TCC Press Review 2 July 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Land request for Rauf Denktaş University

The Rauf Denktaş University wants the land in Kermiye (Ayios Dhometios) to build its university campus. Yenidüzen obtained the “land request” which is believed to be the cause of the government crisis and ongoing bargaining in parliament to establish a quorum.

  • An increase in case numbersNorth: 8,298 tests: 61 cases. South 37,450 tests: 443 cases.

Kıbrıs

The cracks in the (coalition) government are growing

The UBP (National Unity Party) – DP (Democratic Party) – YDP (Rebirth Party) minority government is in a crisis after being unable to appoint a replacement for Koral Çağman who resigned from the post of labour minister. MPs have been unable to achieve a quorum in parliament for days thus being unable to set a date for early elections.

  • We will not allow anyone to usurp our rightsPresident Ersin Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who was in the TRNC on a working trip emphasized Turkey’s determination on the hydrocarbons issue during the joint press conference held after their meeting.

Havadis

Warning of retaliation

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu came. Preparations for (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan’s July 20 visit and stern messages were given. Çavuşoğlu also said the appointment of a special advisor will not be accepted after (UN Secretary-General) Antonio Guterres brought the issue to the table. In view of the Greek Cypriot side’s hydrocarbon activities, Çavuşoğlu said Erdoğan’s proposal of holding a regional conference and the TRNC’s proposal on equitable revenue sharing is still on the table.

  • United Federal CyprusRepublican Turkish Party (CTP) in its street protests expressed different opinions while President Ersin Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu worked on different dossiers. The placards carried by the participants at the protests held in Kyrenia came as a response.

Diyalog

Ugly bargaining

The DP MP Serdar Denktaş proposed YDP MP Bertan Zaroğlu to take up the post of labour minister which is under his party. Afet Özcafer reacted strongly. A new crisis is being experienced within the coalition government in which the DP holds two seats. The DP reacted strongly following Denktaş’s proposal. DP General Secretary Özcafer said that ugly bargaining was going on behind closed doors and called on Denktaş to make a statement.

  • Important message – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşğlu who met with President Ersin Tatar said that Maraş (Varosha) initiative will not violate property rights.
  • Stop Erdoğan – Anastasiades sends a letter to US President Joe Biden to prevent Maraş (Varosha) initiative.
  • Extra leave for troops – Following a surge in cases in South Cyprus, three different forms of incentives being provided for youth avoiding getting vaccinated.

Avrupa

Civil servants to pay the price of the private jet

As part of the investigation on the private jet that landed at Ercan (Tymbou) airport on June 12, 2020, the customs officers, who have nothing to do with the incident, were charged on three accounts of being absent from their post, failing to comply with orders and neglecting their duty.

  • Erdoğan coming with a crowdTayyip Erdoğan will attend the July 20 ceremonies with the members of the Central Executive Board and with MPs.

Main News

The Turkish side rejects the mentality that perceives the TCs as a minority

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

“Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) ignore the mentality that sees the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Thursday during a joint press conference with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

Holding a press conference after his face-to-face meeting with Tatar in Nicosia, Çavuşoğlu said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regional Eastern Mediterranean conference proposal was still on the table.

He also added that TRNC’s proposals on equitable income sharing are also on the table. Urging the EU and UN to take the necessary step on equitable resource sharing, Çavuşoğlu said that their failure to do so will leave the Turkish side with no choice but to take its own steps.

On the negotiations process, Çavuşoğlu called the informal conference in Geneva in late April “a milestone for the Cyprus issue.” He added: “An era has come to an end, and a new one begins. In Geneva, the Turkish Cypriot side put on the agenda a new, realistic and results-oriented proposal.”

Çavuşoğlu also said that it was out of the question for Turkish Cypriots to be treated as a minority. Regarding the idea of the appointment of a special UN envoy for Cyprus, the Turkish Foreign Minister rejected the idea, stating that there was no meaning for such an appointment before the launch of new talks.

He said that the Secretary-General’s special envoy Jane Holl Lute was already tasked with bringing the two sides on common ground which currently did not exist. The Turkish foreign minister added that the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions no longer corresponded to the realities on the island and that the Greek Cypriots and international community should stop hiding behind these resolutions.

Çavuşoğlu also said that plans to reopen Maraş (VArosha) will go ahead as planned without violating property rights and in compliance with international law and UNSC resolutions.

Tatar, for his part, said that the time has come for Greek Cypriots to act according to the realities of Cyprus and accept the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriots. He said there have been two separate states on the island since the 1960s. He also added that both sides on the island of Cyprus should be recognized as equals before launching official negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

Also coming together with Çavuşoğlu on Thursday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner said there was full harmony with Ankara on a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

In a post on social media post, Saner also urged the UN, EU and the international community to see the realities on the island and to convince the Greek Cypriot side to be forthcoming for a solution on the island.

Meanwhile, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Asım Akansoy in an open letter addressed to Çavuşoğlu slammed Ankara for its policies in support of a two-state solution in Cyprus. Publishing his letter on social media, Akansoy argued that the two-state policy only served the continuation of the non-solution on the island. He also urged the Turkish Minister to read up on Ankara’s election meddling in the published report attempting to re-shape the Turkish Cypriot community in line with Ankara’s policies.

“Turkish Cypriots nonetheless existed with their own values and their own will on the island,” Akansoy said, adding that they will also never bow down to external pressures. He also stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people want a mutually accepted, lasting and comprehensive settlement on the island and the policies against the solution will never find any support among the community either.

“It is not possible to achieve anything through sovereign equality nor is a solution based on two states possible,” Akansoy stressed, arguing that it is not plausible to try to convince anyone of a sovereign entity in the north when the community’s leader is appointed by Ankara through election meddling.

“Not being able to reach a federal settlement does not mean that attempts to reach a federation are exhausted,” Akansoy added, noting that the Turkish Cypriots will not accept continuing to live with the status quo.

“What’s feasible is a United Federal Cyprus and we will reach this goal Mr Çavuşoğlu,” he stressed, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will continue to work to reach a federal settlement in Cyprus based on political equality.

“I urge you to give up on the secessionist position of a two-state model, abandon your policies against a solution and return to the UNSC resolutions as well as respect the political will of the Turkish Cypriots,” Akansoy concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Erdoğan’s regional Eastern Mediterranean conference proposal is still on the table.
>>TC side’s proposals on equitable income sharing are also on the table.
>> EU & UN should take necessary steps on equitable resource sharing.
>> It is out of the question for Turkish Cypriots to be treated as a minority.
>> No point in appointing a new UN special advisor before the launch of new negotiations.
>> UNSC resolutions no longer corresponded to the realities on the island.
>> Plans to reopen Maraş (Varosha) will go ahead as planned without violating property rights & in compliance with international law & UNSC resolutions.

Tatar
>>The time has come for GCs to act according to the realities of Cyprus & accept the sovereign equality of TCs.
>> Both sides on the island of Cyprus should be recognized as equals before launching official negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

Saner (UBP)
>> TC side in full harmony with Ankara.
>> UN, EU & international community should see realities on the island & convince the GC side to be forthcoming for a solution on the island.

Akansoy (CTP)
>> Two-state policy only serves the continuation of the non-solution of the Cyprob.
>> TCs’ political will should be respected. TCs will never bow down to external pressures.
>> TCs desire a mutually accepted, lasting & comprehensive settlement on & any policies against a solution will never find support.
>> Not possible to achieve anything through sovereign equality or a solution based on two states.
>> Not being able to reach a federal settlement does not mean that attempts to reach a federation are exhausted.
>> TCs will continue to work for a federal settlement in Cyprus.


TC side determined to take reciprocal steps on hydrocarbons

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry on Thursday slammed the Greek Cypriot energy minister’s remarks on Exxon Mobil resuming its hydrocarbon activities by the end of the year.

In a written statement, the ministry said the Turkish Cypriot side will take reciprocal and simultaneous steps to protect its rights and interests over the region’s natural resources in response to unilateral steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side as well as its refusal to equitable share and collaborate on the issue.

Arguing that the Greek Cypriot side is responsible for escalating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, the ministry recalled that the Greek Cypriot side continued to sign bilateral agreements with other countries in the Mediterranean and grant licenses to international energy companies as opposed to the Turkish Cypriot side which has always called for collaboration and diplomacy.

It also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side together with Turkey had taken steps to protect its legitimate rights and interests in 2011 after the Greek Cypriot side flatly rejected all calls for collaboration.

The ministry stressed that it will continue to remind the Greek Cypriot side that the only way to utilize the hydrocarbon resources in the region is to collaborate with the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue.

“We wish to remind the Greek Cypriot side that their only interlocutor on the issue of energy is the Turkish Cypriot side,” the ministry stressed, noting that Turkey’s proposal of holding a regional conference on the issue as well as the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal submitted in 2019 for collaboration was still on the table.

“Whilst the international community wants de-escalation of tension in the region, it must realise the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is the source of the tension in the region,” the ministry said, adding that the two sides on the island without having to wait for a comprehensive settlement, can overcome the problems through diplomacy and dialogue.

KEY ACTORS
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> TC side will take reciprocal & simultaneous steps to protect its rights & interests over the region’s natural resources.
>> TC side has always opted for diplomacy & collaboration.
>> The only way to utilize hydrocarbon resources is through collaboration.
>> TC side only interlocutor of GC side on the energy issue.
>> TC side’s proposals still on the table.
>> International community must acknowledge GC side’s responsibility in escalating tensions in the East Med.  


Erdoğan to visit north with a large AKP delegation

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Regional/ International Relations

OVERVIEW

Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesman Ömer Çelik on Thursday confirmed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be in the north on July 20 to attend the ceremonies to be held on the anniversary of Turkey’s military intervention.

Speaking to media following an AKP meeting in Ankara, the Spokesman also noted that Erdoğan will be accompanied by the party’s MPs and the members of the Central Executive Board.

“This year our participation will have a special meaning,” Çelik said, arguing that animosity against the Turkish Cypriot state is on the rise. He added that the attempts to usurp the Turkish Cypriots’ rights are also underway. “At a time like this, we have to show the world, Turkey under the leadership of our president will be showing solidarity with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Çelik concluded.


TC authorities warn crossings could close again as case numbers climb


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, CBMs

OVERVIEW

If coronavirus cases continue to rise in the southern part of the island, there could be an interruption of crossings between the two sides, Turkish Cypriot authorities said on Thursday. Speaking on a TV programme, Health Minister Ünal said that if daily coronavirus cases rise to 500 and 600 it could be an issue as regards crossings.

Üstel said that from the around 70 daily cases in the south the numbers have recently risen to 430 while if they go over 500 or 600 then the south will be put in the red category. If this happens, he said, the issue of interruption of crossings may arise. Daily numbers have been steadily rising since last week with authorities announcing on Wednesday 429 new cases. Numbers have also climbed in the north although not at the same rate.

Üstel claimed that the rise in cases in the south was because the country opened for tourism without testing and adequate checks. The south is currently in the north’s orange category countries. According to an agreement between the two sides on the regulation of crossings during the pandemic, the epidemiological situation will be categorised based on three levels of risk.

When the situation is deemed as level 1 (green) no restrictions will apply. For level 2 (orange), which is the current situation, a seven-day negative rapid or PCR test is necessary. Crossings will be closed to the general public when the situation is classed as level 3 (red). In this situation, crossings will only be allowed to workers, students and people who need to cross between the two sides for medical treatment.


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