Front Page Headlines
Inability to manage migrant flows
Since September 2018, political asylum applications have skyrocketed. The increased migrant flow from the Green Line and the sea is not a phenomenon of the last few days. Assessments for bigger pressure to the asylum system which cannot adequately respond.
- They blocked illegality – The (EU) FMs ‘slapped Turkey on the wrist’.
- Occupied areas: Zavrantonas was caught with cocaine
- Tangible help from the EU: Rapid response plan for Greece – The role of FRONTEX is being upgraded significantly.
Report to the (EU) Commission
Kizilyurek and Georgiou raised an issue at the EU over the closure of the crossings. Akinci sends a letter to Guterres. Towards extension for the closing of the crossings.
- What coastguard officers come across in each boat – UNHCR: “The assessment of asylum applications must be expedited.” Police operations director: “We must protect our external borders.”
- There have been contacts with GC hoteliers over Famagusta
- The government is alert – New meeting on the migrant issue.
- The situation in Evros is explosive
- New Turkish losses in the Syrian front
Appeal to the EU for Famagusta’s rescue
AKEL’s leader made an appeal yesterday to the ambassadors of the EU member-states to Cyprus to contribute so that the effort to rescue Famagusta from settlement is backed by states and international organisations. “There can be no solution without the return of Famagusta under GC administration,” Andros Kyprianou said.
- They are bullying them over ‘illegal gathering’
- Letter to the UNSG, question to the EU Commission – The TC side is reporting the closing of the four of the seven crossings with a letter by Mustafa Akinci to the UNSG. The issue to be discussed today at the National Council.
- Priority is to breaking the coronavirus chain – Lakkotrypis in self-isolation.
Leaders spar over influx of migrants
Anastasiades calls Akinci to complain, TC leader denies ‘guiding’ migrants to buffer zone.
- Almost 50 Covid-19 tests in Cyprus, all negative, 400 people self-isolated
- Migrant border crisis between Greece, Turkey deepens
- Desperation deepens for Syrians as conflict intensifies
EU: Deafening message of solidarity
Μargaritis Schinas: Europe shields Greece but also Cyprus, if necessary, over the migration problem created by Turkey. A six-point plan was approved which, among other things, includes rapid border interventions at land and sea and a rapid return programme for persons not allowed to stay. Another 70 migrants arrived yesterday, more expected…
- The TCs continue to protest over the closing of the crossings – Akinci saw Spehar and he is reporting us to Guterres. AKEL reported Cyprus to the EU over the closing of the crossings. Strong reaction by DISY that accuses AKEL of misleading the EU organs.
- Zavrantonas was arrested in the occupied areas
- We are doing good on the coronavirus – No cases in Cyprus so far, at the time when a rapid increase is observed in other countries. Measures of personal hygiene-self-isolation, are an important shield of protection, the health minister says.
- Natasa Pilides: The ferry connection between Cyprus and Greece is being approved
Main News
GCs want TCs to take measures against increasing flow of migrants to RoC
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Migration & Citizenship, CBMs, EU Matters, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades on Wednesday contacted TC leader Mustafa Akinci to ask for measures against the increasing illegal flow of migrants to the government-controlled areas.
This stirred reaction by Akinci who felt the GC side was accusing the TCs of deliberately sending migrants to the south.
According to the dailies, Anastasiades said on Wednesday he conveyed to Akinci the GC side’s grave concern over the increasing flow of migrants to the Republic of Cyprus (RoC).
In a tweet, Anastasiades described the escalating situation as an “organised and increasing illegal flow of migrants to the Republic of Cyprus.” He also said he had stressed to Akinci that measures to avert this phenomenon must be taken.
Cyprus Mail, citing reports in TC media, reported that Akinci hit back at the insinuation that TC authorities were deliberately helping migrants to cross the dividing line “as if we are guiding them… ,” Akinci reportedly said.
He said migrants were arriving in the south of the island either by boat or by crossing from the north through illegal channels. He also said Anastasiades spoke as if the TC side was sending the immigrants to the south in an organised manner, arguing that this was a humanitarian issue and that the TC authorities would never exhibit this type of behaviour.
Anastasiades said later in the day he would not respond as he was trying to avoid a deterioration in the relationship between the two communities.
The communication between the two leaders came amid concerns that the migrant situation in Greece would also affect Cyprus given that hundreds of refugees have arrived in Cyprus since the end of last week after being blocked from entering Greece, the daily reports.
Phileleftheros reports that Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushios told Alpha TV the migrant issue was an organised plan by Turkey to blackmail Europe. Referring to Anastasiades’ communication with Akinci, he said that the RoC could not have any control over the flow of migrants to the occupied areas but since they arrive there, there should be some control.
“Unfortunately, we must admit that there is organised arrival of refugees. The Turkish officials have clearly stated so,” Koushios said according to the paper.
The daily also reports that 2,165 asylum applications have been submitted during the first two months of the year with 350 filed during the last two days.
Citing an official of the migration service, the paper reports that foreign nationals arriving on the island said that more are expected soon, mainly economic migrants who will arrive from Turkey.
The Cypriot authorities are concerned by the increased flows. In the past around 20 people were arriving daily, now around 120 arrive, the paper reported.
Politis, in its main item, reports that the government is not ready and possibly unable to manage a greater flow of refugees and immigrants. It adds that while signs of such a crisis preceded Erdogan’s statement about opening the border with the EU for Syrian refugees and other immigrants that led to the chaotic situation in Evros, no steps have been taken to improve the management of the asylum system.
The daily reports that it’s not just Syrians who arrive in Cyprus and seek asylum. The other two main countries of origin of applicants are Cameroon (where there is ongoing civil war ) and Bangladesh with 150-200 persons per month from each nationality arriving, followed by Pakistan, India and Georgia (100 from each nationality). It is estimated that the majority of international protection applicants have not come from Turkey recently, but were in the occupied areas taking advantage of the student visa provided there. It is also estimated that a large number of Syrians arriving were in Turkey but were people who did not live in camps near the border with Syria, but they had regular jobs and were living in cities on the coast of Turkey. After Erdogan’s announcement they found the opportunity to get on boats and come to Cyprus, the daily reports.
According to the paper, due to that applicants wait for long periods of time, lately up to 19 months, until their applications are processed due to the increased work load of the asylum service, this gives them the right to either work, legally and mostly illegally, and enjoy the benefits they receive.
Most dailies also report that the extraordinary Council of EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, unanimously approved on Wednesday a six-point plan in support of Greece, responding to migratory pressure on land and sea borders with Turkey, and at the same time expressed its full solidarity with Cyprus and Bulgaria, which may be similarly affected.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Concerned by the organised increasing flow of migrants to the RoC & wants the TC side to take measures to avert this.
Akinci
>> Rejects insinuation that TC authorities are deliberately helping migrants to cross to the RoC.
Koushios (RoC spokesman)
>> The migrant issue is an organised plan by Turkey to blackmail Europe.
>> The RoC cannot have any control over the flow of migrants to the occupied areas but the TCs can.
>> There is organised arrival of refugees, proof is the Turkish officials’ statements.
AKEL-DISY MEPs disagree on crossings issue
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, EU Matters, Economy
OVERVIEW
The announcement by TC leader Mustafa Akinci that he would send a letter to the UN Secretary-General over the closure of the four crossings over the coronavirus and the question by AKEL’s MEPs to the EU Commission on the same issue are among the main items in dailies on Thursday.
Phileleftheros also reports that the government is prone to deciding to prolong the closing of the four crossings as part of ongoing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 despite there has been no official announcement yet. It added that no additional measures are considered given that there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases on the island.
Later on Thursday Phileleftheros online reported that the health minister announced that the four crossings would remain closed until Monday.
The papers also report that Akinci said on Wednesday he would send a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the decision of the GC side to temporarily close the four checkpoints. After meeting with UNFICYP head Elizabeth Spehar, Akinci said he expressed his concern to her over the decision, and he would contact the EU as well as the UN, the dailies report.
They also report that the decision by AKEL MEPs Niyazi Kizilyurek and Giorgos Georgiou to submit an urgent question to the EU Commission on whether it was notified by the Republic of Cyprus about the decision to temporarily close four crossings has caused the reaction by DISY’s MEPs Lefteris Christoforou and Loucas Fourlas who criticised this move.
According to the dailies, Kizilyurek and Georgiou said in their question that the RoC unilaterally decided last Friday to temporarily close four crossing points as a measure against the spread of Covid-19, which makes crossing very difficult and upsets both GC and TCs.
Citing the EU’s 2004 Green Line Regulation’s terms under which persons and goods can cross between the two sides, the MEPs asked the Commission whether it had been notified about this decision, and if it examined “the compatibility of the decision to the letter and the spirit of the Regulation.” They also want to know what the EU’s response was.
Disy’s MEPs called on AKEL not to transfer its opposition tactics to the European Parliament and harm the hard battles given by everyone to stifle Turkey’s provocative aggression.
Christoforou and Fourlas expressed their disappointment and complete opposition to this move arguing that the AKEL MEPs basically denounce the RoC for its decision to temporarily close certain crossings. They said this measure was taken for purely preventive reasons as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“Unfortunately, the content of the question misleads the European institutions and misleads the EU about the real problem that has been plaguing our country for 46 years, the continued illegal occupation and violation of the human rights of Cypriot citizens,” DISY’s MEPs said.
They added that the sole obstacle to the free movement and application of the human rights of Cyprus’ Greeks was the Turkish occupation.
Phileleftheros reports that the AKEL MEPs are giving the issue political dimensions by raising the matter in Brussels and accuse the RoC of taking a unilateral decision.
The daily, citing statements in TC media, also reports that the TC Chamber of Commerce is trying to take advantage of the closing of the crossings and bring back the demand for direct trade with the EU.
Politis reports of a civil war between Cypriot MEPs over the government’s decision to temporarily close crossings.
Alithia, Cyprus Mail and Phileleftheros reported that APOEL fans, part of Pansyfi group, held a protest at the Ledra Street checkpoint on Wednesday night calling on the government to close all the crossings to the north. Protesters held Greek flags, and a large banner, which said: ‘Yes to closing all the checkpoints’. The group members also chanted slogans saying: ‘hands off the national guardsmen’ in reference to protests last week, when one soldier was knocked to the ground by protesters. Cyprus Mail reports that they also chanted ‘Turkish Cypriots are the sons of whores,’ and that Cyprus was being sold to Turkey.
Politis reports that reactions remain strong among TCs against the decision by the Anastasiades government to temporarily suspend the operation of four crossings. It also reported that Akinci had a meeting with shopkeepers who collected 300 signatures for the opening of the crossings and that he told them he would continue his efforts and contacts with the GC side, the EU and the UN on the matter.
KEY ACTORS
Akinci
>> Concerned by the closing of the crossings & will raise the issue with the UNSG and the EU.
Kizilyurek, Georgiou (AKEL MEPs)
>> Want to know if the RoC informed the EU of its unilateral decision to close the four crossings & if the Commission examined the compatibility of the decision to the letter and the spirit of the Green Line Regulation.
>> Closing the four crossings has upset both GC & TCs while makes movement between the two sides very difficult.
Christoforou, Fourlas (DISY MEPs)
>> Call on AKEL not to transfer its opposition tactics to the EP or harm the hard battles given by everyone to stifle Turkey’s provocative aggression.
>> Disappointed by the AKEL MEPs’ move which they believe denounces the RoC for its decision to temporarily close certain crossings for purely preventive reasons.
>> They feel the content of the AKEL MEPs’ question misleads the European institutions and the EU about the real problem that has been plaguing Cyprus for 46 years which is the continued illegal occupation and violation of the human rights of Cypriots.
>> The Turkish occupation is the sole obstacle to the free movement and application of the human rights of Cyprus’ Greeks.
AKEL leader briefs foreign diplomats on the latest on the Cyprob
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations, Property, Human Rights, Negotiations Process, Energy
OVERVIEW
The papers report that AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou on Wednesday briefed foreign diplomats on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, Turkey’s provocations in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and on Varosha.
Kyprianou also said that the Cyprus problem had been linked with the energy affairs of Eastern Mediterranean. He referred to Turkey’s escalating provocations at the expense of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, and Ankara’s efforts for hegemony in the region. “Unfortunately, the Turkish provocations were not met with the required reaction by the international community,” he said.
During the gathering, Kyprianou called on the ambassadors accredited to Cyprus to help so that efforts to rescue Famagusta from settlement were backed by allies and international organisations.
On Varosha, he said TC ‘prime minister’ Ersin Tatar and ‘foreign minister’ Kudret Ozersay were promoting the resettlement of the ghost town. He reiterated that there cannot be a solution to the Cyprus problem without the return of Famagusta under GC administration.
Kyprianou also said that tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey’s illegal drilling in the Cypriot EEZ, the planned settlement of the fenced off area of Famagusta in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and stagnation in the Cyprus issue have created an extremely dangerous scenario.
He also told the ambassadors that all of these latest developments were due to the failure of Cyprus talks at Crans-Montana in July 2017. “The prospects for the future are very concerning,” he said. He added the way to promote peace in Cyprus was to have a common goal on energy, and to cooperate on the matter jointly. He also said the energy issue should be a motive for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Turkey could also benefit on the energy issue from the solution of the Cyprus problem, he said.
KEY ACTORS
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Calls for support from foreign diplomats so that efforts on the issue of Varosha are backed by allies and international organisations.
>> Feels that the Turkish provocations are not met with the required reaction by the international community.
>> The return of Famagusta under GC administration is a must for the solution of the Cyprob.
>> The Cyprob has been linked with the energy affairs of East Med whereas tensions in the region, Turkey’s illegal drilling in the Cypriot EEZ, the planned settlement of Varosha & stagnation in the Cyprus issue have created an extremely dangerous scenario.
>> Concerned about the future arguing that everything experienced today is due to the failure of the talks at Crans-Montana.
>> The energy issue should be a motive for the solution of the Cyprob and the way to promote peace as Turkey could also benefit from the solution.
Intentions of Varosha GC hotel owners probed by TC side
Phileleftheros, Politis
Property, Territory, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that the occupation regime has approached GC owners of hotels in Varosha asking them if they would be willing to return under TC administration.
The paper cites Stelios Mandrites, a representative of the Varosha hoteliers, who told Alpha TV that they have been asked what they plan on doing as regards the fenced-off town and whether they would return to their properties.
Mandrites implied that the GCs do not eye positively the possibility of returning under TC administration, the daily reported.
The question is how the GC hotel owners will react to the situation that will arise through the decisions to be taken by the occupation regime, Phileleftheros said.
Citing ‘prime minister’ Ersin Tatar saying that the properties’ value has risen since 1974 and that the issue will be dealt with by the Immovable Properties Commission (IPC) which will compensate some owners and return the property to others, the daily reports that one of the reasons the occupation regime is going towards that direction is the massive amount they will have to pay through the IPC.
Politis reports that recently, owners of companies in the occupied areas that lay dormant due to the invasion have received a letter by the companies’ registrar that they will be stricken off because they have not submitted any reports of their economic activities.
This has caused concerns among the owners of these businesses who will need a substantial amount of money to have such reports prepared while at the same time, to be able to claim damages from Turkey in courts, their company must still exist in paper, the daily reported.
The companies’ registrar, Spyros Kokkinos, told the paper that the letter was sent to all companies that did not file the necessary information and that his service was not aware that some of them lay dormant since 1974. He also said that if the owners inform his service that their companies have indeed no economic activities then there will be no measures against them.
The daily reports that around 5,000 companies were active in 1974 and that authorities ought to find out which ones are inactive due to the invasion so that their owners are not faced with any problems.
Government denies instructing KYP to target Ledra crossing protesters
Haravgi
Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
According to the paper, a number of persons who participated in the protest last Saturday at Ledra street against the decision to close the four crossings, have been called in by the police for questioning with officers speaking of an “illegal gathering”.
The daily also cites information on social media that secret service KYP has circulated photos of protesters in an attempt to identify them. Given that KYP receive their orders directly from the president on whose orders are they acting on this matter? the daily asked.
It also reported that Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushios, to whom the paper posed this question, rejected such a possibility arguing that the president would not even think of giving such instructions. There is no such issue, Koushios said, according to the paper.
GC suspect wanted in south arrested in north
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The papers report that TC authorities arrested 43-year-old Giorgos Christodoulou Zavrantonas who is wanted by the Republic in connection with a drugs-related case.
Zavrantonas was believed to have fled to the occupied areas months ago after learning he would be arrested.
He was arrested in a hotel room in Famagusta for the possession of two grammes of cocaine and was remanded for two days.
Politis reports that after he is sentenced, he is expected to be handed over to the police in the government-controlled areas through the Technical Committee on Crime.