Front Page Headlines
The state in quarantine without a budget
In his speech, K. Efstathiou hinted at negative vote also by EDEK. Contacts by Averof Neophytou and government warnings on the side effects of the budget not being approved did not pay off. DIKO insists on its position, setting as a priority Odysseas Michaelides’s demand to receive the files from the Ministry of the Interior. New efforts towards consensus after New Year’s, with the economy entering an uncertain period in the middle of a critical period because of coronavirus.
- Ankara only discusses two states: Lute goes to UNSG for instructions
- 401 cases: They will reconsider loosening restrictions
- Occupied areas: No quarantine for T/C workers
- Finance Minister: Auditor General investigation (on passports) has holes
- On Jho Low: Investigative committee calls the Archbishop
Averof avoided AKEL-DIKO
Nothing certain over budget – Postponement of tomorrow’s vote not ruled out. DISY focused on EDEK and will turn to DIKO only if budget is rejected today.
- Summit: Brussels show their teeth to Turkey but without sanctions
- Red light for malls and churches: Decision over loosening restrictions left for last moment
- Lute saw Cavusoglu and returns to New York
- Openings by Erdogan to the EU, attack on US
Averof in give-and-take with small parties
Government arrogance brought down bridges… Averof secured ELAM and Solidarity! Sizopoulos-Lillikas push for positive vote.
- Cavusoglu: Two-state solution on the table
- COVID-19: One person passed away, 125 hospitalised and 401 cases. New cases at a care home
- New protest by T/C workers who ask for unhindered access to their employment
Gesy collapse if budget rejected
Virus vaccines would also be affected, govt warns in appeal to opposition.
- Turkish Cypriot protest
- Auditor general’s passport claims ‘completely misleading’
- Cyprus: Virus situation stabilising, drop in cases likely
Double blow by Petrides
Against Auditor General and Accountant General. After an investigation, Finance Minister exposes Odysseas Michaelides over naturalisations at casino and Wargaming, while after his suggestion an administrative investigation begins for Rea Georgiou over her husband’s slaughter house. Andreas Louka is the investigating official. Odysseas “misleads, targets and harms our country”.
- Can only be approved with votes of EDEK-Citizens’ Alliance: Budget hanging on a (single) vote – Picture is fuzzy up to the last moment – Averof’s contacts with small parties did not pay off – Chr. Clerides: What will happen if budget is rejected.
- Cyprus Problem: Cavusoglu to Lute – Turkey supports a two-state solution
- Occupied areas – protests: Counter proposal by “government” to T/Cs working in G/C side
- Menendez: I am not concerned over Turkey’s threats – Whatever response they choose, it will turn against them
Main News
Cavusoglu tells Lute Turkey wants two-state solution
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
UNSG envoy Jane Holl Lute met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday, in the latest of a series of exploratory contacts ahead of a possible informal 5+1 meeting (two communities, three guarantors plus the UN) over the restart of Cyprus negotiations, the dailies report.
Cavusoglu posted a picture from the meeting on Twitter, writing that he told Lute “a federation model is no longer sustainable” and that the Turkish side “promotes a two-state solution based on sovereign equality in line with realities on the island”.
He added that he told Lute “common ground should be reached for a new negotiation process”.
According to G/C coverage, Lute is expected to submit her report to the UNSG, in which she will brief Antonio Guterres on whether she sees a 5+1 meeting as necessary. Such a meeting could take place in January, Phileleftheros recalls.
Diplomatic sources told Politis that they expect a more detailed briefing on what was said in Ankara, since a single post by the Turkish FM on the internet is not sufficient information.
Phileleftheros notes that Cavusoglu was the only Foreign Minister out of the three guarantors that met with Lute. The UNSG envoy had contacts with high-ranking officials but not ministers from Greece and the UK.
Phileleftheros adds that Lute is not expected to return to Cyprus until the end of this year. Whether that will happen will depend on whether the UNSG instructs her to ask for clarifications from the leaders.
KEY ACTORS
Cavusoglu
>> Federal model no longer sustainable.
>> Turkish side promotes two-state solution based on sovereign equality in line with realities on the island.
>> Common ground should be reached for a new negotiations process.
Erdogan wants EU-Turkey relations to turn a new page
Phileleftheros
EU Matters, Regional/International Affairs, Energy
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports on the Turkish Presidency’s announcement regarding a recent phone call between European Council President Charles Michel and Turkish President Tayip Erdogan. The phone call had been reported by the media after an EU official briefed journalists in Brussels, according to whom the contact was initiated by the Turkish side.
However, according to the Turkish government’s announcement, Michel called Erdogan to exchange views on the recent European Council. Erdogan is reported to have said that every positive step in Turkish-EU relations is a new opportunity. He said Turkey wishes to turn a new page with the EU but that others are striving to create crises and that this is a cycle that Turkey and the EU should break.
Erdogan is also reported to have said that Turkey is displaying a constructive approach in the Eastern Mediterranean and that its proposal for an international regional conference is still on the table, but that this conference should not exclude anyone, including the T/Cs.
Charles Michel said during a discussion in the plenary of the European Parliament that Turkey has to choose whether to stop unilateral actions and hostile rhetoric against the EU and its member states.
Michel said the EU’s goal is to assert itself in a stronger way on the international stage, and that the recent discussion in the European Council was conducted in this spirit. The aim, he said, is to define the EU’s medium and long-term strategy on the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Council President also said that the 27 leaders decided on taking measures but that they also decided to maintain the possibility of a positive agenda.
In a related story, Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias said during a conference that Turkey should end provocations and allow for a period of calm, and that if this happens Greece is ready to take part in constructive dialogue over only the delineation of EEZs and maritime borders.
Dendias underlined that Greece expects a period of calm to elapse so that it is clear Turkey is making the choice to de-escalate and not just making a tactical move to avoid sanctions.
Regarding US sanctions on Turkey over the S-400 missile system, Erdogan said this was a hostile decision, adding that this will not stop the country from pursuing the purchase of weapons systems. Erdogan added that no other country has been sanctioned under the CAATSA legislation. He noted that Turkey is a member of NATO, and wondered what kind of alliance allows this.
KEY ACTORS
Erdogan (Turkey)
>> Turkey wants to turn new page with EU.
>> Need to break cycle of crises in EU-Turkey relations.
>> Proposal for regional conference on natural resources, including TCs, still on table.
>> US sanctions against NATO member a hostile move.
Michel (European Council)
>> Turkey has to choose whether to stop unilateral actions & hostile rhetoric against EU & its member states.
>> EU seeks to be more assertive on international stage, aims to define medium & long-term strategy on East Med.
>> EU27 decided on measures against Turkey but also kept open positive agenda option.
Dendias (Greece)
>> Greece ready for dialogue with Turkey over maritime delimitations only once Turkey allows for a period of calm without provocations.
Union of Occupied Municipalities reacts to use of churches for events
Phileleftheros
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that the Union of Occupied Municipalities has reacted to reports regarding T/C religious property foundation Evkaf’s claim that it has the authority to handle churches in the north, and underlines that actions such as the use of the Archangelos Michael church in Lefkonoiko for a charity event are provocative.
In an announcement, the union cited a Cypriot proverb that “he who has no shame owns the world” to describe the Evkaf approach to the issue. The union was responding to a statement by Evkaf reported by Phileleftheros on Tuesday in which Evkaf had said that churches in the north fall under the administration, care and protection of the foundation.
The Union of Occupied Municipalities accused Evkaf of showing particular audacity in claiming that it can open churches that have been renovated with EU and UNDP funds and use them for social and cultural events so they don’t remain unused, citing the case of Archangelos Michael as an example.
The union points out that the destruction of religious heritage in the north is well known, while Evkaf’s claims are misleading. The municipalities-in-exile also added that Evkaf’s demand to be able to decide over the use of churches as anything other than places of worship is unacceptable.
The municipalities add that if Evkaf is concerned about the lack of use of these churches, then they should allow their free use by Christians throughout the year. In this case, the G/C displaced will respond in coordination with the Church of Cyprus.
They also called on the EU, the UN and other donors to take an official position on the issue and put an end to arbitrary interpretations and actions that poison the political climate and trust between the people.
T/Cs working in south continue protests over checkpoint restrictions
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
G/C dailies continue to give coverage of the protests by T/Cs who work in the government-controlled areas and who are not allowed to cross due to the new coronavirus restrictions imposed by the “government” on checkpoints.
Alithia reports that the T/C workers protested for a second day on Tuesday. Health “minister” Ali Pilli proposed to allow workers to go to the south to work, but that they would then have to stay in a hotel or a residence selected and paid for by the “government”.
“Prime minister” Ersin Saner met with the protesters outside his office and said that there are efforts to find a solution that both protects public health and the employment of the protesters.
According to the reports, the workers that accept the compromise are expected to inform the “government”, while some have reportedly expressed a preference to remain in the south for 10 days.
The ban in crossings to the south due to the epidemiological situation is in effect until December 26. The T/C “ministry” of health is expected to re-examine the situation on December 24.
Politis reports that according to the T/C health “minister”, 10 cases of coronavirus were found among people working in the south. He added that 20 cases so far have been detected among G/Cs living in Karpasia and among Maronites living in Kormakitis.
In a comment, Phileleftheros points out that the two sides are taking different measures at the checkpoints and that there is no agreement and coordination even on this issue, despite the existence of a bicommunal Technical Committee on the issue. The commentator notes that the RoC does not respond with similar measures to those imposed by the north.