Front Page Headlines
“Farewell”
The family of 15-year-old child labourer Mahmut Gül, who according to the police report died in a work accident, spoke to Yenidüzen. Gül, who died in a horrific accident at the car repair shop he was working at as an unregistered worker was laid to rest yesterday. His parents who went to the morgue in the early hours of the morning to pick up his body for the funeral went into shock. His grief-stricken mother and father explained how they had moved to Cyprus years ago to set up a new life, how they worked day and night for a better future for their children.
- More staff should be assigned. Is this what the public deserves? – Disgraceful scenes at PCR testing sites. Last-minute decisions, panic and long queues. People waiting for hours under the scorching sun were outraged.
- Ombudsperson Emine Dizdarlı to the Prime Minister: “Put an end to constitutional violations” – The ombudswoman Emine Dizdarlı pointed out that the Minister for Labour and Social Security Koral Çağman had resigned on June 25, 2021, and reminded that according to the constitution his replacement needed to be appointed within ten days.
PCR ordeal under 40 centigrade degrees
Health Ministry Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases in its latest measures announced after a spike in daily case numbers made it mandatory to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test before entering certain premises. After the ruling entered into force, long queues formed outside PCR testing centres. People had to wait for long hours under the scorching sun.
- UBP congress to be held on October 24 – National Unity Party (UBP) central executive board (MYK) and the party assembly held a meeting to discuss the party congress and the early election.
- Yet another tragedy –17 irregular migrants -One infant, six children, four women and seven men – were found at Taşlıca (Neta) beach yesterday.
Tempers flared
The health ministry introduced the PCR or rapid test requirement for indoor areas. The public who rushed to get tested had to wait under the sun for hours. Vaccinated individuals are luckier as they will only be required to repeat PCR or rapid tests every seven days. Unvaccinated individuals will be required to repeat their tests every 72 hours. There were long queues outside testing sites, particularly at the Nicosia fairgrounds, the Mucahitler Complex in Nicosia and the Akçiçek Hospital in Kyrenia. The health ministry yesterday published the list of venues that require PCR or rapid tests. It also published a list of private labs and hospitals which carry out free rapid tests.
- ‘We shall not be police officers’ – The safe pass application in South Cyprus draws a reaction from shopkeepers.
- UBP Party Assembly convenes for the first time in seven months. Congress on October 24.
Deceased official removed from duty
The news left the community in shock! The government, which is not even aware of the deaths of its foreign representatives, published a decision in the official gazette removing Dr İhsan Kaya Okur from duty. However, it emerged Dr Kaya had passed away three years ago and was buried in Cyprus. TRNC representative in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Dr Kaya returned to the country after falling ill and died shortly after his treatment at the Nicosia State Hospital.
- Crossings to continue with seven-day PCR tests – Despite including South Cyprus in the red-category of countries, no changes were implemented at the crossing procedures.
- Özcafer to be appointed – Democratic Party (DP) general secretary Afet Özcafer will be appointed as the new Labour and Social Security Minister after Koral Çağman’s resignation.
Main News
Tatar: TCs will not agree to be a minority in a state controlled by GCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Thursday said the Turkish Cypriots, despite desiring a solution to the Cyprus Problem, will not agree to be a minority community in a state controlled by the Greek Cypriots.
In an interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV, Tatar added it is vital for the Turkish Cypriot state to be a sovereign entity. “It is vital for the TRNC to be sovereign to be able to protect the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish rights in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Tatar said, adding that sovereignty would also mean freedom in being able to sign any agreements with Turkey as well.
He warned that the federal solution model is a long-term threat for Turkey. “The trap in the federation model is single sovereignty,” Tatar argued, adding that the majority would rule over the minority in state models with single sovereignty. He argued in time Turkey, which is perceived as a third country from the EU’s point of view, will be forced out of the island, leaving the Turkish Cypriots vulnerable to assimilation.
“It will therefore lead to a dangerous process of assimilation and annihilation of the Turkish Cypriot community,” Tatar warned, saying that the Turkish Cypriots will never accept such a model.
Responding to a question on the upcoming July 20 ceremonies, Tatar said it will be an important opportunity to show the world the strong relations between Turkey and the north. He added that strong messages will also be given to the world during the ceremonies, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will also attend.
Tatar, responding to a question on the initiative to reopen Maraş (Varosha) said there were currently 344 pending applications at the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) for properties within the fenced-off town. He said he expected nearly 3,000 more when the process of the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) was to speed up.
Asked to comment on Turkey establishing a UAV (Unmanned aerial vehicle) base at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport, Tatar pointed to the increasing armament investments made by the Greek Cypriots.
“If the Greek Cypriots, despite their economic difficulties, spend €300m on arms, we must take counter military measures like setting up an airbase for armed and unarmed UAV base at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) or a naval base,” Tatar said. He also noted that there is an existing agreement (between Turkey and the north) for Turkey to utilize the airport.
“We have already handed over the Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport. The necessary operations by armed and unarmed UAVs are being carried out for defensive purposes. It is to see what’s happening in the region,” Tatar concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TCs will not accept becoming a minority in a GC state despite desiring a solution to Cyprob.
>> North has to be recognised as a sovereign entity to be able to protect its rights & interests in East Med.
>> Federation a long-term threat for Turkey.
>> Single sovereignty envisaged in a federal solution means majority rules over a minority.
>> New UAV base in Geçitkale justified in response to ongoing GC armament campaign.
Hasipoğlu: EU hinders the efforts for solution on the island
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu on Friday slammed EC President Ursula von der Leyen for her remarks against the two-state solution on the island, arguing that the EU’s stance was hindering efforts for a settlement in Cyprus.
In a statement issued from the UBP, Hasipoğlu added the EU is regarded as the sole responsible for the lack of solution on the island after unilaterally admitting the Greek Cypriot side to the bloc as a full member despite Greek Cypriots rejecting the Annan Plan.
Hasipoğlu also argued that the von der Leyen disregarded the Turkish Cypriots’ political will for a two-state solution which was reaffirmed with the outcome of the most recent leadership elections in the north.
“As it is known by all, the talks for a federal settlement collapsed due to the Greek Cypriot side’s maximalist approach,” Hasipoğlu said, arguing that it would only be a waste of time to renegotiate a federal solution which had proven to be unsuccessful on more than one occasion.
“There are two sovereign states in Cyprus, and this is the reality whether the EU and the Greek Cypriot side accept it or not,” he stressed, urging the EU to see the realities on the island. He underlined that neither Turkey nor the Turkish Cypriot side will change their course demanding a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.
KEY ACTORS
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> EU’s stance hindering efforts for a settlement in Cyprus.
>> EU Commission president is disregarding TCs political will for a two-state solution.
>> Negotiating a federal settlement will be a waste of time.
>> There are two sovereign states in Cyprus whether the EU accepts it or not.
>> Neither Turkey nor the TC side will change their position in favour of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.
TPAO applies to explore for hydrocarbons in East Med
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s state energy company Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) has applied for a license to explore for crude oil in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said in a statement in the country’s Official Gazette on Friday.
According to a map database, the three areas where the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) plans to carry out the exploration are in Turkish territorial waters off the coast of Silifke in Mersin province.
TPAO’s application comes a week after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey would carry on exploring for oil and gas in the Eastern Mediterranean.
17 Irregular migrants discovered on Karpaz (Karpasia) beach
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
17 irregular migrants were found at the Taşlıca (Neta) beach, located between Derince (Vathylakas) and Avtepe (Agios Symeon) on Friday. The boat the migrants arrived at the shore was also found at the same location.
The migrants – seven male, four female and six children – were taken to the nearest medical centre for medical controls and PCR tests.
According to information obtained by Kıbrıs reporters, the boat captain abandoned the migrants in the middle of the sea, leaving them to their fate. After drifting for ten hours in the sea, the migrants were able to reach the Taşlıca (Neta) beach, dehydrated and exhausted.