GCC Press Review 27 July 2020

Front Page Headlines

Politis

General relaxation shows its teeth

Government worries and runs to prevent new spread of the pandemic. Pandemic resurgence with outbreak of cases and deaths in many countries. The state “woke up”: More reports. Increased tendency towards in-country transmission of coronavirus, while an important percentage of society tends to complacency and gave up on any measure of self protection. Government and cooperating epidemiologists also responsible for the wrong message they sent through continuous loosening of measures in all sectors.

  • Head of works talks to “P”: Planning for the terminal takes time
  • Greens go with Theopemptou: At the wheel with knowledge and moderation

Phileleftheros

Turkish games

Moves towards de-escalation recorded with gradual withdrawal of forces. Greek army remains on alert.

  • Authorities again on alert: They ring the bell for coronavirus
  • Record for conservation of Hagia Sophia

Haravgi

Concerns for spread of virus in community

Research in all districts with 3,000 samples. Focus on Limassol due to cases in food and drink establishments. Minister of health: Local lockdown a last resort.

  • “They left and left us in cells while Turks were bombing next door”
  • Release of tensions: Interventions in the background
  • News for Strovilia in autumn
  • UNFICYP: Focus on the checkpoints
  • Renovations of mosques and churches by the hands of Bicommunal Committee are monuments to brotherhood

Alithia

“GeSY is bleeding!”

Athos Tsinontides admit: “Doctor we are flooded by blood”. Storm of reactions for OAY’s (Health Insurance Organisation) reduction of patients to be seen by specialist doctors per day. Dermatologists – venereologists determined to leave GeSY in a month if no solutions are found. Specialist doctors move forward with cancelling scheduled appointments starting today. Great concern as well as inconvenience for patients.

  • Tayip Erdogan: Some seem to not know that Istanbul is Turkish
  • Aegean: After the tension, calm and de-escalation
  • Concerns intensify: “Orphan” chain from Limassol stills holds
  • Ch. Theopemptou officially at the wheel of the Greens since yesterday

Main News

Situation south of Kastelorizo de-escalates as Turkey withdraws ships

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
External Security, Energy, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters

OVERVIEW

Turkey seems to be de-escalating the situation vis a vis Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean, Phileleftheros reports, pointing out that Greece will remain on alert until August 2nd when Turkey’s recent NAVTEX for areas south of Kastelorizo and Antalya expires.

Greek diplomatic and military sources told Phileleftheros that the Greek and the Turkish government are likely to have coordinated. The newspaper points out however that the disagreements persists and recalls that US and Russian had also approached the region, as well as Germany’s efforts to mediate.

Specifically, sources from Greece’s National Defence Ministry told the newspaper that Turkish military vessels have started withdrawing from the region as early as Saturday.

The dailies also report that the Turkish embassy in the US had posted a tweet announcing the beginning of seismic research by “Oruc Reis”. However the tweet was taken down shortly later and replaced by a tweet pointing out that Turkey had announced on July 21st that “Oruc Reis” would begin research.

Sources from Athens cited by Phileleftheros say that Turkey is seeking to open a dialogue without terms and conditions on all open issues. Greece’s position regarding this effort is that the Greek government is open to dialogue but only within a defined framework, given that Turkey gives up on provocative moves.

Meanwhile, dailies report on a statement by Turkish President Tayip Erdogan who said during a speech that the controversy following the Hagia Sophia decision shows that some cannot accept the idea that Istanbul is on Turkish ground since 1453.

In a statement, government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushios said that the only response to Turkey’s destabilising actions is a united European response.


UNFICYP report to focus on checkpoints situation

Haravgi, Politis
Negotiations Process, Internal Security, CBMs

OVERVIEW

Haravgi reports that the UN’s Security Council is expected to vote on renewing the mandate of UNFICYP on Tuesday, instead of Wednesday as originally planned.

The CyBC’s correspondent in the US reported that the relevant resolution entered what is known as the “silent procedure”, which means that if there are no disagreements expressed by Monday then the draft will be brought to the Security Council.

According to the report, the draft is essentially an updated version of Resolution 2506, which was approved last January, with the addition of elements related to the pandemic and the appeal to the sides to cooperate. Haravgi underlines that the new draft calls for increased cooperation especially when it comes to checkpoints and asks for the return to the situation as it stood before February 29th.

The draft resolution also encourages the side to discuss Elizabeth Spehar’s proposal for the creation of a mechanism for direct communication between military forces on the island.

In a development related to the coronavirus pandemic, all dailies point out that the recent increase in cases found in the government-controlled areas has created concerns of a new spike. Politis reports that the Ministry of Health issued a warning announcement on Sunday and that the Ministry of Justice announced a stricter application of existing measures.

The newspaper reports that the Ministry has said that it cannot rule out returning to some former measures.

The dailies point out that what worries the authorities is a chain of “orphan” cases, which seem to have come about through in-country transmission, in Limassol.


DEFA officer: Designing natural gas terminal will take time

Politis
Energy, Economy

OVERVIEW

The project development and implementation officer of the Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) Andreas Pentaliotis gave an interview to Politis regarding the plans of the company regarding the creation of an LNG terminal at Vasilikos.

When asked about measures taken by the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA), which is a subsidiary of DEFA, to prevent delays, Pentaliotis said that the contract includes a reference that the construction will be completed by the summer of 2020. He added that there are heavy penalties for the contractor in case of a delay.

The newspaper notes that currently ETYFA is focusing on designing the terminal and getting the proper permits from the government for the project, which will be run by a consortium made up of China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering and METRON SA, and with the involvement of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.


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