Front Page Headlines
Pre-emptive questioning of the probe by (Auditor-general) Odysseas
Cornered over the late interest in the investment scheme (KEP) and the backing of (state treasurer) Rea (Georgiou) and (her husband’s abattoir) Cypra. He raised the issue of powers for the probe into his actions by the investigative committee on the ‘golden’ passports and asked for the exemption of Kypros Michaelides from the committee on Cypra. Ethical, political, criminal and disciplinary responsibilities for the naturalisations. Suggestion for the revocation of 85 passports by the Nikolatos committee. (Audit Office official) Andreas Hasapopoulos is circled by suspicion for leakage of confidential information to Rea Georgiou’s husband with coverage by Odysseas who was giving instructions.
- Government reshuffling: changes of need and publicity
- (Health Minister) Constantinos Ioannou: to resign pending the reshuffling
Two in three are problematic
The investigative committee finds ‘mass illegality’ over the passports (issued to foreign investors) but it absolves politicians and officials. Criminal responsibilities only for applicants and providers.
- The presidential palace is looking for ministers – Bridges of cooperation ahead of a reshuffling.
- DIKO to decide today (on the House president), AKEL up to Thursday
- The sergeant who was injured (by his own) gun was lucky (It fired and shot his leg while he was cleaning it)
They illegally insist on penalising also trade union action
Attacks against the nurses’ strike by the health ministry, DISY and KEVE (Chamber Of Commerce and Industry).
- Racist attack by a high-school headmaster with an African pupil as the victim
- The dialogue within AKEL has started ahead of the 23rd Congress
- International relations – Heiko Maas: The right to veto must be abolished
Ministry ignored AG over passports
Investigation finds the legislation until August 2020 was inadequate and lacked regulatory framework.
- Some permanent residents say north not letting them cross
- No decision yet on vaccinating children
The reshuffling will take place next week
The roadmap: the new cabinet will be announced. Official call by Anastasiades to parties for an ecumenical government. Andros: AKEL will not participate in the Anastasiades government.
- Cavusoglu: Turkey will back TCs & GCs if they agree on the negotiation terms
- Finance minister: The G7 decision does not affect us
Main News
‘Cooperation with Estonia could also assist in Cyprob efforts‘
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations, EU Matters, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Haravgi and Phileleftheros report that President Nicos Anastasiades is expected to visit Estonia soon to sign a revised Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of e-governance and ICT, but his visit to Tallinn is also important for developments in the Cyprus problem.
According to the papers, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides paid a working visit to Tallinn on Monday, the first by a Cypriot FM since 2008, to, among other things, prepare the ground for Anastasiades’ visit.
Citing diplomatic sources, the dailies report that the timing of Christodoulides’ visit was particularly important taking into consideration the current critical period for the Cyprus problem and the developments and milestones during the coming period, given the fact that Estonia is not only an EU member state but also a non-permanent UN Security Council member for the period of 2020-2021 and presides over the Council during this month.
The dailies report that the Cyprus News Agency has learned that Christodoulides had an important discussion with his Estonian counterpart, Eva-Maria Liimets, about the need for the UN Security Council to remain vigilant and send clear messages to Ankara as regards the basis for a Cyprus settlement and the issue of the fenced area of Varosha. Christodoulides cited the relevant Security Council Presidential Statement of October 2020 and the UNSC resolutions 550 and 789, as well as about the EU – Turkey relations, particularly in view of the discussion of the issue which is expected to take place during the European Council on June 24-25.
During his visit to Estonia, Christodoulides discussed with his counterpart bilateral relations and ways of further strengthening them, among others, in the fields of trade, tourism, research and innovation and digital transformation. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the broader Eastern Mediterranean region, the Cyprus problem, the EU-Turkey relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest.
He also met with the Speaker of the parliament, Jüri Ratas, and the Chairman of the parliament’s Committee of Foreign Affairs, Marko Mihkelson. He briefed them on the Cyprus problem, among other things.
Haravgi and Alithia also report that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told French daily L’Opinion, in an interview ahead of his visit to Paris, that Turkey would back the efforts of the TCs and GCs in case they agree on the negotiation terms. He also said they believe that a solution can only be achieved if it is based on equal sovereignty and international status.
The Turkish minister expressed hope that France will act as a driving force for the development of Euro-Turkish relations. He said Turkey’s relations with the EU should not be held hostage to the maximalist and nationalist goals of some stubborn countries. He added that the EU can only become a world power with Turkey’s accession, the daily reported.
Haravgi, in another article, reports that Turkish officials continue their own tune as regards a two-state solution, citing statements by Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on the matter. Akar told Turkish daily Hurriyet after the naval exercise Denizkurdu 2021, that, on the Cyprus issue, it must be understood by everyone that there can only be a two-state solution.
Law Office getting expert advice from abroad on Varosha issue
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Territory, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Attorney-general Giorgos Savvides said the state Law Office was receiving legal advice also from experts abroad on the issue of Famagusta, the dailies report.
Alithia reports that, Savvides, asked about information that a team was being set up at the Law Office to examine how the Republic of Cyprus can proceed based on what is happening in the fenced-off area of Famagusta, he said that the problem of Famagusta is a very serious issue “which we are studying thoroughly.”
“We also have the assistance of foreign legal advisers and we are in constant consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the government in general and we provide all the legal advice and support that the executive power asks from us from time to time as per our duty as the legal service of the Republic of Cyprus,” he said, the daily reported.
Cyprus Mail reports that Savvides’ statements follow reports that authorities in the north plan to open up the Varosha area to public access. Reports said the attorney-general’s office has set up a dedicated team to explore what legal measures, if any, the Republic of Cyprus can take concerning developments in Famagusta. A day earlier news broke that a new part of the Golden Coast beach in Varosha stretching to the Venus hotel was almost ready, the daily reports.
Haravgi cites statements by lawyer Achilleas Demetriades to its news portal dialogos.com.cy. He stated that there is room for reaction such as political pressure at the level of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers which is currently meeting in Strasbourg.
Demetriades criticised the government for its inaction on this issue that led to the bad results we are experiencing today. He recalled that the foreign minister, back in June 2019, considered that the announcement for the opening of the fenced area of Varosha was “pre-election fireworks,” the paper reported.
The Yavuz expected to return to the EastMed
Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Energy
OVERVIEW
The papers cite statements by Turkey’s Energy Minister Fatih Donmez that the Yavuz drill rig, once it completes maintenance work, will return to the Mediterranean.
Speaking at the fourth Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Summit, Donmez said that there are some positive developments in the field of natural resources research in the Eastern Mediterranean and that works continue. He said the Yavuz drilling rig, after completing its maintenance work, will resume drilling. The minister said they carried out eight drillings in the Mediterranean and that they have a lot of experience while their fleet has increased. “We are speeding up our work every day,” he said, according to the papers.
The dailies also report that the so-called ‘finance and energy minister’ Erhan Arikli said at the same event that Turkey and the pseudo-state have rights in the Republic of Cyprus’ offshore blocks. He also said that all countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, except Turkey and the ‘TRNC’, have one thing in common: how to keep Turkey outside the development of the region and deprive it of this natural wealth. Arikli said the agreements the Republic of Cyprus signed with Egypt and Israel were the result of the GCs’ efforts to keep Turkey outside of the equation and that these policies were encouraged also by the big states.
Hurdles at Dherynia crossing for permanent residents
Cyprus Mail
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The daily reports it has received complaints by foreign nationals who live permanently in the Republic that they were not allowed to cross to the north on Sunday with TC authorities seeking proof they did not travel abroad the past 14 days.
This demand was put forth by the TC officials at the Dherynia crossing, they said.
People told the daily that both UK nationals and EU citizens who live permanently in the south, though they had presented all the necessary documents, were not allowed by the TC side cross to the north without a court affidavit proving they had not left Cyprus in the previous 14 days. One of the people was told that this new measure was only added on Sunday morning.
GC co-chair of the Technical Committee on Health, Leonidas Phylactou, told the paper that such evidence was not part of the deal reached between the two sides. “When the technical health committee convened to discuss what documents will be necessary to cross over the paper proving permanent residents did not leave the Republic in the last 14 days was not placed in the requirements,” he said. “However, it is a prerogative of each community to ask for additional documents should they deem it necessary. That said, what the two permanent residents living in Cyprus were asked at the crossing on Sunday was not part of the agreement,” he added.
The daily reports that this requirement also appears arbitrary as other permanent residents reported they had crossed to the north from other crossing points without any issue.
Government reshuffle on the cards
Alithia, Phileleftheros, Politis
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades is expected to reshuffle his cabinet soon after the wish by Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou to step down but also the need to fill out some vacant posts.
The president is going for a government of wide acceptance by opposition, the dailies report.
Politis reports that the president wants to show he has received the messages society has sent for cooperation for the promotion of the necessary reforms that have been pending for a while now. He is expected to convene a political leaders’ meeting next week to discuss his ideas.
Health Minister Ioannou has already expressed interest in stepping down, while the president needs to also fill the post of the volunteerism commissioner after the incumbent resigned following the scandal on his forged diplomas. The other posts that need to be filled concern the deputy ministries for social welfare and culture that are expected to be established soon. Government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos might also be given a different post, Politis reported.
Politis and Alithia report, that, according to rumours, Anastasiades is also expected to make a proposal to outgoing House President and AKEL member Adamos Adamou.
Phileleftheros reports that according to information the president has not yet reached the final list of changes he intends to make but that there could be surprises.
AKEL and DIKO, however, have already stated that they will not consent to participate in the new government composition, the dailies report.
Bases reinforce efforts against illegal migration & smuggling
Alithia
External Security, Migration & Citizenship, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The British bases announced that they now have four new specialised patrol vehicles to boost efforts to tackle illegal migration and smuggling along its eastern boundary, the daily reports.
The vehicles, the bases said in a written statement, have been enhanced with flood lighting systems and high definition long range cameras with a thermal imaging capability to combat illegal activity in remote areas. This now brings the number of the bases’ customs and immigration fleet to 11 and will ensure officers are given the best equipment available to perform their duties now crossing points have reopened, the statement said.
Head of SBA Customs and Immigration in Dhekelia, Adam Chatfield, said the new vehicles were an important addition to his team’s capabilities. “The additional vehicles are essential in maintaining our boundary patrols with the uplift in resources,” he said, adding that the thermal imaging is “a fantastic piece of equipment” for covering large areas in low visibility. “These vehicles give us the latest technology for our boundary security work.” He added they have already been put to good use against the threat of illegal immigration, an issue which the Customs chief describes as the ‘main challenge’ for his officers.
“These vehicles help us combat illegal migration by disrupting and deterring this activity. We have already seen a positive impact in various areas along the boundary and this has been down to the use of the additional equipment, resource and good cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in Cyprus,” Chatfield said.
German FM calls for end to veto on EU foreign policy
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has called for an end to the veto on EU foreign policy. As he stated at the Conference of Ambassadors in Berlin, “we can no longer allow ourselves to be held hostage by those who paralyse the European foreign policy with their vetoes.”
“If you do that then sooner or later you are risking the cohesion of Europe. The veto has to go even if that means we can be outvoted,” he said.
According to German media, Haravgi reports, the story behind this is that Hungary recently again blocked EU decisions on the conflict in the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Cyprus Mail reports that Maas’ comments came days after a more junior German official criticised Hungary by name and reflects growing frustration in Berlin at the way in which EU member countries can prevent the bloc from acting in matters on which almost all members agree.