The meeting held yesterday Wednesday between the two leaders on the Cyprus issue and the five point proposal submitted by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, information regarding the registration by the Ministry of Health of psychology graduates who do not meet the required hours of supervised practical training, and the session of the House Institutions Committee on the matter of the Social Support Agency are among the topics highlighted in Thursday’s press.
Alithia, with the headline Wiping out the convergences, exposing the Greek Cypriot side, reports in its main story on yesterday’s meeting between the two leaders on the Cyprus issue and writes that the Greek Cypriot leader is asking the United Nations to compile the convergences but for only those points to apply on which both sides explicitly agree. In another story, the paper reports on the strong reaction of the House Institutions Committee regarding the Auditor General’s refusal to submit information on donors and contributions to the Social Support Agency. Elsewhere it writes that the activities of former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis have come under the Committee’s microscope.
Politis carries a lead report titled Cyprus issue, once again the convergences, noting the lack of progress in yesterday’s meeting, the third in a row, between the two leaders on the Cyprus issue. In another report it writes that DISY, through a draft law, proposes a ceiling of €50,000 on grants to the Social Support Agency. Elsewhere the paper writes that the Archbishop of Cyprus has asked Tychikos to hand over by this morning the apartment and office at the Paphos Bishopric.
Phileleftheros, in its main story titled CBMs without haste says Olgin, refers to the meeting of the two leaders on the Cyprus issue and writes that President Christodoulides submitted a five point proposal aligned with the UN Secretary General’s approach, aiming to restart negotiations. In another story the paper refers to the arrival of flamingos, which were delayed this year due to drought. Elsewhere it writes that political parties do not need to return the funds they received as an extraordinary grant for the 2018 presidential elections.
Haravgi, with the headline Scandal over psychologist registrations, writes in its main story that according to information the Ministry of Health is registering psychology graduates who do not meet the required hours of supervised practical training, ignoring decisions of the Psychologists Registration Council. Elsewhere it writes that the Government’s refusal to publish the donor list of the Social Support Agency intensifies questions and deepens the shadows surrounding the handling of the matter by the Presidential Office. Another report states that one in three employees earns less than €1,500 gross per month.
The English language newspaper Cyprus Mail, with the headline Failure to name donors branded scandalous, reports in its main story on the session of the House Institutions Committee regarding the Social Support Agency and writes that MPs said the secrecy surrounding political donations violates EU law. Elsewhere it writes that the trilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue concluded without agreement. Another report states that the average salary in Cyprus has risen to €2,452.
The meeting between the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, María Ángela Holguín, and the two leaders dominates coverage in today’s Turkish Cypriot press. Newspapers also refer to other issues, including the Putin–Jolani meeting in Moscow, criticism of Turkey over the protection of jihadist elements, additional financial support for persons with disabilities in the occupied areas, and the completion of the “state theatres” building.
Avrupa (Europe), under the headline “Zero plus zero equals zero”, writes in its main story about a complete deadlock in the Cyprus issue and disappointment on the part of María Ángela Holguín. In another report, the paper refers to the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria’s transitional leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani at the Kremlin. Elsewhere, it claims that the Erdoğan regime is offering protection to jihadists, reporting on the arrest of a nurse in Turkey who protested against the brutality of extremist groups, while also expressing concern over the possible transfer of such elements to the occupied areas.
Halkın Sesi (The Voice of the People), in its main story under the headline “The five-party conference is not on the agenda”, writes that the UN envoy, following her meetings with Tufan Erhürman and President Nikos Christodoulides, clarified that an informal 5+1 conference is not expected in the near future. In other coverage, the paper reports that final contracts have been signed for the completion of the “state theatres” building, with the competent “minister” setting July as the target for the opening. In another article, it reports that “prime minister” Ünal Üstel announced additional financial support for persons with disabilities for a period of six months, while also increasing both the minimum and maximum benefit thresholds.
Kıbrıs (Cyprus), under the headline “Not productive, but useful!”, focuses in its main story on the meeting between the two leaders and the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, as well as on statements made afterwards by Tufan Erhürman, who described the meeting as useful for dialogue but not productive in terms of outcomes. Elsewhere, it reports that the “government”, through Ünal Üstel, announced an additional six-month period of financial support for persons with disabilities. In another story, the paper refers to the sentencing to seven years’ imprisonment of a would-be hitman who travelled from Turkey to the occupied areas in order to kill the owner of a car dealership.
Yeni Düzen (New Order), in its main story under the headline “Either we win together or we lose together”, refers to the joint meeting of the two leaders with the UN envoy and to statements made by Tufan Erhürman upon his return to the occupied areas. Elsewhere, the paper reports on a statement by María Ángela Holguín, in which she clarified that the informal five-party conference (5+1) will not take place for the time being. Finally, in another article, it publishes a statement by President Nikos Christodoulides, who assured that political equality is not being questioned by the Greek Cypriot side, referring to previous decisions and convergences.
Source: CNA