Front Page Headlines
Experts agree: “The third dose needed”
While efforts to vaccinate the population in the north against Covid-19 continues, the process to start administering third or booster shots began as of July 17. The process to administer booster shots has begun with health workers. Experts say that a third booster shot will be necessary particularly for those who have received the Sinovac vaccine. Booster jabs for vaccines other than Sinovac may not be needed.
We are weeping!
Turkey is battling with 53 separate fires that broke out in seven districts. Many of the villages in these districts have been evacuated. A large number of homes, farms and arable land have turned to ash and some people have died. The smoke from rising from the fires in the Aegean and the Mediterranean reached the skies of the TRNC.
- Even against the UN’s rules and principles – UN Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate for its peacekeeping mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six more months. Both TRNC and Turkish Foreign Ministries reacted to the fact that the TRNC’s consent was not sought while adopting the resolution.
- The EU knowingly became a party for the non-solution – Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay criticised the EU and the UN over their Cyprus issue policies.
Our hearts are torn
Turkey is dealing with a massive catastrophe. Three people died, dozens of villages and neighbourhoods were destroyed in fires that broke out in 32 separate locations. The forest fires raging mainly along the southern coastline has turned into a catastrophe. The smoke, particularly from the Antalya-Manavgat and Mersin forest fires reached the TRNC.
Everyone in difficulty
Businesses running industries say that the situation is not good. They want urgent and effective steps to be taken to be able to look into the future with hope. The industrialists are complaining that business is at an all-time low because of the pandemic. They say that the economy has come to a grinding halt as the construction sector, real estate sales and tourism has hit rock bottom.
- We are watching in sadness – The fire which started in Manavgat stretching to Marmaris has caused widespread damage.
The smoke reached us
Massive catastrophe is being experienced in Turkey because of the fires. The smoke from the forest fire in Antalya came to Cyprus. The Environment Protection Department announced the forest fire in Turkey has caused air pollution in our country.
- We did not object to it – (Republican Turkish Party MP) Sıla Usar İncirli said: “We did vote against (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan addressing the parliament because we did not object to it.
- I’m just taking a deep breath – Ersin Tatar said he is going head on his path despite being subjected to insults on social media due to his feelings for Turkey.
Main News
TC & Turkish MFAs object to the extension of UNFICYP’s mandate
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Both Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Foreign Ministries slammed the UN Security Council (UNSC) for extending the mandate for the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) with resolution 2587 (2021) adopted on July 29, 2021, without seeking the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry argued that the UN’s failure to seek the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side constituted a violation of the UN’s rules and principles.
“Moreover, we wish to remind that the UNFICYP personnel can only execute its mandate in the TRNC as a result of Turkish Cypriot side’s goodwill and constructive approach,” the statement stressed, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side has been asking rightfully to sign an official agreement with the UN regarding its operations in the north.
The ministry also warned that should the UN not respond positively to its demands for an agreement, the Turkish Cypriot side might restrict the UN’s movement. Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot side’s constructive proposal submitted during the informal five-plus-one meeting in Geneva was disregarded, the statement also slammed the UN for reiterating its position in favour of a bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement (BBF).
“The UNSC by trying to impose solution models that have repeatedly proven to be unsuccessful has shown once again revealed its intention to maintain the status quo on the island in the interest of the Greek Cypriot side,” the statement argued, stressing that the fact that there are two sovereign states on the island has also been disregarded. It also added that the UNSC has also tainted the continuing efforts to find a common ground between the two sides for official talks.
“The Turkish Cypriot side proposes to launch an official round of negotiations when the sovereign equality of the two states and their equal international status are recognized,” the statement read, arguing that this is not only in line with the realities on the island but is the only option that stands a chance of success.
“It is our expectation from the UNSC to comprehend the fact that a sustainable agreement can only be found with a model based on two-states with sovereign equality,” the statement stressed, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side also expects the UNSC to free itself from the delusion that the Greek Cypriot side represents the island in its entirety.
Touching on the natural resources issue, the ministry recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals on hydrocarbons and the one dated July 13, 2019, are still valid and are at the table. “The Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities to the detriment of the Turkish Cypriots’ rights, and their provocative attitude that rejects collaboration are the sole reason for the escalation of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” the statement stressed.
More so the statement also said the UNSC resolution on UNFICYP like the previous ones did not touch on the 233 concrete pillboxes placed in the buffer zone by Greek Cypriot forces. “It is observed that the UNSC is trying to conceal the Greek Cypriot administration’s policies to escalate tension on and around the island,” the statement stressed.
On the issue of demining, the ministry said even though the resolution calls on the two sides for a mine-free Cyprus it fails to reflect the Greek Cypriot side’s unwilling attitude for collaboration. The ministry argued that the remarks in the UNSC resolution on Maraş (Varosha) reflects the Greek and Greek Cypriot side’s propaganda on the Turkish Cypriot side’s initiative.
The statement also stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side’s decisions taken on the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) must be evaluated correctly. “As a result of the Greek Cypriot side’s rejectionist attitude, the Turkish Cypriot side by respecting international law and property rights has decided to reopen the fenced-off town, which had become a symbol of the non-solution on the island,” the statement stressed, noting that the Maraş (Varosha) Initiative is in everyone’s interest and should therefore be regarded as a positive development.
“The Turkish Cypriot government will continue to take the necessary steps in Maraş (Varosha), which is within the territorial jurisdiction of the Turkish Cypriot state.
A similar statement was issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday concurred with its Turkish Cypriot counterpart, stating that Resolution 2587 (2021) adopted on July 29, 2021, is full of inconsistencies and disconnected from realities, ignores once again the will of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“It is against the UN’s own rules and principles that the TRNC authorities’ consent was not taken for the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP,” the statement read, adding that Ankara expects the UN to rectify this situation and to conclude an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot authorities as soon as possible in order so that the UNFICYP’s presence in the north would not be questioned.
Also critical of the UNSC’s attempts to impose the parameters of a settlement on the island, which had been tried and failed numerous times, the statement said: “There will never be a just, lasting and sustainable settlement on the island if the Security Council will not secure the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people that they gained in 1960.”
It also argued that the UNSC turns a blind eye to the realities on the island by treating the Greek Cypriot administration as the only legitimate representative in Cyprus. “We call on the Security Council and the international community to focus on reaching a settlement based on the realities, instead of serving the status quo on the Island,” the statement stressed, adding that such resolutions adopted as the one on July 29, have no meaning or value for the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
KEY ACTORS
Ertuğruloğlu (UBP)
>> The UN’s failure to seek the consent of the TC side constitutes a violation of the UN’s rules & principles.
>> UNFICYP can only execute its mandate in the north as a result of the TC side’s goodwill & constructive approach.
>> UN’s activities in the north can be restricted if it continues to refuse to sign an agreement with the TC side on operations in the north.
>> UNSC insistence on failed solution models reveals intention to preserve status quo on the island which is in favour of GC side.
>> Two-state solution model only realistic option which stands a chance of success.
>> TC side’s proposals on hydrocarbons are still valid & on the table.
>> TC side’s move on Maraş (Varosha) follows GC side’s intransigent stance & aims at removing what has become a symbol of the status quo on the island.
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> UN resolution is full of inconsistencies & disconnected from realities, ignoring once again the will of the TC community.
>> UN has violated its own rules & principles by failing to seek the consent of TC officials when extending the mandate of UNFICYP.
>> Ankara expects the UN to rectify this situation & conclude an agreement with the TC authorities for UNFICYP operations in the north.
>> A just & sustainable solution to Cyprob is not possible if UNSC does not secure the sovereign equality & equal international status of TCs.
>> UNSC & international community must focus on a solution based on the realities instead of preserving the status quo.
>> UNSC resolution adopted on 29.07.21 has no meaning or value for Ankara.
Tatar says planning for Maraş (Varosha) initiative started two years ago
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Wednesday said that the decision to reopen the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) was not new and that planning had been going on for the past two years.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, Tatar said that Maraş (Varosha) would have long been returned to the Greek Cypriot side if the 2004 Annan Plan had been approved. He added that the Turkish Cypriot side did not deserve to be criticized for its latest moves regarding the town.
“The Maraş (Varosha) issue was tabled eight times during the course of the negotiations processes but the Greek Cypriot side rejected all of them. We have changed the game plan on Maraş (Varosha),” Tatar said, repeating his view that the process will be carried out in line with international law and respecting property rights.
He added that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue the process through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) undeterred. Tatar, in response to a question, also ruled out the possibility of discussing the matter with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, stating that there was nothing to discuss as the town was located within the territory of the ‘TRNC’.
“It’s obvious the Greek Cypriot side is disturbed and frustrated because of the Maraş (Varosha) initiative because it has always perceived that the town was for the taking.
Meanwhile, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay on Thursday condemned the UNSC statement on Maraş (Varosha), stating that “It is a total disappointment.” Oktay added that “It is out of the question for Maraş (Varosha) to be handed over to UN’s administration.”
Speaking to Anadolu News Agency, Oktay stressed that the fenced-off town is within the Turkish Cypriot territories. Also accusing the EU of being biased in Cyprus, Oktay said while the EU remains silent on refugee tragedies in the Mediterranean and the Aegean or against rising Islamophobia and racism in Europe, the EU talks frivolously when it is about equal rights for the Turkish Cypriots.
Ankara will continue to support the Turkish Cypriot side on its efforts to reopen Maraş (Varosha) and the two-state solution on the island, Oktay concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Maraş (Varosha) is not a new decision & was being planned for the past two years.
>> TC side does not deserve to be criticized as the town’s return was proposed eight times in the past as part of CBM packages, all of which had been rejected.
>> TC side will go ahead with plans to reopen Maraş (Varosha) through the IPC.
>> Out of the question to discuss this issue with Anastasiades.
Oktay (Turkey)
>> UNSC statement on Maraş (Varosha) a total disappointment.
>> Out of the question to hand over Maraş (Varosha) to UN’s administration.
>> Ankara to continue to support the TC side in its efforts to reopen Maraş (Varosha) & reach a two-state solution in Cyprus.