Front Page Headlines
‘Special salary support needed’
Thousands of private sector employees have turned their attention to the contents of the economic package prepared by the government. Political parties and economic organisations shared their proposals regarding the package with Yenidüzen.
- (Turkish) Foreign Minister (Mevlüt) Çavuşoğlu: “We need negotiations in Cyprus based on sovereign equality”
- (TC President Ersin) Tatar: “Our path is the right one. We shall not run away from the negotiations but a federation is no longer on the table”
- CTP: “The legitimate basis for negotiations is a federation”
Don’t go out unless it’s necessary
Despite the partial lockdown and curfew, many people are wandering in the streets comfortably. It is necessary to realize the seriousness of the efforts being made to contain the spread of Covid-19 and to listen to the calls made by officials and health workers. The number of positive coronavirus cases continues to rise swiftly. According to the test results yesterday, a total of 62 cases, 48 of them locally transmitted were recorded. Two of the cases came via air travel, 12 cases were detected in Nicosia, 34 in Kyrenia, seven in Famagusta and seven in İskele (Trikomo).
- Talks must be based on sovereign equality – President Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu came together before the informal 5+1 informal summit for a work meeting. It was emphasized that Turkey and the TRNC are in full harmony regarding their positions on the Cyprus issue.
We are on the verge of catastrophe
There is an alarming surge in the number of coronavirus cases. The experts, in shock, highlight the need for stricter measures. The Health Ministry and the government on the other hand have shut their ears. Dr Mustafa Akansoy, head of the pulmonology ward at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu General Hospital in Nicosia said the number of positive cases reached a hundred in the last 24 hours. Dr Emre Vudalı, head of the ICU ward at the same hospital said there was a record increase in the number of cases, adding that the real situation is not revealed due to the low number of PCR tests carried out. Turkish Cypriot expert on health data science Dr Yalçın Oytam, who is responsible for Covid-19 modelling in NSW (New South Wales), Australia, pointed the finger of blame at the prime minister and said: “Your hesitation for 20-30 days has brought the country to the verge of catastrophe.” According to Oytam, the number of cases in North Cyprus is above the global average.
- Same tune, different beat – President Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu gave a message of ‘unity’. Both Tatar and Çavuşoğlu insist on the two-state formula and express discomfort over any attempt by the international community to impose a solution model.
There is chaos
While the daily number of cases hit 62, those placed under observation at hotels has exceeded 1,000. The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases’ decision to extend the lockdown was not approved by the Council of Ministers. According to information obtained by Diyalog, the cabinet expressed different views concerning the committee’s recommendations which was why Prime Minister Ersan Saner left the announcement to today.
- The Turkish side is ready for the process – Tatar met with Çavuşoğlu and gave the message: “Negotiations need to be based on sovereign equality.”
Confusion and uncertainty
The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases recommended 15 more days of full lockdown, however, the Council of Ministers did not make any statements after its meeting…The government will announce its decision today… According to some sources, it is claimed the government has extended the lockdown for another week until February 10… According to unverified news, everywhere will be shut and only the pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open.
- 62: Highest record to date – The number of positive cases exploded!
- 34 beds left at the emergency hospital – Dr Deren Oygar said.
Main News
Çavuşoğlu & Tatar say they will not negotiate a federal settlement
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
It was business as usual in the northern part of Nicosia on Tuesday as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar both stressed that they would no longer negotiate a federal settlement on the island.
Reunification talks based on political equality have ended and new talks should have sovereign equality between two states, Çavuşoğlu said in a joint news conference with Tatar.
“This is our idea… why? Because the talks on a federation that we engaged in at Crans Montana did not have a result,” he said.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said that for the past 52 years, Turkey had escalated efforts for a solution based on a federation, but it did not yield anything.
“I know that Mr Anastasiades also wants a two-state solution. The international community cannot force us to do something that we don’t want,” he said.
Çavuşoğlu complained that the Greek Cypriot side had not changed its stance which was why new talks should have sovereign equality between two states. “We need negotiations that are at the level of two sovereignties. If there is sovereign equality, then we can have two states,” he continued.
Çavuşoğlu said there are two separate administrations and two distinct peoples on the island at the moment. “We just want the de facto situation to be legitimized,” Çavuşoğlu stressed, adding that Ankara desired a negotiated settlement that is acceptable to both sides.
Regarding the issue of hydrocarbons, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that Ankara was only interested in the equitable sharing of resources and had proposed a regional conference with the participation of Turkish Cypriots.
He added that any energy equation which disregarded Turkey’s or Turkish Cypriots’ interests will not be legitimate or acceptable.
Asked to comment on European Council President Charles Michel’s statement against a two-state solution, Çavuşoğlu said the EU was only present at the talks as an observer with the permission of the guarantor states and the two sides.
“The EU does not have a say here,” he said, adding that for the bloc to be an observer during the talks, it needs to be fair.
Tatar, on the other hand, said that he appreciated Turkey’s efforts for the Turkish Cypriots to have peace on the long-divided island. “The fact that Turkey is with us 100% on this issue is empowering us,” he said.
Tatar defended his two-state policy, stating that the Greek Cypriot rejectionist and intransigent attitude was sufficient evidence of the need for the acceptance of the two-state model. He also said that it would not be possible to negotiate a federal solution anymore but added that the Turkish side will not run away from the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), in a statement issued after the press conference, said that the legitimate basis for talks on the Cyprus problem was a federation.
Stressing that a solution to the Cyprus problem was key to achieving regional peace and stability, CTP urged the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leadership to adhere to UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Cyprus as well as to the known UN parameters.
Additionally, CTP leader Tufan Erhürman reiterated his stance against tabling the two-state model at the 5+1 meeting on Cyprus.
In a social media post, Erhürman argued that not only will the Turkish Cypriot side lose its advantageous position in the talks, but GC leader Nicos Anastasiades will use the outcome of the meeting to make the international community forget the reasons for the failure of the talks in Crans Montana.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkish side will no longer negotiate a federation.
>> Reunification talks based on political equality have ended & new talks should have sovereign equality between two states.
>> The international community cannot impose a solution on TCs.
>> Ankara desires a negotiated settlement that is acceptable to both sides.
>> Ankara is only interested in the equitable sharing of resources.
>> EU needs to be fair to attend talks as an observer.
Tatar
>> Turkey’s efforts and support is empowering TCs.
>> GCs intransigent attitude is sufficient evidence of the need for a two-state solution.
>> Not possible to negotiate a federal solution anymore.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Federation is the legitimate basis for Cyprob solution.
>> Urges Turkish & TC leadership to adhere to UNSC resolutions & UN parameters.
>> Tabling two-state solution will allow GC side to make international community forget reasons for Crans Montana failure.
Saner says economic package on the way, no haircut planned
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Economy
OVERVIEW
A new economic package aimed at relieving the economic crisis caused by the pandemic and latest lockdown will be announced on Wednesday afternoon, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner said yesterday.
In response to rumours, Saner said that the government has no plans to introduce a haircut on bank savings. “We shall be taking steps which will benefit the economy not hurt it,” he said.
There was speculation earlier in the week that the government could consider introducing a ‘haircut’ on bank savings above a certain limit or a wealth tax.
Meanwhile, a new record of 62 daily Covid cases was detected in the north on Tuesday, raising concerns among the public as well as health professionals who have been warning of the collapse of the health system.
Most of the cases were detected in the Kyrenia district which has seen a surge in locally transmitted cases over the past two weeks.
The government has come under fire regarding the effectiveness of the measures, including a partial lockdown in Kyrenia and Nicosia, the island-wide night-time curfew, as well as the travel ban between districts.
Despite the closure of most businesses, establishments and public offices, movement and traffic in both cities has not slowed down with many people still out and about. There have been many reports of flouting of the rules and complacency in implementing measures.
The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases made new recommendations to the cabinet on Tuesday such as a tightening of the lockdown measures and the introduction of a day-time curfew in a bid to slow down the spread of the virus. The cabinet is expected to extend the measures in place on Wednesday.
Caught while jumping fence to enter north illegally
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A Turkish Cypriot man was caught on Tuesday attempting to climb over a security fence in the Sovereign British Bases in Beyarmudu (Pergamos) heading north. He was caught by TC authorities with 80 milligrams of ‘synthetic cannabinoid’ in his possession.
The suspect was placed in quarantine and will be charged with illegal entry and drug possession. The court ordered the suspect remanded in police custody for two more days until the suspect’s PCR test results come back.