Maybe they like to reinforce distrust

Maybe they like to reinforce distrust

The clash between the Attorney General’s Office and the Independent Authority Against Corruption has created a sense of cover-up in society. The Anti-Corruption Authority requested the Attorney General’s Office to conduct a criminal inquiry and possible prosecution against a police officer who refused to cooperate in an investigation involving the Deputy Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Office declined to comply, leading to a clash of interpretations of the law and reinforcing the sense of collusion in society. This affects the quality of the rule of law and society as a whole, as citizens expect integrity and probity from those in key public positions. The Anti-Corruption Authority’s efforts may be hindered if witnesses continue to invoke their right to silence.

Our View: The puzzle of UN envoy, ’s failed mission to restart talks

Our View: The puzzle of UN envoy, ’s failed mission to restart talks

UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, left Cyprus after meeting with the leaders, including Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, with no progress made. Tatar rejected Holguin’s proposal for a meeting with her and President Nikos Christodoulides, citing the Turkish Cypriot side’s position on sovereign equality and equal international status. Holguin will report to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will decide the next steps in the peace talks. Christodoulides’ failure to persuade Tatar to agree to a meeting raises questions about the purpose of the failed initiative and the blame game surrounding the deadlock.

Council of Europe rapporteur visits Varosha

Council of Europe rapporteur visits Varosha

– Piero Fassino visited Varosha on Wednesday
– Fassino hopes Varosha will become a “living town” again with the agreement of the two parties concerned
– Fassino’s findings from the visit will be compiled into a report for the PACE’s next assembly in June
– All Council of Europe member states are expected to take the vote on the report into consideration
– Turkish Cypriot observers thanked Fassino for listening to both sides before preparing his report

MPs deride Attorney-General over Katsounotos case

MPs deride Attorney-General over Katsounotos case

Fact: Attorney-general George Savvides decided not to prosecute former police drug squad chief Michalis Katsounotos for refusing to answer questions put to him by the Anti-Corruption Authority.

Netanyahu presses bill on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into army

Netanyahu presses bill on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into army

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present a bill to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military to a ministerial committee. The issue is sensitive due to ongoing conflicts and high casualties among secular draftees. Ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition oppose the exemptions, leading to protests. Economists argue that the conscription waiver keeps ultra-Orthodox out of the workforce, creating a welfare burden. Israel’s Arab minority is also largely exempt from the draft.

Legal Service and Anti-Corruption Authority at odds over Katsounotos

Legal Service and Anti-Corruption Authority at odds over Katsounotos

The Legal Service and the Anti-Corruption Authority were in conflict over the decision not to prosecute former police drug squad chief Michalis Katsounotos. The Anti-Corruption Authority recommended a criminal investigation against Katsounotos for refusing to answer questions during an investigation, but the attorney-general declined the request. The Anti-Corruption Authority believes that allowing witnesses to remain silent during questioning would harm their investigations and effectiveness.

Tatar slams Holguin: , ‘she has no right to provoke’

Tatar slams Holguin: , ‘she has no right to provoke’

The fact described in the text is that UNSG envoy Maria Angela Holguin and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar both publicly expressed grievances against each other, with Tatar refusing to agree to a trilateral meeting and criticizing Holguin’s approach to the Cyprus problem.

Larnaca port and marina must be concluded , “at all cost”

Larnaca port and marina must be concluded , “at all cost”

Projects worth €100 million are planned in Larnaca in the coming years.

Our View: Kition Ocean Holdings cannot be trusted

Our View: Kition Ocean Holdings cannot be trusted

The government has been pushed into a tight corner by Kition Ocean Holdings, the company responsible for developing Larnaca port and marina, with a contract estimated at €1.2bn. Despite efforts to resolve disputes, Kition failed to pay the €4.2m operation and management guarantee as agreed. The company has shown arrogance and disregard for the legislature, leading to a stalemate in the project. The government is hesitant to terminate the contract due to potential legal battles and delays in finding a new company to take on the project. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades is seeking advice on how to proceed with the situation.

Turkey says Israel trade halted until permanent Gaza ceasefire

Turkey says Israel trade halted until permanent Gaza ceasefire

Turkey has decided not to resume trade with Israel, valued at billion a year, until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza with unrestricted humanitarian aid for Palestinians. This decision was made due to Israel’s actions in Gaza, leading Turkey to become the first key trade partner to halt exports and imports with Israel. Last month, Turkey had already restricted exports to Israel, and now all remaining trade between the two countries will be stopped. Top Turkish exports to Israel include steel, vehicles, plastics, electrical devices, and machinery, while imports from Israel are mainly fuels.