GCC Press Review 28 July 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

After three warnings, EU sends ultimatum to Turkey

J. Borrell: Cancel your decisions for Varosha until the next FM summit

  • Six more deaths yesterday: The safepass completely legal

Phileleftheros

Helping hand from Israel

The EU is seeking a reversals of actions in Famagusta by September – Diplomatic backstage. Christodoulides-Bennett agreed to enhance cooperation.

  • Number of elderly with coronavirus in hospitals increasing: Decisions for a third dose

Haravgi

New initiative by AKEL for vulnerable borrowers

Opposition parties are insisting on a targeted suspension of foreclosures.

  • EU announcement: Immediate reversal of Turkey actions in Varosha, or else…
  • M. Akinci: We will not stay silent under the autocracy of fear

Cyprus Mail

Cyprus, Greece in ‘full cooperation’

EU warns actions will be taken against Turkey over Varaosha

  • Plaintiffs fail in bid to suspend SafePass
  • Six deaths and 791 new cases on Tuesday

Alithia

Reversal of actions in Varosha or sanctions

Ultimatum of the EU ’27’ to Erdogan. “The EU continues to consider Turkey’s government responsible for the situation in Varosha.” Anastasiades-Mitsotakis: Complete cooperation between Athens-Nicosia.

  • Cyprus-Israel: Relations are being enhanced in all areas
  • Six deaths and 292 hospitalised: Coronavirus – Nearly 800 cases yesterday

Main News

EU warns of actions against Turkey if Varosha actions are not reversed

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The EU on Tuesday warned that the bloc’s Foreign Ministers will consider actions against Turkey at their next meeting if Turkey does not reverse actions in Varosha, which are contrary to UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, the dailies report on Wednesday.

In a written statement on behalf of the 27 EU member states, High Representative Josep Borrell said the EU “strongly condemns Turkey’s unilateral steps and the unacceptable announcements made by the Turkish President and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on 20 July 2021 on the further reopening of the fenced-off town of Varosha.”

Borrell said the EU welcomes the statement made by the President of the UNSC on behalf of the Council last week, and in particular the condemnation and expression of deep regret about the unilateral actions in Varosha that run contrary to the UNSC’s previous resolutions and statements. “The EU equally calls for the immediate reversal of these actions and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020,” Borrell said. He added that the EU “continues to hold the government of Turkey responsible for the situation in Varosha.”

Borrell said the EU continues to be guided by the relevant UNSC resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), which consider attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible, and which call for the transfer of that area to the administration of the UN. “No actions should be carried out in relation to Varosha that are not in accordance with those resolutions,” Borrell said, adding that full respect for and implementation of UNSC resolutions also require an immediate end to restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement UNFICYP in the Varosha area.

He reiterated the EU’s position on the need to avoid unilateral actions in breach of international law and renewed provocations, which could raise tensions on the island and compromise the ongoing efforts to seek common ground between the parties towards a lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue in line with relevant UNSC resolutions. The EU, he said, remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation (BBF) with political equality while it is crucial that Turkey commits and contributes constructively to the resumption of negotiations.

Phileleftheros reports that the statement that calls Turkey to contribute constructively to Cyprus problem processes is considered by diplomatic circles a new and important approach being taken by the EU, since it signals that it acknowledges that thus far Turkey’s contributions were not constructive and that simply participating in negotiations is not enough since progress also requires a positive input. Also important is the reference to a BBF, as well as the fact that both the Turkish President and the TC leader are both explicitly mentioned, Phileleftheros reports.  

Borrell said Foreign Ministers will consider actions at their next meeting, “in case of non-reversal of Turkey’s actions contrary to UN Security Council Resolutions 550/84 and 789/92” following the statement of the members of the European Council of March 25, 2021, which reaffirmed the determination of the EU, in case of renewed provocations and unilateral actions in breach of international law, to use the instruments and options at its disposal to defend its interests and those of its member states, as well as to uphold regional stability.

Phileleftheros reports that it was difficult to get Germany’s approval for Borrell’s concluding reference to the possibility of actions against Turkey, with the paper noting that Berlin pushed for milder wording that wouldn’t irritate the Turkish government. Ultimately, the paper writes, interventions from within and beyond the EU, and most notably from Israel, led Germany to concede to the reference’s inclusion. This final paragraph, Phileleftheros reports, was the product of four days of intense negotiations with Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides pushing for strong wording.

The EU Foreign Ministers are set to hold an informal meeting (Gymnich) on September 2 and 3 in Kranj, Slovenia. The next Foreign Affairs Council is scheduled for October 18.

KEY ACTORS
Borrell (EU)
>>
On behalf of EU27, warns that EU FMs will consider actions against Turkey at their next meeting if Turkey does not reverse actions in Varosha
>> EU strongly condemns Turkey’s unilateral steps and the unacceptable announcements made by Erdogan & Tatar on 20 July 2021 on the further reopening of Varosha
>> EU welcomes the statement made by the President of the UNSC on behalf of the Council & in particular the condemnation and expression of deep regret about the unilateral actions in Varosha that run contrary to the UNSC’s resolutions
>> EU equally calls for the immediate reversal of actions & reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020
>> EU continues to hold the government of Turkey responsible for the situation in Varosha
>> EU continues to be guided by the relevant UNSC resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992)
>> Full respect for and implementation of UNSC resolutions also require an immediate end to restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement UNFICYP in the Varosha area
>> Reiterates EU’s position on the need to avoid unilateral actions in breach of international law and renewed provocations, which could raise tensions on the island and compromise Cyprob prospects
>> EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a BBF with political equality
>> It is crucial that Turkey commits and contributes constructively to the resumption of negotiations


Cyprus, Greece in ‘perfect coordination’ in view of Varosha

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Territory, Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Nicosia and Athens are in “perfect coordination” regarding Turkey’s actions in Varosha, the dailies report.

During their joint statements after their meeting in Athens on Tuesday, Anastasiades and Mitsotakis also reiterated both Greece’s and Cyprus’ readiness to participate in a resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus Problem, within the framework of UN resolutions and the terms of the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) mandate.

Anastasiades said that the two countries’ response to Turkey’s efforts for the change of status in Varosha was at the centre of his meeting with the Mitsotakis. According to Anastasiades, the two leaders agreed that in addition to the strong statement of the UN Security Council (UNSC) Presidency on July 23, the EU High Representative’s equally impactful statement issued Tuesday was also of particular importance. These condemnations were made possible by the joint coordination and actions taken by Nicosia and Athens, he said.

He also stressed that Turkey’s claims to change the negotiation basis of the Cyprus Problem are “completely opposed to the UN resolutions and outside the terms of the Secretary-General’s mandate”. He said that “it is inconceivable for anyone to expect that the Greek Cypriot side will accept the creation of an independent state on the island – a kind of state that will be fully controlled by Turkey and in which no rights of the Greek Cypriots will be recognised.” This prospect will not be accepted either by the EU or the UN, he said.

The GC and the Greek sides will intensify their efforts to create the conditions that will allow the UNSG to convene a new summit on the Cyprus Problem, with the aim of a meaningful and creative dialogue that could lead to a viable solution to the Cyprus problem, beyond any dependencies and occupation troops, Anastasiades said. He added that there is no question of accepting Turkey’s preconditions for the resumption of talks as well as a two-state solution.

He reiterated his determination, readiness and political will to engage in a dialogue that will resume from where it was left off in Crans-Montana, adding that it was Turkish obstinacy that led to the failure of those talks. The common ground is the UN resolutions, he said.

On his part, Mitsotakis referred to Turkey’s actions in Varosha, noting that they violate UNSC resolutions and undermine efforts for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus problem. EU and the member states condemned actions as a whole these, but “Turkey not only rejected the Security Council’s statement but also blamed the global condemnation of its illegal actions on the alleged propaganda of Greece and Cyprus,” Mitsotakis noted.

Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s support for Cyprus and its opposition to Turkey’s desires of a two-state solution, adding that Turkey’s dogma reflects a heavily revisionist and aggressive logic. He also agreed that Turkish claims for the recognition of an equal political entity and sovereign equality are unacceptable, against international law and are therefore rejected, according to Politis. The paper writes that Mitsotakis said that such claims go against the Republic of Cyprus’ status as an EU member state, adding that the EU will never accept the secessionist entity as an EU member state in the event that Turkey continues its partitionist plans.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
Greece, Cyprus in perfect coordination in view of Turkey’s actions in Varosha
>> Turkey’s claims to change the negotiation basis of the Cyprus Problem are completely opposed to the UN resolutions and outside the terms of the UNSG’s mandate
>> It is inconceivable for anyone to expect that the GC side will accept the creation of an independent state on the island which will be fully controlled by Turkey and in which no rights of GCs will be recognised; This prospect will not be accepted either by the EU or the UN
>> There is no question of accepting Turkey’s preconditions for the resumption of talks as well as a two-state solution.
>> GC and the Greek sides will intensify efforts to create the conditions that will allow the UNSG to convene a new summit on the Cyprus Problem, with the aim of a meaningful and creative dialogue that could lead to a viable solution to the Cyprus problem, beyond any dependencies and occupation troops
>> Reiterates his determination, readiness and political will to engage in a dialogue that will resume from where it was left off in Crans-Montana, which failed due to Turkish obstinacy

Mitsotakis
>> Turkey’s actions in Varosha which violate UNSC resolutions and undermine efforts for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus problem
>> Reiterated Greece’s support for Cyprus and its opposition to Turkey’s desires of a two-state solution
>> Turkey’s dogma reflects a heavily revisionist and aggressive logic
>> Turkish claims for the recognition of an equal political entity and sovereign equality are unacceptable, against international law and are therefore rejected
>> Such claims go against the RoC’ status as an EU member state & EU will never accept the secessionist entity as an EU member state in the event that Turkey continues its partitionist plans


FM discusses Varosha with Israeli PM

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides discussed Turkey’s illegal actions in Varosha with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday, the papers report.

Christodoulides, who was in Israel on a working visit, was received by Bennett in the morning. He said they discussed the further enhancement of the two countries’ strong bilateral ties, Turkey’s illegal actions in Varosha and the Eastern Mediterranean, EU-Israel relations and the two countries’ joint efforts to promote peace, security, stability and cooperation in the region.

Alithia and Haravgi, citing the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), report that diplomatic sources said three issues stood out from Christodoulides’ contacts with the new Israeli government, which included Bennett, Israel’s President and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Energy and Finance.

Firstly, regarding the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Israel, the sources told CNA that the strong will of the new Israeli government was revealed, not only to continue cooperation in all areas but also to strengthen them even more. As affirmed during Tuesday’s meeting between Christodoulides and Bennett, the dailies report, strengthening cooperation in the fields of defence, security, energy, economy, trade and tourism is a priority. According to the same sources, the commitment of both countries to the added value that the deepening of the cooperation has for both countries was clear.

Secondly, with regard to regional developments, Turkey’s provocative actions in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean have been at the heart of all meetings in Israel. According to the sources, it is extremely important that there is a common understanding with the new Israeli government regarding the Turkish challenges that negatively affect both countries.

Thirdly, according to the sources, Israel expects support from the Republic of Cyprus as an EU member state for strengthening the Union’s relations with Israel. In this context, Cyprus will request the convening of the Israel-EU Association Council as soon as possible. The last Association Council took place in 2012 during the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council.


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