Front Page Headlines
Virus mutation closes borders again
Concerns over rapid transmission and possible resistance to vaccines. Alarm bell by WHO to Europe to increase tests and measures due to the new mutation of the coronavirus since this strain is more contagious. Committee of the EU’s crisis management mechanism (IPCR) has extraordinary meeting today to coordinate, while member states cancel flights to and from the UK. From today, all passengers from airports in the UK in self-isolation for 14 or 10 days, given that they have a negative result.
- Av. Neofytou (interview): Groups of friends joking around do not govern
- Budget: Looking for happy medium for deal
- Covid-19: Cases reduced
They prepare for legal battle
Conflict between Presidential Palace and Auditor General grows harsher. Report will not be published only for national security reasons.
- Cabinet meets tomorrow on loosening (of measures): Quarantine for everyone coming from the UK – Another 7 positive results in nursery homes – 2 deaths, 28 patients in critical condition, 125 total patients in hospitals – 242 cases out of only 1,831 molecular tests – 180 positive results from rapid tests.
- Focus is on Famagusta: Attempt to overturn Turkish plans through CBMs
- Bloody Christmas 1963: The beginning of the Turkish mutiny with incident in Ermou (Street)
- New contacts begin on budget
Worldwide concern over virus mutation
Coronavirus 70% more contagious. Countries close their connections with Great Britain. Fears of resistance to vaccine.
- Epidemiologists do not favour loosening (restrictions)
- DISY continues working on budget with meetings and contacts
- Migrant women invisible to the system
Panic in Europe from coronavirus mutation
All airport connections with Britain stop. All who come to Cyprus from Britain to self-isolate for 14 days – Reduced chances of loosening measures in Cyprus – British Health Ministry: New strain of coronavirus out of control. Cyprus: Two dead, 242 new cases and 180 with rapid tests yesterday.
- Sizopoulos meeting with Finance/Interior Ministers and Averof today: Feverish consultations over budget – New round of consultations by President, Finance Minister and DISY. They intend to see all except Nicolas Papadopoulos
- Points (editorial): DIKO, T/C mutiny, disintegration
Main News
Neofytou: Only way out of dead end is a decentralised federation
Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
In the second part of his interview with Politis, focused on the Cyprus Problem, governing DISY leader Averof Neofytou said that the only way out of the current impasse is a decentralised federation, and admitted that the government could be criticised for not turning its idea of such a federation, proposed two years ago, into reality.
Asked to comment on the issue of sanctions against Turkey, Neofytou pointed out that the priority is the solution and not to punish Turkey. He added that the problem won’t be solved by putting two sailors on the sanctions list while Varosha is being lost, and that this can only be done through restarting negotiations.
Neofytou said that the Turkish position on a two-state solution is unfeasible, and that the other side knows it. He added that President Anastasiades made a good point a couple of years ago about a decentralised federation that devolves more power to the states. He pointed out that if there’s one thing for which the government could be criticised, it is exactly for not turning that idea into action.
When asked whether this proposal essentially amounts to a confederation, Neofytou insisted that this is not the case since Cyprus is a member of the EU in its entirety and both sides will operate under the same umbrella, otherwise they can’t work within the EU. He further underlined that the central state would retain the necessary powers such as a single citizenship, one international personality and a single sovereignty.
Responding to a question if this idea could have been pursued years ago and not now with new faits accomplis, the governing DISY president repeated that this is a valid criticism, but argued that we shouldn’t focus on the past but look at how to deal with a T/C leader and a Turkey that talk of two states.
Neofytou said the way is open for everyone who sees a federation as a pragmatic solution that would create a common roof for both sides, that would not be too heavy and collapse after the first crisis. He added that if we insist on a strong federation or on getting rid of the federation, that would lead to two states without territorial readjustments.
Asked to clarify if this is the line of the government, Neofytou insisted that the devolved federation is the President’s idea and that it’s the solution that should be on the table. He further insisted that if the Cyprus Problem does not move forward, then the G/C side will lose Varosha.
KEY ACTORS
Averof Neofytou (DISY president)
>> Priority is not to add to sanctions list, but restarting talks to lead to Cyprob solution.
>> Turkish position on two-state solution is unfeasible and the other side knows it.
>> Anastasiades right to propose a decentralised federation a few years ago, but should have turned that idea into action.
>> A decentralised federation is not a confederation since Cyprus would be in the EU as one state in its entirety, both sides operating under one umbrella, with single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality.
>> Path open to push for a federation as a pragmatic solution that would create a common roof that wouldn’t collapse after the first crisis.
>> Devolved federation should be on negotiating table. Insisting on strong federation or no federation would lead to two states without territorial adjustments.
>> Failure to move forward on Cyprob means GCs will lose Varosha.
Dendias says Greece not pleased with EUCO decisions on Turkey
Alithia, Haravsgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matter
OVERVIEW
Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias said in an interview to Greek newspaper Vima that he was not pleased with the result of the European Council (EUCO) summit in December 10 on Turkey, reports Phileleftheros, noting that Dendias has been making statements on the issue that differ from those of Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Dendias said that Greece wanted better results from the summit, but given the approach of the Council’s German Presidency, no one could realistically expect much. Dendias said that German politicians and society understand that Turkey is being aggressive, but what happened in 2015 during the surge in migration caused a trauma.
Commenting on the approach that relations with Turkey should be maintained because Tayip Erdogan won’t always be President, Dendias said that Europeans have not taken a consistent stance on EU-Turkish relations, and that the most likely outcome given the current situation is the development of a special relationship in which Turkey would have access to the European market without having to follow European principles on human rights.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu commented in a tweet on a separate interview with Dendias in Parapolitika newspaper, Alithia reports. Cavusoglu addressed his tweet to Dendias, calling him “dear Nicos”, and advised the Greek FM to stop asking for help from others (such as the US and EU) and hurting the dignity of the Greek people. He further wished that 2021 will be the year when Greece and Turkey will settle their differences in a fair, frank and honest way.
Cavusoglu’s tweet was in English, and it was a retweet of a post by Dendias himself of his interview with Parapolitika. In that interview, Dendias referred to Greece’s call on EU member states for an arms embargo on Turkey, and Greece’s argument that Turkey is destabilising NATO with its behaviour.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros also reports on information reported in other dailies on Sunday regarding the G/C side’s intention to propose confidence-building measures (CBMs), including on Varosha, thus aiming to stop Turkey’s plan for the fenced-off city.
According to the report, in a series of meetings at the Presidential Palace, several scenarios were examined ahead of UNSG envoy Jane Holl Lute’s next meeting, and the possible five-party informal meeting.
According to information cited by Phileleftheros, the G/C side is ready to propose CBMs that could contribute to improving the political and economic climate and prevent unilateral moves in Famagusta. The scenarios examined by the G/C side include the issue of Tymbou airport and the possibility of its opening to international flights under UN administration, in return for an end to unilateral moves in Famagusta and the return of the city to its inhabitants under the UN.
Phileleftheros also reports that the date of Lute’s next visit to Cyprus is expected to be decided on this week, after contacting both sides. Lute is expected to only visit Cyprus and not return to the guarantors.
KEY ACTORS
Nicos Dendias (Greek Foreign Minister)
>> EUCO decisions not enough for Greece, but no one could expect more given the approach of the German EU Presidency.
>> Europeans have not managed to have a consistent stance on EU-Turkish relations.
>> Most likely outcome at this moment is a special relationship that grants Turkey access to EU markets without having to follow EU principles on human rights.
Mevlut Cavusoglu (Turkish Foreign Minister)
>> Greece should not hurt the dignity of its people by looking for support from the EU & US.
>> Hopes Greece & Turkey settle their differences in a fair, frank & honest way in 2021.