Front Page Headlines
Is it a bluff or a challenge?
Signals for an early election. The January 2021 date voiced by Prime Minister Ersin Tatar for possible early elections has been interpreted differently by the political parties. While the coalition partners, the Peoples’ Party (HP) has not discussed the possibility of early elections, the opposition said that early elections could be on the cards following the presidential elections.
679 died in 17 years! Isn’t it enough?
There is no end to the traffic accidents in the north. Vedat Çakır, who had an accident with his motorbike on the Akdeniz (Agia Eirini) road yesterday (Tuesday) passed away instantly. The fatalities on the road to date reached 11 for 2020. On the other hand, the tally for fatal traffic accidents since 2004 is very high.
- “We will continue with our exploration efforts in the areas licensed by the TRNC” – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said and added Turkey does not seek permission from anyone.
Road drenched in blood
40-year-old Vedat Çakır died when he lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a pile of rocks on the Akdeniz (Agia Eirini) road at 1 am yesterday (Tuesday). 1975 people have died on the roads in the past 46 years.
- Double complaint to the IT law – The press workers’ Union (Basın-Sen) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP) filed an injunction on the IT law at the Constitutional Court.
- The latest situation: North 125 cases, four deaths; South 1,040 cases, 27 deaths; Turkey 221,500 cases, 5,526 deaths.
Great pain
40-year-old Vedat Çakır who lost his life in a motorcycle accident on the Tepebaşı (Dhiorios)-Akdeniz (Agia Eirini) road was discovered three hours after his death. Father of two, Çakır crashed his motorcycle and was seriously injured. His body only discovered hours after the crash. Friends and family who heard of the tragic news blocked the Kyrenia-Morphou road in protest.
- Drilling tensions – Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiatopoulos cut his trip to Cyprus short and returned to Athens after Turkey issued a NAVTEX south of Meis Island. Panagiatopoulos and his Greek Cypriot counterpart agreed on joint action.
- He failed this time –Alkan Canit who smuggled people across to the south for €50 was caught at the entrance of Akıncılar (Louroujina).
Some rushed to the police, others to the prosecutor’s office
Queues formed to file a complaint against our newspaper Avrupa. The hysteria of insults and defamatory remarks continued yesterday (Tuesday) as well. Those who claim to be defending the freedom of expression could not bear the truth! Some ran to the police and others to the prosecutor’s office to lodge complaints against Avrupa over its headline on 20th July.
- BASIN-SEN and the TDP applied to the Constitutional Court – The Press Workers’ Union (BASIN-SEN) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP) filed injunction appeal on the IT law at the Constitutional Court.
Main News
SRSG Spehar briefs UNSC on UNFICYP
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security, Energy, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative (SRSG) in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, briefed the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Monday night on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and developments in the Cyprus problem, the dailies reported on Wednesday.
Spehar’s briefing is focused on the elements of the Secretary-General’s bi-annual report submitted to extend the mandate of UNFICYP on the island.
Cooperation between the sides on the efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic; hydrocarbons issue in the Eastern Mediterranean; buffer zone problems and military cooperation mechanisms were among the issues raised during the briefing.
Spehar, referring to the Cyprus problem and the prospects of resuming negotiations for a settlement, is reported to have said that there was a will to hold an informal meeting with the guarantor powers, the two sides and the UN, otherwise known as the “5+” meeting.
Nonetheless, it was also noted that the parties need to wait until the elections in the north are over.
The Secretary-General’s report is currently at its draft phase and it is expected to be adopted as a resolution on July 29 2020, renewing the mandate of the UNFICYP for another six months.
Erdoğan says Turkey does not require permissions for East Med drilling
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“We have successfully thwarted all the ploys against Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean to launch hydrocarbon drilling in the region. We will carry on with our exploration without making any concessions from our rights emanating from international law,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.
Erdoğan also said that Turkey does not need permission from anyone to operate its drilling ships in the eastern Mediterranean.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony for a hydroelectric power plant in Tokat, Turkey, Erdoğan added the Fatih and the Yavuz drillships are currently continuing with their explorations in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea.
“We do not depend on a licence from anyone, neither for seismic research ships nor for drillships,” he said.
A navigational advisory, known as a Navtex, was issued by Turkey’s navy on Tuesday for seismic survey work in an area apparently south of Turkey’s Antalya and lying between Cyprus and Crete. The advisory is in effect until August 2.
Erdoğan also noted that the first phase of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be completed and operational by 2023.
Bicommunal health committee evaluates epidemiological data
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot side raised the issue of reopening the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing during a teleconference meeting on Tuesday of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health and the problems caused by the Greek Cypriot side’s regulation for a negative coronavirus test each time one crosses to the south.
Epidemiology experts from both sides took part in the teleconference during which the Turkish Cypriot experts answered questions about the epidemiological report on the situation in the north submitted last week.
According to a statement issued by Turkish Cypriot General Coordinator for the Technical Committees Meltem Onurkan Samani said that the Turkish Cypriot committee members had raised the issue of reopening the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing point, stating that opening the crossing no longer posed a health risk.
The Turkish Cypriot side also raised the issue of the temporary ban on foreigners who arrive in the South from crossing into the TRNC.
Other issues which were discussed during the meeting included the difficulties taxi drivers, journalist and other individuals who have to cross on a daily basis experienced due to the requirement to have a negative PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours prior to crossing.
She said that in light of similar epidemiological data on both sides, the view that restrictions imposed by the south could be eased was expressed during the meeting.
Akıncılar (Louroujina) Crossing Initiative invites all for support
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The Akıncılar (Louroujina) Crossing Initiative on Tuesday invited everyone to join their march towards Lympia, the point where the residents of the village want the crossing point to be opened.
The peaceful march, which the protestors will be accompanied by music groups, will be held on July 26 2020.
Co-chair of the Initiative and Mayor of the town, Hasan Barbaros said the opening of the Akıncılar (Louroujina) – Lympia crossing point will contribute to economic development and will strengthen the communication between the two communities.
“It will also reduce the traffic at the Metehan (Agios Dhometios) crossing point as well,” Barbaros noted.
He invited everyone including those who emigrated from the village to return to the village on Sunday, July 26 at 6 pm to join the march.
Smuggler and illegal migrants sent to jail
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Suspects Alkan Canit, Benjamin John Onyebuchi, Asif Asıf, Muhammad Shahnaz, and Tayeye Schadrack were sent to jail awaiting their verdict from the court, the dailies report on Tuesday.
The suspects had been caught red-handed in the back of a truck in Akıncılar (Louroujina) while waiting to be smuggled across the divide into the south.
Police officer tasked with the investigation informed the court that Alkan Canit had testified to agreeing to take the other four suspects to the south in exchange for €50 each.
The Nicosia District Court released suspect Alkan Canit on bail and sent the other four to jail awaiting the court’s verdict.