table after two and a half years and tensions that continued to rise between the parties both on island and in the region, were reminders that we still have a way to go” with regard to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.
Speaking during the end of year reception she hosted in Ledra Palace, Nicosia, Spehar said that 2019 was significant as “it has shown that while the status quo indeed remains, that status quo is not static. Important changes are occurring in and around the island that could make a solution increasingly difficult to achieve as time goes on.”
Referring to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, Spehar said that “in 2019, a senior official of the Secretary-General, Ms Jane Holl Lute, continued her discussions with the parties to the Conference on Cyprus as part of the efforts to facilitate agreement on terms of reference. The leaders also met twice under my auspices on the island.”
She went on to say that on 25 November, the two leaders, “met jointly with the Secretary-General for the first time in 27 months.
This meeting underscored the continued commitment of the United Nations (UN) at the highest level to support the two sides in their efforts to reach a negotiated solution to the Cyprus problem,” Spehar stressed.
“The meeting was also a significant opportunity for the leaders to discuss the way forward, between themselves and with the Secretary-General, in a frank and focused manner. After the meeting, it was mutually and publicly acknowledged that ‘this time must be different”, she added.
Spehar noted that 2019 was one of the significant years, in positive ways but also in terms of challenges.
“Electrical grids are now permanently interconnected between north and south and the interoperability of mobile phones was finally achieved, connecting Cypriots more seamlessly than before. Work on the clearance from Suspected Hazardous Areas of land mines and unexploded ordnances has also advanced, precious artworks and recordings have been exchanged between the sides and important restoration of cultural heritage monuments has been completed,” she added.
“I recall that not only do such steps have a practical, positive impact on the daily lives of Cypriots, but they are emblematic of what is doable with the requisite display of the political will. For that, I express my appreciation for the leadership and the collaboration between Mr Akıncı and Mr Anastasiades which made these achievements possible,” she noted.
Moreover, Spehar said that 2019 has also seen, for the first time in many years, encouraging signs of the revitalization of some of the bicommunal Technical Committees, “several which benefitted from the financing and support facility established this year and funded by the European Commission. A stock-taking exercise recently concluded by the Good Offices Mission has produced recommendations that will be shared with the sides on ways to further strengthen these Committees, making them ‘fit-for-purpose'” she said.
Moreover, Spehar warmly welcomed the efforts of the civil society actors in both communities “who, with a shared vision, relentlessly continue to work towards a common future.”
KEY ACTORS
Spehar (UNFICYP)
>> There is still a way to go with regards to efforts to solve the Cyprob.
>> 2019 was significant as it has shown that while the status quo indeed remains, that status quo is not static.
>> Important changes are occurring in and around the island that could make a solution increasingly difficult to achieve as time goes on.
>> November 25 meeting underscored the continued commitment of the UN at the highest level to support the two sides in their efforts to reach a negotiated solution to the Cyprob.
>> The meeting was also a significant opportunity for the leaders to discuss the way forward in a frank and focused manner.
>> It has been mutually and publicly acknowledged that this time must be different.