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₺681m (€88.4m) in dud cheques
The results of two months of COVID-19. 34,896 of 203,092 cheques dud. Thousands of cheques written during April and May bounced back. Of the 203,092 cheques (worth ₺3bn (383m) sent to the bank, 34,896 of them, amounting to 681m (€88.4m) turned out to be dud.
- The anniversary of the July 20, 1974 operation: There has been neither peace nor war.
- Republican Turkish Party leader Tufan Erhürman: “The importance of a federation has re-emerged once again during the pandemic”
Medicines arrived, (construction of) hospital to follow
In line with an agreement signed between the Turkish Cypriot Health Ministry and Ankara, medical equipment and other supplies have been delivered to the north. 20,000 testing kits, two PCR machines and ten ventilators were delivered yesterday (on Sunday). Speaking during the ceremony held for the delivery of the supplies, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said the efforts to build a 500-bed capacity hospital have started and a team of 12 people arrived from Turkey to carry out technical studies. He added the outpatient clinic at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital will serve as a 45-bed capacity pandemic clinic.
- Three passengers tested positive – Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli said three new cases were identified in the 1,702 tests carried out on Sunday.
46 years have passed in search of a solution
The 20 July Peace and Freedom Day is being celebrated throughout the north with official ceremonies and activities. Social distancing rule is being followed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. President Mustafa Akıncı in his address of the nation said wars only caused pain and suffering and added “It is for this reason that every one of us must do our part to build a peaceful future on our island, in our region and in the world. This beautiful island is big enough for the two communities.”
- Hand of assistance extended from Turkey to Turkish Cypriots – Turkey has sent medical supplies and equipment to the north within the scope of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
- The only way out is federation – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman said federation based on the political equality of the two communities is the only way to overcome the problems faced today.
- The latest situation: North 121 cases, four deaths; South 1038 cases, 27 deaths; Turkey 219,641 cases, 5,491 deaths.
January 2021
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar objected to holding two elections at once gave the closest date for early elections. Tatar said that the government needs to prepare the 2021 budget before the end of the year. Speaking to Diyalog, Tatar refrained from making statements that could upset coalition partner HP (Peoples’ Party). He admitted there were some disagreements over the development master plan and that these needed to be solved through dialogue.
- Who are these weapons for? –The Greek Cypriot army is purchasing two new Exocet missiles which have a range of 180km.
- ‘This island is big enough for both communities’ – Akıncı said that everyone needs to do their part for peace and harmony.
They came, shed blood, occupied, divided the island and stayed here!
Cyprus for Cypriots has become a half nation after July 20 1974.
- Three new cases in the north – Dangerous rise in cases in the north. There are now a total of 13 cases.
Main News
The island is big enough for the two communities
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing, Internal Security, External Security, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
“The island of Cyprus is big enough for the two communities,” President Mustafa Akıncı said on Sunday in his address of the nation on Bayrak marking the 46th anniversary of the July 20th events on the island.
Akıncı pointed out that wars only cause pain.
“It is therefore vital for every one of us to do whatever is necessary to build a future in peace on our island, in our region and in the world. This beautiful island is more than enough for both communities,” Akıncı said.
Akıncı pointing out that Turkey’s military intervention had been carried out to preserve the independence of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and to reinstate the constitutional order on the island in addition to protecting the Turkish Cypriots.
He noted, as a result, the new order should be a bizonal, bicommunal federal (BBF) structure based on political equality in view of the developments on the island.
“It would have been in the best interest of all parties,” Akıncı stressed. He recalled that there had been times the island came very close to the desired solution however the Greek Cypriot side’s vote against the Annan Plan referendum in 2004 and their maximalist views in Crans Montana in 2017 resulted in the non-solution.
Not finding a solution to the Cyprus problem will only serve to cement the divisions on the island even further, Akıncı said adding that all sides must continue efforts to find a solution with determination.
“It’s not just us Turkish Cypriots, all interested parties and especially the Greek Cypriots must help for peace, tranquillity and prosperity in Cyprus. In case that does not happen, the division of our island will be rooted even further,” he said.
On the island’s hydrocarbon resources, Akıncı said if the approach is one of sharing, then peace and stability will prevail.
“It is therefore vital for every one of us to do whatever is necessary to build a future in peace on our island, in our region and in the world and to build a Turkish Cypriot community that is secular, included in international law and for the Turkish Cypriots to live in a community that is governed by itself,” the Turkish Cypriot leader concluded.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Sunday said hoping for a federal solution in Cyprus was nothing more than a fantasy.
In a message issued to mark Turkey’s military intervention in Cyprus, Tatar said that to expect a settlement with the Greek Cypriot side would be to dream.
“All they want is to usurp our rights and to place Cyprus under Greek sovereignty, “he said.
Tatar added that the only way the Greek Cypriots would accept a solution with Turkish Cypriots was if they would be achieving these goals.
“That means a solution will not take place. No one can force us to accept such a settlement,” he added.
Tatar repeated his earlier views that other alternative solution models voiced by Ankara such as a velvet divorce or two-state solution should be brought to the negotiating table.
He added that the Cyprus Issue should be addressed through a realistic approach.
“There are numerous developments in the world and region. We need to stop trying things which won’t happen and take realistic steps. Nothing is the same on the Cyprus Problem and never will it be again,” Tatar added.
He argued that the north will eventually become a state that will be internationally recognized, free of embargoes and pressure from Greek Cypriot side, where Maraş (Varosha) will be opened and hydrocarbon exploration carried out together with Turkey will be successful.
“We are determined to achieve this goal. Turkish Cypriots are determined to preserve and uphold their independent state, their freedom and sovereignty. No one can change this,” he added.
KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>> The island of Cyprus is big enough for both communities.
>> Vital for every one of us to do whatever is necessary to build a future in peace on our island, in our region and in the world.
>> July 20 was carried out to protect the independence of RoC & and to reinstate constitutional order on the island as well as protect the TCs.
>> The new order should be the BBF based on political equality in view of the developments on the island.
>> BBF solution will be in the best interest of all parties.
>> The efforts to find a solution to the Cyprob must continue.
>> Not finding a solution to the Cyprus problem will only serve to cement the divisions on the island even further.
>> All sides must continue efforts to find a solution with determination.
>> Not just us TCs, all interested parties and especially GCs must help for peace, tranquillity & prosperity in Cyprus.
>> In case that does not happen, the division of Cyprus will be rooted even further.
>> On hydrocarbon resources, if the approach is one of sharing, then peace and stability will prevail.
>> TCs must build a community that is secular, included in international law and for them to live in a community that is governed by itself.
Tatar (UBP)
>> The federal solution in Cyprus was nothing more than a fantasy.
>> The only way the GCs would accept a solution with TCs is if they achieve the goal of usurping TCs rights & to place Cyprus under Greek sovereignty.
>> That means a solution will not take place. No one can force the TCs to accept such a settlement.
>> A velvet divorce or two-state solution should be brought to the negotiating table.
>> The Cyprob should be addressed through a realistic approach.
>> The north will eventually become a state that will be internationally recognized, free of embargoes and pressure from GC side, where Maraş (Varosha) will be opened and hydrocarbon exploration carried out together with Turkey will be a success.
>> TCs are determined to preserve & uphold their independent state, their freedom and sovereignty.
Özersay: Ministers are as legitimate as the president
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Sunday reacted to Akıncı’s statement concerning the legitimacy debate ignited by Ankara’s proposal to push Özersay for hydrocarbon negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side.
“The north’s ministers are as legitimate as the north’s president,” Özersay said during a TV programme and added undermining the state offices and bringing them to the level of questioning their legitimacy only to win votes in an upcoming election is a pity.
Akıncı’s statement had followed earlier remarks by Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides’ disclosure that Ankara was pushing for talks between the two sides but with foreign minister Kudret Ozersay.
Akıncı had said any effort to replace the communal and international role and authority of the Turkish Cypriot ‘president’ with a person who was not authorised by the people was a hostile action.
In a written statement on Sunday, Özersay argued that Ankara’s proposal was not aimed at bypassing the president but focused on how to include the foreign ministry in the issue of reaching a formula for sharing the island’s hydrocarbon resources between the two sides.
Özersay recalled that the Ankara had clearly stated in response to remarks made by EU High Representative Josep Borrell during his recent visit to south Cyprus, that the Greek Cypriot foreign minister’s interlocutor could only be the Turkish Cypriot foreign minister.
“It is the Turkish Cypriot government that granted the exploration licenses, therefore if there is going to be sharing of the natural resources, it is only natural that the Foreign Minister represents the government,” Özersay said.
He also pointed out it is the foreign minister’s responsibility to carry out negotiations on natural gas based on the licenses granted. Özersay recalled that it is for this reason when he first became the foreign minister, he carried out negotiations with the directors of the petrol companies abroad.
Özersay also reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side’s hydrocarbon proposal, which was submitted by President Mustafa Akıncı to the Greek Cypriot side on July 13, 2019, was actually prepared by the foreign ministry.
“The ministry had proposed two options to the President. Mr Akıncı picked one of the two proposals, added a cover letter to it and relayed it to the Greek Cypriot leader,” Özersay said.
He highlighted that the proposal is proof that the foreign ministry and the presidency can be in dialogue and work together to produce new ideas and proposals.
“It is wrong to try to win votes over a meeting the Turkish officials held abroad,” Özersay concluded.