The Turkish Cypriot press on Friday focused on Thursday’s military parade in Nicosia marking the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus, alongside controversies involving the “electricity authority” and the work of the “government”.
Parade draws attention in Turkish Cypriot media
Avrupa Times, under the headline “Small island, big trouble”, highlighted the participation of military contingents from the United States, Britain, France and Egypt in the Independence Day parade.
The paper also referred to the first public display of drones, including the Poseidon H-10 and Barak MX systems, as well as President Nikos Christodoulides’ statement that he was proud of the level of the National Guard.
The parade featured the Barak MX air and missile defence system, which was publicly displayed for the first time, alongside unmanned systems and foreign military contingents. Greek F-16 Viper fighter jets also took part in the aerial display.
Halkın Sesi, under the headline “Dangerous show of force”, focused on the foreign military contingents, missile systems and F-16s featured in the parade.
The paper reported on a statement by Turkey’s Defence Ministry, which said military cooperation with third countries and military activities were changing the sensitive balance on the island and described the developments as “provocative actions”.
Electricity authority controversy
Avrupa also reported on a serious workplace accident involving an employee of the “electricity authority”, who was reportedly seriously injured and receiving intensive care after an explosion at a transformer station in a central area of northern Nicosia.
According to the report, the head of the authority’s workers’ union filed a complaint with the “police” against the “general director” over the incident and was expected to seek his removal from his duties.
Yeni Düzen focused on a separate controversy involving the electricity authority’s El-Sen union and an alleged $200,000 favour linked to a disputed tender for cables.
The newspaper reported allegations concerning the awarding of a contract to a company and quoted the El-Sen president as alleging that the president and vice-president of the “board of directors” received a favour in connection with the process.
Rising energy and fuel costs highlighted
Yeni Düzen also reported increases in household and energy costs, stating that gas prices had risen by 33.6% over five months, fuel prices by 26.2% and electricity prices by 22%.
Ustel highlights government projects
Kıbrıs, under the headline “All investments in the region are works of the UBP”, highlighted remarks by UBP leader and “prime minister” Ünal Üstel at an election meeting with residents of villages in the Morphou area.
According to the report, Üstel said voters should remember the state of the “country” when the opposition had previously taken power.
The paper also reported on a social media post by Tufan Erhürman referring to comments by UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguín that the convergence document would be given to the parties when negotiations begin.
Kıbrıs also covered the Turkish Defence Ministry’s statement concerning the Independence Day parade and its reference to “provocative actions” that increase tensions.
Hospital openings in the north
Halkın Sesi reported that Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz was due to visit the north on Friday to inaugurate hospitals in Kyrenia and Morphou.
Avrupa also reported on the death of a 20-year-old foreign worker in an accident in occupied Agios Ermolaos.
The coverage comes a day after Cyprus marked its 66th Independence Day with an expanded military parade in Nicosia featuring new defence systems, drones, Greek F-16s and military contingents from four countries.
Also read: Cyprus Independence Day: Why we celebrate on 1 October
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