Front Page Headlines
“Those opposing a federal settlement lost 20 per cent of their votes”
Associate Prof Dr Charis Psaltis, a social psychologist from the University of Cyprus evaluated the results of the elections in South Cyprus. He said that contrary to claims, parties opposed to a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) lost ground in the last elections by almost 20 per cent.
Our bitter reality
The June 5 World Environment Day drew attention and raised questions about the state of the environment in our country. We live in a country where neither the environment nor nature is protected. More importantly, there aren’t adequate measures in place. Environmental pollution is out of control. In addition to that, a report prepared by a parliamentary sub-committee on forest fires reveals the stark reality.
- Crossings started, life comes back to shops – There were long queues especially at the crossing points in Nicosia on the second day of reopening of the checkpoints between the TRNC and South Cyprus.
“We missed this”
The greeting of people crossing over from the south with red carpets and lokma (sweet doughnuts), as well as the friendly conversations held between Greek Cypriot police and Turkish Cypriots who crossed to the south, was heartwarming. The joy experienced on both sides of the island following the reopening of the crossing points, particularly at the Lokmacı (Ledra St) crossing point made it to the headlines on both sides.
- Annita ready – For the first time, a female candidate has been suggested for the post of house speaker for the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives.
- Figures high – 4,966 people crossed over to the north on the second day and 3,711 on the first day.
- Greek Cypriots who rushed to the north with their cars filled their tanks for half the price.
Yet another black wreath
This time around, the TBK (Turkish Peace Forces) War-veterans’ association was at our doorstep. The TBK Association came to our doorstep, staging a protest condemning our newspaper. Head of the Association Kadir Dedeoğlu said they were staging the protest due to accusations made against war veterans.
- A favourite of the embassy – Fascist mob under the protection of the embassy. Fascist Mehmet İpek, who was among those who led the mob attack to our newspaper, was photographed together with Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Başçeri, Turkish Minister for Trade Mehmet Muş, Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı and Sunat Atun.
Main News
Crossings steadily rise, long queues start forming at checkpoints
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs, Economy
OVERVIEW
The number of people using the crossing points which opened on Friday after remaining closed for a year-and-a-half saw a steady rise on the weekend.
A total of 8,737 crossings were recorded as of 6 pm on Saturday with 4,966 crossings south to the north and 3,771 from the north to the south. The highest number of crossings were recorded at the Metehan (Ayios Domethios) crossing point with 2,138 crossings.
Yenidüzen on Sunday reported that the long queues had formed at crossing points once again, especially at Metehan (Ayios Domethios). According to the information obtained by the daily’s reporters, more people were crossing from the south to the north compared to the north to the south.
The daily attributed this to the fall in the value of the Turkish Lira against the Euro.
In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Saturday said the crossing points, now that they have reopened will help revive economic activity in the country.
In a statement issued from his office regarding his meeting with Vision Cyprus Association on Saturday, Tatar argued that a two-state solution model based on the collaboration of the two sovereign states is more widely accepted as the most feasible option for a settlement on the island.
Parties opposed to a federal settlement lost ground in the last elections
Yenidüzen
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Political parties which oppose a bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement (BBF) in Cyprus lost ground up to 20 per cent in the last elections in the south, Social Psychologist Associate Professor Dr Charis Psaltis from the University of Cyprus told Yenidüzen in an interview published on Sunday.
Psaltis said that contrary arguments being made, especially by the leadership in the north, that those who supported a federal settlement had lost ground and those who opposed a BBF had increased their votes in the recent parliamentary elections in the south were not accurate.
“DIKO, EDEK, the Solidarity Movement, the Citizens’ Alliance, ELAM and the Ecologists who all oppose a federal settlement had received 40 per cent of the votes in the last elections in 2016. These parties only received 20 per cent of the votes in Sunday’s election,” he said, adding that AKEL and DISY on the other hand only lost five per cent.
Psaltis said that there was a growing tendency in the south in support of a federal settlement as opposed to a two-state solution. “A survey carried out at the end of 2020 has shown us that 76 per cent of Greek Cypriots believed that a federal settlement is a good or acceptable solution model,” he added.
Psaltis also pointed out that the parties had not focused on the Cyprus Problem during their election campaigns. “It is, therefore, illogical to link the outcome of the election with the Greek Cypriot leadership’s position vis-a-vis the Cyprus Issue,” he said.
“Even though it seems that ELAM has raised its votes, the party which raised its votes the most was DIPA, a party formed by those who broke off from DIKO,” Psaltis said.
Tatar: The EU must revise its Cyprus policies
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Saturday argued that the EU’s policies on Cyprus constituted the biggest obstacle before a solution on the island and urged the bloc to revise its policies.
According to a statement issued by Tatar’s spokeswoman Berna Çelik Doğruyol, following a meeting between Tatar and the Director-General of the Structural Reform Support division Mario Sava on Friday, the Turkish Cypriot leader asked the EU to honour its promises made to the Turkish Cypriot community and to lift embargoes imposed on it.
He also argued that the solution of the Cyprus Problem can only be achieved if the two sides’ “absolute equality” is respected.
Reiterating his expectation that the EU will revise its Cyprus policies disregarding the Turkish Cypriots’ legitimate rights, Tatar said the bloc’s relations with the Turkish Cypriots must be based on respecting the equal rights of the two sides.
Nava for his part said the EU will support a solution that is mutually accepted by the two sides.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> EU must honour its promises to the TC community & lift embargoes imposed on it.
>> A solution of Cyrob is only possible if two sides absolute equality is respected.