Front Page Headlines
Extension until spring for us to open again
The gradual return to normality mainly depends on the development of vaccinations. The new relaxations will come in March along with the vaccines, according to yesterday’s decision by the Council of Ministers, which confirms the opinion of epidemiologists that February is not the month for lifting restrictions. The most likely scenario is the return of students to schools from March 1, while the reopening of food and drink venues and the abolition of the SMS system are preferred for the second half of March. Disagreement between the Pancyprian Medical Association and the Health Ministry over the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine on those aged over 65 years. Safe and effective, the WHO assures.
- Cyprus Problem: Threats and new projects by F. Oktay
- European Union: Acknowledgement of delays in approving vaccines
Agenda tailored to Ankara‘s size
First the EU (Council) Summit and then the five-party – Now its heading for the end of March. Erdogan: Two states, either you accept it or not.
- Lountza, Pitsilia sausage got a European stamp yesterday
- Obligation of employees continues: Health Ministry requesting appointment of person responsible for rapid tests at workplaces
- European Parliament seeks protection of collective agreements
Covering-up… the filth in football
Instead of successfully cleaning things up… the (sports ethics) Committee is dissolved! Purposeful leaks and inadequate processes. Revocation of findings that ‘burnt’ many.
- The ‘big’ Cyprus Problem team convening
- President must not facilitate Turkey
- Concerns also from Cyprus Medical Association on giving AstraZeneca to elderly
- Wretched conditions and the ‘preconditions’ for moving out of ‘Pournara’ centre brought new incidents
Ministry hits out over jab doubts
Medical association says no AstraZeneca for over-65s, but WHO backs ministry.
- Measures extended to at least February 28
AstraZeneca divided us!
Opinions on the vaccine differ. To be administered or to not be administered to people over 65 years of age: The Health ministry says yes, doctors say no, the WHO says yes and the public is going back and forth. We had three deaths and 113 new coronavirus cases yesterday.
- Erdogan out of control!: He’s threatening Mitsotakis and Cyprus just before the five-party – “Don’t provoke me, know your limits, you will get to know better these crazy Turks… There is no other solution in Cyprus than two states, accept it or not. Forgot about federation.”
- Erdogan announced mission to moon in 2023
- Concern over mutations: The next relaxations in March
Main News
Erdogan says no more discussion on federal solution
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while addressing lawmakers from his Justice and Development (AK) Party on Wednesday.
In what Politis refers to as a rant, Erdogan responded to the visit paid to Cyprus by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the subsequent joint statements issued with President Nicos Anastasiades. Cyprus Mail reports that Erdogan said the statements by Greece and the Cyprus government showed they were disregarding Turkish Cypriot authorities, adding that there was no point discussing proposals that failed before.
“There is no other solution in Cyprus apart from two states. There is no federation anymore. Either you accept this or you don’t,” Erdogan said, adding, “Only under these conditions can we sit at the table over Cyprus. Otherwise, everyone should go their own way.”
Haravgi reports that Erdogan also said that the Cyprus Problem is a matter involving the Turkish and Cypriot people, with Erdogan claiming that it was the GCs who refused to recognise the TCs’ right to autonomy in 1960, and aimed to govern the island alone.
Haravgi and Cyprus Mail report that Erdogan also referred to the Annan Plan, noting that the former UN chief Kofi Annan himself had told Erdogan that he failed four times to bring about a Cyprus solution and might fail again, with Erdogan claiming he responded by telling Annan that he will not see anything negative from Turkey as a guarantor power. Erdogan said that despite the fact that the Plan was overwhelmingly accepted by TCs, the GC side rejected the Plan but were still admitted into the EU while north Cyprus was not.
Cyprus Mail also quotes Erdogan saying that “the Cyprus issue must be discussed with a solution-focused approach. The only issue that can be discussed is the two states. We believe that we can build the future where peace will prevail on the island by taking lessons from the past without being overshadowed by the past.” Erdogan added that “everyone should know that we will no longer allow the Turkish Cypriots to be the victims of a non-solution that has been going on for half a century.”
The Turkish president also brought up the topical issue of energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, berating the Greek Cypriot side for constantly avoiding to sit at the negotiating table with the Turkish Cypriots regarding hydrocarbon resources.
Politis reports that the comments, which were made with the five-party summit looming, form part of a ‘beloved’ tactic by Erdogan who tends to ramp up conflict just before an important period for the country so that he can then enter the dialogue with his most extreme pursuits known to other parties. A similar comment was made by the leader of AKEL Andros Kyprianou, who, according to Haravgi, said that history has shown that in the period preceding important events, such as the informal five-party summit, Erdogan always hikes up the intensity but behaves with more caution during the events themselves because he’s aware that creating problems may have consequences.
Politis reports that Erdogan’s statements are a source of concern for both Nicosia and Athens, but preparation is nevertheless ongoing for the shaping of approaches that could intercept such positions while also creating fertile ground for substantive dialogue. Politis claims Erdogan wants to create the impression that he is in a position to implement his threats, which benefit the north as a bargaining chip. On the one hand, Politis writes, Erdogan is extending a hand of friendship to the EU and appears ready to sit down for dialogue with Greece and the GC side, while on the other hand criticising every statement issued by Athens and Nicosia in an attempt to shape his own arguments for the eyes of third parties.
Politis reports that Erdogan’s comments came one day before the important Friendship Forum to be held in Athens on Thursday. The conference which will deal with the cooperation of Eastern Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and other countries, and will see the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The paper says participating countries have all signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and predicts that what will come out of the conference will not be particularly pleasing for Ankara.
Addressing Mitsotakis on the matter of exploratory talks, Erdogan said that he must learn his limits if he wants to sit down on the same table with Turkey, Politis reports. “You must know that Turkey is upright and we know how to do what must be done whenever it needs to be done… and for this reason you’ll get to know the crazy Turks well.” Cyprus Mail reports that Erdogan said he could not meet Mitsotakis despite a resumption of talks between the two NATO members over their maritime disputes. Erdogan said Mitsotakis had “challenged” him, and he called on the Greek premier to “know his limits”. He accused the Greek PM of kicking the table over and walking away, Cyprus Mail reports.
Phileleftheros reports that in his statements, Erdogan chose to ignore the criticism directed against him by US senators over his crackdown on democracy in Turkey. A bipartisan majority of the US Senate on Tuesday urged President Joe Biden’s administration to push Turkey to do more to protect human rights. Fifty-four of the 100 senators signed the letter, which accused Erdogan of marginalising domestic opposition, silencing critical media, jailing journalists and purging independent judges.
KEY ACTORS
Erdogan (Turkey)
>> Greek & GC leaders disregarding TCs in statements ahead of informal five-party summit.
>> Only a two-state solution can resolve Cyprob, federation off the table
>> Turkey will only join Cyprob solution dialogue if its basis is a two-state framework.
>> GCs bear the historical burden of the blame for Cyprus situation as they did not want to share power and rejected the Annan Plan.
>> TCs will no longer be victims of a non-solution.
>> GCs keep avoiding to sit down with TCs to discuss hydrocarbon resources.
Tatar, Oktay stick to two-state solution rhetoric
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on statements issued by TC leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay after their meeting in the north on Wednesday, with both remaining consistent with the two-state solution rhetoric coming out of the north and Turkey ahead of the informal five-party summit.
Politis reports that Tatar said the informal Cyprus Problem summit will take place at the end of March, though no official announcements have been made yet by the UN. Phileleftheros reports that Turkey appears to be succeeding in its efforts to push the five-party summit to the period after the EU Council Summit set to take place on March 25-26, noting that information points to the informal summit now being placed at the end of March or beginning of April. Phileleftheros also reports, however, that the UN believes that given the current climate and the obstacles posed by Turkey’s two-state solution rhetoric, it will not succeed in securing the desired outcome, which is the launching of formal negotiations. Therefore, the paper writes, the UN is also buying time.
Alithia reports that Oktay was accompanied by a large group of Turkish Ministers and technocrats. Politis reports that with Oktay were the Turkish Transport Minister, relevant Deputy Ministers, the AKP Deputy Chairman, and the President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities. The paper writes that the visit of the specific delegation was obviously linked to Varosha.
Politis reports that the main reason for Oktay’s visit, beyond the Cyprus Problem, is the signing of protocols and the announcement of specific development projects in the north. Among these projects are plans to upgrade the road network, including the peripheral road of north Nicosia, projects relating to electronic governance, but also plans involving Varosha. In his statements, Alithia reports, Oktay referred to Varosha as the “apple of Cyprus’ eye”, noting that it was not only the TCs that benefited from its reopening.
Politis and Phileleftheros report that both Tatar and Oktay remained firm on the logic of a two-state solution, and expressed opposition to the statements issued by the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Politis reports that both Tatar and Oktay saw Mitsotakis’ reference to Turkey as an occupational power as a challenge. Alithia and Phileleftheros report that Tatar expressed satisfaction with Erdogan’s statements that proclaimed the end of discussions on a federation, and reiterated that Greece is the occupier of Cyprus.
Alithia reports that Oktay said that the honest efforts exerted by Turkey for the resolution of the Cyprus Problem have been undermined by the maximalist claims of the GC side, reiterating that the only solution is two states.
KEY ACTORS
Oktay (Turkey)
>> Along with Tatar, remains firmly in favour of a two-state solution
>> Turkey’s honest efforts to resolve Cyprob undermined by maximalist claims of GC side
Tatar
>> Satisfied with Erdogan’s position in favour of taking discussions on a federal solution off the table
>> Greece is the occupier of Cyprus, and views Mitsotakis’ comment regarding Turkey being an occupying power as a challenge
UK a ‘strong supporter’ of a BBF
Haravgi
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
A UK government source told the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday that the UK is a “strong supporter” of a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) as the ideal solution framework for the Cyprus Problem, Haravgi reports.
Asked whether London continues to accept a BBF as the best settlement model for Cyprus, the source replied: “Yes, we still think that is the best thing.”
Haravgi reports that this comment comes after public reactions to information that suggests that the UK is intervening in solution efforts with its own plan that aims to secure the consent of both sides through bridging the differences between a solution in the form of a decentralised federation and a two-state solution.
Tatar contacts head of Commission’s SRSS over halloumi, rapid tests
Politis
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that the TC leader Ersin Tatar contacted the head of the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS) Mario Nava on Wednesday to discuss matters relating to the registration of halloumi as a product of protected designation of origin (PDO) and rapid tests.
Regarding halloumi, Politis reports that the Commission assured that it is exerting efforts so that the PDO case for the cheese moves forward. Citing an announcement by the ‘presidency’, Politis reports that the Commission is also assessing a potential modification of a decision that would allow the TC side to export its halloumi products through the Green Line Regulation. The paper reports that such a scenario depends on certain preconditions which relate to health standards and is not easily implemented, at least for the time being.
Regarding rapid tests, the paper reports that Tatar requested the delivery of 75,000 rapid tests from the EU to the north. The tests will be transported via the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health. The paper also reports that Tatar relayed his complaints over the unequal distribution of vaccines to TCs in relation to those being delivered to the GCs.