The main front-page topics in today’s Greek Cypriot press include the ongoing discussion sparked by the President’s remarks on the opinion piece by the UN Personal Envoy on Cyprus, reactions to Cyprus’ participation in President Trump’s Board of Peace, draft laws on foreclosures, the sale of properties in Karpasia, and complaints about the situation at Larnaca General Hospital.
Alithia headlines its main story “Christodoulides Opens a Front with the UN,” noting that this happened without him even having read the article by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary‑General. It adds that Holguin records zero progress on CBMs, while the President of the Republic described her argument about the elections as “laughable”. Elsewhere, it highlights the investigations concerning the suspended Mayor of Paphos. In another piece, Alithia writes that Sigma and Politis polls converge, showing disapproval of the President, institutions, and political parties.
“He Mortgages the Republic of Cyprus to Trump’s Plans” is the headline of Politis’ main story, which states that the President is playing with fire to satisfy his own illusions. In another report, the newspaper wonders whether we will have elections again in July if Fidias Panayiotou is elected to the Cypriot Parliament and thus vacates his seat in the European Parliament, given that most parties did not advance the Interior Ministry’s bills to amend the legislation. Politis also writes that Eni will announce its investment decision for the Cronos field at the end of March.
“Karpasia Is Being Sold Off Piece by Piece” is the main headline of Phileleftheros, which reports growing concern over a surge in property sales in Karpasia involving Turkish, Turkish Cypriot, and Greek Cypriot intermediaries. In another report, it writes that astonishing findings are emerging regarding five recruitments at the Paphos Municipality. Phileleftheros also reports a breath of optimism coming from small dams.
Haravgi headlines its main story “An End to the Alibi for the ‘Foreclosure Pogrom’,” noting that AKEL is bringing the issue back to Parliament with a focus on social protection. In another report, it writes that CMP and the bicommunal choir were honored by the Pancyprian Peace Council. It also reports that Adamos Katalanos has been elected the new Secretary‑General of the Construction Workers’ Union.
The English‑language Cyprus Mail headlines its main story “Hospital Under Fire After Three Deaths,” referring to strong criticism and complaints by relatives following the deaths of three patients at Larnaca General Hospital. Elsewhere, it writes that one in four residents in Cyprus is a foreign national, based on Eurostat data. It also reports on statements by the Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou regarding the UN Secretary‑General’s personal envoy’s remarks on the course of the dialogue.
The fibre-optic protocol and tensions in “parliament” dominate the front pages of today’s Turkish Cypriot press, with newspapers highlighting political disputes over the handover of telecommunications infrastructure in the north to Turk Telekom without a tender. At the same time, reactions to a judicial ruling in a fatal road accident, criticism of Turkish influence in the north, issues of urban regeneration and civil defence, as well as allegations regarding the “veterans’ cards” scandal, are also featured.
Under the main headline “No one can tell Tayyip Erdoğan to stop,” Avrupa (Europe) reports on the concession of “national resources,” such as the illegal airport and electricity, warning that telecommunications in the north are now the next target. The paper calls on Tufan Erhürman to appeal to the “constitutional court” to annul the relevant law. Elsewhere, it refers to a 2021 fatal road accident in which the “court” imposed a prison sentence of only one year on the driver responsible, sparking anger from the victim’s family. In another item, it publishes comments by Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou regarding delays by the Turkish Cypriot side in the Cyprus talks, with the Turkish Cypriot leader responding that he will not discuss the issue through the media.
Halkın Sesi (The Voice of the People), in a front‑page story titled “The fibre‑optic protocol triggered tension in parliament,” describes the political storm that erupted in the north over the decision to hand telecommunications infrastructure to Turk Telekom without a tender. The “parliament” session was delayed for hours, with “Prime Minister” Üstel defending the agreement as a strategic move with Turkey, while the opposition accused him of mortgaging the “country” for 25 years. The paper also highlights the furious reaction of a mother to a judicial decision concerning a 2021 fatal road accident that killed her son, where the driver received only a one‑year jail sentence. Elsewhere, it reports that Near East University (YDÜ) is preparing an Art Library, combining museums and exhibition spaces within its facilities.
A headline in Kıbrıs (Cyprus), “A vital investment for the TRNC,” refers to the agreement signed between the north and Turkey for the development of fibre‑optic infrastructure, a project described as crucial for the digital transformation of the “country.” In another article, it reports that “urban regeneration is essential,” with engineers and contractors warning that time is pressing in view of earthquakes and natural disasters. Elsewhere, the paper notes that students and teachers in the north are preparing for natural disasters through special drills and civil defence training in schools.
With the front‑page headline “They have officially abandoned the place!”, Yeni Düzen reports on the “government’s” decision to hand over public telecommunications infrastructure to a private company for 25 years without a tender, excluding local companies, while “Prime Minister” Üstel argues that the goal is to make the “country” a “digital island.” In another report, the paper writes that the “association of martyrs’ families” is questioning through the newspaper who has received the “veterans’ cards,” as, despite “pre‑election” announcements, it has now emerged that only a single person has been given such a card so far.
Source: CNA