Front Page Headlines
No intention of dismissing Yiolitis
The Presidential Palace does not seem to agree with the voices that call for assuming political responsibilities. (Justice Minister) Emily Yiolitis herself reiterated yesterday that her resignation was permanently before the president. The young woman who was hit with water to the eye underwent surgery yesterday but she risks losing part of her eyesight. Former judges and private lawyers were asked whether they would be interested in being appointed as criminal investigators into the events concerning police violence. Police officers who participated in the operation are angry with the police leadership and Yiolitis, saying they left them hanging out to dry. Opposition and government seem to want to maintain the high confrontational tones in an intense pre-election period. There are hints that possible party expediencies lie behind Saturday’s protest.
- Preparations for a third wave: ‘No’ by Netanyahu for the vaccines (which Cyprus had asked to buy from Israel)
They were indiscriminately hitting citizens
Criminal investigation into Saturday’s bloody events. No one assumes responsibility. Opposition calls for Yiolitis’ resignation. Police are trying to figure out what went wrong.
- Upgrade of the pseudostate by Ankara in five stages – Financial reinforcement and a touristic Varosha.
- Probe against a politician for sexual harassment – A police complaint was filed by a woman a week ago. The collection of testimonies has started. The politician does not have immunity now.
- The tracing team lost count – The procedure is blocked, difficult (to see) the true picture.
- Flights from Israel with Green Passport
They are irresponsible and dangerous to democracy
Minister Emily Yiolitis declares she’s unrepentant over her complaint of the Twitter parody account with lawyers pointing out to her that it was abuse of power and an illegal action. In relation to the violent incidents, Ms Yiolitis renounces her responsibilities and shifts the responsibility to ordinary police officers. No one says anything as to who gave the orders.
- Sitting on hot coals over the five-party
- Dendias discussed the Cyprus problem with his American counterpart Antony Blinken
Probe into police demo crackdown
Minister says use of force not proportionate, brushes off resignation call.
Dangerous, toxic climate!
The opposition is raising tensions ahead of the elections. It nullifies everything to give the impression that nothing is working properly in the country. It fanaticises the citizens and pushes them to demonstrate against the government. It maintains populist issues using the House committees it controls; they also remembered the (closing down of the ) Co-op Bank and will discuss the issue on Thursday. Yiolitis: They (opposition MPs) came ready to fight, for populism and to disorient public opinion.
- Attack by Tayyip Erdogan against the US: You should be by our side and not with the terrorists
- Rapist Politicians! – (Victims) are breaking their silence.
Main News
Neophytou: Decentralised federation is a more functional solution
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Haravgi reports that Nicosia is sitting on hot coals in anticipation of news from the UN about the date and time of the five-party summit.
Citing information, the daily reports that Nicosia expects this week some kind of official information by the UN secretary-general and his envoy to set its next steps. Fears have been expressed that the conference may take place in late March or in early April, and in any case after the European Council, which is considered a milestone in setting a positive agenda for Euro-Turkish relations, the daily reported.
It adds that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell is scheduled to visit Cyprus on February 20 and meet with both sides in view of the informal five-party meeting and his report on Turkey, to be submitted to the EU leaders’ summit. It is not very clear if the report will act as a catalyst for defining the five-party as the EU has not shown that it wants to exert influence on Turkey, especially in relation to the Cyprus issue, and its aspirations, Haravgi reports.
All three dailies report in the meantime, that head of ruling DISY Averof Neophytou stated his party was in favour of a decentralised federation as the solution to the Cyprus problem and would explain this position to all his interlocutors in Cyprus and abroad.
The statements follow separate meetings on Monday with the ambassadors of France and Russia as part of a series of contacts he has scheduled with foreign ambassadors appointed in Nicosia ahead of the five-party summit on the Cyprus problem.
Neophytou said his party agreed with the president’s approach on a decentralised federation. He argued that this will be a more functional solution with the two areas having almost complete autonomy on issues concerning the daily lives of people. He added that in the very limited powers that will remain in the central government that will ensure one sovereignty and one state, DISY has no problem accepting political equality as defined in the UN resolutions.
The DISY leader said he would complete within the week his contacts with the ambassadors of the permanent members to the UN Security Council but also of Germany and Greece.
Neophytou said his aim was to be briefed by them but also to inform the ambassadors both about the GC side’s positions and its willingness to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.
DISY will make every effort to mobilise and inform the international community about the need to find a proper and functional solution to the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework of the bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF) with political equality, for security and peace in the region, he said.
Neophytou added that it was wrong – from the moment that the international community such as the Russians, Americans, British, Germans and the UN are interested and mobilised on the Cyprus issue – to send the message that this was of secondary importance for the Cypriots.
Phileleftheros also reports that the French ambassador, Salina Grenet-Catalano, also had a meeting with the head of EDEK, Marinos Sizopoulos. The newly-appointed ambassador said the meeting was part of her contacts to meet the party leaders.
Sizopoulos said among other things that he had the opportunity to also express his positions on the Cyprus problem. He reiterated that risks were looming for the GC side from the five-party summit.
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou (DISY)
>> DISY is in favour of decentralised federation which is a more functional solution.
>> The two areas in a decentralised federation can have almost complete autonomy on issues concerning the daily lives of each community. No problem accepting political equality as defined in UN resolutions on the limited powers that will remain with central government.
>> Wants to promote the decentralised federation at home & abroad because the international community needs to know that Cyprob of primary importance to Cypriots.
>> Solving Cyprob within the agreed BBF framework with political equality is DISY’s priority.
Sizopoulos (EDEK)
>> The GC side faces several risks if it takes part in the five-party summit.
Ankara’s roadmap for upgrading the north
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations, Territory
OVERVIEW
The dailies, citing reports in Turkish media, report that Ankara is implementing a five-stage plan for the upgrade of the regime in the north and the demand for a two-state solution.
Citing Turkish daily Sabah, the GC dailies report that Ankara has prepared a road map concerning the north, focusing among other things on strengthening the ‘TRNC’s’ economy for reforms but also covering needs in the field of energy transfer and infrastructure. A boost will be given also to agriculture. The daily cites the economic protocol signed recently between Ankara and the north through which the ‘TRNC’ will receive 2.5bn Turkish lira.
On Varosha, the Turkish daily reports that the fenced area will be redeveloped in order to open for tourism while activities will be promoted to help upgrade the tourism dynamics of the area but also highlight the ‘TRNC’s’ history, civilisation and natural wealth, the GC dailies reported.
Sabah reports that the biggest reform will be in the system of governance in the occupied territories, since there are thoughts of a transition to a ‘presidential system’ or a strengthened ‘presidential system’, as is the case in Turkey. With the gradual implementation of all these steps, there will also be intensive diplomatic mobility for the recognition of the ‘TRNC’, the Turkish paper reported, according to the dailies.
Phileleftheros also cites another report in another Turkish daily, Cumhuriyet, on the call by retired diplomat Tugay Ulucevik, on the Turkish National Assembly’s parliamentary parties to issue a joint statement in support of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that there is no other solution to the Cyprus problem than a two-state solution.
Blinken holds telephone calls with Greek, Turkish FMs
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The papers report that US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Monday held separate calls with the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Nikos Dendias and Mevlut Cavusoglu respectively.
Citing the statements by State Department spokesperson Ned Price, the dailies report that Blinken and Dendias emphasised their commitment to further strengthening US-Greece bilateral relations, including through the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue and the 3+1 process with Cyprus and Israel, and close cooperation on defence, energy diversification, and stability in the broader Eastern Mediterranean region.
Blinken also voiced to both FMs support for the ongoing exploratory talks between NATO allies Greece and Turkey.
During his telephone conversation with Cavusoglu, Blinken also emphasised the two countries’ shared interest in countering terrorism, and the importance of democratic institutions, inclusive governance, and respect for human rights.
Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation and support for a political resolution to the conflict in Syria while Blinken expressed condolences for the deaths of Turkish hostages in northern Iraq and affirmed the US’ view that PKK terrorists bear responsibility. He also urged Turkey not to retain the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system.
Haravgi and Alithia also report that MPs from 47 countries, members of the Council of Europe signed a document calling on the Turkish government to take immediate action against the restriction of the principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
This information was given by German daily Handlesblatt, in an article under the headline, ‘Turkey is turning its European partners against it’. The German daily noted that by cracking down on students, who protest against the state-appointed rector of Bogazici University, the Turkish government is jeopardising its rapprochement with the West. This is a conflict that is also hurting the economy, the paper said. It adds that it has seen the document prepared by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that calls on Turkey to comply with the preconditions on observing human rights, the dailies report.
Former MEP accused of sexual harassment
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The dailies, citing information, report that police are investigating claims by a 32-year-old woman that she was sexually harassed by a Cypriot MEP a few years ago.
According to the papers, the woman reported that the incident took place in 2014 when she was 26 and had met with the politician who was a family friend and had offered to help her find a job. He invited her to his home where he kissed her on the mouth and touched her genitals. The man was an MEP and has also served as an MP in the past but has no political immunity now, the papers report. He is to be called in for questioning.
The complaint was filed a week ago with the police not confirming but not refuting this information either. Police spokesman Christos Andreou said that they do not comment on such cases, respecting the wish of the people who file such complaints to remain anonymous.
The papers report that the woman decided to report the incident, feeling encouraged by other people who stepped up recently to report sexual abuse.
Alithia reports that another woman, 43, reported sexual harassment by a powerful politician with whom she had friendly and professional relations, while police are investigating seven cases concerning sexual harassment in sports.