Front Page Headlines
They were left battling with ash and coal
‘P’ step by step on the road of the fire and despair of the people.
- Varosha-Erdogan: We’re responding to the faits accomplis with a National Council!
- No one to blame: They said the same for the Solea fire
- Rise of cases: Battle with cases to avoid a lockdown
Astronomical cost
The Solea fire cost €110 million – Now, just in home-property damage it’s €7 million. The Agricultural ministry is recording the massive destruction for farmers.
- Decisions for Famagusta at the National Council
- Double message from Ursula to Tayyip Erdogan
Cry of despair… Toils of an entire lifetime vanished
Destruction of biblical proportions. It was a hellish fire.
- Varosha: ‘Move of confusion and division’. National Council convening
- Alarm on ‘red’ from coronavirus cases. They surged to 827
Bleak warning over Varosha
If Varosha is lost, it would be ‘the tombstone of the Cyprus problem’ says president.
- As Covid cases hit 827, expert says prepare for 1,000 if we’re not careful
Speedy assistance for those affected by fire
Council of Ministers decides today. The government will move in three directions: a) Immediate payment of a lump-sum allowance b) Recording of damage for payment of compensation c) Repair infrastructure that affect the agricultural industry. Human tragedies – Counting wounds in the ash.
- Cut Erdogan’s cough: President of the Republic issues a call to foreign diplomats
- SEK to government: The strategy of employment of foreign workers should be modernised
- 827 cases yesterday: Coronavirus out of control, it’s rising…
Main News
Anastasiades: ‘Losing Varosha will be the tombstone of Cyprob’
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, Territory
OVERVIEW
President Nicos Anastasiades met the Famagusta Municipal Council on Tuesday to discuss concerns over Varosha, with Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou stating after the meeting that Anastasiades said that losing Varosha to resettlement under TC administration would be the tombstone of the Cyprus problem, the dailies report.
Citing Anastasiades, Ioannou said that “because territory is one of the most fundamental issues of the Cyprus problem, if this part is lost, then there will be insurmountable problems and it will probably be the end of the Cyprus problem.”
Cyprus Mail reports that it appears the message Anastasiades passed to the Famagusta Municipality was that effectively Cyprus was on its own in its attempts to thwart whatever Turkey has planned. Ioannou said that Anastasiades told them there were countries that have vested interests in maintaining relations with Turkey and that the situation was difficult.
An announcement by the Presidency regarding Anastasiades’ meeting with the Famagusta Municipal Council, the government said Anastasiades gave reassurances that he will do his utmost to deter Turkey from creating new faits accomplis, with the aim of returning to a creative dialogue for the resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
The announcement said Anastasiades briefed his interlocutors on the government’s ongoing contacts with the international community, the UN, EU but also leaders of third countries aimed at protecting Varosha as per UNSC resolutions 550 and 789, adding that the government is “meeting their full support for our positions, which are based on international law, as well as their full understanding of Turkey’s illegal actions that are in violation of UN resolutions.”
Anastasiades also said he would convene the National Council in the coming days to discuss any further course of action deemed necessary. Phileleftheros and Politis report that Ioannou will also be present at the National Council session. Politis reports that the session will take place over the coming days.
Ioannou said they asked Anastasiades that the government be ready to react to any announcements and moves made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in relation to Varosha when he visits the north on July 20. He said he also asked that the National Council issue a unanimous decision.
“Each party has its own view of how we got here, but the issue is what we do now,” Ioannou said. He said if party leaders were not able to reach a unanimous decision it would be best if the National Council was not convened.
He added that the position of the Municipal council on the matter was unanimous. “The GCs must return under the auspices of the UN, as provided for in UN Resolutions 550 and 789. But on the other hand, we must be prepared to deal with any situation that may arise if the GCs are urged to return under Turkish administration.”
Ioannou also said that Anastasiades told them that he is in contact with the Legal Service, the Foreign Ministry and the Embassies of Cyprus abroad to do whatever is necessary to protect Varosha. He added that they suggested that the UNSC be requested to convene if Erdogan takes action on Varosha. Attorney-General Giorgos Savvides, who was also present at the meeting, gave reassurances that the government was studying all measures provided for based on international law.
Ioannou assessed that Erdogan may announce the opening of part of the tourist area of Varosha and if the international community’s reaction is lukewarm he might later announce the complete settlement of the town and invite the GC residents to return under TC administration. He said the state must be ready to give answers to those who say that if they do not return under TC administration, they will lose their property, and explain what the status of these people if they return will be.
He also referred to statements by TC leader Ersin Tatar this week that Varosha belongs to EVKAF and wondered what people would do if they return and see their property rights questioned by the religious endowment foundation that claims that most of the fenced area belongs to it.
Asked if there were indications that the people of Famagusta want to return under TC administration, Ioannou said there are some who already said so and who argue that if they do not, their property will be lost anyway. “It’s a move of confusion and discord. The Turks know what they are doing,” he said.
Ioannou reminded the public of the protest his Municipality is organising on July 19 in Dherynia against Erdogan’s visit a day later and invited everyone to participate.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Since territory is one of the most fundamental issues of Cyprob, if Varosha is lost, then there will be insurmountable problems and it will probably be the end of Cyprob
>> Will do his utmost to deter Turkey from creating new faits accomplis, with the aim of returning to a creative dialogue for the resolution Cyprob on the basis of UNSC resolutions
>> Government holding ongoing contacts with international community, EU & UN over Varosha, with interlocutors expressing their full support for Nicosia’s positions
EC President reiterates that two states are no-go for EU
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen reiterated on Tuesday that the EU would never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus, and highlighted the EU’s sensitivity to the forthcoming visit of the Turkish President to the north.
Replying to a question during a joint press conference at the European Parliament (EP) with the EP President David Sassoli, and Janez Jansa, the Prime Minister of Slovenia, which is currently holding the Presidency of the EU, Von der Layen said “I was speaking to the Turkish president a while ago and I was very clear on the planned visit, that we are very sensitive on watching how this visit is going to be.”
She added that she was clear that the EU will not accept anything involving a proposal for a two-state solution.
KEY ACTORS
Von der Leyen (EU)
>> EU would never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus
>> Told Erdogan that EU is sensitive to his forthcoming visit to the north and will be watching
US supports UN efforts to reach BBF solution, Ambassador says
Alithia, Cyprus Mail
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The US said on Tuesday it supported UN efforts to resume formal negotiations to settle the Cyprus problem, with President Joe Biden convinced that a solution is not only possible but that it would benefit all Cypriots and the wider region, the dailies report.
Speaking during an event to mark the 245th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, US ambassador Judith Garber said the strong bilateral relationship with the Republic of Cyprus was based on more than 60 years of friendship and many milestones reached during that period. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the inauguration of President John F Kennedy.
“In the same spirit of optimism that characterised the Kennedy administration, the Biden administration is committed to supporting a Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated effort to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF). President Biden remains convinced not only that a solution is possible, but that a reunited island would benefit all Cypriots and the wider region,” Garber said.
President Nicos Anastasiades expressed his deep appreciation for the continuous US support in reaching a settlement that would reunite Cyprus on the agreed basis of a BBF, a position reiterated by President Biden through his letter of May 28. He said Biden also expressed his serious concerns with regard to Turkey’s decision to reopen a part of Varosha, stressing that the US have urged and will continue to urge a reversal of this decision and will discourage further provocative actions.
In view of the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the north on July 20, Anastasiades urged diplomatic missions present to convey to their government the need to impress upon Erdogan the need to refrain from inflaming further tensions through any new illegal actions, particularly as regards Varosha. He said that if Turkey proceeds with such actions, this will be the tombstone of not only resuming the negotiating process also of reaching a viable and functional settlement.
Anastasiades said that this is why, “in a constructive manner and with a sincere political will to defuse tensions,” he submitted a proposal for the adoption of bold Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) that could prove to be a game changer in addressing concerns of both sides.
KEY ACTORS
Garber (US)
>> Biden administration committed to supporting a Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated effort to reunify Cyprus as a BBF
>> President Biden remains convinced not only that a solution is possible, but that a reunited island would benefit all Cypriots and the wider region
Anastasiades
>> Deeply appreciative for continuous US support in reaching a BBF solution
>> Called on foreign diplomatic missions to convey to their government the need to impress upon Erdogan the need to refrain from inflaming further tensions through new illegal actions, particularly as regards Varosha
>> If Turkey proceeds with such actions, this will be the tombstone of not only resuming the negotiating process also of reaching a viable and functional settlement
>> Proposed CBMs in view of defusing tensions, since they could prove to be a game changer in addressing concerns of both sides
PACE tables motion for resolution on Varosha
Phileleftheros
Territory, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Phileleftheros reports that a motion for the adoption of a resolution supporting the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants has been tabled by members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), following an initiative by the Famagusta Association of Great Britain.
The motion gathered the required signatures of at least 20 members of PACE and is due to be discussed at the Assembly probably in September.
The text of the resolution proposed states that the Parliamentary Assembly should reaffirm its support for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed framework for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation (BBF) with a single sovereignty, single citizenship and international personality and political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSC) and the High-Level Agreements, “noting however that this has yet to be achieved”.
It then refers to the failure to secure the return to Famagusta of the city’s lawful inhabitants, despite the relevant UN resolutions. The text adds that the Assembly should join the European Parliament which, in its Resolution issued on November 26, 2020 on Varosha, condemned Turkey’s illegal activities in Varosha and warned that the town’s partial reopening weakens prospects for a solution, exacerbates divisions and entrenches the permanent partition of the island.
The motion adds that “underlining the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) call for the resumption of negotiations on the basis of the Common Declaration of February 11, 2014 and his six-point Framework of June 30, 2017 and the convergences achieved,” the Assembly should: call on Turkey to act according to UNSC resolutions and return Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants; reaffirm the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign right to exploit its natural resources to the benefit of all people of Cyprus; urge Council of Europe Member States to exert pressure on Turkey to co-operate and refrain from actions that are inconsistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions.