Front Page Headlines
He drenched his home in blood without any reasonable explanation
In 1976, at the age of 14, he had killed with a knife in her own home his 11-year-old niece and was hospitalised for nine years in a psychiatric clinic. Yesterday morning he made coffee for his 25-year-old son and after serving it to him, tried to strangle him with a cable and then attacked him with a knife. There was no incident before going amok on a murder spree and killing his 52-year-old wife Androula Avraxidou and 20-year-old son, Stelios Yiangou.
- Varosha: Oktay announced the second stage of opening
- Cyprob: Legal shielding for the 5+1 meeting
- Finally, support to refugees, 47 years later
- PARLEMETER 2020: Pessimism over the economy
A tragedy that conceals responsibilities
The suspect, who was involved in 1976 in a murder with a 10-year-old girl as the victim, had psychological problems. The family was being monitored by the social welfare services and the alleged perpetrator by a psychiatrist. An eye-witness saved the other son.
- Dangerous cocktail for the Cyprus problem with provocations
- Hot law to support people owning land in the occupied areas – A 0.40% levy on real estate sales.
- An axis of peace from the Mediterranean to the Gulf
- Discussion in parliament on the Russian vaccine
Commission foresees two years of ‘itch’
The Commission predicts two years of ‘itch’ for Cyprus as it estimates that 2020 losses due to the coronavirus crisis will not be restored before 2022. The economy’s recovery will be based on domestic demand. At the same time, it calls for the continuation of the support measures for employees and businesses.
- He wiped out his family…
- (AKEL) Partition will be destructive for GCs and TCs
- The European Citizen Award goes to Costas Vichas, the man of culture and social contribution
Early morning murder spree
Woman and son stabbed to death, second son injured at family’s home, husband in custody.
- (FM Christodoulides) ‘Regional problems call for regional solutions’
Murder spree, double shock
Family tragedy: The whole of Cyprus froze with the terrible crime. FIRST SHOCK: A 59-year-old killed yesterday his 52-year-old wife and 20-year-old son. His other son, 25, miraculously escaped. SECOND SHOCK: He was 15 himself when on August 25, 1976, he had killed his 10-year-old niece with 17 blows with a letter opener.
- Cyprus problem: The US is criticising Erdogan, supports a BBF solution
- And now, all eyes are on the president – A law was passed for a contribution of 0.40% to real estate transfers to support refugees. Will Nicos Anastasiades sign it or will he send it to the Supreme Court to be declared unconstitutional?
- Costas Vichas: European Citizen due to his rich social action
- The US is calling on Turkey to let go of the S-400s and free Osman Kavala
Main News
Preparation continues with negotiating teams ahead of 5+1 summit
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades has briefed the members of the negotiating team ahead of the informal five-party summit on the Cyprus problem, the dailies report.
The papers report that Anastasiades had a meeting on Thursday afternoon with the negotiating team in the presence of chief negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis. Cyprus Mail cites Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushos’ statements to state broadcaster CyBC on the matter. Koushos said that the GC side has thoroughly prepared in order to curb the Turkish side’s plans for a two-state solution. The aim of the president is to address any ambitions that go beyond the United Nations resolutions and the principles and values of the EU, he said.
Phileleftheros reports that preparations at the Presidential Palace continue so that the GC side is ready when the five-party summit is convened to have answers ready. It adds that 16 studies have been prepared for each issue identified and were presented to Anastasiades. These are legal answers to different arguments put forward by Turkey that the federation belongs to the past and that what is being discussed today is only the two-state solution.
The presentations were made in two long meetings of the president with the negotiating teams that met on Wednesday and on Thursday. The aim is to summarise the analysis in a document that Anastasiades and the GC negotiator will have in front of them whenever they are invited by the UN Secretary-General.
Politis puts a question mark on the possibility of the summit convening, reporting that the president and his team are preparing for the meeting, if it takes place, since no date has been set yet. The paper reports that the government is working towards full legal preparation ahead of the summit while the legal, technical team the president has set up has prepared documents for every aspect of the Cyprus problem as well as for the Turkish plans for a two-state solution and sovereign equality.
According to the daily, which cites government sources, the new team of constitutional law experts met on Wednesday with the president and the executive team of negotiators, including Toumazos Tsielepis, and each member presented a document with legal arguments for a series of issues that have been raised or might be raised at the five-party summit. The documents include arguments on the issues of two states and sovereign equality with clear references and analyses on UN Security Council resolutions, EU positions, functionality and viability of the solution etc.
On Thursday, the members of the negotiator’s support team met to be briefed on the latest developments, to discuss their role for the near future and to table their suggestions, Politis reports.
Haravgi reports that on Wednesday, international relations expert and AKEL’s head of the Cyprus problem bureau Tsielepis was also present at the meeting of the executive negotiating team following an invitation. Tsielepis reiterated AKEL’s positions, the daily reported.
Koushos: GC side will not accept Turkey’s expansionist policies
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The government sent a stern message to Turkey that it will not accept its expansionist policies in Varosha and will work towards a Cyprob solution, the papers report.
The dailies cite Government Spokesman Kyriakos Koushos’ response to statements by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar.
Oktay, who was in the north this week, called on the GC side and Greece to forget about Varosha stating that the second phase of the fenced town’s opening would follow. He also reiterated the Turkish position that from now on, there is no other way than a two-state solution. Akar said Turkey would not give up its guarantee rights.
Koushos said in a written statement that Turkey must realise that the government does not accept its expansionist policies. The spokesman said that the president will participate in the informal five-party conference which the UN Secretary-General is expected to convene, with political will and determination. He expressed hope that the conference will pave the way for achieving a just, durable, viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN decisions, Security Council resolutions and EU principles and values, creating the preconditions for a reunited country, without foreign troops and anachronistic guarantees and which will continue to be an EU member state. Koushos said the settlement the government is after, will respond to the expectations of both GCs and TCs.
On the issue of Varosha, Koushos said that Turkey must realise “that we do not accept any of its expansionist policies, which are also not accepted by the UN, through the Security Council resolutions on Famagusta, and particularly resolutions 550 and 789, and by the EU and the international community in general.” He added that it is with these clear positions that the GC side will pursue the settlement of the Cyprus problem and expressed hope that the TC side and Turkey will respond in a positive way.
The dailies report that Turkey is purposely raising the tones just before the European Council (EUCO) summit and the five-party summit seeking to achieve its goals.
Phileleftheros reports that the daily provocations by the Turks and the UN’s reluctance to convene the informal five-party summit are two negative factors and make a dangerous cocktail for the Cyprus problem. The fact that there is no mobility on the part of the UN seems to leave room for the Turkish side to insist on a two-state solution and this does not rule out the possibility of the UN not daring to convene an informal 5+1 meeting for fear of a deadlock, the daily reports. It is not ruled out that Turkey at some point will lower its tone, possibly when the EUCO meeting approaches, which is its main concern at the moment. Citing people monitoring the Cyprus issue, the daily reports that always, on the eve of similar developments in the Cyprus issue, Turkey raises its tone to later appear as compromising and that it is settling for the confederation solution instead of its position on two states. This, however, still keeps the Cyprus issue outside the agreed bizonal bicommunal federal (BBF) solution, the daily reports.
Because Turkey is trying to benefit from the March EUCO summit, government circles in Nicosia report that if there are no positive developments in the Cyprus issue, it will insist that the so-called positive agenda for Turkey is not even discussed at the EU Summit, nor that conclusions be issued, Phileleftheros reports.
Politis also reports that Nicosia, but also Athens are now faced with another issue, that of dealing with developments at the EU level after the possibility of the five-party summit taking place at the end of March or early April. EU High Commissioner Josep Borrell is preparing his report on EU-Turkey relations which will be submitted to the EU leaders at EUCO next month, the daily reports. It adds that Nicosia and Athens do not have much room for manoeuvre on this matter with their best options being to either influence other EU members to postpone the adoption of a positive agenda as regards Ankara or postpone decisions for a later stage. The goal is not to disconnect the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations from the EU-Turkish agenda, the daily said.
It added that Turkey now seeks to first overcome the obstacle of the EUCO summit in March and then deal with the five-party summit, hence the raising of tensions and efforts to create the impression that there is no room for constructive talks at present.
The dailies also report on reactions by political parties to Erdogan’s statements with most of them expressing concerns. Ruling DISY and main opposition AKEL said that the only solution is the BBF. AKEL also said that a two-state solution would mean GCs losing half their homeland while for TCs, it would mean the gradual extinction of their community.
DIKO, EDEK and the Citizens Alliance warned that this foretells the negative result of the five-party summit.
KEY ACTORS
Koushos
>> Anastasiades determined to participate in five-party summit, with political will for a just, viable solution based on UN decisions, EU principles & values that will reunite the country which will continue to be an EU member state without foreign troops and anachronistic guarantees.
>> Calls on Turkey to realise that the GC side, but also the UN, EU & the international community in general, do not accept any of its expansionist policies on Varosha.
Oktay (Turkey’s VP)
>> Calls on GCs & Greece to forget about Varosha and a federal solution.
Akar (Turkey’s Defence Minister)
>> Turkey will not give up its guarantee rights.
Philia Forum: All like-minded actors welcome to regional synergies
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the Philia (friendship) Forum that took place in Athens on Thursday with the participation of the foreign ministers of Mediterranean and Gulf countries, including Cyprus, indirectly sent out a message to Turkey about its provocative behaviour in the region.
Greece hosted the event and welcomed the foreign ministers of Cyprus, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and France. This was the first such event aimed at promoting multilateral ties of friendship and cooperation among partner countries in the wider region extending from the Mediterranean to the Gulf.
After the event, the ministers issued a joint statement stating, among other things, their common adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, UN Security Council Resolutions and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to which all are signatories.
“We stressed our strong commitment to fundamental principles enshrined therein, such as the respect of the sovereignty, sovereign rights, independence and territorial integrity of states, the peaceful resolution of differences and rejection of threat or use of force, the non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and the freedom of navigation”, the statement said. They also said they were flexible and open to other countries of the region and beyond that share the same values and principles.
Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, in his address, stressed the importance of regional cooperation and reiterated that both the actions and the extended meetings held at regular intervals are not in the nature of a zero-sum game nor are they aimed at excluding any country. On the contrary, he said, they are open to all countries wishing, based on a positive agenda, to help deepen cooperation and by extension peace in the region.
Christodoulides also argued that while the international narrative for the region is characterised by confrontations, problems and conflicts, the countries of the region are building an alternative narrative through their cooperation and common vision. This vision concerns a region that prospers, has stability and resolves any problems and differences with dialogue, within the framework of international law and away from outdated approaches aiming to impose solutions outside the framework of diplomacy and international law, he said.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis said in his address that the meeting was an example of harmonious transnational cooperation, based on UN fundamental values. He said that cooperation within this new group serves the common interest of their countries, promoting prosperity in the region and laying the foundations for a broad, ambitious, positive agenda.
He also referred to the Cyprus problem and called for a functional and sustainable solution based on the UN resolutions and the European acquis.
Phileleftheros and Haravgi report that the joint statement issued by the ministers also refers to the need to respect the territorial integrity of states, their independence, and the need to refrain from any threat (casus belli) or use of force. Citing sources within the Greek foreign ministry, the dailies report that though the joint statement did not specifically refer to any country or practices, these references aim at reaching the only country in the region that continues to not accept the basic principles of international law and the UN Charter.
Politis too reports that the joint statement contains indirect references to the methods adopted by Turkey since, though the seven foreign ministers did not mention any names, they condemned illegal actions in the region.
Alithia reports that the forum has sent a clear message on the Cyprus problem.
BBF is the way to go on Cyprob, US, Greece say
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that both the US and Greece reaffirmed commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution in reaction to the Turkish president’s statements on a two-state solution in Cyprus.
Alithia and Haravgi, cite statements by Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis to Greek TV station SKAI. Mitsotakis said that the only acceptable framework for discussion on the Cyprus issue is the bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF), adding that degrees of autonomy can be discussed within this framework but there can be no divergence. He cited the relevant decisions of the UN Security Council and EU positions.
Mitsotakis expressed the belief that when the five-party summit will convene with the EU as an observer, discussion will start based on this framework. He said this was not just his position.
All dailies also cite statements by a spokesperson of the US State Department to Greek state broadcaster ERT, who said that the US’s response to Erdogan was insistence on a BBF solution.
The State Department spokesperson, to a question about Erdogan’s statements about a two-state solution, said that the US continues to support a comprehensive solution led by the Cypriots for the reunification of the island into a BBF which will benefit all Cypriots as well as the wider region. He said the US welcomes the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to facilitate the resumption of political discussions, the dailies report.
The papers also reported on statements by Ned Price, US State Department spokesperson, about Turkey. Price, responding to questions by members of the press, called on Turkey to let go of the S-400 missile system it purchased from Russia. Russian S-400s are incompatible with NATO equipment, threaten the security of NATO technology and are inconsistent with Turkey’s commitments as a NATO ally, Price said. He recalled that this transaction from Russia, as you know, triggered the CAATSA sanctions under U.S. legislation.
Price also said that the US calls again on Turkey to immediately release Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala from detention. Price said that the specious charges against Kavala, his ongoing detention, and the continuing delays in the conclusion of his trial, including through the merger of cases against him, undermine respect for the rule of law and democracy.
Phileleftheros reports that Washington is sending Turkey a two-fold message as regards the Cyprus problem and the S-400 missile system. According to Alithia, the US lambasted Turkish President Erdogan for his statements this week on a two-state solution as regards the Cyprus problem.
EU official discusses vital issues with party leaders on both sides
Alithia, Haravgi
EU Matters, Economy
OVERVIEW
The papers report that the European Commission’s Director-General for Structural Reform Support, Mario Nava, held separate teleconferences with ruling DISY leader in the south Averof Neophytou and Tufan Erhurman, head of main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in the north.
The main topics discussed between Nava and Neophytou were the Cyprus problem but also the halloumi issue. Neophytou pointed out that halloumi was the most important agricultural and exportable product produced in Cyprus. Among other things, the DISY leader noted the need to cooperate with the European Commission to establish halloumi as a PDO product, which will significantly benefit the Cypriot economy and the country’s exports, the dailies report.
The issue of halloumi but also that of the vaccines was discussed between Erhurman and Nava. Nava also held a teleconference with TC leader Ersin Tatar earlier in the week, the dailies report.
House passes law for financial support of refugees
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Property, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the House plenum passed a law levying a 0.4 % tax on all sales of immovable property, the proceeds of which will go toward supporting GC refugees. The levy is payable by the seller of the property.
The proposal, passed by a unanimous vote in the plenum, aims to compensate refugees for their inability to possess, have access to, or otherwise gainfully use their land in the north.
The funds raised will go into a fund managed by the Central Agency for the Equal Distribution of Burdens, the state agency tasked with assisting refugees of the 1974 war. The law, however, may be referred by the president as unconstitutional, the dailies report.