Front Page Headlines
Total destruction
The Turkish lira’s erosion against foreign currencies continues, price hikes follow one after the other, daily Covid-19 cases are on the rise. The public perceives developments as complete destruction.
- Test requirement at crossings returns – Following a surge in Covid-19 cases on both sides, vaccinated persons will be required to present a negative PCR or rapid test carried out in the last seven days whilst non-vaccinated individuals will be required to present a negative Covid test carried out in the last 72 hours.
We are living through hell
The Turkish Central Bank dropped in interest rates once again causing a further drop in the value of its currency against foreign currencies. The British Pound Sterling reached ₺15 during the day, closing the day at ₺14.60 rate. US Dollar peaked at ₺11 and ended the day at ₺10.84 whereas Euro reached ₺12.29. The new minimum wage, which entered into force on September 1, lost nearly 20 per cent of its value due to the unstoppable rise of the foreign currencies against the Turkish Lira.
- Negative tests required from those using the crossings – Bicommunal technical committee on health considering the epidemiological situation on the island downgraded both sides to ‘dark red.’ The new rules at the crossing points will enter into force on November 22.
On the verge of bankruptcy
The value of the US Dollar exceeded ₺11; the Euro reached ₺13. British Sterling exceeded ₺15 in the market. It has become impossible to survive in the TRNC whereby the living conditions are pegged to the value of the foreign currencies.
He lost his life in hospital
A Congolese national who was not allowed to enter the TRNC because of missing paperwork lost his life after the drug capsules he had smuggled burst in his stomach. It turned out that the man who said he had arrived in North Cyprus ‘to study’ but was turned away by customs and immigration at Ercan (Tymbou) was a drug courier. P.M.V who was sent to Istanbul collapsed at the airport after the drug capsules he had swallowed burst in his stomach. He was rushed to the hospital but died on the way.
- ‘Dark Red’ – PCR/rapid test required as of Monday for people wishing to cross between north and south.
- He is being accused of acquiring a weapon –T.A who was an accomplice to an Azeri hitman preparing to assassinate an Israeli billionaire in South Cyprus was arrested in the north.
We have all gone bankrupt thanks to you your majesty
1$ = ₺11 1€ = ₺12.60 1£ = ₺15 (Frontpage illustrated with a sketch of Turkish President drawn like an Ottoman emperor.)
Main News
Test requirement at crossings returns following a surge in cases on both sides
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal technical committee on health, following a review of the epidemiological situation, announced on Thursday the implementation of a new rule on crossings, reintroducing the test requirement for people wishing to cross between the two sides.
As of Monday, everyone wishing to cross between north and south will have to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test. In a statement issued by the UN, the committee said the new ruling was implemented given the surge in positive coronavirus cases throughout the island.
The committee said the island’s epidemiological situation corresponds to Level 3 (dark red), which requires the fully vaccinated people with EMA approved vaccines, as well as the Sinovac, Sinopharm or Sputnik vaccines, using the crossings to present a seven-day negative PRC or antigen test and those without jabs a 72-hour negative test.
The committee also noted the high school students and people residing in Kato Pyrgos will be exempted from the ruling for unvaccinated people and will instead need a 7-day negative rapid antigen or PCR test.
The new regime will come into effect on Monday, November 22 from 9 am onwards.
The statement also noted that the Technical Committee on Health has continuously assessed the epidemiological situation as per the agreement of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Ersin Tatar, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, of June 2, to synchronize the two sides’ respective Covid-19 measures concerning crossings.
They have also exchanged data on a bi-weekly basis to determine the appropriate epidemiological level to be applied at the crossing points, adjusting measures, as appropriate.
Accomplice to the Azeri hitman arrested in the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal Joint Contact Room (JCR) has proved to be an asset once again as the Turkish Cypriot dailies report an accomplice to the Azeri hitman, who was arrested while trying to cross to the south with a gun and a silencer, was arrested by the Turkish Cypriot police in the north on Tuesday, 16 November.
The Turkish Cypriot police, after receiving information from their Greek Cypriot colleagues through the JCR, found the suspect T.A. in İskele (Trikomo) and arrested him. The police also carried out raids at various warehouses at the Famagusta Port and several houses in a village located within the İskele (Trikomo) district.
Also, upon information received, the Turkish Cypriot police detained another suspect O.A. concerning the foiled assassination plan to be carried out in South Cyprus.
The police also raided the hotel room O.A. was staying at, seizing his mobile telephone. The telephone is being examined by the police.
The Greek Cypriot media had reported on October 4 that the assassination attempt against the Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi.
Tatar insists TCs support his new vision for a solution
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Economy
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriot side’s new position vis-à-vis the Cyprus problem was supported by the majority of Turkish Cypriots and there is no turning back from this position.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak late Wednesday night, Tatar said that the new position on the Cyprus issue cannot and will not be reversed, urging the Greek Cypriot side to acknowledge the realities on the island.
“Living in a fantasy world does not benefit anyone,” Tatar said, claiming that the Greek Cypriot side refrains from seeing the reality that there are two separate sovereign and independent states now on the island. He said the two states can live side by side in Cyprus and that there can be a solution through cooperation.
Stating that there are two peoples in Cyprus and that the two peoples have different expectations, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot people will never consent to yield to the Greek Cypriots.
Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot side’s new position is also supported by the public, Tatar noted that they will continue to advocate for it until the very end.
Noting that there are two separate structures in Cyprus and that these two structures have been at different positions for 60 years, Tatar said “We will continue on our way with our new policies and my biggest strength is that the Republic of Turkey, which is fully supportive of our position.”
Explaining that the Turkish Cypriots have developed tremendously despite embargoes and isolations, Tatar said “The TRNC together with Turkey has written a great success story.”
Tatar, touching upon the Maraş (Varosha) issue, said that the reopening of the fenced-off town was moving in the right direction. He said the lawful owners will be able to apply to the Immovable Property Commission for their properties. He also refuted the allegations that the reopening of the town would violate international law.
Meanwhile speaking during the mid-term economic plan presentation meeting organized by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) on Thursday Tatar repeated his views on the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) stating that the process to revive the fenced-off town will help increase the north’s income per capita by 20 per cent.”
Tatar underlined the importance of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) in resolving the property disputes both in Maraş (Varosha) and in the rest of the north and urged the authorities to consider “allocating more funds to the IPC to make its an effective and competent institution.”
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> No going back on position on a two-state solution which the majority of TCs accept.
>> GC side should acknowledge the realities that two separate states in Cyprus can co-exist & cooperate.
>> Reopening of Maraş (Varosha) is a move in the right direction that will contribute to the development of the north’s economy.