Front Page Headlines
It rained benefits yesterday at the Presidential Palace
Final stretch for the elections with the government and the parties giving away everything. The government is throwing itself in the election battle with all its weapons, with the Cabinet taking decisions on benefits, roads, animal welfare organisations and settling of overdue debts.
The Central Bank is concerned by real estate
Even the slightest deterioration in the real estate market will cause turbulence, the CBC said. Prediction for a drop of prices in the real estate market due to the consequences of the pandemic and the abolition of the Cyprus Investment Programme.
- Erdogan has set a drone lair
- Satisfaction & annoyance over the European Parliament’s decision
- A 39-year-old woman is in the intensive care after being vaccinated in Cyprus – Another three with thrombosis were cured.
A huge blow due to the pandemic, they are losing their businesses
AKEL is calling for urgent state support to small businesses. A great concern that after the pandemic is over many small and medium-size businesses will not be able to resume operations.
- European Parliament: The EP resolution is important but it is not enough without initiatives (for the resumption of Cyprob talks)
- The Chinese vaccine Sinopharm is also accepted by Cyprus (for passengers)
Covid has worn down Europeans
Cypriots are sick of remote learning and working, losing trust in govt.
- Woman in hospital after thrombotic episode
- Cyprus could be on Britain’s green list in three to six weeks
DISY is still standing
Elections: The opposition’s nihilist policy and the selective attacks by the auditor-general against the government were not successful. Another poll (Sigma) shows the ruling party leading the race: 25.7% on vote intention on specified vote against AKEL’s 23.4%. DIKO comes third with EDEK, ELAM and the Greens battling for fourth place.
- Revelations by Erdogan: Turkey is constructing a drone base in the occupied areas, it will use them for attacks
Main News
Nicosia satisfied by EP resolution
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The government welcomed the European Parliament (EP) resolution calling for a suspension of Turkey’s accession process while Ankara says the EU’s biased stance reflects the arguments of Greece and the GCs, the dailies report.
Government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said on Thursday that the EP’s position that Turkey needs to act within the framework of international law, European principles and values and European Treaties, confirms the firm position expressed by the Republic of Cyprus.
“The Cypriot government welcomes yesterday’s resolution by the European Parliament with regard to the EU Progress Report on Turkey on its accession course, since it sets and defines which will be the road and the actions that Turkey is obliged to follow if she truly desires a European prospect and a positive agenda with the EU,” Koushos said.
He added that with its decision, the EP sends out the clear message that Turkey must terminate its provocative actions and any violations of sovereign rights and international law in the broader region of the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
The message, therefore, is explicit and crystal clear, he said, adding Turkey’s European orientation and prospect presupposes its full compliance with the EU values and principles, international law, and good neighbourly relations.
Koushos said Turkey should fulfil its accession obligations toward the Republic of Cyprus and cooperate constructively for the resumption of substantial talks on the Cyprus issue from where they were left off at Crans-Montana, for the achievement of a lasting, functional solution, within the framework of the UN resolutions and decisions.
Consequently, he added, it becomes quite obvious that any positive development on the EU-Turkey relations depends exclusively and solely upon Turkey itself, he said.
The dailies also report on the Turkish foreign ministry’s reaction to the resolution which said the report was “unilateral and by no means objective”, and was adopted in a period when efforts are made to revive Turkey-EU relations on the basis of EU membership perspective within the framework of a positive agenda.
It said that Ankara rejects “this biased text which not only includes false allegations regarding human rights, democracy, the rule of law, our governmental system and political parties; and views Turkey’s effective, solution-oriented, humanitarian and enterprising foreign policy as a threat; but also reflects the completely unfair and biased Greek and Greek Cypriot arguments regarding the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus issue and supports the one-sided and inconsistent Armenian narratives regarding the 1915 events.”
The papers also report on parties’ reactions.
Ruling DISY points out that this is the first time the MEPs are officially asking the European Commission suspend the accession negotiations if the situation does not improve as regards Turkey’s domestic, institutional and foreign policy. The party said this was the result of Turkey’s provocative actions and the fact that it is straying from the principles and values of the European Union through the violation of fundamental rights inside and outside the country.
Main opposition AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou pointed out that the EP resolution alone will not help resume the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem, calling on the government to act.
Kyprianou said this “powerful political resolution” must be matched with actions and initiatives by the GC side to create the conditions of the restart of substantive talks. Kyprianou said a way ought to be found to convince Turkey abandon its unacceptable demands for a two-state solution and return to the agreed framework of the bizonal bicommunal federation.
EDEK welcomed the EP report but warns against any illusions as to Turkey’s goals. Turkey, it said, does not aim to join and align with EU principles but to capitalise on benefits from an upgraded customs, trade and economic relationship.
Therefore, in addition to the suspension of accession, the suspension of any trade, economic and customs upgrades of Turkey and the EU must be demanded, the party said. It called on the RoC to promote discussion on the suspension of the upgrade of the Turkish-EU customs union unless preceded by the implementation of the Cyprus-related commitments made by Turkey to the EU in September 2005.
Alithia reports that Turkey is angry and Nicosia satisfied by the EP resolution.
KEY ACTORS
Koushos (RoC spokesperson)
>> The EP reports that stipulates that a country that wants to become a member or upgrade its relations with the EU must behave within international law, EU principles & Treaties, affirms the RoC’s standing position.
>> RoC welcomes EP resolution because it sets the road & actions Turkey is obliged to follow if it truly desires a European prospect & positive agenda with the EU.
>> The EP sent a clear message that Turkey must end its provocative actions & any violations of sovereign rights and international law in the EastMed.
>> Any positive development on EU-Turkey relations depends exclusively & solely upon Turkey itself.
Turkish MFA
>> EP resolution is biased, unfair, unilateral, includes false allegations regarding human rights & is based on Greek & and GC arguments regarding the Aegean, the EastMed, and Cyprus issue.
DISY
>> It is Turkey’s behaviour that led the EP to call, for the first time officially, for suspension of the accession negotiations if there are no changes to the country’s domestic, institutional & foreign policy.
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Calls on government to act and take initiative to create the conditions of the restart of substantive talks, as EP resolution alone cannot achieve that.
>> Calls for ways to convince Turkey abandon its unacceptable demands for a two-state solution return to the agreed BBF framework.
EDEK
>> EP report a positive development by Turkey does not really want to join EU but rather capitalise on benefits from an upgraded customs, trade and economic relationship so RoC must push toward this direction unless Ankara fulfils its obligations to Cyprus as per its commitments to the EU in September 2005.
Turkey setting up drone base in north
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
External Security, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Turkey has set a drones base in the north for attacks in the region, which could potentially put the island at risk.
The papers cite statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who confirmed that a Turkish drone base was operating in the north citing the need for readiness in case of attacks in the region.
Erdogan said there are two airports in the north the one in Tymbou everyone knows about and another one, an old one, which has been renamed and where Turkey uses as a base for its drones.
He also said he would be in the north on July 20 the anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, from where messages will be sent to the whole world.
Politis reports that Erdogan, with his statements about messages to the whole world, sets the tone for a diplomatic heatwave this summer. His statements, in combination with information by government sources that any mobilisation and developments on the Cyprus problem must be expected after June, set the tone for an especially difficult summer, the daily reported.
Phileleftheros reports that Turkey is setting up a drones lair while Erdogan’s games pose serious dangers for the whole island. According to the paper, Erdogan’s statements on a base for drones in the occupied territories combined with his aggressive attitude in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone but also threats against Israel and Egypt are a dangerous cocktail for the whole region. The first Turkish drones arrived in Lefkoniko on December 16, 2019, the daily reports, adding that this was the first step by Turkey to creating an unmanned aircraft base in the occupied territories which is gradually evolving into a base for operations throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.
The daily also reports that it is estimated that Turkey has a fleet of around 1,000 drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, 100 of which can carry out missions abroad, hundreds of kilometres away from their control centres. The fleet is almost exclusively Turkish-made, the daily reports.
Alithia reports that Turkey is constructing a base in the north at the Lefkoniko airport for drones which it will be using for attacks.
The daily, citing Greek news portal iefimerida.gr also reports that after it was banned by the US from the F-35 programme, Turkey is modifying plans for the construction of its light aircraft carrier, the TCG Anadolu, so that drones can land on and take off from it. The 236-metre Anadolu is expected to be completed next year. The aircraft carrier will be able to carry up to 50 unmanned fighter jets. It was initially designed to carry US fighter jets and helicopters. Once the vessel joins the Navy force, Turkey will become the fourth naval power in the Mediterranean to have an aircraft carrier after France, Italy and Spain.
According to Alithia Turkey aspires to become a drone export power with its Bayraktar drones to be used in war conflicts all over the world. Among the buyers are Qatar and Ukraine while Serbia is showing interest, the daily reported.
Both Alithia and Phileleftheros report that Erdogan’s son-in-law, Selcuk Bayraktar, 41, is involved in this industry.
Developments expected over crossings
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that developments are expected as regards the opening of the crossing points.
Citing a statement by TC leader Ersin Tatar’s special representative, Ergun Olgun, the dailies report that the TC side will submit on Friday during the meeting of the Technical Committee on Health, a proposal on the reopening of the crossings.
Olgun said that the results of Friday’s meeting will be discussed on Monday by the two sides’ negotiators under the auspices of the UN Special Representative and head of UNFICYP Elizabeth Spehar. Then, the political leadership on both sides will decide on how to proceed.
Politis, in a comment, said that everything points out to the reopening of the crossings within the coming days. It said that after the technical committee gives the green light on how this will be implemented, what remains is the political decision, expected at the beginning of next week.
“We hope that none of the two sides will backtrack the last moment and the opening of the crossings is not delayed further. The two communities cannot be without contact any longer,” the paper said.
Disappointment from Geneva results, survey says
Alithia, Simerini
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Simerini, citing the results of a survey, reports that 92% of the people eye negatively the new effort by the UN Secretary-general on the Cyprus problem.
The survey was carried out by IMR/University of Nicosia on behalf of Simerini, between May 14 and 17. In total 500 people over 18 were canvassed from all districts.
The daily reports that the survey results show complete disappointment by the latest informal summit, with 92% of respondents eyeing this new effort negatively.
Six in 10 said the side that benefited the most from the results of the summit was the TC one. They also believe that the UNSG’s decision for a new informal summit within the next few months is a move in the wrong direction.
More than nine in 10 said that they were not satisfied by the UNSG’s stance at the Geneva summit against the Turkish position on two states.
In total 67% said they do not believe the Turkish side will back down from their position on a two-state solution.
The survey also found that the majority of respondents, 4 in 10, said that the most likely form of solution from now on, based on the new situation, is preserving the status quo. For two out of 10, the most likely form of solution remains the bizonal bicommunal federation. A 9% believes two states is the most likely form of solution, and 12% said a confederation.
Alithia reports that, despite the attacks by opposition, ruling DISY stands strong since another poll shows it will lead the race in the May 30 parliament elections.
Citing the results of a poll aired by Sigma TV on Thursday evening, the paper reports that DISY is expected to garner 25.7% of votes, AKEL 23.4 %, DIKO 13%, EDEK 5.7%, ELAM 6.8%, DIPA 3.5%, the Greens 5.4%, Solidarity 1.5%, Generation Change 3.4%, Hunters Party 2.5%, Animal Party 1.5%, Famagusta for Cyprus 1.4%, Awakening 2020 0.9% and other parties 5.2% in total.