Front Page Headlines
Hospital awaiting ‘treatment’
Vital departments at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital such as the intensive care and cardiovascular surgery departments are out of service because of the damage caused by the fire. The hospital has been silent for the past two days. As efforts to clean up after the fire continue, all attention has focused on assessing the extent and cost of the damage.
“CTP’s biggest difference from Akıncı is its international contacts”
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) foreign affairs secretary Fikri Toros said CTP’s biggest difference from Akıncı is the party’s international contacts. Expressing the belief that CTP candidate Tufan Erhürman will win the presidential elections in the second round; Toros praised the CTP’s international network and contacts.
- Akıncı calls on Anastasiades: “Revise your decision on the crossing points”
- Tatar: “We are at a breaking point”
- Özersay: “We have to stop looking at everything from the Cyprus problem viewpoint as the conditions are changing.”
- “Number of calls to provide information increased in the past two weeks” – Presidential undersecretary Gürdal Hüdaoğlu spoke to TAK News Agency regarding the efforts to find the remains of the missing persons.
An economic crisis is at our doorstep
Political scientists and economists argue that the Turkish and TRNC economy will be negatively affected if tensions between Turkey, Syria and Russia, which started with the death of 36 Turkish soldiers in Idlib, does not de-escalate.
- Closure of the crossings decreased the fresh vegetable sales – The Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral decision to close four crossing points as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus harmed the north Nicosia vegetable market. The sales dropped.
Foreign trade deficit at a frightening level
The fourth edition of the quarterly TRNC Economy report is published. The report, which is a joint effort between the Turkish Bank and the Lefke European University, show that tourism revenues are used to cover the trade deficit. The inflation rate for December 2019 was measured at 11.66 per cent.
- Correct your mistake – President Mustafa Akıncı, in a joint interview with BRT and CyBC called on the Greek Cypriot leadership to revise its decision to close four crossing points.
- UCN demands the immediate release of a protestor and opening of the crossing points – UniteCyprusNow issued a statement demanding for the release of a protestor, who was detained by the police during the protests.
We are waiting
(Health) Minister Pilli who has yet to announce which company is the state hospital insured by and for how much, announced that a fund-raising campaign was being launched today (Monday).
- Shame, shame – Anastasiades who pointed out that there were more than 3000 Iranian students in the TRNC, argued that this was why the crossings had been shut.
- The south of Cyprus handed over to racists – ELAM claimed that the crossings had been closed as a result of their pressure.
- “The decision should be reassessed” – Akıncı issued a call to Anastasiades regarding the four crossing points.
Operation Spring Shield
Another operation from Turkey in Syria following Operation Olive Branch and Peace Spring! Turkey has officially entered a war with Syria through its latest military offensive. No one can predict what will happen from this point onwards. It was surprising to see that Russia did interfere this time. This has raised the question, “has Russia abandoned Syria?” Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said that they had no intention coming into confrontation with Russia.
Main News
Akıncı calls on GC leadership to revise its decision on crossings
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
“The decision to close the crossing points was not right, therefore the Greek Cypriot leadership must revise it,” President Mustafa Akıncı said on Sunday.
In a joint interview with Bayrak and CyBC Akıncı renewed his call to the Greek Cypriot side to revise its decision to shut down four crossing points.
He expressed the hope that the mistake of closing the four crossing points would be corrected.
Akıncı repeated his view that such one-sided decisions would only serve to separate the two communities further rather than bringing them to work closer on protecting both communities.
He reminded that there were no coronavirus cases on either side of the divide.
Akıncı said that any decisions that needed to be taken should be decided by the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health.
“It is important that we take a joint stance in preventing the spread of this virus. This virus is a threat to both communities. We need to work together,” he said.
Akıncı also said he was not happy with the one-sided decision which was far from any scientific basis.
He added that he had told Anastasiades during his last telephone conversation that the issue needed to be discussed at a meeting of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health.
“Failure to convene the committee will cause people to look for other motives behind the decision which are not health-related,” he said.
Akıncı also pointed out that the closure of the four crossings had increased traffic at the others, rendering them ineffective.
“People from both communities are not happy with the long hours they have to wait to cross to the other side,” he added.
In the meantime, UniteCyprusNow (UCN) asked for the immediate release of a protestor, who was picked to demonize the entire peace movement and silence the ordinary citizens acting to defend their rights, all dailies report on Monday.
In a written statement issued, UCN said the peaceful protests organised by Cypriots was indeed a historical day in Cyprus.
It said Cypriots will not allow erecting barriers based on false arguments.
“Hundreds of Cypriots, young and old, men and women made it clear that they will not tolerate restrictions on their freedom to travel in their own country after having experienced wars, fences, division and pain for far too long,” the statement read.
UCN stressed the protest, which was only an act of civil disobedience by Cypriots against the curtailment of their rights, started and ended peacefully but that the authorities had detained one protestor.
UCN also noted that the protestor, who acted at the heat of the moment, apologised for his behaviour and voluntarily went to the police station to give a statement.
“He was charged on two accounts as a sign of the Greek Cypriot government’s intention to spread fear among the people who simply ask for their rights to be respected. We request the immediate release of the protester,” the UCN said.
It called on the European Commission (EC) to intervene to protect the rights of the European citizens for peaceful assembly.
The UCN also argued that the Greek Cypriot administration has created “a mess” by adopting arbitrary decisions forcing people to get stuck for hours at the other crossing points and mainly at the Agios Dhometios (Metehan) crossing.
“Closure of crossing points as a precautionary measure does not in any way protect anyone against the spread of coronavirus,” the statement read and called on the Greek Cypriot administration “to open all the crossing points immediately.”
The statement also called on the two community leaders to meet to examine the progress on the measures taken at the bicommunal technical committee on health and ensure that Cypriots are protected against the spread of coronavirus.
“UCN calls on all Cypriots to resist against all measures that deepen the divide and constitute a step towards the final and permanent partition of the island,” the statement said.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> The decision to close the crossing points is wrong; therefore the GC leadership must revise its decision.
>> One-sided decisions would only serve to separate the two communities further rather than bringing them to work closer on protecting both communities.
>> Any decisions that need to be taken should be decided by the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health.
>> Important that a joint stance is adopting preventing the spread of the virus. This virus is a threat to both communities.
>> Failure to convene the committee will cause people to look for other motives behind the decision which are not health-related.
>> The closure of the four crossings had increased traffic at the others, rendering them ineffective.
>> People from both communities are not happy with the long hours they have to wait to cross to the other side.
UCN
>> Protestor was picked to demonize the entire peace movement & silence the ordinary citizens acting to defend their rights.
>> Remanded protestor must be released immediately.
>> Cypriots will not allow erecting barriers based on false arguments.
>> Cypriots will not tolerate restrictions on their freedom to travel in their own country.
>> The protest, which was only an act of civil disobedience by Cypriots against the curtailment of their rights, started & ended peacefully.
>> The protestor was charged on two accounts as a sign of GC government’s intention to spread fear among the people who simply ask for their rights to be respected.
>> Closure of crossing points as a precautionary measure does not in any way protect anyone against the spread of coronavirus.
>> GC administration must open all the crossing points immediately.
>> The two community leaders must meet to examine the progress on the measures taken at the bicommunal technical committee on health & ensure that Cypriots are protected against the spread of coronavirus.
>> Cypriots must resist against all measures that deepen the divide & constitute a step towards the final & permanent partition of the island.
TCs’ reciprocal moves cause discomfort on the GC side
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, Governance & Power Sharing, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“The reciprocal moves the Turkish Cypriot side took in response to the Greek Cypriot side’s hydrocarbon activities have caused discomfort in the south,” independent presidential candidate Kudret Özersay said on Friday.
Speaking at a conference at the Lefke European University (LEU), Özersay added the balances in the region were shifting which was why Turkish Cypriots should be able to approach the developments out of the context of the Cyprus problem.
“It is no longer possible to approach the future of the Turkish Cypriots solely through the perspective of the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus negotiations process,” Özersay said.
He added changing balance in the region brought with it both threats and opportunities for the Turkish Cypriots.
“The developments in the region show the Turkish Cypriots that they can also be an actor in the eastern Mediterranean even before the solution of the Cyprus problem,” Özersay said.
He stressed that “This is not to replace the efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement but it would assist the Turkish Cypriots to overcome the suspended status they are in at the moment.”
Özersay highlighted that the approach on Turkish Cypriots having to wait until the comprehensive settlement to utilise the hydrocarbons should be abandoned.
“It is because the latest developments allow the Turkish Cypriots to seize their rights and utilise the resources for regional stability and regional peace,” Özersay said.
He also argued that the geopolitical and geostrategic power struggle in the region had more to do than just the exploitation of natural gas.
“The north, as a result, has gained importance for both the western countries and for Turkey. Until recently, the Turkish Cypriots were visible only through the negotiations processes but now the hydrocarbons have made it possible for the Turkish Cypriots to be visible in different platforms as well,” Özersay said.
Özersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side’s reciprocal moves on the hydrocarbons have caused discomfort in the south.
“These moves were like leverage to bring the Greek Cypriot side forthcoming for a solution and to force the Greek Cypriot side to do something on the issue of energy with the Turkish Cypriots before the solution,” Özersay said. He noted that some European Union member states are willing to work as an intermediary between the two sides on the island.
“It is possible to start collaboration on the natural gas to develop trust and a relationship based on interdependency that will create the establishment of a new partnership over time,” Özersay concluded.
“We are at a critical juncture. We will either proceed to better days with Turkey by protecting our rights or will be deceived by others and lose our freedom and security,” leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and presidential candidate Ersin Tatar said on Sunday.
Speaking during a meeting with his supporters in Famagusta, Tatar stated that the Office of the President was the only Turkish Cypriot institution that was accepted by the international community.
“The messages to be given from that office must be in favour of our state and the people. S/he must be the one making the entire world know the Turkish Cypriots’ determination to continue to live on this land,” Tatar stressed.
He argued that the Greek Cypriot side has always wanted the Turkish Cypriot side to accept minority status on the island.
“The attempts to reach a federation have failed for 43 years while the Greek Cypriot side has usurped the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and continue to do so. It is time to say stop to it,” Tatar said. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot side has adopted a proactive policy together with Turkey on hydrocarbons and the Maraş (Varosha) initiative.
“Our demand for a two-state solution is the product of the proactive policy but Mr Mustafa Akıncı instead of supporting it, prefers to wait for a shift in the Greek Cypriot side’s mentality,” Tatar claimed.
KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> The reciprocal moves the TC side took in response to the GC side’s hydrocarbon activities have caused discomfort in the south.
>> The conditions in the region are changing.
>> The TCs should be able to approach developments out of the context of the Cyprob.
>> No longer possible to see the future of the TCs solely through the perspective of the Cyprob & Cyprus negotiations process.
>> The swiftly changing balance in the region brings both threats and opportunities for the TCs.
>> The developments in the region show the TCs that they can also be an actor in the East Med even before the solution of the Cyprob.
>> This is not to replace the comprehensive settlement but it would assist the TCs to overcome the suspended status they are in at the moment.
>> The latest developments allow the TCs to seize their rights and utilise the resources for regional stability & peace.
>> The geopolitical & geostrategic power struggle in the region is more than just about sharing natural gas.
>> The hydrocarbons have made it possible for the TCs to be visible in different platforms.
>> The reciprocal moves were like leverage to bring the GC side forthcoming for a solution & to force the GC side to do something on the issue of energy with the TCs befor a solution.
>> It is possible to start collaboration on the natural gas to develop trust & a relationship based on interdependency that will establish a new partnership over time.
Tatar (UBP)
>> TCs will proceed to better days with Turkey by protecting their rights or will be deceived by others and lose their freedom & security.
>> The Office of the Presidency is the only TC body that is accepted by the int’l community.
>> The messages to be given from that office must be in favour of the TC state & TCs.
>> The president-elect must be the one making the entire world know the TCs’ determination to continue to live on this land.
>> The TC side has adopted a proactive policy together with Turkey on hydrocarbons & the Maraş (Varosha) initiative.
>> Our demand for a two-state solution is the product of the proactive policy but Akıncı instead of supporting it prefers to wait for a shift in the GC side’s mentality.