Front Page Headlines
Salary goes in one pocket, pensions in the other
Officials cost us an extra 2 million euro a year… for their services. A total of 129 officials receive a public employee pension together with their salary, and some of them also get a pension set by law without being touched by streamlining of public funds. President of the Republic, Auditor General, Labour Minister and DISY MP Onoufrios Koullas abnegated their pensions. Approval of law proposals by DISY president Averof Neophytou to end this provocative practice is a one-way street.
- Checkpoints: K. Pyrgos residents furious
Critical 10 days in December
Lute visit and European Council the two benchmarks that will define developments. Arrival of UNSG envoy next week.
- One death – Record number of patients: Meetings and new decisions on future of measures
- Erdogan not convincing: Paris expects actions, not words from Ankara
- Holy Synod having emergency session: Crisis in church over Ukraine to be addressed by prelates
Dispersal of virus in hospital through “holes”
Workers make accusations over lacking measures. There are no official complaints, OKYpY (state health services) responds. Workers passed their limits.
- Opening to the West by Erdogan
- AKEL wants resumption of negotiations from where they were left off
- Pyrgos residents a powder keg after crossing restrictions for occupied areas
Erdogan softened, afraid of sanctions
Ahead of the European Council in December. He sends messages of friendship but does not convince the French who ask for acts, not words. Lute coming to Cyprus next week.
- Pessimistic scenario by World Health Organisation expert: Fears for third wave of pandemic – One death, 187 Covid-19 cases and 121 positive rapid tests yesterday
- Energy Minister: Electricity cheaper by 15-20% after natural gas comes
- C. Mavrides initiative: European counterattack against Grey Wolves
Main News
Erdogan speaks of friendship with EU, France expects actions
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/ International Relations, External Security, Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on statements made by Turkish President Tayip Erdogan on Sunday, which can be seen as an attempt to resume a dialogue with the EU. Erdogan said, during a regional conference in Turkey, that the country has always been orientated to the West and called for constructive cooperation with the EU and the US.
Erdogan said that the Turkish nation has been keeping its cultural ties with the east while moving towards the west, making references to the 600-year history of the Ottoman Empire, adding that Turks see themselves as a part of Europe.
He said that when the country is not forced to turn elsewhere, its first choice is the west on all fronts, from defence to trade. He added that this doesn’t mean that the country will bow down to attacks and unfair treatment.
Erdogan said he believes there is no problem with any country or institution that cannot be solved through dialogue and negotiations.
Phileleftheros also reports that on Saturday, Erdogan said in a separate recorded statement for a security conference, that Turkey has not closed the door to dialogue, and reiterated the proposal for a regional conference including the T/C side.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian commented on Erdogan’s statements with reservation during a TV programme. Le Drian pointed out that it is not enough that the Turkish President is making conciliatory statements in the last few days, adding that what is needed is for specific actions to be taken.
The French Foreign Minister said that Paris is expecting Ankara to take specific steps not only in the Eastern Mediterranean but also in Nagorno-Karabakh.
He added that there are multiple disagreements with Turkey given the country’s expansionist approach and creation of faits accomplis in Libya, Iraq and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as its aggressive stance against two EU member states and the allegations that the country was sending Syrian fighters to participate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Phileleftheros reports that Turkey issued a new NAVTEX regarding the activities of research vessel Oruc Reis south of Kastelorizo until November 29, and that a few hours later the country also sent the message that the ship will leave the area after that date. The newspaper notes that the European Council will look into Turkey’s behaviour a few days later.
Kato Pyrgos residents furious about new T/C checkpoint restrictions
Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the reactions of Kato Pyrgos residents to a recent decision by the T/C authorities to request a negative PCR test conducted 24 hours before crossing into the occupied areas (previous guidelines requested a PCR tests conducted three days before crossing).
The decision increases difficulties faced by residents, effectively cutting them off from both Paphos and Nicosia. The village belongs to the Nicosia district, which means that it is cut off from Paphos, while residents also have problems travelling to Nicosia which until today was facilitated by crossing through the occupied areas.
In a statement, the Kato Pyrgos community council pointed out that is obvious this decision aims to create further problems for G/Cs. The council called on the government to take similar measures against Turkish Cypriots that use the checkpoint in their area.
The council also pointed out that the government should also respond by limiting the movement of the T/C administration and the Turkish army to and from the Kokkina enclave, as well as limiting electrical power given to the T/C side.
The council gave the government until midnight on Sunday to take measures, adding that if that does not happen the residents will take their own measures to prevent use of the checkpoint.
Haravgi also reports that the T/C administration is also limiting T/Cs using the checkpoints, allowing only a few special groups (students, parents, workers) to cross to the government-controlled areas.