Front Page Headlines
A duel between ladies?
Annita’s and Christiana’s names are on the table by DISY and DIKO for the House presidency. DISY is thinking of entering the battle for the House presidency with its own candidate away from haggling. Annita Demetriou’s candidacy is gaining ground while those of Tornaritis’ and/or Averof Neopytou are being discussed. AKEL and DIKO are on fertile ground for cooperation while the main goal is to find the candidacy that secures support from the Greens and EDEK. The candidacy of Christiana Erotokritou (DIKO MP) has strong chances. DIPA and EDEK keep for the time being all the possibilities open with the party of Marinos Sizopoulos setting four key criteria to be supported. At DIPA, Marios Karoyan will make contacts with those who ask for the party’s support.
- President-Tatar: They broke the ice but remained on shallow waters
- Larnaca: Centre for security and cooperation
- Eurobarometer: The pandemic has sustained a blow to Cypriots’ income
- Turkish lira: It is plunging compared to the Euro
53% of passports (issued to foreign investors) are illegal
212 high-risk cases in the final findings on the naturalisations. Revelations: the revocation of passports for 44 people will be asked. Recommendations to MOKAS and the police to investigate some of their members for criminal and disciplinary offences.
- The crossings will be open from 8am – Movement based on the orange category. Police have sent staff to all crossings points since yesterday.
- Toward a Biden-Anastasiades meeting
- The backstage has started: DISY and AKEL have set the scene for the new House president.
- We are losing also June as regards the British (tourists)
Without tourists from Britain also in July
Cyprus is not on the ‘green list’… The tourist season is being lost!
- (Dendias) Cyprus problem: At the worst point since 1974
- Crossings: Music event by GCs and TCs for opening of the crossing points
- Scenarios for 14 candidates for the House presidency
Tourism: better luck next time
No additions to UK green list this time. Outrage as Portugal moved to amber. Cyprus must wait until next review.
- President ready for meeting with Tatar to discuss CBMs
- Eyes on CYCLOPS centre: (photo caption) Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and US Ambassador Judith Garber, with Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras, on Thursday visited the construction site of the new Cyprus Centre for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security (Cyclops). The centre is a joint Cyprus-US security project.
We will talk soon… Our friendship is a strong foundation
Intervention by the planeteer: Letter by Biden to Anastasiades. The US is in favour of a BBF solution, the US president said while expressing concern over Varosha issue. The Republic of Cyprus is an important US partner for regional stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Thanks by Biden to Anastasiades for his leading role (in the region).
- Crossing points: Overall satisfaction with the opening of the crossings
- Disappointment: British tourists are not coming to Cyprus within June either
- Audit Office: Parties will have to return part of their state subsidy
- Warning by the EU Commission: The future of the foreclosures framework is uncertain
Main News
Leaders welcome opening of crossings
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the crossing points are opening today at 8am after around 15 months with the two leaders expressing satisfaction over the agreement achieved for their reopening.
According to the dailies, all nine crossing points are reopening on Friday morning with everyone over 12 having to present a negative rapid or PCR test not older than seven days. The interior ministry clarified that the test certificates must be in print form.
The two leaders, Nicos Anastasiades and Ersin Tatar, in a teleconference on Thursday morning, expressed their satisfaction with the reopening of the crossings. UN’s special representative Elizabeth Spehar, GC negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and TC leader’s special representative Ergun Olgun also participated in the online meeting.
Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushos said after the meeting that Anastasiades welcomed the reopening of the crossing points as before the coronavirus pandemic, and congratulated both the negotiators and the members of the bi-communal Technical Committee on Health for their work and constructive contribution that led to the agreement. He also thanked Spehar for her and the UN’s assistance.
According to Koushos, Tatar too, expressed his satisfaction with the reopening of the crossing points, while Spehar thanked the two leaders, the negotiators, and the members of the technical committee for their cooperation and the positive result they reached.
Koushos also said Anastasiades stated that he is ready to meet any time with the TC leader to discuss both the confidence-building measures (CBMs) he has proposed at the Geneva summit concerning the fenced city of Famagusta, the airport of Tympou and the Famagusta port, as well as the Cyprus problem in general and its settlement through negotiations.
Tatar, after the meeting, welcomed the development. He also said this was a first step in the cooperation between the two sides and wished to be a precedent for possible different collaborations from now on.
Cyprus Mail and Alithia also report that the EU Reform Support service welcomed the Cypriot leaders’ decision to reopen the crossing points “following much appreciated hard work by the technical committee on health to synchronise measures.” It added that this was a “crucial step for post-pandemic recovery, paving the way to Cyprus settlement as people start being together again!” Alithia reports that this service, among other things, supports the EU member states in reforms, deals with the EU public administration policy, the solution of the Cyprus issue, and is responsible for the issues concerning the TC community.
The dailies also cite a statement by the interior ministry that said that from Friday, anyone who could travel between the two sides before the pandemic will be able to do so again, provided they have a negative antigen test or PCR test, not older than seven days.
Eligible to cross are all Cypriot citizens (GCs & TCs) and members of their families, EU citizens and family members who are third-country nationals, given that they are escorted by the EU citizen, UK nationals and their family members holding residence permits of the Republic, third-country nationals holding residence permits of the Republic, third-country nationals with a Cypriot visa (90 days), nationals of third countries on the visa-free list (90 days – including UK nationals who do not hold Republic residence permits), third-country nationals holding residence permits in other EU member states (90 days) and third-country nationals holding a Schengen visa, double or multiple (90 days).
Haravgi, citing information, reports that Tatar had referred, during the online meeting to expanding these categories to include other groups living in the occupied areas. The daily reports that according to the same information, Tatar meant the settlers and the expansion of the cooperation as a step to good neighbourly relations which refers to a two-state solution.
Haravgi and Alithia also report that a bicommunal music event is taking place on Friday afternoon, organised by dozens of groups from the two communities. In total 76 groups and organisations announced that, to celebrate the removal of an additional barrier that was keeping the communities apart, they will be holding a symbolic music celebration and a walk from Eleftheria Square to Buyuk Han. They also said the reopening of the crossings should be followed by confidence-building actions.
The group also stressed that reopening of the crossings was not a substitute for the comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and that the main goal was a united Cyprus. They also demanded that the agreement on the crossings includes free rapid tests in both sides and mutual recognition of vaccines, Haravgi reports.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades/Tatar/Spehar
>> Welcome reopening of the crossing points.
Anastasiades
>> Ready to meet Tatar to discuss the CBMs he submitted at Geneva summit & Cyprob in general.
Tatar
>> Agreement on crossing is a first step in the cooperation between the two sides, hopes to be a precedent for possible different collaborations from now on.
EU Reform Support service
>> Welcomes leaders’ decision to reopen crossing points after much appreciated hard work by the Technical Committee on Health to synchronise measures.
>> Opening of crossings is a crucial step for post-pandemic recovery & paving the way to Cyprob solution as people start being together again.
Biden stresses US support for BBF solution
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
US President Joe Biden, in a letter to President Nicos Anastasiades, expressed his country’s support for a bizonal bicommunal federal solution to the Cyprus problem and praised Cyprus for its leading role on security and stability in the region, the dailies report.
The papers cite a statement by government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos on the content of the letter, received by Anastasiades on Wednesday evening. Biden said the US will continue to consider the Republic of Cyprus an important partner for regional stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and stressed his commitment to work with a view to further deepen the strong ties between US and Cyprus.
Biden also thanked Anastasiades for the leading role, friendship and the important role which the Republic of Cyprus plays in addressing global challenges and notes that he looks forward to work with him to address issues of common interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Koushos also said Biden expresses his appreciation for the fact that Anastasiades informed him with his letter of May 14 about the informal meeting in Geneva and expresses the clear position about the reunification of Cyprus, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) according to the UN Security Council resolutions. He also welcomes efforts made by the UN Secretary General, to find common ground for the resumption of the negotiations.
According to Koushos the US president also made a very important reference to the issue of Famagusta, noting that the US is concerned over the unilateral decision of the TCs, with the support of Turkey, to open part of Varosha in October 2020. Biden id that the US has called and will continue to call for the decision of the Turkish side to be reversed and will discourage further provocative actions.
The US president also notes that his government will continue to encourage a constructive participation of the Turkish side to the next round of talks under the UN auspices, Koushos said.
Biden expresses his will to continue soon his discussions with Anastasiades on the various issues of common interest.
In his letter, Biden recalls his visit to Cyprus in 2014 with his spouse Jill, when he was US Vice President. I believe that our discussions during my terms in office as Vice President constitute a strong foundation for our continuing cooperation. I assure you of my personal commitment to renew and further enhance our strong ties, he said, according to Koushos, the dailies report.
Phileleftheros reports that the friendship between Anastasiades and Biden is defining for the deepening of US-Cyprus relations. The daily also reports that a meeting between Biden and Anastasiades is starting to be visible on the horizon as the US president, in his letter, refers to the prospect of such a meeting.
Alithia, too, reports that judging by the letter, it is gathered that Biden will soon meet with Anastasiades. The daily reported that in the letter, the deep relationship between Anastasiades and Biden but also the steady support of the superpower for Cyprus is stressed. The letter, the daily said, is written not only in a diplomatic language but also in a personal, friendly tone, and shows the close relations of the two leaders.
According to Politis it is no secret that the Republic of Cyprus has placed a lot of hope in the US position in relation to the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean, but more specifically in the Cyprus issue. Citing Biden’s letter the daily reports that it remains to be seen if this approach will bring positive results to the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem in the coming period or if it will remain in the sphere of winning impressions.
KEY ACTORS
Biden (US)
>> US considers Cyprus an important partner for regional stability and security in the EastMed & thankful for its important role in addressing global challenges.
>> Committed to working with Anastasiades to further deepen strong ties between US & Cyprus and address issues of common interest in the EastMed.
>> US continues to support Cyprus’ reunification based on a BBF & welcomes UNSG’s efforts to find common ground for the resumption of the negotiations. Will continue encourage Turkish side’s constructive participation to the next round of talks under UN auspices.
>> US concerned by Turkish side’s unilateral decision to open part of Varosha & continues to call for the reversal of this move and against further provocative actions.
>> Gives reassurances of his personal commitment to renew & enhance the two countries’ strong ties that stand on the strong foundation established during his term as VP & would like to continue soon discussions with Anastasiades on various issues of common interest.
Dendias: Cyprob at worst point since 1974
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The international community stands against Turkey’s insistence on a two-state solution in Cyprus, the government said while Greece called on Ankara to avoid further provocations on the Cyprus problem, the dailies report.
Alithia and Haravgi, report that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said, commenting on the decision by the Turkish National Security Council that Ankara would continue to support a solution of two sovereign, equal states in Cyprus, that the international community was against this position.
When asked by members of the press to comment the latest announcement by Ankara, the minister said: “we did not expect to hear anything different from the National Security Council of Turkey.”
He added that the government’s efforts on the Cyprus problem do not stop because of these statements and this approach by Turkey. “On the contrary, our persistence, our will, is strengthened, so that conditions are created as soon as possible, for the resumption of substantive talks based on the relevant United Nations resolutions.”
Christodoulides said that what he keeps from this approach by Turkey on changing the basis of the solution of the Cyprus problem, was the universal negative reaction, not just from the Republic of Cyprus, but also the entire international community, the five members of the Security Council, the EU, that such a thing is not even up for discussion.
This, he stressed, was also something that the US Secretary of State was clear about in a conversation they had this week on this position by Turkey.
Christodoulides also said they were waiting for the arrival of the UN secretary-general’s special envoy, Jane Holl Lute, as soon as possible, “to see how conditions are created for the resumption of talks.”
Phileleftheros reports that TC leader Ersin Tatar appeared excited by the Turkish National Security Council’s statement and thanked Turkey for its support for a two-state solution.
Politis reports that there is still no final date on Lute’s visit but cites diplomatic sources saying this will take place within the first half of June. The also daily reports that there are no great expectations from Lute’s visit.
Reporting on Thursday’s teleconference between the two leaders on Thursday on the reopening of the crossing, Politis said that this was a good opportunity to break the ice between them and to create a channel of communication in view of the way forward, but it was not used as an opportunity to enter a substantive discussion in relation to the Cyprus issue.
The daily also reports that Tatar did not miss the opportunity to stress that an agreement on the Cyprus issue can be reached with absolute respect for the principle of equality, saying that respect for the principle of equality could lead to cooperation in similar areas and this will help consolidate trust between the two sides. But at the same time, responding indirectly to Anastasiades’ call to meet to discuss CBMs and the Cyprus problem in general, he focused on meetings and discussions between Andreas Mavroyiannis and Ergun Olgun at the level of negotiators, a fact that shows that he does not want for the time being any detailed meeting-discussion Anastasiades, the daily reported.
Haravgi and Phileleftheros report that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias expressed the position that Turkey should avoid further provocations in the Cyprus issue. Speaking at the Regional Growth Conference held in Patras, Dendias said Turkey’s stance burdens an already extremely difficult problem and makes it even more difficult to solve. “We are far behind anything that would allow hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The Turkish presence in Geneva a few weeks ago has unfortunately brought us to the worst point since 1974 until today,” Dendias said. He said there cannot be a solution outside the framework of international law, adding that this was the first time that Turkey and the TC side question this framework. We are in the worst place we have ever been. Geneva was many steps back, he said, the dailies report.
KEY ACTPORS
Christodoulides
>> GC side continues efforts for resumption of substantive talks based on the relevant UN resolutions, despite Ankara’s insistence on a two-state solution, a position opposed by entire international community, including the P5 and the EU.
>> GC side looks forward to Lute’s arrival to see how conditions are created for the resumption of talks.
Tatar
>> The Cyprob can be solved with respect for the principle of equality which could lead to cooperation in similar areas & will help consolidate trust between the two sides.
Dendias
>> Calls on Turkey avoid further provocations in Cyprob & abandon position on two states that makes the Cyprob solution even more difficult than it already is.
>> TCs’ & Turkey’s submitted positions on Cyprob at Geneva summit have led the process many steps back, to the worst point since 1974 as this was the first time they questioned the framework of international law.
Garber: CYCLOPS training centre will help bring greater security to region
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and US Ambassador Judith Garber visited on Thursday the construction site of the Cyprus Centre for Land Open-seas and Port Security (CYCLOPS) training facility in Larnaca.
The construction of the training facility was envisaged in a Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 2020 by Christodoulides and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the context of bilateral cooperation between the two states.
Christodoulides said the training facility will become operational in January 2022. He said equipment for the centre amounting to €2m is expected in the coming period. Thanking the US and Ambassador Judith Garber personally Christodoulides said this cooperation leads to the establishment of a Cypriot-owned regional training centre and is a token of the strengthening of the two countries’ bilateral relations in issues of security. He added that their bilateral relations are at the highest level than ever before.
“The training centre will strengthen our joint aim for the peace and security in the region through the operation of the centre providing training on issues of military security,” he added. He also said that there is strong interest for cooperation and participation in the training facility by EU member states and other regional states. So far, he said, there is interest from three EU member states and three neighbouring countries but did not give more details. Once CYCLOPS is up and running, more details would be given, he said.
Garber referred to the progress on site since the ground-breaking ceremony five months ago. “The strong foundation that you see here is very reflective of the growing partnership between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus,” she said.
Recalling the remarks during Christodoulides’ phone conversation with US Secretary Blinken that the two states have a shared commitment to greater stability security and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean region, she said this state-of-the-art faculty of Cyprus “is going to help us in partnership be able to bring greater security to the region.”
Complaints by Famagusta businesses over crossings
Phileleftheros
CBMs, Economy
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that tourist agencies in the free Famagusta area have already started advertising organised excursions to the occupied areas even before the crossings opened.
It adds that one business in the area said they are expecting to start the excursions from mid next week and another one said they were waiting from their associates in the north information on the costs. Another business said they expect to start these excursions to the occupied areas for tourists staying in hotels in Protaras and Paralimni before July 20.
The tour packages include driving around the fenced area of Varosha, stops at Salamina and Bogazi, trips to Apostolos Andreas monastery, to Kyrenia and the Bellapais Abbey, and the occupied part of Nicosia for shopping. Shopping opportunities are also offered in the other tour packages, according to Phileleftheros.
The daily also reports that farmers, and small and medium-sized businesses in the retail and dining sectors operating in the free Famagusta area mainly in Dherynia, have expressed their concerns over the reopening of the crossings, since it affects tourist traffic in the district.
Farmers and businesspeople told the daily that they are at a crucial point as regards their financial situation and the government ought to take this into consideration before agreeing to opening the crossings.
Conservation works at Asha church completed
Alithia, Haravgi
CBMs, EU Matters, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage announced that conservation works on the perimeter wall at the Panagia church in the village of Asha have been completed.
The 15th century church, which was selected as part of the priority intervention projects, benefitted from two phases of conservation works, funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The first phase began in November 2018 and consisted of soft cleaning of wall surfaces, structural consolidation and protection of historical plasters, roof and crack repairs, installation of a drainage system in the yard, provision of new floor material and restoration of walls, windowsills and doorsills. Following the installation of a drainage system, the first phase of conservation works ended in September 2019. The second phase with additional conservation works at the perimeter wall of the church ended in May 2021, marking the completion of the project.
It was announced that through its work, the Committee aims not only to restore the monuments, but also to create an atmosphere for building confidence and a culture of peace on the island.
Since 2012, 88 cultural heritage sites islandwide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by the Committee and UNDP, with funding from the EU. this was to the tune of €22.4m.