GCC Press Review 27 Oct 2020

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Picnic in Varosha with the BBF as dessert

After Cavusoglu and Oktay, excursion diplomacy also by Erdogan in Famagusta. Ankara and Tatar are setting up a scene of intense pressure ahead of negotiations with the TC leader referring to a last chance for solution at the five-party meeting. The Turkish president will be at the anniversary of the declaration of the pseudo state on November 15 with a mood for a stroll in the fenced-off Famagusta. According to Erdogan the talks for a federal solution are a waste of time, stressing that Turkey wishes for a just, permanent and viable solution to the Cyprus issue.

  • Naturalisations: Definite ‘No’ to a new citizenship by investment programme
  • He is boycotting France: Erdogan will also quit champagne

Phileleftheros

They are adding fuel to despair

Open conflict of institutions while society waits for them to clear up the stink they are drowning in. The Attorney-general is accusing the Auditor-general of deconstructing everything.

  • Erdogan-Tatar are in sync: Lines drawn for a two-state solution and picnic in Varosha
  • Erdogan called for boycott of French products
  • One in two did not pay their coronavirus fines – In court 6,700 citizens out of the 13,303 in total who were booked by the police.

Haravgi

Obstacles… for the members of the investigative committee

The institutional crisis between Attorney-general Giorgos Savvides and Auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides over the great scandal of the ‘golden’ passports that culminated yesterday is unprecedented. The conflict between the two state officials may even end up in the Supreme Court.

  • Two-state solution and picnic in Varosha

Cyprus Mail

Petrides: political blackmail tactics

Finance minister urges the parties to decouple the citizenship issue from budget debate.

  • Erdogan: Two-state solution must be put on the table, federal model can’t apply
  • (photo caption) Athens medal of honour for president – The fact that Greece and Cyprus sought dialogue with Turkey should not be mistaken as a weakness or submission to threats, President Nicos Anastasiades said Monday as he was awarded the Athens municipality’s Gold Medal of Honour by Mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis in recognition of his efforts to reunify the island. “In contrast to the Turkish illegal actions Greece and Cyprus neither threatened nor sought to usurp the rights of any state,” the president said. “They respect international law and that is why they seek creative dialogue or recourse to the international court to resolve all the unfounded issues Turkey is claiming.”

Alithia

Second, harsher attack by the Attorney-general against the Auditor-general

The conflict between the two top independent institutions has escalated. They agreed to meet and discuss. Will they sort things out? “The Auditor-general is strategically deconstructing and questioning everyone.”  

  • Erdogan: A two-state solution must be put on the table
  • Cypriots rebel against coronavirus – Many avoid wearing masks at offices and schools. They are sick of the restrictive measures that have been in place for eight months and reactions and disobedience have started.
  • Archbishop-Ukraine: His decision (to recognise the Ukrainian Church as autocephalous) is non-reversible
  • The entire Europe is condemning Erdogan’s immoral attacks on Macron – The threats by Ankara, that found itself in isolation, fall on deaf ears.

Main News

Erdogan wants two-state solution, Anastasiades gets Cyprob award

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters, Energy, Regional/International Relations, Property

OVERVIEW

The statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a meeting with TC leader Ersin Tatar in Ankara that it was time to discuss a two-state solution is among the main items in all dailies, as was his wish to picnic in Varosha.

At the same time, President Nicos Anastasiades was awarded by the Athens Municipality with a Gold Medal of Honour for his efforts to reunite the island.

According to the dailies, Erdogan called for a realistic proposal on a two-state solution, suggesting that a federal model could no longer apply. He said new ideas concerning the solution model were needed, arguing that in Cyprus there are two separate people who have founded two separate states.

It is obvious, he said, that the Greek side has no intention of accepting a solution on the basis of the equal partnership of the TCs.

Citing a lack of results for more than half a century under the current parameters, Erdogan said starting talks on the basis of a federation will be a loss of time. “Therefore, we believe a two-state solution must now be brought to the table with a realistic proposal.”

Erdogan blamed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean on Greece and Cyprus who, he said, did not pay heed to Turkey’s warnings since 2003 and have ignored its constructive suggestions.

He said Turkey would continue efforts to improve the north on economic, diplomatic, and social levels.

Erdogan said he would visit the north on November 15, for the anniversary of the declaration of the breakaway state, adding that he wanted to have a picnic in Varosha.

Tatar said Turkey’s proposal for a five-party conference was the last chance. He also said their goal was to return Varosha to its owners under TC administration, adding that the hydrocarbon matter was an honesty test for the GC side.

He also said that TCs are still standing due to Turkey’s thanks to Turkey’s support since 1974.

In the meantime, Anastasiades received an award on Monday evening by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis in recognition of his efforts for the reunification of the island for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people.

The award was also in recognition of Anastasiades’ strengthening of the indestructible and inseparable Greek and Cypriot ties and for defending  the democratic and human values ​​that unite them, his commitment to the vision of a Europe of solidarity, growth and social cohesion and his unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and globally, based on the principles of international law.

During a ceremony in Athens, Anastasiades was awarded the City of Athens Gold Medal of Honour.

In his speech he said that he was receiving the medal at an exceptionally critical juncture, and that he was fully aware of the great historical, political, and moral responsibility towards Cypriot and wider Hellenism that the award placed on him.

He also referred to Turkey’s provocations and said that the fact that Greece and Cyprus sought dialogue with Turkey should not be mistaken as a weakness or submission to threats. “In contrast to the Turkish illegal actions, Greece and Cyprus neither threatened nor sought to usurp the rights of any state,” he said. He added that Nicosia and Athens respect international law and that is why they seek creative dialogue or recourse to the international court to resolve all the unfounded issues Turkey is claiming.

Anastasiades stressed that the stance Greece and Cyprus chose to hold should not be “perceived as a weakness or that we will succumb to threats, intimidation, and provocations” that have nothing to do with international diplomacy and good neighbourly relations between modern states.

While in Athens, Anastasiades had a working lunch with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and coordinated their actions in light of the Turkish provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Government Spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said that the two men discussed the situation in detail and also exchanged views on the Cyprus problem in light of the UNSG’s statement that he is ready to convene a five-party Conference on Cyprus and the upcoming European Council.

Phileleftheros reports that in the meantime, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides sent on Monday a letter to the UNSG, with notification also to the Security Council and the EU, in which he complains about Turkey’s provocative and illegal actions in the fenced area of Famagusta.

Cyprus Mail, Politis and Haravgi, also report that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed “serious concern” over Turkey’s decision to open part of the fenced area of Varosha in occupied Famagusta.

Citing statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the dailies report that Lavrov said he was very concerned over Turkey’s decision to open part of Varosha and made clear that this was against a series of UN Security Council resolutions.

Lavrov said unilateral actions obstruct efforts to establish a constructive climate and create additional problems to the resumption of negotiations for a final resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Haravgi reports that AKEL spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said Tatar’s statements in favour of a two-state solution torpedo the UN Secretary-General’s initiative for a new effort on the Cyprus problem. He also stressed that possible abandonment of the goal of reunification based on a bizonal bicommunal federation and seeking partitionist and confederal solutions will mean a new cycle of insecurity and tension in the history of the country.

Phileleftheros, Alithia and Haravgi report that EU Commission spokesperson Peter Stano did not rule out an earlier discussion on Turkey by the EU leaders given developments but that for the moment, the decision to discuss this in December still stands.

Politis reports that as regards Erdogan’s statements, this is not the first time Ankara has tried to create a climate of terror just before an intensive negotiations procedure. It seems that this is the rule, that’s why Anastasiades and his advisors’ next moves are important, it said. The daily also reports that the UN are dealing with great hesitation everything they see and hear from the TC side lately while it is expected that UNSG special envoy Jane Holl Lute will clarify whether she will come to the island to probe intentions to avoid convening an informal meeting doomed to fail.

At the same time, Turkey has called off exercises that were to take place off Greece on October 28, the daily reports. It also reports that while Turkish threats in the East Med continue, the Turkish lira is plunging while diplomacy continues.

According to Phileleftheros, Erdogan has given a recital in provocativeness and drew the lines on the Cyprus issue along which the new TC leader would willingly move.

Ankara, continuing the same tactics since the post Crans-Montana era and with the TC leadership now fully expressing its policy, wants to close the issue once and for all, aiming at the creation of two states. At the same time, it is blackmailing on the Famagusta issue, with Erdogan declaring that on November 15, the anniversary of the proclamation of the pseudo-state, they will hold a picnic in the occupied city, the paper reports. It also reported that Erdogan blamed the GCs and Greece for everything.

Alithia reports of new provocative statements by Erdogan and Tatar.

Haravgi also reports that Greece and Turkey have annulled Navtex messages they had issued for October 29 and 28 respectively as a sign of goodwill as part of exploratory contacts between them. Phileleftheros reports that Turkey took a step back by cancelling military exercises in the heart of the Aegean for October 26, 27 and 28 but issued a new one just for today in the same area.

KEY ACTORS
Erdogan (Turkey)
>>
Calls for discussion of a realistic proposal on a two-state solution in Cyprus since talks for a federal solution have not yielded any results for more than half a century. Besides, there are already two separate states on the island run by two separate people.
>>  It is obvious that the GC side has no intention of accepting a solution on the basis of the equal partnership of the TCs.
>> Blames tensions in the East Med on Greece & Cyprus who did not pay heed to Turkey’s warnings since 2003 and have ignored its constructive suggestions.
>> Turkey will continue efforts to improve the north on economic, diplomatic, and social levels.
>> Wants to picnic in Varosha.

Tatar
>>
 Warns that Turkey’s proposal for a five-party conference is the last chance.
>> TCs want to return Varosha to its owners under TC administration.
>> The hydrocarbon matter is an honesty test for the GC side.
>> TCs are still standing due to Turkey’s interventions in 1963 & 1974 and thanks to its support since.

Anastasiades
>>
Wants to make clear that the fact that Greece & Cyprus sought dialogue with Turkey in contrast to the Turkish illegal actions, should not be mistaken as a weakness or submission to threats.
>> Greece & Cyprus neither threatened nor sought to usurp the rights of any state but rather respect international law and that is why they seek creative dialogue or recourse to the ICJ to resolve all the unfounded issues Turkey is claiming.

Lavrov (Russian FM)
>>
Seriously concerned over Turkey’s decision to open part of Varosha which is against a series of UNSC resolutions.
>> Unilateral actions obstruct efforts to establish a constructive climate but rather create additional problems to the resumption of negotiations for a final resolution of the Cyprob.

Stefanou (AKEL)
>>
Tatar’s calls for a two-state solution torpedoes the UNSG’s initiative for a new effort on the Cyprob.
>> Warns that abandonment of the goal of reunification based on a BBF & promoting partitionist and confederal solutions will lead to a new cycle of insecurity and tension in the history of the country.


Anastasiades slams Erdogan over verbal attack on Macron

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, EU Matters

OVERVIEW

The dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades condemned the “unethical” verbal attack by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

Taking a stand against Erdogan’s statements that Macon needed a mental health check, Anastasiades said in a written statement that this was “unacceptable in international practice and diplomacy phraseology.”

“This attack against the French President by a leader of a candidate country for accession to the EU is a vulgar affront to European values and principles,” he said.

He added that Turkey fiercely continues its provocative course towards France because the latter dares to defend international law and to denounce the policy of piracy that Turkey practices against Cyprus, Greece, Syria, Libya, the Caucasus, and more generally in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“The EU must also address this new Turkish provocation united,” he said.

The dailies also report that Erdogan on Monday called on the Turkish people to boycott French products and urged European Union leaders to halt French leader Emmanuel Macron’s ‘anti-Islam’ agenda.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
Condemns Erdogan’s verbal attack on Macron as unethical & unacceptable but also a vulgar insult by a leader of a candidate country for accession to European values and principles.
>> Calls on the EU members to show a united front against this new Turkish provocation arguing that Ankara fiercely continues to turn against France because it dares to defend international law and to denounce the policy of piracy that Turkey practices against Cyprus, Greece, Syria, Libya, the Caucasus, and more generally in the East Med.


TC members of Technical Committee on Culture resign

Alithia, Haravgi
CBMs, Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

The dailies report that the TC members of the Technical Committee on Culture resigned arguing that the result of the ‘presidential’ elections was not in line with the principles of the Committee.

According to the papers, the eight TC members said in their letter of resignation that the election result was not in line with the principles agreed by the GC and TC members whose aim was the peaceful coexistence on the island of all different cultures, the creation of empathy and tolerance, and to make understanding and respect a lifestyle.

They also said among their goals was to create common values by bringing Cypriots closer through the international language of art and to improve the daily life of Cypriots in the field of culture and arts and to work towards the creation of a federal culture that will be the basis of a federal united Cyprus.


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