Cypriot citizenship given to 14 children from mixed marriages
Fact: 14 applications for granting Cypriot citizenship to children of mixed marriages between Turkish Cypriots and Turkish citizens have been approved so far.
Mixed marriages
Mixed-marriage Turkish Cypriot loses appeal for citizenship
Fact: The Turkish Cypriot born to a “mixed marriage” had his appeal against a denial of his Cypriot citizenship rejected by the Nicosia administrative court.
UN Envoy continues assessment over potential new negotiations
Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, is in Cyprus to gather assessments on the failure of the talks in Crans Montana and to understand the positions of various political forces regarding the future of negotiations in Cyprus. During her meetings with leaders from both sides of the divide and party leaders, Holguín has emphasized not rushing into negotiations without sufficient momentum and has sought to understand each side’s desires and perceived responsibilities of the other side. She has indicated a preference for focusing on the present rather than past failures. Various political leaders have expressed their views to Holguín, ranging from skepticism about the potential for confidence-building measures to contribute positively, to differing perspectives on the future of negotiations and the possibility of a federation. The National Unity Party in the occupied territories has stated that the chapter of federation is closed, while the Republican Turkish Party supports efforts to create common ground for resuming official negotiations and seeks a comprehensive solution based on political equality.
First reaction to the government's measures for T/k: Unanswered questions on the issue of citizenship says Ozersai
The fact described in the text is that there are unanswered questions regarding the issue of citizenship in the Republic of Cyprus. The leader of the People's Party, Kudret Ozersay, commented that there should be no discrimination regarding the citizenship of Turkish Cypriot children and spouses. He criticized the examination of Turkish Cypriot applications for citizenship based on the criteria of 2007, stating that it implies that the applications have been arbitrarily held without examination for approximately 17 years. Ozersay also expressed concern about potential discrimination and the lack of clarity regarding the citizenship of children from mixed marriages. He called for the application of the laws of the Republic of Cyprus and the principles of the EU to grant citizenship to all children of Turkish Cypriot citizens, regardless of whom they marry or where they marry.
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)
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.