Front Page Headlines
Last 48 hours
The Republican Turkish Party’s (CTP) Party Assembly decided that contacts aimed at forming a government should resume swiftly. CTP leader Tufan Erhürman: “We will meet with all the parties but we are not planning to hold these as official meetings held between delegations. We could meet as party leaders. We will continue to hold contacts for several more days. The next 48 hours will be intense and we shall meet with the parties swiftly. We will hand back the mandate if we fail. We will not allow the process to drag on.”
- European Parliament (EP): Decision on the fenced-off city of Maraş should be reversed, negotiations for a federal Cyprus should resume and the EU should impose sanctions on Turkey.
- The claim made by the Office of the TRNC President: The decisions taken on Maraş (Varosha) and steps taken belong to the TRNC
No government, no budget
The 2021 fiscal year budget bill has yet to be passed by parliament due to the government crisis in the country. If the government is not established soon, the country will enter the new year without a budget.
- Critical 48 hours in efforts to form a government – CTP leader Erhürman, given the task of forming a new government, briefed the CTP party assembly on developments following his first round of meetings with the political parties represented in parliament. He said he will launch the second round of talks today (Friday). “If we are unable to establish a government, we will return the mandate. We will not prolong it,” Erhürman said.
- If UBP dominates the government with broad representation, we can be part of it – The National Unity Party (UBP) acting leader Ersan Saner said.
- A broad-based representative government will be in the best interest of the community – People’s Party (HP) General Secretary Jale Refik Rogers said.
- We will not be part of a structure with 26 MPs or more – Social Democratic Party (TDP) party assembly said.
HP turns to UBP
“Powers” that are working on bringing UBP together with HP have made good headway. The unofficial negotiations between UBP and HP have started again. HP wants an additional ministry and the post of speaker of the parliament.
- A final attempt by CTP – The CTP party assembly evaluated the first round of coalition talks. Following a three-hour-long meeting, party leader Tufan Erhürman was given the go-ahead to continue with his meetings.
- The EP (European Parliament) outraged by Turkey over Maraş (Varosha) – The European Parliament demanded to cease the efforts to open Maraş (Varosha) and to resume the negotiations process and asked the EU to impose sanctions on Turkey.
- Tatar could not give up on his UBP addiction – KTAMS (Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Union) stage a demonstration outside the office of the president to protest Tatar for employing 16 people on a temporary contract on October 22 even though he had been appointed as the president on October 19.
There must be a solution
The public says that even if all 50 MPs were made ministers they would still not get along. Speaking to Diyalog, members of the public said that even if all 50 MPs in parliament were given a ministerial post they would still fight and bicker over which post they would receive. The majority of people believe a minority government should be set up urgently and for early elections to be held soon afterwards. They expressed concern over the deepening economic crisis, stating that the absence of a government is making matters worse.
Qatar leg in the TRNC
Look at what’s behind the unmerited handover of a 20 dunams (dönüm) land worth £3.5m in Kyrenia. The founders of the “Cyprus Turkish Qatar International Collaboration and Communal Development Centre,” which was registered as a ‘company’ recently, expressed their interest in the plot of land for ‘education’ purposes. This proposal was brought to the Council of Ministers by Hasan Taçoy and Olgun Amcaoğlu, however it was rejected. Nonetheless, the proposal was put before the government under a different heading again.
- ‘16 people employed under temporary contracts’ – KTAMS staged a protest outside the office of the president. KTAMS said Ersin Tatar employed 16 people on October 22 even though he became the president on October 19.
- Nine positive cases of coronavirus in the north and 220 cases and one death in the south.
Main News
EP adopts non-binding resolution on Maraş (Varosha) & Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Property, Territory, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday adopted a non-binding resolution on the reopening of a section of Maraş (Varosha) and demanded the immediate resumption of talks
The resolution which condemned Turkey’s “illegal activities in Varosha (Maraş)” warned that the partial opening of the fenced-off town weakened prospects of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, exacerbated divisions and entrenched the permanent partition of the island.
The resolution also called on Turkey to transfer Maraş (Varosha) to its lawful inhabitants under the temporary administration of the UN and to refrain from any actions that alter the demographic balance on the island through a policy of illegal settlement in line with the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 550 and 789 respectively.
The resolution also asked Turkey to reverse its decision and avoid unilateral action on the island.
“The European Council needs to maintain its unified position against Turkey’s unilateral and illegal actions and take action and impose severe sanctions in response to Turkey’s illegal actions,” the resolution said.
The MEPs in the resolution also noted that the possible sanctions could be avoided through dialogue, cooperation and concrete progress on the ground and pointed to the need to resume the talks for the unification of the island in line with the UN parameters.
“A sustainable solution to reunify the island of Cyprus and its people can only be found through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiations,” the resolution said.
It, however, added that the Turkish authorities have unfortunately endorsed the two-state solution for Cyprus.
“The MEPs reiterate their support for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation (BBF) with a single international legal status. They also call on the EU to play a more active role in bringing the negotiations under UN auspices to a successful conclusion,” the resolution read.
“Direct talks under the auspices of the UN on the agreed basis remain the only option for reaching a solution that reunites the island and its people, leading, inter alia, to the normalization of relations between Cyprus and Turkey, improved prospects for the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone between Cyprus and Turkey, and the enhancement of EU-Turkey relations,” the resolution concluded.
TC side slams the EP’s resolution, expresses disappointment
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Property, Territory, Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey on Thursday were swift to condemn the EP for its non-binding resolution.
“This resolution demonstrates that the EP has once again ignored the Turkish Cypriot people and continues to blame Turkey unfairly,” a written statement by Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar’s office read.
It reminded that Maraş (Varosha) was located within Turkish Cypriot soil and that the Greek Cypriot side had no authority or jurisdiction over the area.
“Decisions adopted on the issue and the steps taken belong to the TRNC,” it said, expressing disappointment over what it said was the EU’s readiness to play along with the Greek Cypriot side’s deceitful tactics.
The statement said that the only ‘invasion’ that took place in Cyprus was when the Greek Cypriots illegally hijacked the 1960 partnership Republic, unlawfully occupying seats belonging to Turkish Cypriots.
“We would like to remind the EP that the standing UNSC resolutions call for the return of Maraş (Varosha) to its former residents have not been violated in any way. The concern expressed by the EP resolution over ‘changes to the status of properties’ in Maraş (Varosha) is nothing more than a distortion of the realities,” the statement read.
Tatar’s office said that the decision taken by the Turkish Cypriot side was to reopen the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) and to return the properties within the area to its lawful residents.
The statement pointed out that the decision adopted by the Turkish Cypriot authorities had also been welcomed by Greek Cypriots who owned property in Maraş (Varosha).
It added that the Greek Cypriot side’s attempts to prevent property owners from returning and using their properties in the fenced-off town so that it could continue to exploit the issue for propaganda purposes were thought-provoking.
“It is not possible to understand how the steps which have been taken and which are planned to be taken by the TRNC government on Maraş (Varosha), as claimed by the resolution, will harm a solution to the Cyprus Problem. To the contrary, the move will shake the unacceptable status quo on the island from its roots and serve to build confidence and trust between the two communities through cooperation,” the statement read.
The Office of the President said that the latest EP resolution proved that EU maintained the same biased stance it had adopted against the Turkish Cypriot community in 2004 when it had allowed the Greek Cypriots to join the bloc before a solution was reached on the island.
It said that the EU continued to ignore the existence and rights of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The statement added the resolution adopted by the EP to advance the agendas of several EU member countries which had been on a mission to attack Turkey was disappointing.
“The resolution not only proves that the Greek Cypriots have no intention of sharing power and wealth with Turkish Cypriots but also proves how misguided the EU is on the issue. The EU has lost the trust and confidence of the Turkish Cypriot people due to the biased and unfair policies it has adopted and the promises it has failed to keep to Turkish Cypriots over the past 16 years,” it said.
Therefore, the EU can’t play an impartial and constructive role in efforts to reach a political settlement on the island, the statement added.
It explained that the Turkish Cypriot community, which had repeatedly supported a settlement on the island by accepting confidence-building packages and solution proposals, and Turkey, which had supported the Turkish Cypriots, were not the ones responsible for the rise of tensions in the region.
“Just the opposite, it is the Greek Cypriot side, which has rejected all past and present solution proposals and confidence-building measures (CBMs), which continues to take unilateral steps on the issue of hydrocarbons and its collaborator Greece, which are responsible for the tensions. The EU which supports the Greek Cypriot administration, therefore, plays just as much responsibility in heightening tensions,” the statement read.
Tatar’s office said that the EU must immediately discourage the Greek Cypriot side from its unilateral activities if it wants to regain trust and reinstate stability on the island and the region.
The statement added that the EU’s attempts to blame Turkey and its disregard of the Turkish Cypriots who have equal rights over the island were unacceptable.
It pointed out that it was not possible to achieve a BBF solution in Cyprus because the Greek Cypriots refused to share power and wealth with Turkish Cypriots, adding that to insist on such a solution model would only trap the two sides to a never-ending negotiations process.
“If the EU truly desires an end to the disagreements on the island and region through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations, then it must tell the Greek Cypriot administration that its interlocutor on the island is the Turkish Cypriot side and not Turkey,” the statement stressed.
It concluded by calling on the EU to respect the Turkish Cypriot side’s equality and to encourage the Greek Cypriot side to do so as well.
Turkey on Thursday also rejected the EP’s non-binding resolution.
“We completely reject the non-binding resolution adopted by the MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) on our country and the TRNC,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.
Underlining that Turkey fully supports the statement made by the TRNC Presidency on this issue, Aksoy said: “This decision, which is undoubtedly dictated by the Greek Cypriot Administration, once again demonstrates how disconnected from reality and prejudiced the EP is on the Cyprus issue.”
Aksoy added that if the EP maintains this approach and mentality, EU bodies can’t make a constructive contribution to the solution of the Cyprus issue.
Turkey calls on the EP and EU to face the realities on the island and take into account the presence of the Turkish Cypriot people as well as fulfil the EU commitments made in April 2004 to Turkish Cypriots, he stressed.
He noted that Turkey will continue to protect both its rights and those of Turkish Cypriots, adding at the same time, Turkey will continue its efforts for dialogue and negotiations.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Resolution demonstrates EP has once again ignored the TCs & continues to blame Turkey unfairly.
>> Maraş (Varosha) is located within TC territory & GC side had no authority or jurisdiction over the area.
>> Decisions adopted on Maraş (Varosha) & the steps planned to be taken belong to the ‘TRNC.’
>> Unfortunate that EU is ready to play along with GC side’s deceitful games.
>> Concern expressed by the EP resolution over ‘changes to the status of properties’ in Maraş (Varosha) is a distortion of the truth.
>> TC decision aimed at reopening Maraş (Varosha) & returning properties within the area to its lawful residents.
>> GC’s attempts to prevent property owners from returning & using their properties in Maraş (Varosha) so that it could continue to exploit the issue for propaganda purposes is thought-provoking.
>> Contrary to claims, the move will end the status quo & serve to build confidence & trust between the two communities through cooperation.
>> It is not possible for the EU to play an impartial & constructive role in efforts to reach a political settlement.
>> EU must immediately discourage the GC side from its unilateral activities if it wants to regain trust & reinstate stability in Cyprus & the region.
>> It is not possible to achieve a federal solution in Cyprus with the GCs which refuse to share power & wealth with TCs.
>> Insisting on such a solution model will only trap the two sides in a never-ending negotiations process.
>> EU must tell GC side its interlocutor is TC side, not Turkey if it wants to end disagreements in the region through dialogue, diplomacy & negotiations.
Aksoy (Turkey)
>> Resolution once again demonstrates how disconnected from reality & prejudiced the EP is on the Cyprus issue.
>> Not possible for EU bodies to make a constructive contribution to the solution of the Cyprus issue if EP maintains this approach & mentality.
>> EP & EU need to face the realities on the island & take into account the presence of the TCs as well as fulfil the EU commitments made in April 2004.
>> Turkey will continue to protect both its rights & those of TCs.
>> Turkey will continue its efforts for dialogue and negotiations.
Tatar consults Turkish FM Çavuşoğlu
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Thursday.
In a statement issued from the office of the president, Tatar and Çavuşoğlu discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on Tatar’s latest meetings on the issue.
In another development, Çavuşoğlu discussed the interception of a Turkish commercial vessel bound for Libya by the EU’s Operation Irini as well as Eastern Mediterranean tensions and regional issues with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday in a phone call.
Five caught trying to cross south illegally
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security, Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
Five individuals were arrested near Haspolat (Mia Milia) on Wednesday night after being caught trying to cross over to the south illegally.
A police patrol caught the group of five men aged between 20 and 31 around 7pm as they attempted to cross over the green line.
Police are continuing their investigation.