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€1/₺6.8 (Crossings) closed, €1/₺10.4 opened
The crossing points in Cyprus are reopening. Crossings are set to resume through the nine checkpoints tomorrow after 463 days. A valid PCR test carried out every seven days will be required when crossing.
Number of protests grow
The livestock breeders continued with their protests, which had started on Monday. They poured milk outside the Agriculture Ministry and threw eggs. In addition to the farmers, five other organisations and Dipkarpaz (Risokarpaso) residents will stage their protests today and tomorrow. Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors’ Association also gave the message of ‘revolt’ (against the government).
- The crossing points to open tomorrow – The two leaders have reached an agreement to reopen the crossing points. All crossing points will be operational from tomorrow onwards and people will be allowed to cross with a negative PCR or antigen rapid test obtained within the last seven days.
- The criteria for foreign arrivals to the north identified – Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases made its recommendations to enter into force from June 7 onwards.
- The “recording on citizenship” was done through force of arms – In light of the ongoing investigation regarding the telephone recording on ‘citizenship in exchange for money’, the police arrested one person.
- One person severely injured in Düzova (Exo Metochi) when unexploded ordnance exploded.
Preparations at Lokmacı (Ledra St.), joy in Arasta
The leaders have agreed to reopen the crossings between the north and the south. Preparations started at the crossing points, and there was joy especially at Arasta – the shopping district of old town north Nicosia.
- Atilla Peker started to talk – Peker testified at the prosecutor’s office in Istanbul regarding Kutlu Adalı’s murder. He was then released under supervision.
- A weird ‘citizenship’ – It is claimed K.B. forced B.I. to make a recording claiming that “50,000 people will be made TRNC citizens.”
Quarantine for those not vaccinated
Entry into North Cyprus will be categories under six colours; Vaccinations and PCR requirement for Greek Cypriots, Turkish and British citizens. According to the latest decisions announced last night by the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases, countries will be listed under six colour categories which will determine under which conditions arriving passengers can enter the country. The countries will be listed under Dark Red, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Grey. The committee which listed Turkey, UK and South Cyprus in the orange category requires tourists from these countries to be vaccinated and present PCR tests. Those who aren’t vaccinated will be required to spend mandatory quarantine for ten days at a state-monitored facility.
- Hopes of shopkeepers lifted –The crossing points which had remained closed for a long period due to the pandemic are reopening tomorrow.
The remains of a drill exploded at home
An ordnance explosion leads to a disaster…Mehmet Semergezdi, who collects scrap metal for a living, brought home an unexploded ordnance he found at the firing range. It exploded at his home. Semergezdi, who was severely injured, was admitted to the ICU at Nicosia state hospital.
- Poured milk outside the ministry – The livestock breeders continue with their protests.
- The crossings are reopening – All nine crossing points will reopen tomorrow.
- The recording was done by force of arms – One person arrested regarding the telephone recording on citizenship, which was circulated on social media.
Main News
Crossings to reopen on Friday after 463 days
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs
OVERVIEW
A breakthrough was reached on Wednesday with the reopening of all the crossings between the north-south divide set to take place on Friday, June 4.
The two Cypriot leaders on Wednesday announced an agreement to allow the reopening of the checkpoints. The crossings will open on Friday, but will be restricted as follows: Level 1 (green) no restrictions, level 2 (orange) seven day negative rapid or PCR test and, finally, level 3 (dark red) closed to the general public.
According to a written statement issued by the UN spokesperson in Cyprus, Aleem Siddique, the two leaders agreed to synchronise Covid-related measures allowing the crossings to reopen whilst the epidemiological situation will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis by the bicommunal technical committee on health to categorise the “appropriate level to be applied at the crossing points”.
“The measures under Levels 1 and 2 will apply to all categories of people, bringing the situation at the crossing points back to the status quo ante, pre-COVID 19 outbreak, including for third-country nationals,” the UN statement read, adding that the measures that will be applied to vaccinated persons will be announced in due course.
The statement noted that under the current conditions, on June 4, Level 2 (Orange) status will apply at all crossings, adding that the requirements of the higher level will be implemented immediately depending on the reviews of the technical committee.
“The reopening of all crossing points will facilitate free movement, promote people to people contacts, build trust and have an overall positive socio-economic impact across the island for the benefit of all Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,” the statement said, noting that this important development was achieved as a result of the efforts undertaken over the past several weeks by the Turkish Cypriot Special Representative, Mr Ergün Olgun and the Greek Cypriot Negotiator, Mr Andreas Mavroyiannis, under the facilitation of the SRSG/Deputy Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Ms Elizabeth Spehar with recommendations from the members of the technical committee on health.
Early on Wednesday, preparations were already underway at the Lokmacı (Ledra St.) checkpoint to facilitate the reopening of the barriers on the Greek Cypriot side is removed.
Nonetheless, Yenidüzen also reported that Greek Cypriots had been allowed to cross to the north before an official statement was issued. According to the daily’s reporters, Greek Cypriots were asked to present a negative PCR test obtained within the last seven days when crossing into the north through the Metehan (Ayios Domethios) crossing point in line with the earlier remarks made by the Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner. He had announced on Friday, May 28 that the Turkish Cypriot side unilaterally opened the crossing points.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Wednesday said his repeated efforts since March 2021 had bared fruit with an agreement reached with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades to reopen all the crossing points on the island.
In a written statement issued from his office, Tatar noted that everyone including the third-country nationals with a negative PCR test obtained within the last seven days will be able to use the crossings from June 4 onwards. He added that the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases had been diligently monitoring the developments in the south and will continue to do so.
“As a result of the efforts by the bicommunal technical committee on health, the Covid-19 measures on crossings were harmonized with the ones in the south, allowing the reopening of all the crossings,” Tatar said.
He also expressed the belief that the reopening will help the two sides overcome the economic difficulties caused by the pandemic. “We as the Turkish Cypriot side have always been in favour and open to exploring areas of collaboration with the south,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will collaborate with the Greek Cypriot side in goodwill.
Additionally, Tatar’s spokeswoman Berna Çelik Doğruyol in a separate statement on Wednesday, said Tatar and Anastasiades will hold a videoconference meeting on Thursday morning regarding the reopening of the crossing points.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner also issued a statement welcoming the reopening of the crossing points. “We welcome the positive attitude displayed both by the UN and the Greek Cypriot side for the simultaneous opening of all the crossing points on Friday, June 4,” Saner said.
He added the government will do whatever is necessary to facilitate the crossings of the people.
In the meantime, UniteCyprusNow (UCN), an NGO promoting reunification, tweeted: “Thank you to UN Cyprus and all those who worked for this”.
The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) also issued a statement welcoming the two leaders’ agreement to reopen the crossing points after 463 days.
“The closure of the crossings not affected the businesses across the divide but also hurt the relations between the members of the two communities,” the CTP said, adding that the reopening of the crossings was a humanitarian issue with the capacity to impact every aspect of life.
“The reopening of the crossings will improve social and cultural aspects of Cypriots’ life, allow developing inter-communal trust and rapprochement and pave the way forward to reach a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution based on the political equality of the two communities,” the CTP concluded.
The People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay, displaying his lack of trust in the Greek Cypriot leadership, warned the Turkish Cypriot leadership on the agreement reached.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Özersay said the statement issued by the UN regarding the reopening of the crossings “looks reasonable, balanced and implementable.”
“However, I wish to warn that the reference to the ‘returning situation before the pandemic’ should not be misinterpreted by the Greek Cypriot leadership,” Özersay said, recalling that the Greek Cypriot leadership had unilaterally obstructed the third-country nationals from crossing into the north way before the pandemic. He added he was happy for the agreement to reopen the crossings, especially for the shopkeepers.
In a late-night development on Wednesday, the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases announced its latest decisions, categorizing both Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) in the “orange category.”
The Committee said tourists travelling from RoC or Turkey will be exempted from the mandatory quarantine requirement with two negative PCR tests if they have had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or have survived the coronavirus infection. It also noted that those who have not had the vaccine will be required to enter a 10-day quarantine with a negative PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours.
Hasipoğlu claims different election results wouldn’t change GC policy
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary and member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said that the outcome of Sunday’s elections in the south would not change the Greek Cypriot leadership’s position on the Cyprus Issue, even if the pro-federal Akel had won.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, Hasipoğlu accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of being insincere on a solution in Cyprus. “Even if AKEL had won the elections, the Greek Cypriot side would not have changed its position vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem. I believe the Greek Cypriot side is not sincere no matter who’s in power,” he said.
Hasipoğlu said the left-wing parties in the south played the role of a good cop while right-wing parties played the role of a bad cop. “Their goal is to achieve a unitary state in which the Turkish Cypriots will be ruled by a Greek Cypriot majority while pretending to discuss a federal solution,” Hasipoğlu claimed.
Turkish MGK reiterates support for a two-state solution in Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Ankara will resolutely support the sovereign, equal, and independent two-state solution approach, the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) said on Wednesday. Following a five-hour meeting chaired by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, Turkish officials discussed the developments in the Cyprus problem alongside foreign policy, terrorism, and regional developments.
In a statement issued following the meeting, the MGK said Turkey will continue to take all kinds of measures to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.
“It is necessary to stay away from provocations, unlawful actions, and aggressive rhetoric that disregard Turkey’s rights and interests to maintain peace and security in the region through mutual dialogue within the framework of international law and good neighbourly relations in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and to make progress towards resolving the issues,” the MGK stressed.
It also condemned Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian lands and its attacks on the civilian population.
A TC & GC from Pile (Pyla) imprisoned for drug dealing
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A 38-year-old Turkish Cypriot and a 32-year-old Greek Cypriot both living in Pile (Pyla) was sent to jail for two-and-a-half years for drug trafficking by the Serious Crimes Court in Larnaca.
Citing Greek Cypriot media, the Turkish dailies report that the Turkish Cypriot man was arrested when the Cyprus police had searched his vehicle to find a kilo of marijuana and the police, later on, found more than one kilo of marijuana and €10,500 cash buried in his garden.
Both had admitted to their crime and collaborated with the police investigation in exchange for a reduced sentence term.
Unexploded ordnance severely injured one in Düzova (Exo Metochi)
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Mehmet Semagezdi was severely injured when the unexploded ordnance he found in the Beyköy firing range exploded on Wednesday.
Semagezdi, who collects scrap metal for a living, was taken to the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu state hospital for treatment after he was found by his wife severely wounded.
The police launched an investigation into the incident while the bomb squad was called on-site to check for possible other unexploded ordnance.