TCC Press Review 15 July 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Budget insufficient, no medicine!

Bitter confession from the Director of the Department of Medicines and Pharmaceuticals Serap Konde to Yenidüzen: We will be experiencing serious problems by the end of the summer if we don’t find funds. We only wish we had medicine to send to hospitals.”

  • “You bypassed the constitution. You don’t become a state by wearing a brooch”CTP (Republican Turkish Party): “Party Assembly to decide whether to attend the session of parliament to be addressed by Erdoğan.” TDP (Social Democratic Party): “There is an intervention to the peoples’ political will. We shall not attend.”

Kıbrıs

A case similar to Orams’ case is on the agenda

The pre-1974 Greek Cypriot owners of the plot of land on which the Savoy Hotel was built in Kyrenia, has asked for the return of their land through a Turkish Cypriot lawyer who claims that the Savoy Hotel was built without ‘their consent.’ The lawyer said if his clients’ demand is not met, legal proceedings will be launched.

Havadis

Talat warned Erdoğan: ‘You are doing wrong’

A stern warning issued by former president Mehmet Ali Talat toTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Talat published a long open letter addressed to Erdoğan, who announced he will make very important statements during his visit on July 20. Talat, reminding the historical facts, warned the gains achieved in the past 18 years will be lost.

Diyalog

Eventful operation

Three jumped from the balcony, two fled, one of them broke his leg and the other locked himself in the toilet in a raid carried out on a home shared by six people. Police who broke down the door caught one of the suspects as he tried to dispose of the drugs in the toilet.

  • The goal was Enosis – the 47th anniversary of the coup carried out by the fascist Junta.
  • Intense preparations – Erdoğan posters put up in many parts of North Cyprus.

Avrupa

Boycotting Erdoğan

Social Democratic Party (TDP) party assembly has decided not to attend the parliamentary session during which Tayyip Erdoğan will deliver a speech. In its party assembly meeting last night, the TDP explained the reasons behind its decision, stating that “attacks were being made against the Turkish Cypriots’ political will, independent and unique identity.”

  • We will get together with the Cypriot MPs in the parliament – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said.
  • Don’t you dare any provocations in the parliament! – Erhan Arıklı warned the CTP and the TDP.

Main News

Status of Maraş (Varosha) remains unchanged, says UN

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

The status of Maraş (Varosha) remains unchanged, UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said during the daily press briefing on Tuesday in New York.

Haq was responding to a question on the fenced-off town vis-à-vis the recent statements and expectations made by the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

Anastasiades on Monday had said he was expecting the Secretary-General “to be clearer regarding his statements on Maraş (Varosha) and other issues pertaining to Cyprus.”

“The status of Maraş (Varosha) is unchanged,” Haq said, adding that “the status of Maraş (Varosha) is as it was spelt out in the UNSC resolutions and also in the reports of the Secretary-General on Cyprus,” Haq concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Guterres (UN)
>> Status of Maraş (Varosha) remains unchanged.


Saner: “Attempts to stop basic services to the people unacceptable”

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner was in Beyarmudu (Pergamos) on Wednesday to be briefed on a dispute between the Beyarmudu Municipality and the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) administration over the dismantling of a watering pipe. Saner was accompanied by Beyarmudu (Pergamos) Mayor İlker Edip during the visit.

Edip informed Saner that despite receiving verbal approval from SBA authorities to install a 40-metre-long pipeline to water a football pitch, the said pipes were dismantled for political reasons. He said the incident had angered the Turkish Cypriots community and accused the SBA administration of trying to implement rules and regulations in force in the Republic of Cyprus.

Also speaking, Saner said that the incident was unacceptable and that the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry had launched an initiative with the SBA authorities to solve the matter.

He also said that the government will continue to support the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) Municipality in any way possible. “We will not allow any attempts to stop the delivery of basic services to the Turkish Cypriot people,” Saner concluded.


Erdoğan’s itinerary for July 20 visit causes panic among TC political parties

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday that he will be arriving in the north on Monday, July 19 so that he can attend prayers on Tuesday morning which marks the beginning of the Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bairam) holiday.

Speaking at the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group meeting, Erdoğan, noted that he will be visiting the north with a large delegation and will be addressing the Turkish Cypriot parliament at a special session.

Posters and banners welcoming Erdoğan were placed on main roads and junctions across the north. There was also activity at the main stadium in Nicosia where Erdoğan, his ministers and Turkish Cypriot officials are expected to play an exhibition match. Other sports and cultural activities are also being planned.

The special session caused discomfort among the main opposition  Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Social Democratic Party (TDP) raising the question as to whether they would be attending or not.

The TDP which convened its Central Executive Committee (MYK) on Wednesday, announced it will not be taking part in the special session. It said its boycott was due to Ankara’s interference in the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community and the attacks on the north’s democracy. The TDP said that Ankara’s continued interference in the domestic affairs of the north only served to strengthen the perception that the north was a sub-administration of Turkey.

The CTP will decide whether or not it will attend its party meeting on Thursday night. Turkish Cypriot daily Yenidüzen on July 13 had reported that the Turkish President’s planned address caused discomfort among the political parties that do not subscribe to the idea of a two-state solution on the island.

The daily, which had also reported that the opposition is seriously concerned by such a possibility despite the coalition government’s insistence, also noted that none of the parties will be allowed to speak at the session either.

Yenidüzen argued that Erdoğan will reiterate his viewpoint in favour of a two-state solution, emphasizing the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereignty and independence against the federal solution model and possibly announce new decisions on Maraş (Varosha), the military base in Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) and the creation of a naval base in the north.


Tatar: “TCs will not accept being a minority in Cyprus”


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Wednesday said that Turkish Cypriots were an independent community and would not accept being a minority within a Greek Cypriot controlled state.

Speaking at a ceremony in the Mersin district of Turkey to mark the anniversary of Turkey’s military operation in Cyprus, Tatar argued that the north’s role in the region had grown by acting together with Turkey on energy matters in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as the Blue Homeland doctrine.

He reiterated that decades of talks to achieve a federal settlement were over and that plans to transform Turkish Cypriots into a minority and force Turkey to leave the island were foiled. “The Turkish Cypriots will not be tricked,” Tatar stressed, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side’s two-state solution model, which is backed fully by Ankara, is the only feasible option.

“The chapter on federation is over now and if the two sides must give their consent to a solution model, we will continue with the two-state model until the very end,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side has managed to get its new vision for a solution on record during the informal five-plus-one meeting in Geneva.

Touching on the upcoming July 20 ceremonies in the north, Tatar reiterated that important messages will be given to the entire world. He said the Turkish Cypriot people were made to suffer a lot in the past and are still suffering due to the unfair isolation and embargoes. “The Turkish Cypriots will never give up on their state, sovereignty or give up on their independence,” Tatar concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TCs will not accept becoming a minority.
>> Federation chapter closed in Cyprus, the two-state solution is the only feasible option on the island.


EU financed business development project launched


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Economy

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans (KTEZO) in collaboration with the Centre for Economic and Social Policies (ECOSO) launched the EU financed “Solidarity Business Development Support” project on Wednesday.

Announcing the launch of the project, KTEZO president Mahmut Kanber said the project aims at further strengthening the competitiveness of the micro and small-sized enterprises through business development consultancy and aims at ensuring production in compliance with standards while increasing the production output and employment.

“The overall goal is to ensure the north’s sustainable development,” Kanber noted, adding that not only the enterprises will be given training for capacity development but grant schemes will also be introduced.

Suay Anıl, who will be working as the project coordinator, said the project will present the participants with the opportunity for capacity development, financing through grant schemes, and form business networks.

She added the training modules, which were prepared in collaboration with the Eastern Mediterranean University, are designed in line with the needs of the small and micro-enterprises.

Anıl added that €100,000 in total has been allocated for the micro and small-sized enterprises, adding that the amount will be of vital importance to new businesses that offer niche services.

Economist Mertkan Hamit, who will be responsible for providing consultancy services within the scope of the project, for his part said the micro and small-sized enterprises are the driving force behind sustainable development and a strong economy.

“In this regard, it is very important for the businesses to come up with smart solutions that are more economical and manage their businesses on their own,” Hamit said, adding that the project aims at developing the effectiveness of the enterprises in 12 different points, making them stronger against the difficulties they are likely to face in the marketplace.


Defence chiefs of Turkey & Italy discuss East Med


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security

OVERVIEW

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and his Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guerini on Wednesday discussed bilateral and regional security issues and the latest developments in Eastern Mediterranean as well as in Afghanistan and Libya.

The meeting between Akar and Guerini in Istanbul was constructive and positive, a statement by the Turkish defence ministry said, adding that Akar emphasized the common values and cooperation between Turkey and Italy, the southern wing of NATO and the two allied Mediterranean countries.

The statement said Turkey is in favour of solving problems in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean through international law, good neighbourly relations and dialogue.

Highlighting the importance of developing cooperation in the defence industry between the two countries, Akar said Turkey continues to contribute to NATO without interruption despite the coronavirus pandemic.


GC owners demand their property in the north back through a TC lawyer


Kıbrıs
Property

OVERVIEW

Two Greek Cypriots, who are owners of the plot of land the Savoy Hotel in Kyrenia was built on is demanding their property back through a Turkish Cypriot lawyer, Kıbrıs reported on Thursday.

Speaking to the daily, Turkish Cypriot lawyer Tarık Kadri said his clients want the plot of land to be returned, warning that he will be forced to launch legal action should the Savoy Hotel fail to comply. Kadri noted that he will follow the same procedure as followed in the Orams case. He added that his client is represented by another Greek Cypriot lawyer in the south.

On the other hand, Ahmet Arken, who is one of the owners of the hotel, said the resort was built on eight plots of land with eight separate title deeds and the demand made is for a very small area of the current hotel premises covering only one of the seven plots. Arken added that the hotel’s lawyers are looking into the matter.

Also commenting on the issue to Kıbrıs, Lawyer Murat Metin Hakkı said the Savoy hotel case has many similarities with the Orams case. He recalled the courts in the Orams case had ordered the demolition of the property built on the plot of land and for the return of the land to the Greek Cypriot owner.

Hakkı said the Orams case, which was heard at the British courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), had caused panic and uncertainty in the real estate market for a long time until the establishment of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC).

He also noted that it was a common practice to see lawsuits against foreigners in the Greek Cypriot courts but recently and especially with the development of the construction sector in the north, more cases are being filed against Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

“Even though neither Turkey nor the TRNC will comply with the verdicts given by the Greek Cypriot courts, according to the ruling of the European Court of Justice, the verdicts given by Greek Cypriot courts must be executed throughout the EU,” Hakkı said, adding that the Greek Cypriot courts could give an arrest order or an order to seize other properties owned within the EU.

He also noted that the Greek Cypriots are only allowed to apply to the IPC in the north for their properties. “Nonetheless, the Greek Cypriots are disappointed in the IPC because the Commission has stopped paying the compensation amount,” Hakkı argued, adding that therefore there are not as many applications as there were in the past.

“The IPC is of vital importance to the Turkish Cypriot community,” Hakkı stressed. He added that as a result of the IPC, the post-1974 title deeds will have international legitimacy and validity. “This is a factor that will strengthen the Turkish Cypriot side’s hand in the negotiations for a two-state solution as well,” he noted.

Former president of the IPC, Ayfer Said Erkmen in his remarks to the daily, explained that there are three phases to IPC applications. He said once the case is investigated, the IPC will make an offer to the applicant. If the applicant is not pleased with the offer, s/he can take the matter to Supreme Court and if the applicant does not get the outcome s/he wants, then s/he can take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

“Nonetheless, the ECHR as a precondition asks for any case to be first taken up by the IPC,” Erkmen concluded.

The “Orams Case” was filed in 2004 and completed in 2010 and is regarded as one of the milestones in the property dispute on the island. The Greek Cypriot owner Meletios Apostolidis filed a lawsuit in 2004 against British couple David and Linda Oram, who had built a house on the said plot, for the return of his property located in Lapta (Lapithos). Even though the Greek Cypriot courts at the time had ordered for the house built on the land to be demolished before the return of the plot to the original owner, the Turkish Cypriot administration at the time did not agree to comply with the ruling.

Apostolidis then took the matter to British courts and won the case in 2006. The Orams, represented by Cherie Blair, appealed but this was rejected by the UK’s top court in March 2010.


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