GCC Press Review 22 Sept 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

The President is once again collecting a pension that has been… waived

In 2015 he had said that his MP pension would go to poor students.

  • ‘No’ from the Americans: ‘Friend’ Biden will not see his ‘friend’ Nicos
  • A mess in Chlorakas: Migrants stacked like… sardines
  • ‘Golden’ passports: 1,147 investors waiting

Phileleftheros

Green shock to our pockets

New Commission policies further burden vulnerable households and small to medium-sized businesses. Even bigger weight in EAC bills for the cost of purchase of emissions.

  • Only plausible prospect a ‘commitment of the parties’: He’ll listen to them before he decides on a special envoy
  • Powerful message from the USA towards Tatar ahead of the trilateral
  • They’re threatening Nouris with criminal prosecution over rents for TC properties

Haravgi

Antonio Guterres: The world is moving in the wrong direction

UNSG: Leaders should tackle the generation gap, giving the youth a seat at the table.

  • Cyprus problem: Bar of expectations low for the trilateral
  • What sort of policy is this you are following, Mr Nouris? Inhumanity!
  • Big developers are requesting a new investment programme for foreign investors

Cyprus Mail

EAC set to take €24 million hit

Reduction on electricity bills will cause revenue loss for state power provider

  • Minister brushes off calls for asylum seeker to be reunited with her family
  • All pending golden passport applications been processed

Alithia

Intransigent until the end!

Just before their meeting with Antonio Guterres the Turks are insisting on their position for two states and sovereign equality. Battle from the Secretary General for the appointment of a special representative instead of a special envoy. Guterres grateful to Turkey for the way in which they’re handling migrants. Criticism to Archbishop Elpidophoros – he was at the opening ceremony next to Tatar.

  • Shocking complaints over migrants – Nikos Nouris didn’t go to Parliament because they invited KISA
  • Extension of measures: Safe Pass and restrictions for three more weeks

Main News

Expectations remain low for New York trilateral

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

President Nicos Anastasiades was scheduled to meet with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at 1am Cyprus time in New York, meaning papers could not cover the meeting in their issues on Wednesday.

Haravgi reports that the meeting was expected to take place in a generally pessimistic climate, both due to the TC side’s distance from UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions but also due to Anastasiades’ proposal for a return to the 1960 Constitution which also deviates from resolutions. The paper reports that only DISY stands behind Anastasiades’ recent moves.

Phileleftheros reports citing UN diplomatic sources that the only plausible prospect for the trilateral meeting seems to be a statement of commitment by the two sides that they will work towards finding common ground, allowing negotiations to resume. For this reason, at the centre of Guterres’ separate meetings with the two leaders as well as during the trilateral will be the issue of the appointment of a special representative for the Cyprus problem, who will have a broader and enhanced role compared to the duties of Jane Holl Lute.

Phileleftheros reports that given that Anastasiades has already welcomed the prospect, the issue is expected to clear up with Guterres’ meetings with Turkey, held on Monday afternoon, and with Tatar, to be held possibly on Saturday. The paper writes that Guterres will either secure the Turkish side’s consent or will hear a repetition of the argument that the appointment cannot be accepted until the sovereign equality and equal international status of TCs is accepted.

Alithia reports citing diplomatic sources that the Turkish side’s reluctance to accept the appointment is based on the fact that the special representative’s mandate will be issued by the UNSC and its relevant resolutions. The paper reports that it is likely that due to the Turkish side’s unwillingness, a special envoy will have to be appointed rather than a special representative, since the former responds directly to the UNSG.

Politis reports that the TC side is ready to negotiate all Cyprob aspects under three conditions: the termination of its isolation, the acceptance of its sovereign equality, and the recognition of its equal international status.

Phileleftheros and Alithia report that while in New York, both Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides are holding numerous contacts with foreign leaders and diplomats, while on Thursday the customary trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Egypt is expected to be held at the level of Foreign Ministers.

Alithia reports that just days before the trilateral, the Turkish side is continuing to insist on its intransigent positions for two states and sovereign equality.


US State Department stresses opposition to two-state solution

Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Phileleftheros reports that ahead of the trilateral meeting to be held between the UN Secretary General (UNSG) and the two leaders, Washington sent a strong message to the Turkish side, rejecting a two-state solution and standing behind UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Varosha.

The letter, dated September 21, was sent by Naz Durakoglu, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and addressed to Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

Duarkoglu said the State Department is concerned over the unilateral reopening of a section of Varosha as well as over the announcement regarding the transfer of parts of the town under TC control.

The letter said the US condemn this development which goes against UN resolutions 550 and 789, adding that the US consider these moves provocative, unacceptable and incompatible with prior commitments by the TC side and Turkey to participate constructively in settlement talks.

The US will continue encouraging TCs and Turkey to reverse their decision and all steps taken from October 2020, it added.

The US State Department also expressed its concern for the pursuit of a two-state solution, stressing that it remains in support of a settlement in the form of a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) that will reunite the island and will be to benefit of all Cypriots and the broader region.

Meanwhile, Politis reports that a meeting will not be taking place between President Nicos Anastasiades and US President Joe Biden in New York due to the latter’s extremely busy schedule.

KEY ACTORS
Durakoglu (US)
>>
Concerned about pursuit for a two-state solution
>> US remains in support of a BBF settlement that will reunite the island and will be to benefit of all Cypriots and the broader region
>> Concerned over the unilateral reopening of a section of Varosha as well as over the announcement regarding the transfer of parts of the town under TC control
>> Varosha developments moves provocative, unacceptable and incompatible with prior commitments by the TC side and Turkey to participate constructively in settlement talks
>> US will continue encouraging TCs and Turkey to reverse their decision and all steps taken from October 2020


Guterres, Erdogan discuss Cyprus problem  

Alithia, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The Cyprus problem was among the topics discussed between UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres and the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late on Monday on the margins of the UN General Assembly, Phileleftheros and Alithia report.

The two also exchanged thoughts on developments in Syria, Libya and Afghanistan.

Alithia reports that Erdogan also held a 40-minute meeting with the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The dailies alsoreportthat on Monday, Guterres also attended the opening ceremony of the new Turkish House in New York. Also present at the ceremony was TC leader Ersin Tatar, with the paper reporting that a floor of the building was granted to the regime in the north to be used for its diplomatic, touristic and commercial missions in the US.

During his address at the opening ceremony, Guterres said the UN and Turkey share an excellent cooperation, and lauded Turkey’s role in the reduction, management and termination of conflicts as well as for its generosity as regards the issue of migration.

Phileleftheros and Alithia report on the strong criticism over the fact that Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, was also present at the ceremony alongside Erdogan and Tatar. Phileleftheros writes that several expat groups asking that the Archbishop does not attend the dinner being organised by the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations to be attended by President Nicos Anastasiades, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and US officials.


FM secures regional meetings for November

Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides has secured regional meetings that will include the participation of the US and France for November, Phileleftheros reports.

The meetings were arranged during the course of contacts held by Christodoulides on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

Phileleftheros reports that the meetings secured were the following: The first will be between Cyprus, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt; the second will be between Cyprus, France, Greece, and Egypt; and the third will see the participation of Cyprus, the USA, Israel, and Greece.

The paper reports that the meetings will take place during a critical period as regards regional and international matters, as well as during a time when Turkey is trying to open paths for cooperation with regional countries and mainly Egypt.

Phileleftheros adds that Christodoulides had the opportunity to meet with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry to discuss the implementation of what was agreed during the recent intergovernmental meeting between Cyprus and Egypt, as well as to discuss recent developments in the broader region.

The two also talked about the next steps in their joint effort to further enhance the cooperation between the like-minded countries in the broader region. The paper reports that Shoukry accepted Christodoulides’ invitation to visit Cyprus before the end of the year.


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