Divided Island

‘We have no other choice but to overturn status quo’

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‘We have no other choice but to overturn status quo’

– Cypriots have “no other choice” but to attempt to overturn the divided island’s status quo.
– The current state of affairs in Cyprus “cannot be the future of our homeland.”
– President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the need for a solution to the Cyprus problem based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with European principles and values as its foundation.
– The government is encouraging the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his recently departed envoy on the island Maria Angela Holguin.
– The pain on the faces of people affected by the events of 1974 is recorded in the photographs on display at the exhibition.
– The events of 1974, including the Turkish invasion and destruction, are described as an “unspeakable tragedy.”

Greek court sentences former official at Turkish consulate to prison on spying charges

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Greek court sentences former official at Turkish consulate to prison on spying charges

A Greek appeals court sentenced a man who worked for a Turkish consulate to five years in prison on spying charges.

Situation in Rizokarpaso schools , ‘very serious’

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Situation in Rizokarpaso schools , ‘very serious’

The Cypriot government has pledged to take all necessary actions regarding the situation in Rizokarpaso schools after Turkish Cypriot officials were reported to have interfered with the functioning of Greek Cypriot schools, including unannounced inspections and questioning of teachers. This interference has been ongoing since May, with the officials inspecting books, notebooks, classrooms, and teaching materials, and isolating teachers for questioning. The severity of the issue has led to the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The north’s authorities have a practice of checking all books entering the schools, occasionally banning or requiring modifications to them. The Republic’s foreign ministry typically requests permission for visits through the UN, according to protocol. Additionally, there was a mention of the Turkish army monitoring works by British Bases forces near Achna, and a statement on the situation in Pyla, emphasizing the importance of implementing all provisions of the Understanding for both communities.

Arikli in peril as party withdraws rotating leadership offer

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Arikli in peril as party withdraws rotating leadership offer

Erhan Arikli’s leadership of the YDP is uncertain after the party retracted a proposal for a rotating leadership system with his rival Talip Atalay. Arikli had accepted the offer to lead the party until the next parliamentary election, after which Atalay would take over. However, the party’s district branch leaders withdrew the offer, stating it was against internal party rules. Arikli and Atalay were advised to compromise, and Arikli’s willingness to concede suggests Atalay may have an advantage. Arikli had previously expressed confidence in winning under any circumstances but acknowledged that his party would suffer from the leadership challenge. Atalay accused Arikli of deceiving the party by falsely claiming Turkey wanted a united front. The YDP has two seats in the north’s parliament and is part of a three-party ruling coalition. The coalition would still have a majority without the YDP. The largest party in the coalition, the UBP, would then depend on the DP’s votes to pass legislation. No parliament in the north has completed a full five-year term since the 2003 election. The YDP’s party conference is scheduled for February 17.

Block on Turkish Cypriot mixed marriages for citizenship lifted

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Block on Turkish Cypriot mixed marriages for citizenship lifted

Fact: Turkish Cypriots of mixed marriages, where one parent is a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, will now have their applications for Republic of Cyprus citizenship processed. Previously, these applications were blocked if their parents were married in the north after July 20, 1974. The government has decided to start examining pending applications and will process future applications. Additional measures include an expansion of goods allowed to cross under the Green Line Regulation, increased staffing at crossing points, and improvements to the Ayios Dhometios crossing point. Turkish Cypriots will have access to healthcare services, including the Institute of Neurology and Genetics, and urgent pharmaceutical needs will be covered by the government. Widows’ pensions will be paid to eligible Turkish Cypriots, and they will be allowed to participate in human resources programs. Turkish Cypriots turning 18 will be eligible for a Youth Culture Card with €220 for cultural events. Rapid transport measures will be implemented for Turkish Cypriot children attending school across the Ledra Palace crossing. Turkish-speaking workers will be recruited at the Citizens’ Service Centre in Nicosia, and there will be support for the smooth operation of the sewage treatment plant and facilitated access to Muslim sites. These measures are formed unilaterally and will be implemented in accordance with domestic law, international law, and the acquis communautaire.

Block on Turkish Cypriot mixed marriages for citizenship lifted (Updated)

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Block on Turkish Cypriot mixed marriages for citizenship lifted (Updated)

The factual information extracted from the text is as follows:

1. Turkish Cypriots of mixed marriages, where one parent is a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, will now have their applications for Republic of Cyprus citizenship processed.
2. Previously, citizenship applications from Turkish Cypriots with one parent from Turkey were blocked if their parents were married in the north after July 20, 1974, due to a 1974 cabinet decision.
3. The government of the Republic of Cyprus will begin examining pending citizenship applications that had been previously blocked.
4. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades confirmed that future applications from Turkish Cypriots of mixed marriages will be processed.
5. Measures include an expansion of the list of goods allowed to cross between Cyprus’ two sides, increased staffing at crossing points, and the widening of the Ayios Dhometios crossing point in Nicosia.
6. Turkish Cypriots will have access to the Institute of Neurology and Genetics and their urgent pharmaceutical needs will be covered by the government.
7. The government will pay widows’ pensions to eligible Turkish Cypriots and allow them to participate in human resources programs.
8. Turkish Cypriots turning 18 will be eligible for a Youth Culture Card with €220 to spend on cultural events.
9. Rapid transport measures will be implemented for Turkish Cypriot children crossing the Ledra Palace to attend school.
10. Turkish-speaking workers will be recruited at the Citizens’ Service Centre in Nicosia.
11. The government pledged to ensure the smooth operation of the Nicosia sewage treatment plant and facilitate access to Muslim sites in the Republic.
12. The measures were formed unilaterally and will be implemented within domestic law, international law, and the acquis communautaire of the European Union.
13. President Nikos Christodoulides stated that Turkish Cypriots are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, and emphasized that the Republic of Cyprus is not a pseudo-state.
14. In 2007, the Tasos Papadopoulos administration set criteria for examining citizenship applications, and those not meeting the criteria were not examined. Now, these applications will begin to be examined.
15. There has been no negative reaction from Greek Cypriot businesses to the expansion of products transferrable under the Green Line Regulation, and the measures were decided in consultation with them.