Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-04-18

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cyprus-mail.com/>

Friday, April 18, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] Accession highlights growing divisions in the north

[02] After Athens: what next?

[03] Historic moment for Cyprus history

[04] Animal awareness improving at last

[05] CY lays on 19 extra flights for Easter

[06] Now Erdogan says Annan plan could lead to a solution

[07] Pharmaceutical companies slam government plan to slash their profits

[01] Accession highlights growing divisions in the north

Newspapers in the north published headlines such as 'We remain alone', 'Cyprus has acceded to the EU and the fanaticism policy has gone bankrupt' and 'New era', placing the blame on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, while pro-Denktash papers went with headlines such as 'EU…Shame on you'.

One paper reported that Ankara had decided to give Turkish Cypriots Turkish citizenship with ease while another said that organisers of a celebration rally, which attracted hundreds of people, were pushing Turkish Cypriots to claim their right to an EU passport.

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that Denktash's policy on Cyprus had gone bankrupt. “What this policy has achieved is making the Greek Cypriots alone members of the EU and it has left Turkish Cypriots outside and put Turkey face-to-face with big problems. Cyprus is now a thorn on Turkey's EU accession course,” he said.

The 'cabinet' in the north has also lifted a ban on the 'import' of goods from the government-controlled areas, in an effort to improve the economy. The move comes at the same time as an imminent announcement from the government on a series of measures to help the Turkish Cypriots.

Newspaper columnists focused on the implications for the future of the north. Under the title: "Tougher hardships ahead for Denktash", the mainland Turkish Daily News said the Turkish Cypriot side was facing an uncertain future prone to even more difficulties than those experienced so far.

“The conditions of the game have all changed now and if the Turkey-Turkish Cypriot side doesn't act fast enough and good enough to have a Cyprus deal by the May 2004 completion of the EU accession of the island, a one last chance for a lasting and just settlement will also go down the drain,” the paper said.

“With no sign on the horizon for an end to the economic blockade on northern Cyprus, dissent among Turkish Cypriots against the conservative government in northern Cyprus and Rauf Denktash, polarisation of northern Cyprus population as 'pro-settlement Turkish Cypriots' and 'anti-settlement Turkish Cypriots plus mainland settlers' may land the north in an unmanageable situation.”

Commenting on the passport issue, TDN said: “Would that help to calm down the dissent in northern Cyprus and prevent mass migration of Turkish Cypriots from the island? Particularly in view of the plans of the Greek Cypriot administration to issue Cyprus passports for every Turkish Cypriot who would apply, the passports issue will serve only to create further complexities on the island besides contradicting with the Turkish official position that it recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as a state.”

Another columnist in the same newspaper said that Turkish Cypriots would now have to give up several of their past demands to convince their Greek Cypriot counterparts to agree to a solution that would help them ease their way into the EU as part of the Cyprus Republic. “Without a solution on Cyprus no one will be able to convince the Greek Cypriots or Greece that they should not block Turkey's full membership prospects,” he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 18, 2003

[02] After Athens: what next?

But in the aftermath of this fifth phase of EU enlargement, in which 10 new members were admitted to the Union, how much work is there still for Cyprus to do before next May, when the island formally becomes an EU member? And what are the possible implications of the island's accession for the Cyprus Problem, which still remains unsolved?

The Executive Director of the Civilitas research think-tank, James Ker- Lindsay, told the Cyprus Mail that though Cyprus had been successful in passing legislation required for EU membership, there were doubts about the island's ability effectively to implement the acquis communautaire.

“Cyprus was a star player in the negotiating process and was far and away the most efficient state in getting legislation passed, but there are questions being asked about the extent to which implementation is being carried out in the same way.”

The correct implementation of the 800 or so laws and regulations passed since accession negotiations began in 1998 is of paramount importance, according to Director of Research at European Institute of Cyprus Neophytos Chrysochos.

“It's vital to implement (the acquis) to be able to absorb all the pressures of competition which will come into effect in May 2004 and to create a healthy environment which will be able to handle this competition.

“Our efforts have to be intensified in order to achieve what was agreed during the accession negotiations.”

Chrysochos added that while he could not estimate what percentage of legislation has been implemented already there was still work to do to meet EU standards in various sectors.

“The telecommunications sector has not been properly liberalised yet; there is also work to do in the energy sector and also in areas regarding the rights of consumers.”

But he believes implementation can be achieved, especially given that the date for Cyprus' entry is later than was originally scheduled.

“We have the time to implement them -- initially we were to be entering the EU in January but now it's May so we have four extra months.”

Chrysochos also stressed the need for Cyprus' effective participation in meetings of the European Commission, Council and Parliament as an observer state, even if the island's representation cannot vote as a full member until next May.

“We have to organise and create the necessary infrastructure in order to participate effectively and efficiently to give Cyprus the chance to make a real contribution to the EU.”

He also hinted that the past and present government had overlooked the importance of this aspect to Cyprus' accession.

“There is the attitude that because Cyprus is a small country it is not necessary to participate in all these discussions in the EU. If this is the prevailing attitude this is very unfortunate for Cyprus.”

He added that despite its relative infancy the new government should have done more to prepare for Cyprus' involvement in EU institutions.

“They are planning to send officials to Brussels but not in an organised fashion and we need to really contribute to make an impact. Participating is not enough, we need preparatory work.

“(Our representatives) will be like passengers on a bus otherwise,” he said.

Regarding the Cyprus Problem, Chrysochos said he was confident the island's accession to the EU would make it “definitely easier to solve”.

“The fact that we are now in the EU will enable us to find a more workable solution in the sense that the implementation of the terms of the solution will be more easily and effectively applied.”

He remains convinced that any solution hinges on Turkey, especially in the context of the latest phase of EU enlargement.

“Turkey is the key to a solution of the Cyprus Problem. They have realised that they made a mistake in not solving the Cyprus Problem before now and they understand that this has weakened their position now.”

Ker Lindsay believes that now Cyprus is an EU member state Ankara will be forced to clarify the Turkish position on Cyprus, which even under the leadership of Tayyip Erdogan has been somewhat contradictory.

“Erdogan blows hot and cold but I think it is very clear that the Greek government is saying (Turkey) will not get into the EU if Cyprus remains as it is. Greece does want to see Turkey in the EU but they are also making it clear Turkey have to work for this.”

He added that the Turkish intransigence over Cyprus had failed to move the international community.

“It's all very well holding this position on Cyprus but frankly the EU hasn't taken a drop of notice.”

But the island's future, he said, lies firmly with Turkey, as Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's stance was unlikely to change.

“They (Turkey) have got to decide what they want. Denktash is taking a hard line, he hates the EU anyway -- you can't play the 'Turkey's EU accession prospects are suffering' card with him because he will just shrug his shoulders and say 'good'. This makes it very difficult.”

Ker-Lindsay dismissed suggestions that the peace plan put forward by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had violated EU laws. He said while certain clauses in the plan relating to the return of refugees seen to contradict the acquis would have been absorbed into EU laws in the event of a settlement.

“In reality if there had been a solution the plan would have become part of the constitution of an applicant member state. If the EU accepted Cyprus with that constitution then that constitution would effectively become part of that acquis so it couldn't be contrary. The derogations and exceptions made in the case of Cyprus would become part of the acquis communautaire of the entire EU,” he said.

He added that the acquis was not set in stone and could be altered if necessary.

“It's not enshrined that there are no exceptions,” he said citing exceptions which had been made to laws regarding Malta and Germany.

“The EU is willing to make these exceptions if it sees a valid reason for doing so.”

University of Cyprus lecturer and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair in European Political Integration Professor Kalliope Agapiou-Josephides stresses that as far as a solution is concerned the ball is firmly in the Turkish court.

“The EU made it clear that the door remains open for Turkish Cypriots… and the Turkish Cypriots made their voice heard already… so it really depends on how Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot authorities react in future.”

She also hopes that as the European Union struggles to overcome the divisions which have emerged as a result of the war in Iraq, so will efforts be intensified to reunify Cyprus.

“I think the pressure for unity and the pressure to eradicate all dividing lines in Europe will be so strong that it will be hard for the division of Cyprus to resist this,” she said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 18, 2003

[03] Historic moment for Cyprus history

“In practice, Cyprus will be a member of the EU in May 2004,” he added.

Asked if he planned to discuss measures of support for the Turkish Cypriots with the Greek presidency or the European Commission, Papadopoulos said they will be discussed in cabinet first, then with the Greek EU presidency to see whether they are in accordance with the acquis communautaire, after which they will be discussed with Turkish Cypriot parties and announced as soon as they are ready for implementation.

Speaking in Athens earlier, Papadopoulos said that the government hoped to announce the measures within ten days. He said the aim of the measures was to reinforce Turkish Cypriots and give them the message that there is hope for them to share all the benefits from Cyprus' accession to the EU.

The measures are split up into three categories: those that will be implemented by the government itself, those that need EU consent to ensure they do not violate any of its rules and “most importantly”, measures that can only be applied with the cooperation of Turkish Cypriots and Rauf Denktash.

The president said the measures would cover different areas, including employment, pension payments and the payment of all benefits arising from the Social Welfare Scheme.

“Denktash's consent is needed for all this, but even without it, Turkish Cypriots can receive the measures if they want,” he said.

Asked on the European Commission's assessment of Cyprus' progress towards accession, Papadopoulos said the Commission had identified four inadequacies.

He added that as far as the inadequacies in administration are concerned, Cyprus' Chief Negotiator with the EU, Takis Hadjidemetriou, has prepared a programme and set up a new service and “with hard work we will improve productivity and the administrative institutions”.

Regarding another inadequacy, he noted that measures would be taken to improve the field of environment, adding that one of the government's goals is to set up an independent institution for the environment.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 18, 2003

[04] Animal awareness improving at last

In contrast to the portrayal of Cyprus as a hostile environment for animals, too-often abandoned, beaten and poisoned, Beckett spoke yesterday of the increasingly “pet friendly” side of the Cypriot community.

“So many people are interested and willing to help,” she said. “I meet people every day who really care about animals and who go out of their way to help and I think it's time these people were talked about.”

Soldiers and hunters, who have the worst reputation for animal cruelty on the island, have been some of Beckett's most helpful source for animals in need.

“Last year I had hunters, who have the worst reputation on the island, come to me with dogs they had found abandoned,” she said. “And Cypriot soldiers regularly telephone me, with all sorts of puppies and kittens they were trying to take care of.”

But things haven't always been this good. Beckett says that when she came to Cyprus 10 years ago, it was rare to see someone in the street walking a dog, whereas now, “you see it all the time in Nicosia.”

She attributes this change in attitude as a symptom of a more general growth in awareness around the island, and blames poor treatment of animals mostly on ignorance rather than deliberate cruelty.

“Companion animals are a relatively new concept here and, I think people are learning over time about how to better care for animals,” she said. “Years and years ago in Europe people had to be educated as well.”

Cyprus in particular, she says, “has had to evolve and take on board all these new ideas very quickly.”

Beckett also said that her shelter in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia, which currently houses over 100 dogs, continued to have a key role in the evolution of Cypriot attitudes toward animals.

Just knowing that there is someone to turn to when an animal is in danger motivates people to help out, she said.

The shelter also aims to educate the public about how to care for animals through school visits or even word of mouth.

“Everything we do is for the future, and we work a lot to educate people,” she said. “We want to present animal welfare in a professional way that improves the status of the dogs.”

One visit to the shelter and it is clear that these dogs, many having been through sickness, neglect and abuse, are now in good hands. While they wait to be adopted, they have plenty of food, a tranquil stretch of land where much of the day they are free to roam, and they are surrounded by canine companions.

The dogs are really happy, and the location is perfect says Beckett.

But unfortunately, the United Nations has asked them to move as early as this December.

The initial agreement was a temporary one, but ideally, Sharon would like an extension on their stay in the United Nations territory.

In the meantime, however, she is “desperately” seeking out other possible locations.

The shelter has been at the old Nicosia Airport for the past five years. Every week, a few of the dogs are relocated to families. One dog currently at the shelter had strolled in on his own, but most of the dogs are dropped off by members of the community who either find an abandoned dog or for whatever reason, can no longer look after their own.

“It's sad that people can part with their dogs,” Beckett said, “but it's far better if they bring them here than that they are left uncared for.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 18, 2003

[05] CY lays on 19 extra flights for Easter

CYPRUS Airways (CY) is laying on 19 extra flights - a total of 7,000 seats - over the Easter holiday period, spokesman Tassos Angelis said yesterday.

Six of the extra flights will operate on the Athens route, two to Manchester and 11 to Salonica, Angelis said. He said this meant an extra 4, 000 seats for Salonica, which already has a daily flight from Cyprus, and 3, 000 for Athens, where CY already operates five flights a day. The extra flights began on Tuesday and will continue until May 8.

CY has recently taken deliver of its second, larger, Airbus A330, which will be deployed on routes to the UK.

“Cypriot passengers don't seem to be affected much by the war,” Angelis said. “They do travel but we are still affected by the drop from European markets.” He said the situation appeared to be stabilising and that the airline expected to recover.

British Airways yesterday announced that it was introducing more flexibility in to its new fare structure announced last August when it announced special but inflexible fares starting from £150.

A statement from the airline yesterday said that following passenger feedback the semi-restricted fares needed to be more flexible, The airline has now introduced a semi-flexible fare starting from £200. Passengers can now change their bookings with a much smaller charge, or combine fares for better choices, the airline said.

Last month, BA reintroduced the Boeing 767 with 11 weekly flights between Larnaca and London.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 18, 2003

[06] Now Erdogan says Annan plan could lead to a solution

President Tassos Papadopoulos, speaking in Athens, said the Greek Cypriot side also wanted to continue negotiations. “With the right adjustments and amendments this can be the basis for a settlement,” he told reporters. Papadopoulos said he didn't view the signing of the accession treaty as a victory for the Greek Cypriots and a defeat for Rauf Denktash. “It is a victory for all of the Cypriot people… and I am sad a sizeable portion of the people of Cyprus couldn't join us,” he said.

Denktash said the signing of the EU accession treaty in Athens on Wednesday had sealed Cyprus's partition and that reunification was now only possible with Turkey's entry into the bloc.

It was the Turkish Cypriot leader who was responsible for the collapse of the UN-led negotiations in The Hague last month when he refused to take the plan to referendum. A UN resolution earlier this week said the plan should remain on the table as a basis for negotiations, rather than the basis of a future solution.

But Erdogan said yesterday the Annan plan could yet form the basis of a deal. “Let's talk on the Annan plan. If we want amendments, let's put them forward for discussion,” Erdogan told the local daily Vatan in an interview. “At least it will mean the road to negotiations is not closed.”

Erdogan's latest comments appeared further to contradict his position on the Annan plan. When his party first came to power, he appeared to be in favour of the plan, but the day before The Hague summit, Erdogan did an about-turn blasting the plan and saying the Turkish side had been tricked.

Turkish leaders have said in the past that northern Cyprus would be more closely integrated with Turkey, or even annexed, if Greek Cypriots entered the Union. But Erdogan has not gone down that road.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said, however, it did not recognise the accession treaty signed with the Republic of Cyprus.

“Turkey seems to ignore international realities and remains isolated,” Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides responded yesterday in Athens. “With the signing of the Accession Treaty, the EU has voted for the reunification of the island.”

Greece's Government Spokesman, Christos Protopapas, said: “If Turkey wishes to face the truth, it should accept that the Republic of Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty to the EU yesterday, and should start working on the settlement of the Cyprus issue, that would strengthen Turkey?s European course.

“Turkey's stance reveals that it refuses to face reality and is following a policy that would not lead her to any positive outcome.”

The EU reiterated yesterday that efforts for a Cyprus settlement should remain within the UN framework. Jean Christophe Filori, spokesman for EU enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, told the Cyprus News Agency: “We consider that a solution must be found within the framework of the United Nations. We understand that the peace plan of Mr Kofi Annan remains on the table which is a good thing because we consider it as a good basis for a settlement and we still hope that it is going to be possible before the accession of Cyprus to have progress in this area,” Filori said.

He said the UN was the only body with a clear mandate given by the international community to find a settlement “and it should remain like this”. “We see no reason why we should question the role of the UN and it is absolutely not foreseen that the Union as such gets involved in the talks,” he said, adding that the EU would welcome the beginning of fresh negotiations.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is due on the island today and will hold talks tomorrow with Turkish opposition party leaders. Denktash on Wednesday said he would not attend, but reports said yesterday said the Turkish Cypriot leader had not been invited to the talks.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 18, 2003

[07] Pharmaceutical companies slam government plan to slash their profits

The impact of this decision - which will be implemented on May 1 - will be a a loss of £4 million, which would result in a huge loss in net profits and possible job losses, warned Sotos Iacovides, the association's chairman.

The decision to slash prices was taken by former Health Minister Frixos Savvides during his last days in office. He maintained there had to be a difference between wholesalers' (pharmaceutical companies) and retailers' (pharmacies) profit percentages. In short, the retailer should have the greater portion of profits and the consumer would be able to purchase drugs for 10 per cent less.

But by slashing pharmaceutical companies' gross profit margins to such an extent, Iacovides said companies might not have a net income left after all their expenses had been paid. And so companies would be forced to make up the lost money in other areas: this would involve internal reorganisation and passing expenses on the pharmacies, he said. “We'll have to stop concessions we offer them, such as ending long credit facilities, strong bonus schemes and discounts. The last thing we want to do is lay people off, but it might even come to that.”

Expenses include the marketing and promotion of the drugs, something the government had not taken into account, he added.

The promotion and distribution of pharmaceutical products were two different legal entities and kept separate in other European countries, explained Iacovides: in other words, marketing the drugs was different from wholesaling them. However, in Cyprus, the burden fell entirely on the shoulders of the local pharmaceutical companies, because as importers they had to act on behalf of international pharmaceutical companies.

“We have two roles here. Not only do we distribute the drugs, but we also market them,” said Iacovides.

To do this, the companies had to have scientific offices: “Marketing a new drug involves research, it requires scientific and medical experts. This costs money.”

The association currently has 50 members. Between them, they import 3,500 trade names and sub-products.

“About 30 of the companies make a turnover below £500,000,” said Iacovides. Iacovides said the government wanted to reduce the price of medicine, and yet only reduced their profits. As for the end result, consumers would only benefit by10 per cent.

“People have the wrong impression that we have 100 per cent of the profit,” he said. Actually, the manufacturing factories abroad receive 56 per cent, local pharmacies receive 23 per cent and importers receive just 21 per cent, he said. On May 1, this will change and 60 per cent of the retail price will go to the factories abroad, 25 per cent to the local pharmacies and 15 per cent to the local pharmaceutical companies.

“In Europe, pharmaceutical prices are liberalised, but we agreed to control them. We want people to get medication at cheaper prices. After all, we are people ourselves and also have hundreds of employees who would benefit,” he said. “But, the market needs to be unified first,” Iacovides pointed out.

Once the national health scheme was implemented in three years' time, the private and public sector's services would be combined, because the health scheme - funded by the government, employers and employees - would purchase the various health services, including pharmaceuticals. At the moment, however, the market was divided, with 60 cent of the population entitled to free medication, he said. And, he added, in a few months, this would increase to nearly 90 per cent of the population, when the House's decision to increase the gross annual income criteria allowing free medical treatment was implemented

Nevertheless the association would continue to try and convince the ministry to change its mind or to find a solution that satisfied its members. If this failed, they had a strong case to go to court, he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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