PHILELEFTHEROS: “Turkish steps in September”. Ankara is preparing another package of proposals for thawing relations with Cyprus. The proposals are likely to be submitted as early as September and are two-pronged: first, the establishment of a customs union between the two countries and, second, the opening up of the ghost town of Famagusta, which however is to remain under Turkish administration. Both issues were discussed at a recent meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
ALITHIA: “Lack of transparency in advertising tenders”. The family of Commerce Minister George Lillikas is embroiled in a controversial advertising tenders affair, according to the paper. Apparently, a close friend of the minister was awarded the CTO’s advertising contract for the promotion of Cyprus at the Athens Games, without going through the regular procedures. In addition, an advertising agency owned by Lillikas’ wife secured other government contracts in similar fashion, the paper reported.
POLITIS: “Cars 32 per cent more expensive in Cyprus”. The daily cited an EU report, showing that car prices on the island are still relatively high compared to the rest of the bloc. In real prices, cars cost nearly 10 per cent more than the EU average. Still, following the amendment of the law on consumer taxes passed in November, Cyprus now ranks seventh in terms of car cost, as opposed to second beforehand. It has been estimated that an average Cypriot needs eight months’ salary to pay for a new car.
HARAVGHI: “Time running out”. The communist party mouthpiece led with an update on the brewing crisis in the hotel industry. A meeting was arranged for Tuesday between the Labour Minister and trade union delegates. Employees have reacted to the hoteliers’ proposal that entry-level salaries should be slashed. The Labour Ministry, acting as intermediary, is pressed for time to find a compromise agreement.
MACHI: “ Surprise visit by Boucher”. The paper reported on the “surprise” arrival of US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher on the island, saying that, officially at least, the visit was being described as private. The former US ambassador in Nicosia is not scheduled to meet any government officials. However, there is speculation his visit is related to a new US initiative for a settlement of the Cyprus issue, in the wake of Secretary of State Colin Powell’s recent remarks about “a last chance.”
SIMERINI: “Oil prices shoot up again”. The record oil prices, due to the Iraq crisis, will lead to an across-the-board increase in prices and inflation, warned the daily. Cyprus will also be impacted, with consumers paying more for electricity, gas and a range of goods. According to the paper, the government insists it does not need to revise its economic policy.
