Developments ahead of the parliamentary elections, expectations of an initiative by the UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus issue, cooperation between France, Cyprus and Greece, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, and remarks by the President of the European Commission on the challenges facing the EU and the Cyprus issue are among the topics featured on Sunday’s newspaper front pages.
“Alithia” leads with the headline “No flirtation with Christodoulides”, featuring an interview with DISY President Annita Demetriou. She responds to reports suggesting the government has invited DISY to cooperate, stressing that “there is only an institutional relationship”. Elsewhere, the paper reports that a final direct intervention by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the Cyprus issue is expected in July. It also covers agreements signed in Athens by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Politis”, under the headline “Two communities, one response”, highlights the urgent need for measures to fully tackle foot-and-mouth disease. It also reports on the new parliamentary landscape expected after the upcoming elections, and refers to a precedent involving legal professional privilege in connection with developments in the “Santi” case.
“Phileleftheros” titles its main story “Upgrade of the National Guard with French support”, focusing on strengthened military cooperation between Cyprus and France through the SOFA agreement. Another report refers to an alleged Turkish plan to take control of the buffer zone, while a further item notes that the government is launching a new campaign in May to attract talent from abroad.
“Haravgi”, with the main headline “A strong AKEL for a robust defence of workers”, features statements by PEO Secretary-General Sotiroula Charalambous on the role of Parliament in safeguarding social rights. It also reports escalating reactions from communities over the referral of legislation banning solar panels on fertile agricultural land, and describes slow progress on the Cyprus issue pending a Guterres initiative.
The English-language “Sunday Mail”, headlined “Social media ban in practice”, questions whether restricting teenagers’ use of social media will affect the wider population. It also highlights the President of the Republic’s participation in the annual Christodoula march, and reports that €140,000 was spent on EU leaders’ limousines during the recent informal summit in Cyprus.
“Kathimerini (Sunday edition)” leads with “GSI of utmost strategic importance”, featuring an exclusive interview with the President of the European Commission, who discusses the EU’s existential challenges and the Cyprus issue. Other reports include messages from French President Emmanuel Macron from Athens and findings that eight major public works projects show significant cost overruns amounting to millions.
“Simerini (Sunday edition)” headlines “Occupied areas a hub for gambling-related money laundering”, referring to alleged flows of illicit funds through casinos, cryptocurrencies and opaque networks. It also reports that the option to procure Israeli Merkava Mk3 tanks remains open, and notes that rising prices in food and fuel are outpacing wages.