GCC Press Review 1 July 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Don’t get vaccinated‘ and… then they died

Complaints before the Cyprus Medical Association regarding doctors who deterred citizens from getting vaccinated.

  • Cavusoglu in then occupied areas: He’s locking the next steps
  • Christou- Defence Committee: Legally impossible to exclude him
  • In effect from today: ‘Freedom’ pass
  • New cases: Surge yesterday to 429 and 1.18%

Phileleftheros

The privileged and the punished

Covid-free spaces only for the vaccinated – the wrong messages will be sent, scientists say. They’re studying the measures of other European countries, which they could adopt.

  • They’re deciding on a plan of Turkish moves: Road map from Cavusoglu
  • Temperatures rising for Famagusta: Those from Varosha preparing a mobilisation
  • Missing persons were buried in the shaft of an apartment building
  • Responsibilities for naturalisations being divided up
  • Pass for the whole of the European Union but… in the way each person wants to: Traps for travellers

Haravgi

Mental Health Services the ‘poor relative’

The current government and OKYPY drove them to weakness and decline.

  • Initiatives to deter partition
  • Attorney-General on naturalisations: Criminal investigations ‘for those who tricked the system’
  • Certificate: 4 steps to issue the European digital Covid-19 pass

Cyprus Mail

EU digital Covid pass is rolled out

Launched on July 1 but with a six week transitional period before full compliance.

  • Varosha’s future at ‘tipping point’

Alithia

Letter to Biden too

Anastasiades: Moves to prevent the settlement of Famagusta. This is how Famagustians will be tricked: The Turks will ask them to return under Turkish Cypriot administration and then their right will be cast into doubt by EVKAF. Famagusta Municipality: We must respond to Erdogan’s announcements.

  • Naturalisations: Criminal investigations being launched for those who tricked the system
  • And the digital pass for trips was created: In 4 simple steps
  • Cases rising dramatically: Positivity also high

Main News

Famagusta Mayor calls for National Council over Varosha  

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory

OVERVIEW

The situation with regards to Varosha is at a “tipping point” and an urgent meeting of the National Council must be called to come up with a plan to thwart whatever Turkey has in store for the fenced-off town, Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou said on Wednesday according to the dailies.

“Unfortunately, they have paved roads. They have cleaned the public gardens, a large part of the beach, installed kiosks, umbrellas and benches. They are proceeding with installing electricity on the streets. They have demolished the Faliro Centre owned by our Municipality, claiming the building is dangerous and then they have the audacity to tell members of the international community that they have not demolished, cleared or used private property,” he said.

Ioannou said that Famagusta does not belong to Turkey, nor to Erdogan, nor to TC leader Ersin Tatar – Famagusta belongs to the people of Famagusta. Ioannou said the government has a duty to convene a National Council meeting and to come up with a plan of action to deal with whatever Erdogan might announce during his visit on July 20. He said Famagustians will be holding an overnight protest in Dherynia on July 19.

The Municipality has also drawn up a schedule of meetings with Ambassadors on the island in the coming days and weeks to seek practical support for the implementation of UN resolutions. He said if there is no intense pressure from the US, the EU and the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), Turkey would almost certainly move forward with the next step to fully open Varosha under TC administration.

Ioannou also spoke of the discord being caused between the Famagusta refugees, noting that there is no doubt that the impending call to return under TC administration will cause problems. He added that it is clear that Turkey will offer opportunities in order to put a final end to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, based on the agreed UN framework. Ioannou said returning in this manner in no way guarantees future stability or legally guaranteed restitution of property. He said the Municipality was willing to listen and discuss with the refugees who are tempted to take the IPC route.

On Thursday, representatives of the Municipality will meet the US Ambassador and later the Greek Ambassador. They have already met the ambassadors of the four other P5 countries, France, China, Russia and the UK. They will also meet with President Nicos Anastasiades on July 6.

Haravgi reports that AKEL has called on the government to take specific initiatives, and has said that the grim picture painted by the GC negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis has been something that AKEL has been warning about for a long time.

Alithia reports that in statements on Wednesday, Anastasiades said that in an effort to curb Turkey’s plans, a new letter was sent to US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, while another letter is to be sent to the UN Secretary General (UNSG) on Thursday. A series of moves have also been made in the direction of the EU, Anastasiades said, adding that efforts will continue until the resumption of dialogue is achieved.

Responding to a question regarding Varosha, Anastasiades said Turkey’s plans are not recent, they go back many years, and all past Presidents of the Republic have done everything in their power to resolve the Cyprus problem which would be the only way to effectively deal with the occupation. Unfortunately, he said, Turkish intransigence has hindered these efforts.

Anastasiades also said he agrees with the Famagusta Mayor that a return of Famagustians to Varosha under TC administration would be a trap, since their property rights would soon be cast into doubt by EVKAF.

Meanwhile, the dailies report that TC ‘MP’ Oguzhan Hasipoglu was quoted as saying on Wednesday that Greek Cypriots “instead of protesting on July 19, should on July 20 thank the Turkish president and the Turkish Cypriot president”. He said the original intent was to return Varosha under a federal settlement so that it could be enjoyed by both communities, but this luxury is no longer an option.

Regarding the arrival in the north of Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu for contacts with Tatar that will be held on Thursday, Phileleftheros reports that the aims of Cavusoglu’s visit are two-fold. The paper writes that firstly, Cavusoglu wants to check up on the course of ongoing development projects which must be ready by Erdogan’s arrival in the north. Secondly, Cavusoglu will be presenting Tatar with Turkey’s plan of action until September, when Tatar is set to meet again with the UNSG in New York. Cavusoglu and Tatar will also evaluate the current situation based on Tatar’s recent contacts with the UNSG and his Special Envoy Jane Holl Lute, Phileleftheros reports.

Regarding Turkey’s plan of action, Phileleftheros reports that this will unfold in several phases and will effectively be launched during Erdogan’s visit on July 20. The paper writes that Ankara is expecting reactions to Erdogan’s visit to the north, particularly as regards Varosha, and is therefore preparing tactical moves in response. The paper suggests that moves may include Tatar and involve Cyprob negotiations. Turkey is also preparing moves for the New York meeting in September, with the aim of succeeding in getting the negotiations basis to change, Phileleftheros reports.

Citing an interview given by Tatar, Phileleftheros reports that Tatar gave a very clear picture of what he and Ankara are aiming for in terms of the Cyprus problem. Listing four points, Phileleftheros outlines Tatar’s main positions as follows: He does not believe in a federation, arguing that a solution must be based on two states; he does does accept a transformation of the Republic of Cyprus and the consequent merging of TCs into the GC state; he believes UN parameters must be re-examined, arguing that these parameters were based on the view that Cyprob wouldn’t drag on for as long as it is and must now take into account the realities on the island; and finally, Tatar rejects the discussion of four chapters, which he views as being linked to the Guterres Framework, which cannot be discussed since he is not willing to pick up talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana.

Meanwhile, Phileleftheros reports that a spokesperson for the US State Department, responding to a question regarding Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Cyprus which will also feature the inauguration ceremony of a drone military base in the north, said the US support efforts towards the de-escalation of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and continue to call for dialogue and respect for international law. The spokesperson added that the US continue to support a comprehensive settlement for the reunification of the island on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF), which he said will be to the benefit of all Cypriots and the broader region.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
Efforts to curb Turkey’s plans will continue until the resumption of dialogue is achieved
>> Turkey’s plans are not recent, they go back many years, and all past Presidents have done everything in their power to resolve the Cyprus problem which would be the only way to effectively deal with the occupation, but Turkish intransigence has hindered these efforts
>> Famagusta Mayor is right to warn Varosha property owners to not return under TC administration as their properties will soon after be claimed by EVKAF

AKEL
>> Government must take specific initiatives to curb Turkish plans
>> AKEL has been issuing warnings similar to that issued by GC negotiator for years

US State Department
>> US support efforts towards the de-escalation of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and continue to call for dialogue and respect for international law
>> US continue to support a comprehensive settlement for the reunification of the island on the basis of a BBF which will be to the benefit of all Cypriots and the broader region


GC, TC parties meet at Ledra Palace

Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Leaders and representatives of GC and TC political parties participating in the bi-communal meetings at the Ledra Palace Hotel met on Wednesday and warmly welcomed the opportunity to meet in person for the first time after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the dailies report.

According to the joint communiqué issued after the meeting, participants acknowledged that while the bi-communal meetings of the GC and TC political parties continued to be held via videoconference during the pandemic, physical presence is essential for the effectiveness and success of this confidence-building exercise.

Participants also expressed their appreciation for the cooperation of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Parties also welcomed the agreement on the re-opening of crossings, noting that the development is immensely important in restoring the ability of the two communities to communicate.

Parties also called on the two leaders to constructively and effectively engage with each other and with the UN in order to find agreement on common ground for a possible resumption of formal negotiations allowing for a settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the Ledra Palace Hotel.


FM discusses Cyprob, Varosha with French Ambassador

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The Cyprus problem and Varosha were at the focus of a meeting between Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and the Ambassador of France to Cyprus, Salina Grenet-Catalano on Wednesday, the dailies report.

The Foreign Ministry said in a post on its Twitter account that discussions focused on the latest developments in relation to the Cyprus problem, with particular emphasis on Varosha  and UNFICYP.

Grenet-Catalano said in a post on Twitter that the meeting was very productive, stressing the need for a deadlock on the Cyprus problem to be avoided. She said that finding common ground to resume negotiations within UN parameters is key, adding that France will pay particular attention to the situation in Varosha.

Phileleftheros reports that Christodoulides also held a telephone call with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, whose country currently holds a seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC), with the discussion also focusing on Varosha, Cyprob and UNFICYP.

KEY ACTORS
Grenet-Catalano (France)
>>
Cyprob deadlock must be avoided, finding common ground to resume negotiations is key
>> France will pay particular attention to situation in Varosha


TC MEP raises issue of demographics in north with Commission

Alithia, Phileleftheros
Migration & Citizenship, EU Matters

OVERVIEW

In a written question towards the European Commission, MEP Niyazi Kizilyurek raised the issue of demographic changes in the TC community spurred by the granting of citizenships by the ‘TRNC’ to Turkish citizens, the dailies report.

Kizilyurek said the result of this process is the transformation of the north into Turkish mainland, leading to a further diminishing of reunification prospects.

The TC MEP called on the European Commission to take measures to curb this illegal development and to protect the rights of TCs as well as prospects for the reunification of Cyprus.


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