Front Page Headlines
Proposal for a broad-based election government
The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) delegation headed by Tufan Erhürman visited the National Unity Party (UBP), the People’s Party (HP) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP). CTP leader Tufan Erhürman: “We prepared a list of principles and shared these with the parties. We are seeking to form a broad-based government which will carry the country to early elections.” UBP acting leader Ersan Saner: “The UBP, which has the most seats in parliament, will need to evaluate these proposals within its relevant bodies.” HP leader Yenal Senin: “CTP visited us intending to form an election government. We shall take up the issue at our assembly once Mr Erhürman finalizes his visits to the parties.” TDP leader Cemal Özyiğit: “The TDP will not be part of a structure where it will be in a junior position. We would like to be one of the parties which forms the government.”
Let’s say no to violence
951 calls were made to the police unit on violence against women between January and November of 2020. 288 of these calls were on ‘physical violence’, 149 of them were about ‘threatening to use violence’ and 77 of the calls were reported incidents involving ‘abuse’. Today is November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women but our country has unfortunately failed to reach the desired level on curbing violence against women.
- CTP proposed a technocratic cabinet with broad representation – CTP leader Tufan Erhürman met with UBP, HP and TDP yesterday (Tuesday).
Government with principles
CTP leader Tufan Erhürman, after receiving authorisation from his party’s assembly, met with UBP, HP and TDP.
Election in September
While Erhürman, who visited three parties in one day, proposed the formation of a government to go to early elections made up mainly of ‘technocrats’, he did not go into details regarding the distribution of ministries. Erhürman proposed that employment at the public service should be done according to the books and that even positions for temporary employees should be advertised. He also proposed that the Citizenship Law should be amended and subject to criteria. The CTP leader also proposed the preparation of a package to support private sector employees affected by the pandemic.
The police scandal is taken to court
Our newspaper had revealed this scandal… The promotion of two police officers, who were members of the Police Services Commission, has gone to court. The matter regarding the two, who were unsuccessful in their promotion exam, was taken to court by acting Police Chief Bekir Abatay who asked for an injunction to stop the promotion. The Supreme Court heard the case and postponed the case indefinitely until a verdict can be given.
- 252 positive coronavirus cases and two deaths in the south and nine cases in the north.
Main News
Tatar: TCs will never agree to being a minority in a GC state
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
“The solution on Cyprus must be based on sovereign equality and two states co-existing side-by-side,” Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar said on Tuesday during a visit paid to him by a delegation from the Retired Turkish Cypriot Freedom Fighters’ Association.
Noting that the 50-year-long federation talks had failed to produce the desired outcome, Tatar accused the Greek Cypriot side of being responsible for the absence of a solution on the island.
“Despite the Turkish Cypriot side’s goodwill, the Greek Cypriot side has never approached the talks, sharing of natural resources or to a lasting solution with good intentions,” Tatar claimed.
“A new page on the island must be opened and the Turkish Cypriots must be able to look to the future with hope,” Tatar stressed, adding that the Turkish Cypriots have exercised their basic right of self-determination.
He called on the international community to respect the Turkish Cypriots’ decision.
“The Turkish Cypriots will never agree to become a minority in a Greek Cypriot state,” Tatar concluded.
East Med tensions straining Turkey-EU relations, Çavuşoğlu says
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“The developments in the Eastern Mediterranean are straining relations with the EU,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Turkish parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission, Çavuşoğlu said that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side were dragging their problems with Turkey into the EU which in turn was affecting Ankara’s relations with the bloc.
He also accused the Greek Cypriot side of being responsible for the non-solution on the island, stating that Greek Cypriots insisted on not recognising the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots.
“The irreconcilable Greek Cypriot mentality continues to perceive the Turkish Cypriots as a minority on the island instead of an equal partner, therefore, refuses to share the island’s natural resources with them,” Çavuşoğlu argued.
He added: “It is for this reason a two-state model must be tabled instead of negotiating on the federation (model).”
He also pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots have displayed their political will in this regard and invited everyone to respect the outcome of the elections.
“Our efforts in this regard, are in full harmony with our Turkish Cypriot brothers,” Çavuşoğlu said.
“The Greek-Greek Cypriot duo is not alone. Some member countries are carrying the problem between our respective countries to the EU. What’s more, they are doing this in the name of solidarity among member states. They are constantly exploiting their EU membership to get back at us,” he complained.
“Ankara expects the EU to acknowledge its mistakes and appreciate the value Turkey’s membership will add to the bloc,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding that “by doing so, it is possible to form a more productive relationship between the two.”
“We desire a constructive dialogue during our contacts with the EU,” he said, arguing that Turkey was not alone and that a significant number of EU countries acknowledged the importance of dialogue with Turkey for stability in Europe.
“The EU must rectify this mistake. If they succeed the whole of Europe will benefit from our cooperation,” Çavuşoğlu concluded.
In the meantime, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy responded to a statement given by the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on social media.
“The accusations and the threatening tone of the Greek Foreign Minister towards Turkey in his statements today (Tuesday) are yet further indications of the unwillingness of the Greek side towards the settlement of bilateral issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” Aksoy said on Tuesday.
He noted that Greece failed to respond positively to Turkey’s constructive approach to the Eastern Mediterranean issue.
Aksoy also rejected Greece’s accusations on Turkey’s hydrocarbon activities in the region.
“Greece’s characterization of Turkey’s resolute activities to protect her rights and those of the Turkish Cypriots in the face of Greek maximalist demands, as ‘provocative’, or even ‘illegal’ are merely pretexts to avoid dialogue,” Aksoy said.
Aksoy reiterated Ankara’s call for dialogue, adding that adopting a threatening language or the EU’s backing will not yield any results.
“Greece should refrain from putting forward preconditions and come to the negotiations table at once,” Aksoy concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Developments in the East Med are straining EU-Turkey relations.
>> Greece & the GC side are dragging their problems with Turkey into the EU which in turn was affecting Ankara’s relations with the bloc.
>> The GC side responsible for non-solution of Cyprus.
>> The irreconcilable GC mentality continues to perceive the TCs as a minority on the island instead of an equal partner, therefore, refuses to share the island’s natural resources with them.
>> A two-state model must be tabled instead of negotiating on the federation model.
>> The TCs have displayed their political will in this regard & everyone must respect the outcome of the elections.
>> Ankara expects the EU to acknowledge its mistakes & appreciate the value Turkey’s membership will add to the bloc.
>> By doing so, it is possible to form a more productive relationship between Ankara & the EU.
>> Ankara desires a constructive dialogue with the EU.
>> A significant number of EU countries acknowledge the importance of dialogue with Turkey for stability in Europe.
>> The EU must rectify this mistake. If they succeed the whole of Europe will benefit from Turkey’s cooperation.
Aksoy (Turkey)
>> The accusations & the threatening tone of the Greek FM towards Turkey is a further indication of the unwillingness of Greece towards the settlement of bilateral issues through dialogue & diplomacy.
>> Greece’s characterization of Turkey’s resolute activities is merely pretexts to avoid dialogue.
>> Greece should refrain from putting forward preconditions & come to the negotiations table at once.
Özersay receives SRSG Spehar ahead of Lute’s visit
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Tuesday received the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar ahead of a planned visit next week to the island by the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) special envoy Jane Holl Lute.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry, Özersay and Spehar discussed Lute’s scheduled visit as well as the informal five-party conference likely to be called at a reasonable time.
The two also discussed the latest developments in the efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic given the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the south.
“The parties discussed sharing directly the Covid-19 measures adopted by the two sides in a coordinated manner,” the statement read.
In addition to discussing other issues under the UN’s jurisdiction during the meeting, Özersay raised the issue of re-opening of the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing, which was closed by the Greek Cypriot administration in February.
Erhürman proposes forming a technocratic government
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman, after being authorized by his party to launch talks to form a new government, embarked on his first round of meetings with the political parties on Tuesday.
Erhürman’s first visit was to the National Unity Party (UBP) on Tuesday, followed by the People’s Party (HP) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP).
Speaking to the media following his meeting with UBP, Erhürman said he has shared his vision to set up a technocratic government with the aim of holding an early election in June.
“We need to establish a technocratic government that represents a broad base,” the CTP leader said, adding that serious economic challenges awaited the new cabinet due to the pandemic.
Erhürman noted that he has also shared a “set of principles” that the new government to be established will need to comply with.
He said no matter which government model is agreed upon, there has to be an early election, not earlier than June 2021.
UBP’s acting leader Ersan Saner and HP leader Yenal Senin said that they will be discussing Erhürman’s proposals within their relevant party bodies before making a decision.
For his part, TDP leader Cemal Özyiğit said that his party did not desire a junior role in the new government.
Erhürman is scheduled to meet with the Democratic Party (DP) and the Rebirth Party (YDP) on Wednesday to complete his first round of talks.
Goal is to revive Maraş (Varosha), says TC Famagusta mayor
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
“The goal is to revive the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) eventually transforming it into an area bustling with life,” İsmail Arter, the Turkish Cypriot Mayor of Famagusta said in an interview with Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
Arter said the efforts on reopening Maraş (Varosha) had picked up pace since February this year despite the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 67,000 people have visited the recently opened section of the fenced-off town since public access was granted on October 8, Arter noted.
He added that the Municipality, in addition to clearing the overgrown vegetation and landscaping the public spaces, has placed kiosks in the area for the visitors to enjoy their time during their visit.
The Municipality also renewed existing roads, built new ones and created bicycle lanes.
Responding to a question regarding criticisms of the reopening, Arter said that the majority of visitors were pleased with their visit and the work being carried out.
“There are also Greek Cypriots, British expats and people from other nationalities visiting the area,” Arter said.
Dismissing the criticisms, Arter said the privately-owned properties in Maraş (Varosha) were “untouched” and there was no violation of property rights as claimed.
“The facelift of the fenced-off town is being carried out in public spaces alone,” Arter said.
He noted that the change in the current status of the town would be a matter for the Turkish Cypriot administration to decide.
He added that the ultimate goal was to transform the once abandoned area into a place bustling with life where people wandered the streets and the sounds of children are heard from the playgrounds.
Arter gave the reassurance that no one’s home or property will be touched until administrators carry out the necessary planning.
“Changing the status of the area is an administrative issue which does not fall under the Municipality’s authority. However, our efforts to clear the area of overgrown vegetation and shrubbery are continuing,” Arter concluded.