Front Page Headlines
We are at the bottom of the list when it comes to the minimum wage
The minimum wage is below the EU average and at the bottom of the list of the lowest category. The new minimum wage which has become ₺3,828 net with a ₺505 (€60) raise is equivalent to €451. This figure is way below the EU average.
- (Turkish VP Fuat) Oktay: “We shall revive and build up the TRNC. (TC leader) Tatar: “The Crazy Turks are in Cyprus”
- Erhürman: We raised the inequality in acquiring vaccines” – The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman brought to the attention of the EU that vaccines sent to Cyprus should be delivered to the north based on the principle of proportionality. He said that they had conveyed their sensitivities on the issue to the head of the EU Commission’s Structural Reform Support Office Mario Nava.
- Fugitive continues to run, police are in pursuit
Federation is over! A two-state solution is the way out
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who spoke at a parliamentary group meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay who is visiting the TRNC said there is no point in discussing old solution models again. President Ersin Tatar said: “We are in full harmony with the Republic of Turkey.”
- The financial collaboration protocol between Turkey and the TRNC will be discussed today, new projects will be announced.
Grand Project Two states
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, who said they have arrived with ‘grand projects,’ shared his vision for a new Cyprus during a joint press conference with President Ersin Tatar. Oktay stated that it was time to face the realities, pointing out that there are two separate communities, two states and two democracies on the island. He said that holding negotiations for a federal solution will only be a waste of time. Oktay also said that the only way out for Cyprus is a two-state solution. “The Turkish Cypriot people have displayed the necessary political will by electing President Tatar and all the sides must respect this political will,” he added.
- No way out other than a two-state solution – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the radical change in Turkey’s Cyprus policy.
- The only way is a federal solution – Four UK-based Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot organisations give a joint message ahead of the 5+1 meeting.
- The fear of mutant virus growing – South Cyprus extends Covid-19 restrictions until February 28.
- It’s the police’s turn to be vaccinated – Vaccination of the country’s police force begins.
- Turkish Cypriots waiting for rain, Greek Cypriots for snow – The TRNC Meteorology Department has announced that cold and rainy weather was forecast for the new week. The Greek Cypriot Meteorology Department said that snow will fall on areas higher than 1000m.
New page
Erdoğan said a federation was no longer an option and proposed a two-state solution model. His vice president Fuat Oktay, on the other hand, arrived on the island with a large delegation with the intention of taking economic steps.
Release political detainees
Senators in the US have mobilized against Tayyip Erdoğan. 54 US Senators, in a letter sent to President Joe Biden, asked him to exert pressure on Turkey on the issue of human rights and to release those in prison serving sentences for thought crimes.
- Erdoğan said ‘two-states’ – Tayyip Erdoğan said that there is no way out other than a two-state solution, adding: “Whether you like it or not, the federation (model) is over.”
- Pilli was asked to resign – (National Unity Party MP) Zorlu Töre confirmed that Ali Pilli was asked to submit his resignation. He said, “I have been informed by a credible source.”
- TRNC will be revived and reconstructed – Fuat Oktay said he has arrived with ‘grand’ projects during his visit to the TRNC and added: “We will show the determination to revive and build up the TRNC.”
- Fear of new wave of the pandemic in the south – State hospitals are getting ready for the third wave expected at the end of February or in March.
- 34 positive cases of coronavirus in the north, 113 cases and three deaths in the south.
Main News
Erdoğan says a two-state solution is the sole option for Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan was the latest to take a swipe at Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who on Monday said the “only viable solution” to the Cyprus issue was “a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.”
Addressing a parliamentary group meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Erdoğan said there was no other solution to the Cyprus issue but a two-state solution.
On Monday, Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Mitsotakis said they would only accept a peace deal based on UN resolutions, rejecting the two-state formula supported by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.
Erdoğan dismissed the chance of starting new talks to reach a federal settlement and underlined that the Greek side had not made the slightest change in its stance disregarding the existence of Turkish Cypriots on the island.
“A two-state solution is the sole option for Cyprus, a federal system is no longer an option on the agenda,” he added.
“I know that you put your trust in some places,” the Turkish president said, referring to the EU. “But those whom you trust have already failed you. Turkey, on the other hand, will not lean on anyone. It will stand up for itself,” he emphasized.
Erdoğan also said that the world should know that Turkey will no longer allow Turkish Cypriots to be victimized by the 50-year deadlock and that everything necessary to transform the north into a modern country will be done.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> No other solution to Cyprob but a two-state solution.
>> Federal system is no longer an option on the agenda.
>> Turkey will not allow TCs to be victimized by another 50-year deadlock.
Turkey favours a fair & permanent solution to Cyprob
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkey believes in a fair and a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said during his visit to the north on Wednesday.
“We stand against injustice and stand by the will for a solution on the Cyprus Problem,” Oktay said as he stood next to Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on the first of a two-day visit to the north which will focus mainly on the signing of a financial cooperation protocol.
The Turkish vice president took the opportunity to criticize Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitostakis for his comments made on Monday and to accuse the Greek Cypriot side of undermining the sincere attempts of the Turkish side to solve the Cyprus problem by presenting maximalist demands.
He said that the Greek premier made it clear with his remarks that he did not respect the rights of the Turkish side or Turkish Cypriots when he described Turkey as an invader in Cyprus.
Regarding a settlement, Oktay said that Turkish Cypriots had demonstrated their will for a two-state solution when electing Tatar as their leader, adding that all parties should respect this will. He also said history had shown everyone that a federation model had not yielded any results.
Oktay added that Turkey as a guarantor country will never abandon the Turkish Cypriots, as there were two separate communities, democracies and states on the island. The Turkish vice president said that there was full harmony with the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
Also touching upon the issue of Maraş (Varosha), Oktay said Ankara has always supported the reopening of the fenced-off town and will continue to do so.
He said Maraş (Varosha) was being re-opened in line with international law and that keeping the town closed for decades had benefited no one. Oktay noted that Turkey and the north will work closely on the Maraş (Varosha) initiative. He also urged the EU to be fair and impartial instead of taking the side of Greece and the Greek Cypriots under the pretext of membership solidarity.
On the economy, Oktay said they have arrived with grand projects to upgrade the north’s infrastructure and economy.
Also speaking, Tatar expressed his pleasure in being in full harmony with Turkey on the Cyprus issue. Tatar noted that he has been informed of a slight delay in the date for the informal meeting which was initially slated to take part at the beginning of March.
Meanwhile, Oktay, as part of his itinerary, also paid a courtesy visit to the speaker of the Turkish Cypriot parliament Önder Sennaroğlu on Wednesday afternoon. He will be meeting with Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner on Thursday as well as hold talks on a new financial cooperation protocol to be signed with Turkey.
KEY ACTORS
Oktay (Turkey)
>> Turkey supports a fair & permanent solution in Cyprus.
>> TCs have demonstrated their will in favour of a two-state solution by electing Tatar. Everyone needs to respect the will of TCs.
>> There is full harmony between Turkey & TCs on Cyprob.
>> Turkey to continue working with TCs on reopening Maraş (Varosha) in line with international law.
>> EU needs to be fair & impartial.
A federal solution is the only way for peace in Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Havadis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
UK-based Cypriots on Wednesday expressed the view that a lasting solution in Cyprus can only be achieved through a federal solution in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
Four UK-based organisations, namely the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, the Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), and the Platform for Peace and Federal Cyprus-UK, issued a joint statement highlighting the importance of reunifying the island through a federal settlement.
Referring to the latest UNFICYP resolution (2561/2021), the organisations also welcomed the reference made to a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) which will have single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship.
Hellim (halloumi) & vaccines raised with EU commission officials
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Economy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Wednesday said he expected the European Commission (EC) to respect the legitimate demands of the two sides as well as to display a constructive approach in efforts to register Hellim (Halloumi) as a product of designated origin (PDO).
He also underlined the importance of amending the Green Line Regulation (GLR) to complement the PDO registration of the Cypriot cheese. Tatar’s words came during a videoconference meeting with Mario Nava, Director-General of Structural Reform Support at the European Commission.
According to a statement issued from his office, Tatar highlighted the importance of Hellim (Halloumi) production for the Turkish Cypriot economy, pointing out that many sub-sectors benefited from its production. Tatar also expressed confidence that Turkish Cypriot producers will be able to export the cheese following its PDO registration both via the GLR regulation and ports in the north.
The statement also said that Nava for his part acknowledged the Turkish Cypriot side’s concerns, stating that they attached great importance to the Turkish Cypriot side’s sensitivities.
Tatar said he also complained of the insufficient number of vaccines delivered to the north pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot community had only been given 4,500 doses of the 70,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines delivered to the south. He urged for the necessary planning to be made for the Turkish Cypriot side to receive their fair share of the vaccines.
Nava, during the meeting, assured Tatar that the delivery of the vaccines will be carried out gradually and in a planned manner once the current problems are overcome. He also noted that the 75,000 rapid tests will be delivered to the north next week.
Meanwhile, Nava and his team also held a videoconference on Wednesday with a delegation from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) headed by Tufan Erhürman. In a statement after the meeting, the CTP leader said they raised the issue of the vaccines with the EU officials, underlining the importance of the delivery of the Turkish Cypriots’ share of the vaccines based on the principle of proportionality.
He said that a total of 8,000 of the 30,000 doses of the vaccine received by the south should have been delivered to the north in line with this principle but only half of that amount has been delivered.
On the issue of Hellim (Halloumi), the CTP leader said that they highlighted the importance of Protocol 10 (from the 2003 Treaty of Accession) as the south exercised no jurisdiction or authority in the north.
“We explained that arrangements to register Hellim (Halloumi) needs to take into account the situation on the island and the protocol,” Erhürman said, adding that they expected the Commission to adopt a similar approach on Hellim (Halloumi) as adopted on the issue of fish and honey exports through the Green Line Regulation. He also said that the arrangement should be clear about the authority of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.
“This should be done without creating new political and legal debates,” the CTP leader said.
Erhürman added that he explained to Nava how the rejection of the Annan Plan by Greek Cypriots and the collapse of the talks in Crans Montana had caused disappointment within the Turkish Cypriot community. “We told him that the international community failed in convincing the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on accepting the political equality of Turkish Cypriots which was a fundamental principle for a federal settlement,” he added.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> EC should respect the demands of two sides on PDO registration of Hellim (Halloumi).
>> Hellim (Halloumi) production important for TC economy as many sub-sectors benefit.
>> TC side expects Hellim (Halloumi) to be exported via GLR & ports in the north following PDO registration.
Erhüman (CTP)
>> Vaccines delivered to the north should be done according to the principle of proportionality.
>> Protocol 10 important in arrangements to be made on Hellim (Halloumi).
>> EU should adopt a similar approach as adopted on fish & honey exports.
>> TC Chamber of Commerce’s authority should be clear so as not to give room to political or legal debates.
€5m allocated for Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia) restoration
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Burhan Ersoy, General-Director of the Directorate of Foundations under Turkey’s Ministry of Turkish Culture and Tourism said €5m has been allocated for the restoration of the Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral) located in north Nicosia.
Speaking to the Anadolu News Agency, Ersoy said the restoration, which started in 2020, will be completed in 2022.
Ersoy noted that the current restoration works are being carried out with diligence and meticulousness, thus taking a long time.