The Turkish Cypriot daily newspapersgave today extensive coverage (03.02.15) to the visit of the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to the Republic of Cyprus and the statements he made here yesterday.
Under the banner front-page title “The solution is important for the Turkish-Greek relations”, Kibris reports that in statements during a joint press conference with President Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minster Tsipras said that supporting the efforts for finding a solution in Cyprus is among the Greek government’s priorities. On its front page and under the title “Time of peace has come”, the paper publishes a picture from Prime Minister Tsipras’ meeting with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot NGOs during which he said that he is at the same age with the Cyprus problem adding that enough time has passed and solution should be reached.
Havadis refers to the issue noting that Prime Minister Tsipras emphasized on two issues during his visit to Cyprus: “Support to federation, reaction to Barbaros”.
Under the title “Tsipras went to the gallows”, Afrika writes that Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Cyprus had caused enthusiasm, but actually he said nothing exiting. However, he did something “very impressive”, as the paper describes his visit to the gallows where the British colonialists had hung members of EOKA organization, which, according to the paper, fought for Cyprus’ independence.
Under the front-page title “Greek Prime Minister Tsipras in Cyprus”, Yeni Duzen refers to Tsipras’ statement that “the solution of the Cyprus problem is a touchstone in Turkish-Greek relations” and that President Anastasiades words that “the solution will be the return of the current structure into a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation”.
Kibris Postasi reports on its front page that Prime Minister Tsipras “attacked Troika” and when he was asked if he is optimistic on the issue of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, replied “of course I am”.
Under the title “The Prime Minister surprised everybody”, Detay argues that Tsipras visit “created surprise in many circles” and especially disappointed those who expected that he would come into conflict with the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
Gunes writes that “Greece and South Cyprus are on the same frequency” and Diyalog argues that “There is nothing different”.
Ortam covers the issue under the banner front-page title “’Our priority is supporting the solution’”, while Star Kibris gives emphasis to the statement made by the Greek Prime Minister that “the solution of the Cyprus problem is the touchstone of the Turkish-Greek relations”.
The Turkish newspapers received by our Office today cover the issue as follows:
Hurriyet: “First contact with the Turkish Cypriots”.
The paper’s correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus reports on Tsipras’ visit to Cyprus, the first after being elected as a Prime Minister, and writes that Tsipras is the first Greek Prime Minister who carried out direct contacts with the Turkish Cypriots.
Sabah:“ABi-zonal federal solution message in Cyprus”.
The paper writes that the new Greek Prime Minister Tsipras, in his first visit abroad, to “south Cyprus”, as it called the Republic of Cyprus, sent a message of peace and said that a fair and a sustainable viable solution is the touchstone for Turkish-Greek ties, the EU and for stability in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean.