TCC Press Review 8 Sept 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Difficult year for higher education

The results of the Measuring, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) exams in Turkey have been announced. There has been a drop in the number of students who have chosen universities in the north of Cyprus. The difficulty of transportation and quarantine requirements for third-country nationals is worrying universities. All eyes have turned to the vaccination of university students.

Kıbrıs

Dirty fuel poisons

Both environmentalists and health experts point out that the smoke from the Teknecik power plant’s chimney proves that the fuel that is being used is not clean. Underlining the need to switch to renewable energy, they say that the world has started changing its systems and the EU has a target of 2052 to meeting its demands from renewable energy.

  • The poverty threshold in August is ₺4,466 (€446)KTAMS (Turkish Cypriot public servants’ union) demanded the new minimum wage must be above the poverty threshold.

Havadis

The schools will open only to be closed again

Former education minister, Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit said that there are important problems that need to be addressed before launching face-to-face education. He warned that the curriculum must be revised; the infrastructure at schools must be developed before the schools are reopened. Özyiğit, however, highlighted that the government or the education ministry do not have any plans in place and the cabinet is preoccupied with their upcoming party congresses. He warned that as a result, the schools will reopen only to close again.

  • Fine-tuning foreign policy in Ankara – The TRNC delegation comprised of bureaucrats from the presidency and the foreign ministry held meetings in Ankara at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
  • Minimum wage earners condemned to starvation – KTAMS (Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Union) announced that the poverty threshold for August was calculated at ₺4,466 (€446) and demanded the new minimum wage must be above the poverty threshold.

Diyalog

Clear message to his rivals

Prime Minister Ersan Saner said he wants to enter the April 2022 elections as the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP). “My dear colleagues who are planning to run are more comfortable and are carrying out campaign visits. I on the other hand am carrying out my duties (as Prime Minister).

Avrupa

The proposal to return to 1960 order to be submitted to the UN

Nicos Anastasiades will take his proposal of returning to the 1960 partnership as a solution model to the United Nations. “1960 Constitution was a proposal of substance and not a figure of speech,” Anastasiades said, adding that he will present Antonio Guterres with his proposal…

Main News

The EU expressed its determination for BBF solution once again

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

OVERVIEW

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU has not changed its position regarding the Cyprus problem and is determined in finding a bicommunal, bizonal federal (BBF) solution based on political equality.

Responding to AKEL MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek’s letter dated July 15, von der Leyen also said the EU expects the same attitude to be displayed by Turkey.

Also touching on the Maraş (Varosha) issue in her response dated August 30, von der Leyen said the EU will continue to hold Turkey responsible for the situation in the fenced-off town and underscored that no new action in violation of the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) should be taken.

She reiterated the EU’s commitment and determination to protect the interests of the EU as well as the member states should unlawful provocations and unilateral actions continue, noting that Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials’ unacceptable statements made on July 20, 2021, indicate an attempt to unilaterally change the status of Maraş (Varosha). The EC President also recalled the condemnation message issued by High Representative Josep Borrell on July 27.

Von der Leyen also demanded that movement restrictions imposed on the UNFICYP’s peacekeepers in Maraş (Varosha) must cease immediately effectively. The EC President highlighted that the EU will continue to support the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) efforts to launch the negotiations process to reach a comprehensive federal settlement on the island.

“It is equally vital for Turkey to commit to and contribute constructively to the efforts as well,” von der Leyen stressed, urging Turkey to refrain from unilateral actions that might escalate the tension on the island and that violate international law. She added that the EU will continue to relay the same message to the Turkish officials.

Von der Leyen reiterating that the EU holds Turkey responsible for Maraş (Varosha), also welcomed the UNSC Presidential statement condemning further reopening in the fenced-off town. She demanded Turkey to reverse its steps taken in Maraş (Varosha) since October 2020.

Ursula von der Leyen concluded by reminding that the EU foreign ministers in line with the decision adopted during the EU Summit on March 25, 2021, will consider the sanctions and measures to be adopted in its next meeting should Turkey does not stop its unilateral actions in violation of UNSC resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992).

AKEL MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek on July 15 shared his grave concerns for the future of Cyprus as well as the Turkish government’s intervention in the Turkish Cypriot domestic affairs and steps taken in Maraş (Varosha) in a letter sent to EC President Ursula von der Leyen.

Kızılyürek introduced himself to von der Leyen as a Cypriot elected with the votes of both communities in 2019 and who dedicated his entire life for Cypriot communities to live together in peace. He added animosity against Turkish Cypriots who support a united Federal Cyprus and who object to a two-state solution following the leadership election held in the northern part of the island was growing.

“While the federalist Turkish Cypriots are being put under pressure, the secessionist nationalists are becoming bolder with the support they receive from the Turkish government,” Kızılyürek argued. He said it is unacceptable to see Turkey imposing restrictions on travel on EU citizens Turkish Cypriots at a time when Turkey wants free movement for its citizens in Europe.

“Turkey, while on one hand works towards dividing the island eternally, it is on the other hand, turning the northern part of the island into its backyard,” Kızılyürek stressed, adding he is concerned for the future of the Turkish Cypriot community and Cyprus.

AKEL MEP also noted that Turkey is blatantly violating the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions in the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) as well. “Reopening of the fenced-off town under the Turkish administration would kill all hopes for the reunification of the island,” Kızılyürek said, expressing his concerns that Cyprus as a full EU member state is now faced with the risk of being partitioned permanently.

“As Europeans, we agree that we have to do a lot more to reunite this small island and to reinstate lasting peace on an EU member state,” Kızılyürek concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Ursula von der Leyen (EU)
>> EU remains committed to BBF settlement in Cyprus.
>> EU will continue to hold Turkey responsible for the situation in Maraş (Varosha). No new action in violation of UNSC resolutions should be taken.
>> Movement restrictions imposed on the UNFICYP’s peacekeepers in Maraş (Varosha) must cease immediately effectively.
>> EU will continue to support the UNSG’s efforts to launch talks aimed to reach a comprehensive federal settlement.
>> Turkey must commit & contribute constructively to efforts.
>> Turkey must refrain from unilateral actions that might escalate tensions on the island & violate international law.

Kızılyürek (AKEL)
>> Reopening of the fenced-off town under the Turkish administration would kill all hopes for the reunification of the island.


Erhürman: Unrealistic proposals are a waste of time

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman on Tuesday said the so-called ‘new ideas,’ which were put forth to play for time, will only waste the island’s and the people’s time. In a post on social media, Erhürman responded to Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades latest remarks on his proposal to return to the 1960 Republic.

“I believe that UNSG Guterres has now regretted asking for ‘new ideas’ and for not adopting the necessary attitude against Anastasiades who was reluctant in accepting political equality in Crans Montana,” Erhürman said, adding that Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar had also come up with his ‘two-state solution model based on sovereign equality in the same framework.

The Greek Cypriot media reported that Anastasiades during an interview with Omega TV said returning to the 1960 Constitution was a proposal of substance and not a figure of speech, adding that he will develop it further for the UNSG.

Anastasiades also noted that his proposal was in line with UNSG’s request from both sides to suggest new ideas that could bring them closer together and overcome the impasse on the Cyprus problem.

KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> So-called ‘new ideas’ such as returning to 1960 order or two-state solution only a waste of time.


Tatar: Mediation efforts for a federal settlement is a waste of time

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday said that the mediation efforts of the Greek Cypriot side, the United Nations and the international community to establish a federation on the island for over 50 years now has been nothing more than a waste of time and has been inconclusive.

Speaking with a group of journalists in Konya, Tatar said that instead of trying to find an agreement based on a federation, the time had come to show that an agreement based on sovereign equality with two states living side by side and cooperating was possible.

Also touching upon the developments taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tatar said that they are carrying out an honourable policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and added that they will continue to strengthen their relations with Turkey.

“The Turkish Cypriots’ demand for sovereignty and demand for two states living side by side has gained wider acceptance since 1974,” he argued, adding that the Greek Cypriot side had not abandoned its ambitions to transform Cyprus into a Greek island. Tatar also reiterated his anti-federal solution rhetoric, arguing that the federal model would result in majority ruling over the minority as well as cutting Turkish Cypriots’ ties off with Turkey.

In the meantime, Tatar’s office in north Nicosia issued a statement to mark the 25th death anniversary of Allahverdi Kılıç, who was allegedly killed by Greek Cypriots while on duty. “The attack carried out proved once again that the Greek Cypriot mentality that perceives the Turkish Cypriots as a minority has not changed a bit,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will never give up on Turkey’s guarantees or the presence of the Turkish troops on the island.

Tatar added that his main goal is to safeguard a peaceful and secure future for the Turkish Cypriots through a fair and lasting agreement. “The only way to reach the agreement is to agree on the model tabled by the Turkish Cypriot side in Geneva based on two equal and separate states,” Tatar said, urging the Greek Cypriot side to comprehend the fact that they will not be able to achieve anything by saying “zero troops, zero guarantees.”

“We owe our freedom and our state to Turkish Cypriots who displayed an immense resistance and to motherland Turkey,” Tatar concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> Efforts to reach a federal settlement are a waste of time.
>> The time has come to show that an agreement based on sovereign equality with two states living side by side & cooperating was possible.
>> A federal model will only result in majority ruling over the minority as well as cutting TCs’ ties off with Turkey.
>> Turkey & TC side continue to protect their rights & interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.


Çavuşoğlu: Plans that exclude Turkey have no chance of succeeding


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, Regional/ International Relations

OVERVIEW

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday that any agreement which excluded Turkey from the Eastern Mediterranean had no validity, adding that no plan without Turkey has a chance to succeed, and reiterated the country’s determination on defending its rights and interests in the region.       

Çavuşoğlu, speaking to Turkish news broadcaster NTV, commented on the exclusion of Turkey from the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF). “We will do whatever is necessary if our rights are violated,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding that Turkey had proven what it was capable of in the field.

He reminded that Turkey had proposed an Eastern Mediterranean Energy conference with the participation of all the countries in the region. “We will not allow anyone to usurp our rights,” Çavuşoğlu said.

KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> An agreement which excludes Turkey from East Med has no validity or chance of succeeding.
>> Turkey will do whatever is necessary if Turkey’s rights are violated.


EC official Björnsson visited the KTTO


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Economy

OVERVIEW

Deputy Director of the Structural Reform & Head of Unit Cyprus Settlement support at European Commission Kjartan Björnsson together with his delegation visited the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. (KTTO)

During the visit on Tuesday, Björnsson and the head of the KTTO Turgay Deniz evaluated the product designated origin (PDO) registration for Hellim (Halloumi). Deniz, during the meeting, was accompanied by deputy general secretary Mustafa Ergüven, Trade development expert İzzet Adiloğlu, Business development expert Alara Ataç and member services officer Şeniz Avcıoğlu.


Minimum wage ₺3,828 (€383), the poverty threshold is ₺4,466 (€446)


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

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Union (KTAMS) said the gap between the minimum wage and the poverty threshold is increasing by the day.

In a protest staged by the union against the government for delaying on purpose the announcement on the new minimum wage, Güven Bengihan, head of KTAMS, argued that the minimum wage is literally melting before the price hikes in the marketplace.

“The difference between the poverty threshold, which is ₺4,466 (€446) and the minimum wage, which is ₺3,828 (€383), is ₺638 (€64),” the union said, adding that the families who are trying to make ends meet on a minimum wage salary are being crushed by price hikes and inflation.

Bengihan added that the proposed increase in the minimum wage will not be enough to restore the public’s purchasing power, arguing for the need to make legal amendments to include the minimum wage in the law that regulates giving cost-of-living increments to the public sector once every six months.


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