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There is a ₺1.4bn (€121.9m) ‘deficit’ in the budget
Here is 2022’s state budget: ₺12.7bn (€1.106m). The impact of the financial crisis has deepened after it emerged in the draft budget for 2022 that there will be a ₺1.4bn (€121.9m) deficit. The acting head of the Economy, Finance, Budget and Planning Committee, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Fikri Toros said that the budget deficit has doubled compared to the previous year.
- A mass inauguration ceremony with prayers and attendance of an imam was held in Kyrenia – The foundations of the new military hospital and roads constructed across the country were inaugurated. The promotion of the 500-bed hospital to be constructed in Nicosia as well as a health clinic in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpasso) was also held.
Grand celebration
Ceremonies were held throughout the country to mark the 38th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay also attended the ceremonies representing Turkey. Speaking during the official ceremony in the capital, President Ersin Tatar said “We will not enter into a new round of negotiations unless the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereignty is accepted.” He added, “This is our official position and is on record now.” Fuat Oktay said: “The two-state solution is a path that requires patience. We will walk on this path together.”
TRNC insists on sovereignty
Turkish side emphasized it is ready for a solution based on sovereign equality during the 38th-anniversary celebrations for the TRNC. President Ersin Tatar said a fair and lasting solution on the island can only be established between the existing two states and by accepting their sovereign equality and their equal international status.
The public is seeking stability
People are complaining that unemployment and poverty are on the rise while young people are looking for ways to immigrate elsewhere. Citizens speaking to Diyalog on the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC complained that the economic situation in the country is getting worse. Many drew attention to the never-ending government crises, the constant cabinet changes and the fact that even the simplest of work can’t be done because of instability at senior administrative positions within the public service. The public’s expectation is for stability to be achieved in politics.
- The quantity is very high –The two Greek Cypriots who were caught with a bag of drugs are being kept at the police station.
Police investigation over “Victory sign”
Ersin Tatar complained to the police about an individual, who made the ‘victory sign’ during the main parade held to mark the 38th anniversary of the TRNC. Upon Tatar’s complaint, the police summoned the individual to a police station and took his affidavit. Everyone was shocked when the individual’s lawyer Ongun Talat shared the details of the incident on social media.
- Mass inauguration with prayers – The foundation laying ceremony for the new military hospital in Kyrenia was held with prayers. Fuat Oktay also attended the ceremony.
Main News
Tatar & Oktay give hardliner messages during the military parade
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials reiterated their positions in favour of a two-state solution on the island during the ceremonies held to mark the “38th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)” or otherwise known as the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the Turkish Cypriot state.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday said the Turkish Cypriot people in no way will abandon the ‘TRNC’ as the Turkish Cypriot state is seen as the “award following the long struggle for freedom and independence.”
In his speech during the military parade held in north Nicosia, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot side desired a just, lasting, and sustainable solution in Cyprus but that any such settlement needed to be based on the realities on the island.
Tatar referred to the talks in Crans Montana where the Greek Cypriot side insisted on a solution without an army and guarantees, saying that the “Cypriot side continues its irreconcilable position and for this reason, any efforts remain fruitless “.
Negotiations continue for half a century on a basis for a federal solution “a solution model that has weakened,” said Tatar, adding that “we will not enter a cycle of negotiations that do not accept our equal sovereignty and equal international recognition.”
He reiterated that a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem can only be found by accepting “two states with equal sovereignty and equal international recognition.”
He went on to say that both the EU and the UN must be impartial, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side would not stop insisting on equal sovereignty.
“Even though the TRNC is not recognized it doesn’t change the reality that it exists. It exists and will continue to exist. Our expectation and hope are for the Greek Cypriot side to accept this reality and approach our solution proposal,” he said, recalling that the Turkish Cypriot side officially tabled the two-state solution model during the five-plus-UN Cyprus conference in Geneva.
Tatar added that it was out of the question for Turkish Cypriots to accept arguments that they are a minority, that they are no sovereign or that they cannot have an equal say in any state.
He repeated that official negotiations cannot commence before the Turkish Cypriot state and its sovereignty are recognized.
Also touching upon the issue of Maraş (Varosha), the Turkish Cypriot leader said that the reopening of the fenced-off town gave the Cyprus issue another dimension while claiming that the town was the territory of and part of the sovereignty of the ‘TRNC’.
He pointed out that more than 400 Greek Cypriots have applied to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) for their properties in Maraş (Varosha).
Tatar also added that a small portion of the fenced-off town was now demilitarized and the process to resettle residents would go ahead as planned.
Regarding the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the energy issue, he said that the Turkish Cypriots will defend their rights regarding hydrocarbons, reiterating the proposal for joint management of natural resources with the Greek Cypriots.
“Any attempt to keep the Turkish side and Turkey out of energy will not be accepted,” he said.
Starting his speech by, conveying the warm congratulations of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, referred to the embargoes against the ‘TRNC’, saying that lifting them would positively affect the prosperity of the island and lay the foundations for cooperation between the two sides.
He also said that Turkey and the north always shared the same views and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side with its attitude spoiled the positive climate, adding that “our goal is cooperation and stability in the region but also to find a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem”.
He reiterated that the protection of the rights of Turkish Cypriots, “equal sovereignty and equal international recognition” is a condition for reaching a solution.
He referred to the evolution of the ‘TRNC’ from Rauf Denktaş until today, saying that both Turkey and the north will continue their struggle for recognition.
The Turkish president however added that a two-state solution would require patience but that the goal would be eventually reached.
He then referred to the issue of natural resources, saying that their joint management will be an opportunity for cooperation but that the GC side insisted on unilateral moves.
Oktay said that Turkey will give the necessary response to any activities carried out by the Greek Cypriot side.
“Whoever is looking for adventures in the Eastern Mediterranean will get what they are looking for,” he warned.
Oktay said in his speech that Turkey’s co-operation with the north and the economic co-operation protocol was bearing fruit in areas such as energy, health, agriculture and tourism, noting that programs and projects were being implemented.
Regarding the pandemic, he said that Turkey had sent about 500 thousand doses of vaccines to the north and referred to various projects being implemented with the support of the Turkey.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>>TCs will not abandon their state.
>> TC side desires a just, lasting & sustainable solution but any such settlement must be based on the realities on the island.
>> Efforts to reach a solution remain fruitless due to the GC side’s irreconcilable position.
>> TC side will not enter negotiations that reject TCs’ equal sovereignty & equal international recognition.
>> EU & UN must be impartial.
>> TC side will not abandon position on sovereign equality & expects GC side of accepting this reality.
>> Reopening Maraş (Varosha) gave Cyprob a new dimension & is a turning point.
>> Maraş (Varosha) is part of TC state.
>> Any attempt to exclude Turkey or TCs from the energy equation will not be accepted.
Oktay (Turkey)
>> Lifting of embargoes would have a positive effect on two sides & lay the foundations of cooperation between the two sides.
>> Turkey desires a just & lasting solution in Cyprus as well as cooperation & stability in the region.
>> Two-state solution requires patience.
>> The joint management of hydrocarbons will be an opportunity for cooperation.
>> Turkey will give the necessary response to any activities the GC side takes in East Med.
Akansoy: “The only way out is a federation”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Despite the euphoric celebrations on Monday to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of the independence (UDI) of the Turkish Cypriot state in the north, the Republican Turkish Party expressed its support to a federal settlement.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Asım Akansoy in a post on social media said the only way out for Turkish Cypriots was a federal solution based on political equality.
“Any other political suggestions other than a federal model is nothing but products of a separationist mindset that has no outcome,” Akansoy said.
He also slammed the Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot officials for carrying out pompous ceremonies to mark the anniversary.
“Instead, the goal should be to create a system and structure in which will allow Turkish Cypriots will govern themselves and to protect democracy and secularism,” Akansoy stressed, adding that the parliamentarian democratic structure must be strengthened.
“It is vital for the Turkish Cypriots to have decision-making powers,” he added, noting that it is only then possible to be included in the international systems honourably.
Akansoy said the Turkish Cypriots therefore must work towards a federal solution based on the political equality of the two communities, instead of being “a sub-administration or burden on others.”
Pointing out that the only day the Turkish Cypriots have decided for their future was April 24, 2004, Akansoy argued the rest has been the product of political elite and separatist circles.
Akansoy also underlined the importance of developing Turkish Cypriot institutions and identity to be able to govern administrative mechanisms under the federal roof.
“This is the only way out for the Turkish Cypriots,” Akansoy concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Akansoy
>> Federal settlement only way out for TCs. Alternative models have no chance of success.
>> Goal should be to create a system that will allow TCs to govern themselves and to protect democracy & secularism.
>> Vital for TCs to have decision-making powers.
>> TCs must work for a federal settlement based on political equality rather than be dependent on Turkey.
GC boys to remain in custody for four more days
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Two Greek Cypriot boys aged 18 and 19, who were arrested with possession of 390 grams of cannabis type drugs by Turkish Cypriot narcotics police in Beyarmudu (Pergamos) will remain in police custody for four more days, dailies reported on Tuesday.
The two suspects C.P and E.G, who were arrested on November 11, 2021, are being charged with “importing an illegal substance; possession of an illegal substance and illegal entry into the north through a first-degree military zone.”
The police officer in charge of the investigation told the court on Monday that the suspects had given voluntary testimony, admitting to their crime.
The court ordered the suspects to be remanded for four more days.
According to Diyalog newspaper, the two are being kept at a police transfer and have not been transferred to the central prison.