TCC Press Review 6 Sept 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

We are not ready to open up to the European market

There is only one month left for Hellim (Halloumi) to be opened up to the European market but preparations in the north are not completed. Its been five months since the European Parliament (EP) approved the PDO registration of Hellim (Halloumi). While the south has started its countdown, producers in the north say they are not ready.

  • Mehmet Ali Talat: “We have to resist” – Turkish Cypriots have to resist efforts by the 80m large Turkey to break up the Turkish Cypriot community. Turkey elected the Prime Minister. It intervened in the National Unity Party (UBP) congress. It has even started intervening in education. The Turkish ambassador has become the administrator of this place.

Kıbrıs

We are surviving on credit cards

The pandemic has created economic difficulties for the country and the people. Thousands who are unable to make it to the end of the month due to various reasons including the fluctuation in foreign currency values, the price hikes and low salaries have resorted to using their credit cards. The number of credit cards in the market increased from 148,040 in January 2020 to 154,830 in June 2021.

  • AdaPass enters into force in all districts – “QR code” must be shown when entering into the TRNC.
  • The Hellim (Halloumi) deadlock – Nearly one month left for the decision on Hellim (Halloumi) being registered as a product designated origin (PDO) to enter into force. However, the raw milk output from small livestock on both sides is not enough to meet the provisions of PDO registration.

Havadis

We are being poisoned

Researcher Environmental scientist Ergün Bey wrote his research findings on the effects of pollution created by the fumes from the power plants based on air pollution reports in Cyprus. The EU harmonised environment law in the TRNC identifies the emission limit for the power plants. If the emission ratio is to be calculated over the limit (which is the case for both Teknecik and AKSA power plants), the law dictates that a filtering system must be mounted on the chimneys.

  • AdaPass in the supermarkets, QR code for the countryThe latest decisions by the Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases will enter into force today.

Diyalog

Measures need to be taken

Greek Cypriots who cross over to the north to purchase petrol and cigarettes are being forced to wait in long lines at Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point at a time when the finance ministry can’t even find money to purchase rapid tests. Greek Cypriots are spending a significant amount of money on the TRNC which is good for the economy but the processing at the crossing points is turning the process of crossing into an ordeal.

Avrupa

The places off-limits for the unvaccinated or untested

AdaPass (safe pass), which was launched on August 27 in the Nicosia district for trial purposes is now required in all districts as of today. Everyone above the age of 18 will be required to present their Adapass when entering indoor venues. According to the decisions, the venues, sectors, activities and events for vaccinated and unvaccinated people have been identified. Unvaccinated persons need to have a negative PCR/antigen test obtained within the last 72 hours.

  • KTÖS: No hygiene measures implemented at schoolsTurkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS) said that the schools will launch their preparations for the new academic year and highlighted that there are not any hygiene or security measures in place at schools.

Main News

TC Hellim (Halloumi) producers not ready for EU exports

Yenidüzen
Economy

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot officials and dairy sector representatives say that Turkish Cypriot Hellim (Halloumi) producers are not ready to enter the European market with just weeks left before the PDO registration comes into force on October 1. Nearly five months have passed since the decision on PDO registration was adopted by the EU and while the Greek Cypriot dailies report that the Greek Cypriot Hellim (Halloumi) producers are ready to export their produce, this is not the case in the north.

Speaking on the issue to Yenidüzen, Deputy General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Mustafa Ergüven argued that the process to upgrade Hellim (Halloumi) production to PDO standards is only progressing on one side of the island, claiming that Bureau Veritas tasked to carry out compliance inspections has yet to get in touch with them.

He also noted that they have relayed their concerns to the EU officials on the island but had yet to receive a response.

Ergüven in response to a question on the ‘temporary certification’ said that the chamber was only able to follow the developments in the south concerning Hellim (Halloumi) registration through the media. He said he did not know what ‘temporary certification’ meant or how it was obtained. Ergüven also reiterated the need for the EU officials to get in touch with the chamber.

Ali Kamacıoğlu, head of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry argued that neither side on the island was ready to implement the PDO registration decision. He added that they have asked the EC to postpone the date of entering into force.

“The Turkish Cypriot producers will at least need a decade to reach the requirements demanded by the PDO registration,” Kamacıoğlu argued, added that the Greek Cypriot producers have reached a separate agreement with the EU to start with the current output of milk, gradually working up to the 51 per cent content of sheep or goat’s milk required to meet standards.

Also responding to questions from Yenidüzen, head of the livestock breeders’ association Mustafa Naimoğluları also said the Turkish Cypriot farmers were not ready for EU inspections.

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot farmers can’t reach the required raw milk output target for at least ten years, Naimoğluları recalled the request put forth to the EC on the postponement of the PDO registration decision to enter into force. Naimoğluları also complained that the EU has not yet released funds for the production facilities in the north to be upgraded to the necessary standards.

Mustafa Başlar, head of the Association for Dairy Producers (SUIB), also noted that the factories in the north are not ready for the decision that will enter into force in October. He also noted that the Turkish Cypriot producers were informed of the latest developments on Hellim (Halloumi) from the Greek Cypriot media.

“The latest decisions were adopted without considering the Turkish Cypriot producers…The Greek Cypriot and EU officials make the Turkish Cypriot producers suffer,” Başlar argued, adding that the inspection company has been contracted by the Greek Cypriot health ministry.

Noting that nearly 20 companies have launched their efforts to sell Hellim (Halloumi) within the scope of the Green Line Trade regulation, Başlar stressed the Turkish Cypriot producers do not want to be left to the mercy of the Greek Cypriot officials. Hellim (Halloumi) producers have voiced similar concerns, stating that they are waiting for the Turkish Cypriot authorities to inform them of what needs to be done.


Turkish MoD: TSK to protect the lives of the Turkish Cypriots

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security

OVERVIEW

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is in Cyprus to protect the lives of the Turkish Cypriots, Defence Ministry spokeswoman Major Pınar Kara said at a press conference on Sunday. Touching on the Cyprus issue during her briefing, Kara said the TSK, which is stationed on the island in line with the Treaty of Guarantee, will always stand side-by-side with the Turkish Cypriots.

“Turkey as a guarantor nation with rights emanating from international treaties and law will continue to be the assurance of peace and security on the island,” Kara stressed. She added that it is not possible to find a solution on the island unless the presence of two separate, equal, sovereign and independent states are accepted.

“The only feasible model is a two-state solution based on the sovereign equality of the two states that co-exist side by side,” Kara said, adding that it is not possible to reach an agreement with attempted and exhausted models.

Kara also refuted the claims that the TSK is an occupying force. “The attempts to present the TSK as an occupying force will neither cover the atrocities committed against the Turkish Cypriots nor will the Greek or Greek Cypriot side will gain anything from,” Kara stressed, adding that the TSK is in Cyprus to protect the lives of the Turkish Cypriots.

“The TSK will continue to be the assurance of peace and security on the island,” Kara concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Akar (Turkey)
>> TSK is in Cyprus to protect the lives of TCs in line with rights emanating from international treaties & laws.
>> Not possible to find a solution unless the presence of two separate, equal, sovereign & independent states are accepted.


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