Front Page Headlines
The USA returns with Biden as world leader
They leave behind them four years of authoritarianism, fake news, and undermining of democracy. The new President seeks unity without making any reference to the name of Trump, who ‘made a run for it’ and went to Florida threatening he will return one way or another. The pandemic is a priority, having caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and cost millions of jobs. Vows to support those who voted for him and those who disagree with him. Resolved to defend democracy, the foundations of which were undermined by Donald Trump, culminating in the recent attack of his supporters on the Capitol. “Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path,” Biden highlighted.
- Cyprus Problem: Arm wrestle over UNFICYP
- State budget: EDEK said ‘yes’, waiting for Solidarity
- Concern for ICUs: Relaxation of measures with caution
- Andri Eleftheriou: Chain of silence broken
Civil war over passports
(Former minister Socratis) Hasikos to ‘Ph’: No citizenship could have been approved without the consent of the Finance Ministry. Asymmetrical clash between Hasikos and (former minister Harris) Georgiades over responsibilities.
- EDEK tipped the scale in favour of the new (state) budget: To be voted on today and payments of benefits begin
- Schools the biggest challenge in de-escalation of measures: Mulling over the grades that will return
- Complaint-bomb from Andri Eleftheriou: She suffered sexual abuse in two cases from sport officials. Hours-long statement of the athlete to Police with names and events.
- The cold is ‘setting fire’ to all vegetables
- Rigainis street works are a marathon
Heavy scandal and in its shadow the battle of ‘re’
An earthquake of ‘re’ (similar to ‘hey’) after the earthquake of Harris’ confession. Government’s response a joke. In other countries they would have quit, here they’re asking for the change. Seismic vibrations were caused by Harris Georgiades’ confession that no one from the government claimed a conflict of interest while approving applications for ‘golden’ passports submitted by law firms, but the government is whistling indifference. The government spokesman claims names were not referred to during the examination of applications… Georgiades and Hasikos exchanged ‘civilised’ addresses with ‘re’.
- (Child Commissioner) Denounces the treatment of child refugees
- In exchange for commitments EDEK votes in favour (of state budget)
- AKEL: For a Mediterranean without nuclear power
- The budgets of public universities do not correspond to current needs
- Relaxations caught between a rock and a hard place: The epidemiological situation does not allow the epidemiological team to shape suggestions for relaxations for the time being – Reduction of positivity rate, situation in hospitals critical. Any relaxation could bring new surge of virus.
Biden urges end to ‘uncivil war’
US President takes over a nation in crisis, pledges unity.
- Government gains Edek’s precious three votes for budget approval
- Sportswoman files sexual harassment complaint
Budget passes with the responsible stance of the small (parties)
The thriller ends today in Parliament and calm is restored to the economy. Party paranoia: AKEL-DIKO to submit amendments that they will… vote against. AKEL and DIKO insist on their irresponsible negative stance – Nicholas, noticing outflows from DIKO to the Democratic Front and the Cooperation of Democratic Forces, is increasing pressure and attacks against the government in an attempt to achieve unity.
- Occupied areas: Around 200 sheep from Turkey for production of halloumi
- EU court: We lost another battle over halloumi in Europe
- Decision: Greece is growing – 284 ‘yeses’ for expansion of territorial waters
- Andri Eleftheriou: Submitted formal complaint of sexual abuse
- Coronavirus: Without deaths and with decrease in cases
- New USA FM: We’re continuing sanctions against Turkey
Main News
Focus shifts to desired wording in UNFICYP resolution
Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) is hiking up pressure towards the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in view of securing its desired wording in the impending resolution on the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate.
Given President Anastasiades’ failure to secure a reference to the sought-after solution in the reports of the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on UNFICYP and his Good Offices mission, both of which have been published as official documents, Politis reports that the RoC is shifting the focus of its efforts to the UNSC. Discussion among the permanent members of the UNSC on the contents of the resolution, which is to be finalised on January 28, began Wednesday, Politis reports.
Politis reports that both Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides are reaching out to the permanent members of the UNSC to convey what the RoC would like to see included in the resolution, such as the UNSG’s reference to a bi-zonal bicommunal federation (BBF) as the basis of the solution being sought during the informal meeting between Anastasiades and Akinci in Berlin on November 25, 2019. The Republic has also requested references to specific previous UNSC resolutions relating to both the basis of the solution and Varosha.
Politis reports that securing the right wording in the UNSC resolution on UNFICYP would give it a leg to stand on in the event of a negative turn of events during the informal five-party meeting, where the daily says Turkey and the north are looking to utilise a deadlock in order to push for a differentiation of the parameters of the Cyprus Problem.
Politis reports that this concern is the main reason why the Republic, in its contacts with the UNSG, his Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar, his Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute, and the UNSC, has reiterated the importance of preserving existing convergences and the agreed-upon solution model.
Citing undisclosed sources, Politis reports that the permanent members of the UNSC fully acknowledge the importance of peace talks continuing on the basis of the agreed-upon solution model, so that progress made so far does not go to waste.
However, sources told Politis that there is a broad understanding that the UN provides the UNSG’s Good Offices to both sides, which are in turn responsible for leading the peace process in any direction they see fit.
Politis cites a diplomatic source from a country involved in the Cyprus Problem process, who stressed the importance of sending a message to the two sides and the guarantor powers that they share the burden of deciding in which direction the Cyprus Problem will move, as nothing can be taken for granted.
Meanwhile, Politis reports that the Republic is also focusing its contacts at the EU-level in light of the recent meetings held between EU and Turkish officials. The paper reports that Anastasiades has made sure to keep senior EU officials such as Josep Borrell, Ursula von der Leyen, and Charles Michel in the loop regarding his positions on the Cyprus Problem and on the confidence-building measures (CBMs) he proposed in his recent letter to the UNSG.
On Thursday, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will be meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu, the Cyprus Problem expected to be in the agenda of their discussion.
Citizens’ Alliance leader calls for abandonment of five-party summit
Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros on Thursday reports on a letter sent to President Anastasiades by the leader of Citizens’ Alliance Giorgos Lillikas, who called on Anastasiades to persuade the UNSG to not go forward with the informal five-party summit.
Lillikas refers to the UNSG’s approach as “aimless, counterproductive, and conceals big traps and dangers for the Greek Cypriot side.” In his letter Lillikas also questions the UNSG’s insistence on calling the informal summit despite the fact that “from such a Summit the Turkish side has benefits it has secured in advance.”
The Citizens’ Alliance leader said that given the clearly-stated contrasting positions of both sides and the blatant absence of a common goal, there are no prospects of positive developments along the lines of UN principles and UNSC resolutions.
KEY ACTORS
Lillikas (Citizens’ Alliance)
>> UNSG should not hold informal five-party meeting, which will result in negative consequences for the GC side.
>> UNSG’s approach to Cyprus Problem counterproductive.
>> Favours developments along the lines of UN principles and UNSC resolutions.
Greece extends territorial waters to 12 NM along Western coastline
Alithia
Energy
OVERVIEW
Greek lawmakers on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation to extend the country’s territorial waters along its western coastline from six to 12 nautical miles, Alithia reports.
The move comes a few days before Greece and Turkey are to resume exploratory talks over contested maritime claims in the Aegean Sea on January 25.
The bill seeking to extend Greece’s territorial waters in the Ionian Sea received 284 votes in favour and 16 ‘present’, with no votes against. The four opposition parties – Syriza, Movement for Change, Greek Solution, and MeRA 25 – backed the ruling New Democracy government, while members of the Greek Communist Party abstained.
The Greek government hailed the importance of the peaceful means through which the historic development was achieved. Opposition parties who supported the legislation called for the development to constitute a first step toward the country exercising its full right to extend Greek territorial waters along all its coasts, including those of Crete.
North reaches sheep import deal with Turkey for halloumi production
Alithia, Haravgi
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Authorities in the north have reached a deal with Turkey for the transfer of 5,000 Awassi sheep to the north, where goat and sheep farming will be boosted in view of the Republic of Cyprus’ (RoC) long-winding efforts to secure the protected designation of origin (PDO) status for halloumi cheese.
The north is making preparations in case the RoC succeeds in securing the PDO status, in which case it will become mandatory to use sheep milk in the production of halloumi.
The dailies reported on Thursday that just under 200 sheep have arrived in the north from Turkey, around 20 of which were delivered to nine farmers in the Trikomo area.
Alithia reports that Nazim Cavusoglu, who oversees matters of agriculture and natural resources in the north, referred to “the beginning of a new vision” relating to the distribution of imported highly-productive sheep with the help of Turkey. Cavusoglu referred to a five-year plan for improving the sheep species being farmed and boosting the production of milk and meat.