GCC Press Review 27 Oct 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Mafia-MIT are sharing the game in the occupied areas

Mafia man Peker and Turkey’s secret service threw Saner out of the window.

  • Assurances… falling through: Parliament is ‘making sure’ that crimes remain anonymous
  • ‘N. Anastasiades’ law firm: Its position on Ryan Air and the facts
  • Commission: Commission evaluating our excuses for the ‘golden’ (passports)
  • Azeri case: Network of informants with many… tentacles

Phileleftheros

Drone, cameras and a fence

They’re deciding on measures today for the stopping of increased migrant flows. 1,800 arrivals only in October. Police and the military on patrols.

  • Obsession by Tatar against the Security Council
  • Cavusoglu was going to leave because of the crisis
  • The opposition in the streets but without a common front
  • Citizens over 60 turning their back on the third vaccine dose

Haravgi

The Presidential Palace predisposing the supervisory authorities on the Pandora Papers

Anastasiades-Averof drove the country to pan-European disgrace.

  • Politics: Humanitarian handling is demanded for children without IDs
  • Commission: Our messages on the ‘golden’ passports weren’t listened to

Cyprus Mail

‘Perfect storm’ for price rises

MPs again call on government to help with spiralling costs.

  • Cabinet to decide today on citizenship for two children of bicommunal couple

Alithia

Surprising law proposal from Marinos Sizopoulos

The President of EDEK is requesting that the decisions taken by the collective bodies of parties which are foreseen in their statutes are not subject to court checks.

  • Nikos Christodoulides: ‘The two-state solution in Cyprus cannot be accepted’
  • Deutsche Welle: Relations between Erdogan-Cavusoglu have reached the limits
  • Harsh response from the Presidential Palace: AKEL’s scandals: Mari, Dromolaxia, shell companies, financial destruction…

Main News

Anastasiades expresses political willingness for viable Cyprob solution

Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

President Nicos Anastasiades reiterated his political will for a peaceful, honest, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, Phileleftheros reports.

The paper reports that Anastasiades, speaking at an event held at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, said that a solution that goes against high-level agreements and UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions cannot be accepted, since such a solution would render the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) under Turkey’s thumb.

Anastasiades added that the culmination of Turkey’s long-term goals is the abandonment of the solution basis and the creation of two independent states, the creation of new faits accomplis on the ground through the changing of the status of Varosha, the granting of 145 square kilometres of GC land for additional militarisation, but also through the constant violations of international maritime law with illegal interventions in the RoC’s exlcusive economic zone (EEZ).

Meanwhile, Phileleftheros reports on the continuation of disagreement between the two sides regarding the UNSC’s involvement in the appointment of a special envoy, with the TC side not wanting the UNSC involved and the GC side insisting that the UNSC has a vital role in the Cyprus problem.

Citing statements issued by TC leader Ersin Tatar in an interview on Turkish television, Phileleftheros reports that Tatar stressed that Jane Holl Lute’s successor must not have more authority than her, and reiterated that he is seeking the appointment of a personal and not a special envoy, with the latter receiving their mandate from the UNSC. He also reiterated that for negotiations to resume, the TC side’s sovereign equality must be recognised.

The paper also reports that Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos told CyBC that Nicosia expects the UN Secretary General (UNSG) to move forward with the appointment of an envoy that would answer to the UNSC, as had been agreed during the New York trilateral. Pelekanos also stressed the importance of the envoy’s mandate and their fundamental goal being the deliberation with involved parties in order to resume negotiations.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades

>> Has political willingess for a peaceful, honest, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem
>> A solution that goes against high-level agreements and UNSC resolutions cannot be accepted, since such a solution would render the RoC under Turkey’s thumb
>> The culmination of Turkey’s long-term goals is the abandonment of the solution basis and the creation of two independent states, the creation of new faits accomplis on the ground through the changing of the status of Varosha, the granting of 145 square kilometres of GC land for additional militarisation, but also through the constant violations of international maritime law with illegal interventions in the RoC’s EEZ


Christodoulides: BBF the only possible Cyprob solution

Alithia, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said the only possible road for the resolution of the Cyprus problem is the negotiations process under the auspices of the UN and on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, noting that whatever lies beyond these cannot even be discussed, Alithia reports.

Citing an interview with GR Diplomatic Review, Alithia reports that Christodoulides said that the only agreed-upon solution basis is a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) with political equality, as defined by UN resolutions. Phileleftheros also reports that he said the GC side remains unyieldingly focused on this goal and is working to create the necessary conditions for the resumption of the negotiations process, so that this goal can be achieved.

Anything beyond a BBF is not up for discussion, he said, noting that this is also the clear position of the international community, as seen through the recent deliberations and final result of the discussion among the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the adoption of a resolution for the renewal of the UNFICYP mandate. Christodoulides that this same clear position is also shared by the EU.

Christodouldes said that always, during period of protracted stagnation such the current one, which is also marked by increased provocative behaviour on the part of Turkey, it is normal for a sense of pessimism to be created.

He also said that the GC side welcomes that during the joint meeting between the two leaders in New York, the UN Secretary General (UNSG) took the initiative to send the message that he is completely committed to the prospect of resolving the Cyprus problem.

Christodoulides expressed hope that soon the goal of resuming substantive negotiations on the basis of the agreed-upon framework will be achieved, stressing that the GC side is committed to finding a solution despite any difficulties, the intensifying provocations and pessimism. He said there is no other choice.

He added that he truly believes that if Turkey was thinking logically, it could easily see the benefits that could arise for itself through the resolution of the Cyprus problem. Referring to Turkey’s and the TC side’s insistence on a two-state solution and sovereign equality, Christodoulides said these divert from the agreed-upon solution framework and are in opposition to UNSC resolutions, EU decisions, and the long-standing positions of the international community as a whole.

Christodoulides also said that we must not ignore the voices of reaction in the north that are steadily increasing against Turkey’s policies for TCs and against Tatar’s approach to the Cyprus problem. He said we must also not ignore the EU’s clear position against a two-state solution in Cyprus, as well as its clear position that any decisions on a potential positive agenda with Turkey must also be assessed through Cyprus problem developments.

He added that also important is the joint position of the UNSC in relation to the sought-after goal, as well as the position of the new US government, which has told Turkey that a two-state solution cannot be accepted in Cyprus. He said the GC side will exhaust every opportunity for dialogue, but from that point on, each side will be judged by their positions and actions.

KEY ACTORS
Christodoulides

>> The only possible road for the resolution of the Cyprus problem is through the UN negotiations process & on the basis of relevant UN resolutions
>> The only agreed-upon solution basis is a BBF with political equality, as defined by UN resolutions
>> GC side remains unyieldingly focus on this goal & is working to create the necessary conditions for the resumption of the negotiations process, so that this goal can be achieved
>> Anything beyond a BBF is not up for discussion & this is also the clear position of the international community
>> GC side welcomes that during the joint meeting between the two leaders in New York, the UNSG took the initiative to send the message that he is completely committed to the prospect of resolving the Cyprus problem
>> Hopes that soon the goal of resuming substantive negotiations on the basis of the agreed-upon framework will be achieved
>> GC side is committed to finding a solution despite any difficulties, the intensifying provocations and pessimism, since there is no other choice
>> Truly believes that if Turkey was thinking logically, it could easily see the benefits that could arise for itself through the resolution of the Cyprus problem
>> Two-state solution & sovereign equality divert from the agreed-upon solution framework and are in opposition to UNSC resolutions, EU decisions, and the long-standing positions of the international community as a whole
>> We must not ignore intensifying TCs reactions against Turkey and Tatar
>> We must also not ignore the EU’s clear position against a two-state solution in Cyprus, as well as its clear position that any decisions on a potential positive agenda with Turkey must also be assessed through Cyprus problem developments


UK expresses support for BBF solution

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The new UK Foreign Secretary Liz Tuss reaffirmed that the British government stands behind a Cyprus solution in the form of a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation (BBF), the dailies report.

Her statements, which were the first on the issue of the Cyprus problem, came after she had the opportunity to listen to Greece’s position on the matter after being briefed by her Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias on Monday. Her comments came after she received a relative question on Tuesday during a House of Commons session.

The question was posed by UK MP Alyn Smith, who said being consistently in line with international law is vital for the creation of credibility and the trust, something which is made most clear in Cyprus, where half of the island remains under occupation. He therefore asked Tuss whether she agrees that the only basis of peace in Cyprus is a BBF and that certain claims to the contrary heard recently would only constitute setbacks.

Tuss responded that she doesn’t agree with the basis of the question regarding claims, since, she said, the UK supports a comprehensive solution based on previous parameters as outlined in UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

KEY ACTORS
Tuss (UK)

>> British government supports BBF solution to Cyprus problem


Buffer Zone surveillance proposals include cameras, drones

Phileleftheros
Migration & Citizenship

OVERVIEW

Interior Minister Nikos Nouris will on Wednesday be proposing to the Cabinet new measures that will serve to deter irregular migration through the Buffer Zone, Phileleftheros reports.

The paper reports citing information that among the measures being examined is the extension of the barbed wire fence that has already been installed in the Astromeritis-Kokkinotrimithia and the Pyrgos Tyllirias areas. Other measures include the use of technology such as drones and cameras that will also be able to record in the dark. Police and the military will also step up patrols.

The paper reports that one suggestion for the surveillance of the Buffer Zone involves the use of unmanned aircraft of the Cyprus Institute’s Research Centre, as they are making the rounds to check for potential fires.

The paper adds that due to the increasing numbers of migrants, particularly from Sub-Saharan African countries, authorities chose to extend their cooperation with the military to boost the police’s ability to monitor the situation, meaning that the Ministries of Justice and Defence will extend their cooperation.

Phileleftheros also reports that on Tuesday, Nouris referred to the issue of migrant flows coming in through the Buffer Zone, noting that the situation has gotten worse over the past month, with the problem mainly being the Buffer Zone and migrants being smuggled in from the north. This is why, he said, his proposal of measures will be specifically focused on the issue of the Buffer Zone.


Cabinet to handle citizenship issue of children of bicommunal couple

Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros
Migration & Citizenship

OVERVIEW

Cabinet will decide on Wednesday on the naturalisation of the two children of a bicommunal couple who have so far been refused Cypriot citizenship even after their TC father received his, the dailies report.

The Interior Ministry is expected to submit a specific proposal to grant citizenship to the two children to Cabinet on Wednesday. Interior Minister Nicos Nouris told reporters on Tuesday. Nouris said he believes the issue can be resolved.

He explained that the government must be extremely careful in the way in which citizenship is granted, in the context of the occupation, as a decision for a specific case might open a can of worms. For this reason, he said, we handle each of these cases with exceptional procedures and very carefully, he said.


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