Front Page Headlines
A total nightmare
The Turkish Lira has experienced a total collapse. Turkey sneezed knocking down the north of Cyprus. The British Pound=18 Turkish Lira, the Euro=15 Turkish Lira, the US Dollar=13.50 Turkish Lira. The drop in the value of the Turkish Lira which started following a decision by the Turkish Central Bank to lower interest rates has turned into a historic crisis. While the exchange rates saw historic highs, the Turkish Lira’s loss in value in a single day amounted to 20 per cent. While banks and exchange offices halted transactions, those with debts or rent in foreign currency experienced a real collapse.
We’ve hit rock bottom!
The fluctuation in the foreign exchange rates against the Turkish Lira following the decision by the Turkish Central Bank to lower interests led to the breaking of new records yesterday. While one British Pound equalled 18 Turkish Lira, one Euro equalled 14.99 Turkish Lira and one US Dollar equalled 13.32 Turkish Lira, the rise in the currency rates caused panic, fear and chaos.
Fight at Safaköy over financial gains
It has become clear why businessman Ali Özmen Safa is opposed to the new master construction plan covering Famagusta, İskele (Trikomo) and Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios). Should the plan be approved, Safa will lose money and his reputation. Safa applied to the construction permit bureau for a massive housing project on land in Kalecik (Gastriya) which he purchased for peanuts despite knowing that it was a grade 1 natural site area that was closed to development. The businessman is now blackmailing the state to get the permit. Safa was taken to court after failing to pay instalments of the £4.5m loan he took out from Garanti Bank. The court ordered the property to be sold leaving investors who purchased homes as part of the project in deep trouble. It also emerged that Safa built swimming pools, tennis courts and a waste treatment station on public land.
Difficult days
One British Pound rose as high as 17 Turkish Lira yesterday. The markets experienced a shot to the heart, fear has gripped citizens. The loss in value of the Turkish Lira up to 15 per cent hit the public’s purchasing power. Those who pay bank loans in foreign currency experienced a serious shock. Those who went shopping froze as prices went up. People talking to Diyalog said that loans taken out to pay homes or cars were generally in British Pounds or Euros and that now with the current rates it had become impossible for them to pay monthly instalments. Those who don’t have debts in foreign currency warned that people will be faced with the danger of starvation with the new prices on supermarket shelves.
I will die for you my beloved Turkey
One British Pound equals 17 Turkish Lira…Oh yes!!
Main News
TC Interior Minister says only 5,145 citizenships have been granted
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Migration & Citizenship
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Interior Minister Kutlu Evren on Tuesday said the government has so far granted 5,145 new ‘TRNC’ citizenships. Speaking during the second day of the budget discussions during the parliamentary assembly, Evren stressed he also is against the frivolous distribution of citizenships.
The interior minister’s remarks came after accusations were directed against the government by members of the opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) that the authorities had started handing out citizenships ahead of the election bans that come into force this week.
“The citizenships procedures were followed as in line with the relevant law and only those who earned the right were granted TRNC citizenship,” he said, adding that those given citizenship were children born in the north or to persons married to ‘TRNC’ citizens.
Evren underlined only three per cent of the citizenships were granted under the law’s provisions of ‘exceptional citizenship.’
CTP MP Asım Akansoy said the first thing the new government after the January 23 elections should do is to revise the citizenship law. “The CTP is ready to do their part after the people’s will reshapes the parliamentary structure,” Akansoy said.
Toros: UBP’s position on Cyprob is not realistic
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
CTP MP Fikri Toros on Tuesday said the position adopted by the National Unity Party (UBP) on the Cyprus problem is unrealistic.
Toros, speaking during a web TV broadcast, added that the UBP has alienated the Turkish Cypriots from the world and the EU.
“The main reason behind the UBP not being able to find solutions to the country’s economic woes is because they have abandoned the UN basis and detached themselves from the EU,” Toros argued.
Toros pointed out that the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions outline the parameters of the solution to the Cyprus problem. “Turkish authorities have abandoned the basis for negotiations, condemning the Turkish Cypriots to a non-solution,” Toros stressed, adding that the unlawful actions at Maraş (Varosha) have tarnished the Turkish Cypriot side’s reputation severely in the eyes of the international community.
“The continued non-solution situation will make the Turkish Cypriots pay heavy prices, but it will also make Turkey suffer as well,” Toros warned.
KEY ACTOR
Toros (CTP)
>> The position adopted by the UBP on Cyprob is wrong.
>> Decisions taken by Turkish & TC authorities have alienated TCs from the world & international community.
>> Move on Maraş (Varosha) has tarnished reputation of TCs in the eyes of the international community.
Tatar: “Greek and Greek Cypriot duo’s efforts are futile”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on Tuesday, reiterated his known position in favour of a two-state solution on the island, adding that the book on a federation model has been closed since his election into office.
Speaking during a meeting with mayors from Çukurova, Adana district of Turkey, Tatar said the Turkish Cypriot side is advocating for an agreement based on two states with equal sovereignty which the two will collaborate with each other. He argued the two-state model is also supported by Ankara, political parties as well as many civil society organisations (CSOs).
“The right of self-determination is a universal one,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots want to be respected.
He also noted that the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees is a prerequisite for any agreement on the island. “We see Turkey as a motherland and a guarantor state and Turkey has the right of say in Cyprus,” Tatar concluded.
KEY ACTOR
Tatar
>> Book on a federal solution has been closed.
>> The right to self-determination is a universal one which TCs want respected.
>> Turkey’s guarantees is a prerequiste for any agreemet in Cyprus.