Today’s meeting in Paris between the President of the Republic and the French President, as well as his meeting yesterday in Nicosia with the President of the United Arab Emirates, the massacre in Sydney, the meeting in Ankara between the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish Foreign Minister, the issue of appeals by electricity companies and property auctions continuing despite the Christmas holidays, are among the topics featured on the front pages of the Cypriot newspapers today.
Alithia, under its main headline “Eleven Electricity Companies In Court”, writes that they have filed an appeal seeking the annulment of the current methodology for the operation and cost allocation of units mandatorily included in the competitive market. Elsewhere, it reports that police officers were endangered by stones and Molotov cocktails and refers to serious incidents involving youths in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca. It also writes that the new Minister of Labour is thrown in at the deep end before even settling into his office and that the minimum wage is included among a mountain of pending issues.
Politis, with the headline “Eyes On Fidan”, writes that today’s meeting in Ankara between Holguín and the Turkish Foreign Minister is considered crucial for clarifying positions on political equality, convergences and the prospects for resuming substantive talks. The paper also writes that the UAE is showing strong interest in investments in a number of strategic projects in Cyprus. Elsewhere, it reports that an uproar was caused over the works of Giorgos Gavriil and that the exhibition “Antisystemic Art” was cancelled at a gallery in Paphos after threats against the life of the owner by unknown individuals.
Phileleftheros, with the front-page headline “Axis Of Alliances With The UAE And France”, writes in its main story about a visit of historic significance by the President of the Emirates to Cyprus and notes that President Christodoulides is in Paris today to sign a new agreement. Elsewhere, it reports that the coming week is decisive for the evaluation process and that there is particular interest both at parliamentary level and within POED, which is meeting again today. It also refers to the terrorist attack in Sydney, writing of a massacre at a popular beach during a Jewish celebration.
Haravgi, under the headline “Auctions Without A ‘Pause’ At Christmas”, writes in its main story that despite the festive period, property auctions continue without signs of slowing down and that eight out of ten cases concern properties valued at under €250,000. It also writes that water is being lost into the ground rather than in dams and that the land remains thirsty. The newspaper further reports that the Bi-communal Peace Initiative is calling on the leaders to respond to expectations for reunification. Political developments, the payment of the 13th salary and foot-and-mouth disease that may have appeared in the occupied areas also occupy the main agenda of the Turkish Cypriot press today.
Avrupa (Europe), with the headline “The Secret Phone Call”, republishes a Phileleftheros report on the content of the meeting of the two leaders with Ms Holguín last Thursday, noting that Mr Erhürman frequently got up from the table to make phone calls. Elsewhere, it highlights the written statement of the Turkish Cypriot leader regarding the phone call, saying that he did not speak with the Turkish Foreign Minister but with the “mayor” of Nicosia, Mehmet Harmancı, about the Mia Milia wastewater treatment plant. In another report, it writes that well-known lawyer Mohabbet Mevsimler filed a complaint with the “police” over electronic threats he is receiving from unknown social media accounts.
Halkin Sesi (Voice of the People), under the headline “Alarm Bell Over Foot-And-Mouth Disease”, writes that symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease were identified in 70 large animals at a livestock unit in the occupied village of Lapithos in Famagusta district. Samples were taken and sent to a specialised centre in Turkey, and the village has been placed under quarantine with the “police” controlling entry and exit points. Elsewhere, it writes that the body of a dead man found on a beach near Kyrenia has been identified as belonging to a 57-year-old Turkish fisherman who went missing 13 days ago after going fishing from Mersin. In another report, it refers to the attack at a Jewish celebration on a beach in Sydney.
Kibris, with the headline “We Act With Full Awareness Of Our Responsibility”, refers to statements by “Prime Minister” Ünal Üstel, who said that the 13th salary in the wider “public” sector will be paid on 25 and 26 December, as will benefits, while pensions and salaries will be paid normally at the end of the month. Elsewhere, it refers to the written statement by Mr Erhürman regarding the phone call he made on 11 December during the trilateral meeting with the “mayor” of Nicosia, Mehmet Harmancı. In another report, it refers to statements by the “Minister of Labour” and Secretary-General of the CEE, Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, who said that with the reference in the 11 December joint communiqué to UN Security Council resolutions, the concept of sovereign equality is no longer on the table.
Yeni Düzen (New Order), with the headline “A Very Good Start”, devotes its entire front page to an exclusive interview with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on the first trilateral meeting with the two leaders. According to the newspaper, Ms Holguín noted that for the first time in five years a direct meeting of the two leaders took place on 11 December and that key political issues were discussed. She also said that from 2020 until today the two leaders had not referred to a solution based on political equality, adding that this is not a small success. She pointed out that in July 2024 there was no common ground between the two leaders, whereas on 11 December they agreed, with the same reference to political equality, to return in a clear manner to negotiations.