Front Page Headlines
Tree planting is a balancing act
Reforestation after a fire like the one last weekend, needs careful handling to maintain the natural balance.
- Cypriot sides need to act decisively ‘or solution could be unattainable’
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If admissions surpass 200, measures will inevitably be strict.
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- Yiannakis L. Omyrou (opinion): Famagusta – ‘Not as weak-willed and fatal’
- Andreas S. Angelides (opinion): The coup, the invasion and the necessary anti-occupation unity
- Nikos G. Sykas (opinion): ‘The Turkish narrative-myth’ from Kastelorizo to Famagusta
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The North Atlantic Treaty wants to expand to all EU countries.
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Road map for Varosha
3% of the fenced-off town, of an area of 496 plots, will be proclaimed a pilot area. 681 ownership titles belong to Greek Cypriots.
- Marios Pelekanos to ‘Ph’: Legal measures are also being examined for Varosha
- Alteration of reports and resolutions
Erdogan has prepared plans that go beyond Varosha
Opening of a part of the fenced-off town close to the occupied area.
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‘Hope will run out if we remain inert’
Interview of the AKEL General Secretary, Stephanos Stephanou.
- Cyprus problem: Guterres: ‘Decisive action now, or else a solution will be unatainable’
- Revelation: Seven commandos executed because they refused participate in the coup
Start moving toward a resumption of talks
Guterres urges Anastasiades-Tatar. In the UNSG’s report on Cyprus it is stressed that there is only one sovereign state on the island. It also says that the next few months could prove decisive for the future of the process. No mention is made of a potential repetition of the informal summit.
- Political analysis: We’re talking about Famagusta and our interlocutors about a solution
- Christos Panayiotides (opinion): Open letter to President Erdogan regarding Famagusta and more
Main News
UNSG Good Offices report urges parties to find common ground
Alithia, Kathimerini, Phileleftheros, Sunday Mail
Negotiations Process, Territory
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) report on his Good Offices Mission, an unofficial copy of which was given to UN Security Council (UNSC) members on Friday, warns that without immediate decisive action, the continued dynamics in and around Cyprus could render future efforts to reach a Cyprob solution unattainable, the papers report.
In his report, UNSG Antonio Guterres urges parties to engage constructively in the continuing consultations so that meaningful talks aiming to solve Cyprob can resume. Guterres also stressed that the UNSC has made clear in numerous resolutions over nearly 50 years that there is only one sovereign state in Cyprus.
Guterres said he was determined to assist the parties in reaching a comprehensive settlement within a foreseeable horizon, to bring lasting security to GCs and TCs who Guterres said deserve to live in peace and prosperity together in the exercise of their equal inherent rights. Phileleftheros reports that diplomatic circles saw Guterres’ reference to equal inherent rights as suspicious at a time when the Turkish side is pushing for two states, and view this reference as an attempt to justify Turkish positions.
Guterres also noted “the realities on the island” and that parties have expressed to him the importance of finding a practicable framework within which genuine political equality would manifest as shared effective participation in the political and economic life of the island. Guterres stressed that while international actors must be ready to play their part, the most important work must come from Cyprus. He said that the two leaders must truly act in the best interests of their people and explain clearly what is at stake to their constituents, and called on all in Cyprus to assume responsibility for their future, be it political leaders, economic actors or society at large.
Guterres said that four years after Crans-Montana, the issues have grown more complex. He said that though it remains to be seen whether common ground will be found to resume talks, the future of the process remains in the hands of the parties, and especially the two Cyprus leaders. He added that though the positions of the two sides remain far apart, “flexibility, political will, and a clear-eyed view of the best interests of the Cypriots will be of paramount importance” if common ground is to be found. Guterres said he continues to monitor developments in and around Cyprus closely and called on the leaders to find common ground that would allow talks to resume.
Further, Guterres stressed the need to avoid actions on the island, including Vaorsha, that could complicate chances of finding common or could trigger tensions. Regarding Varosha, Guterres said that during the reporting period there were repeated instances where TC and Turkish officials publicly stated their intention to develop Varosha in a way that would strengthen the economy in the north, including through attracting tourism. He reiterated his concern over developments in Varosha and recalled that the position of the UN remains unchanged.
Phileleftheros and Alithia report that in response to the unofficial copies of Guterres’ reports on his Good Offices Mission and UNFICYP, government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said they will be evaluated and Nicosia will call for changes if necessary. Pelekanos said that as a first response, Nicosia has positively noted the absence of wording that could create unfounded hopes among Turkey and the TC leadership regarding their sought-after solution model.
Haravgi reports that AKEL said that Guterres’ report does not adopt Anastasaides’ narrative and raises the alarm regarding the continued dynamics endanger future efforts for reaching a Cyprob solution. Phileleftheros and Alithia report that AKEL also said that despite the intensity of the Turkish side’s pursuit of two states, or at least for the recognition of two separate entities on the island, Guterres unfortunately does not assign any responsibility there by stating that the Geneva summit was informal and all parties could express their opinions. The party said Guterres’ recalling of UN resolutions regarding Varosha were positive, and though he did not condemn Turkish provocations in the Cyprus EEZ, he rightly notes that natural resources must constitute an incentive to secure a solution. AKEL also once again called on Anastasiades to take substantial initiatives before the situation becomes irreversible.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros reports that it was told by Pelekanos that the Attorney-General has examined alongside foreign experts the possibility of taking legal measures in the event that Turkey calls on GCs to return to Varosha under TC administration. He said this scenario will be discussed during the National Council scheduled for Wednesday. Pelekanos also warned that applying to the north’s Immovable Property Commission would signal an application for use of property and by extension an acceptance that this use will fall under the ‘laws’ and ‘jurisdiction’ of the north.
Kathimerini reports citing diplomatic sources that the area of Varosha that is expected to be reopened as a pilot stage constitutes 3% of the area’s territory.
Phileleftheros also reports that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will be in Cyprus on July 21, one day after the Turkish President’s visit to the north. During his visit Dendias together with Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides will evaluate the results of Erdogan’s visit, coordinate actions and send a message of solidarity.
KEY ACTORS
Guterres (UN)
>> Without immediate decisive action, the continued dynamics in and around Cyprus could render future efforts to reach a Cyprob solution unattainable
>> Parties should engage constructively in the continuing consultations so that meaningful talks aiming to solve Cyprob can resume
>> The UNSC has made clear in numerous resolutions over nearly 50 years that there is only one sovereign state in Cyprus
>> Determined to assist the parties in reaching a comprehensive settlement within a foreseeable horizon, to bring lasting security to GCs and TCs who deserve to live in peace and prosperity together in the exercise of their equal inherent rights
>> Acknowledges the realities on the island; parties have expressed the importance of finding a practicable framework within which genuine political equality would manifest as shared effective participation in the political and economic life of the island
>> While international actors must be ready to play their part, the most important work must come from Cyprus; The two leaders must truly act in the best interests of their people and explain clearly what is at stake to their constituents
>> 4 years after Crans-Montana, issues have grown more complex
>> Though the positions of the two sides remain far apart, flexibility, political will, and a clear-eyed view of the best interests of the Cypriots will be of paramount importance if common ground is to be found
>> Stresses the need to avoid actions on the island, including Vaorsha, that could complicate chances of finding common or could trigger tensions
>> Concerned over developments in Varosha, recalls that the position of the UN remains unchanged
Pelekanos
>> Nicosia has positively noted the absence of wording that could create unfounded hopes among Turkey and the TC leadership regarding their sought-after solution model
>> Attorney-General has examined alongside foreign experts the possibility of taking legal measures in the event that Turkey calls on GCs to return to Varosha under TC administration
>> Warns that applying to IPC would signal an application for use of property and by extension an acceptance that this use will fall under the ‘laws’ and ‘jurisdiction’ of the north
AKEL
>> Guterres’ report does not adopt Anastasaides’ narrative and raises the alarm regarding the continued dynamics endanger future efforts for reaching a Cyprob solution
>> Disappointed that Guterres does not assign any responsibility to Turkey & TC side for pushing for two states and recognition
>> Guterres’ recalling of UN resolutions regarding Varosha are positive
>> Though Guterres did not condemn Turkish provocations in the Cyprus EEZ, he rightly notes that natural resources must constitute an incentive to secure a solution.
>> Anastasiades should take substantial initiatives before the situation becomes irreversible