A lot of investment has been undertaken for touristic development ranging from hotels to quality places of entertainment and even more important addressing the upgrading of staff, food and service. Previous years with the tourist arrivals have been increasing by approximately 8% p.a. and this, coupled with the planning relaxation given by the then Government, … Read more
Just 39 miles on the clock, trashed cars remain in limbo Eight-year-old Dickran Ouzounian treasured visiting his father Stefan’s garage, located a few metres from the bustling Ledra street, to admire the latest Toyota cars.He was fascinated by the brand-new, gleaming Corollas, Coronas, Crowns and Celicas. Now, 50 years later, as the CEO of the … Read more
Cyprus is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants stranded in the buffer zone, with the Red Cross already offering aid. The country has obligations under the EU’s Green Line Regulation and is cautious about becoming a new route for illegal immigrants. Fourteen migrants from Afghanistan, Sudan, Cameroon, and Iran are stranded near a university campus in Aglantzia. The UN Peacekeeping Force and UNHCR are working to assist them, as Cyprus has temporarily suspended asylum applications and increased patrols along the buffer zone. Additionally, asylum applications for Syrian nationals have been suspended due to human rights violations in Syria.
There are only 385 families still living in the occupied villages of Kormakiti, Karpasia, Agia Triada, and Rizokarpaso, serving as pillars of Hellenism and the Maronite community. The Ministry of Social Welfare has revised the Resettlement Plan to provide financial support and incentives for families to return. The plan includes flexible conditions and offers facilitations such as allowing non-consecutive overnight stays and extending caregiving allowances. Interested parties must have permanent residence in the occupied villages and not be recipients of public assistance. The Ministry of Social Welfare manages and implements the plan, providing a monthly allowance to beneficiaries who meet the requirements and continue to reside permanently in their occupied village.
President Nikos Christodoulides is in contact with the UN peacekeeping force regarding 13 migrants reported to be living in the buffer zone near the university grounds. The migrants are from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Cameroon and had come from the north after being denied entrance to the state-controlled areas. The UN peacekeeping force is working with UNCHR to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable migrants.
Occupying Turkey is preparing moves following the end of the mission of the UN Secretary General’s envoy on the Cyprus problem. Ankara and its representative in the occupied territories are planning action if a deadlock is established. They aim to change the basis of the Cyprus problem, impose their agenda, and reach a “cooperation agreement” between the two entities. Turkey is pressuring the United Nations to negotiate a separate agreement, but the UN has deemed this illegal. The occupation forces are causing minor crises within the buffer zone to assert control over the area.
Ayhan Mehmet, the representative of Turkish Cypriots in Limassol, clarified that recent vandalism at the Jedit Mosque was not religiously motivated but rather sports-related slogans. The graffiti also affected a nearby Turkish Cypriot cemetery, and Mehmet emphasized that the issue should not be politicized or exploited to create tensions. He refuted accusations of racism and xenophobia against the Greek Cypriot community, stating that similar slogans were found in other establishments in the area.
Ankara is undermining the UN Secretary General’s envoy on Cyprus and is moving towards implementing Plan B for two states. The envoy’s efforts have not progressed, and the occupation side is pushing for the envoy’s contract not to be renewed. Ankara is focused on upgrading the pseudo-state and preparing for recognition.
Ms Holguin is hoping to see and understand more than those who have been deeply involved in the Cyprus issue for a long time. It is noted that there is a lack of seriousness towards the statements made by leaders and politicians regarding the national issue. Civil society in Cyprus has various conflicting opinions on how to move forward, including preferences for a unitary state, a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a two-state solution, or maintaining the status quo. Ms Holguin has expressed a desire for leaders to listen to civil society, but it is uncertain if she fully comprehends the complexities of the issue. It is suggested that her focus should be on her meetings with key officials to gauge the true sentiments and potential for progress.
The US State Department’s annual report on human rights in Cyprus highlights concerns in both the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied areas. In the Republic of Cyprus, issues include interference with NGOs, refoulement of asylum seekers, and violence against minorities. While the government has taken steps to address abuses, instances of impunity remain. The occupied areas face harsh prison conditions, restrictions on media and assembly, and widespread corruption and impunity. The report also notes that elections in the Republic of Cyprus are considered free and fair, and freedom of expression for the media is generally respected.