By ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
The “Draft Proposal on Financial Assistance and Preparedness for Earthquakes and other Natural Disasters” that envisages salary cuts and additional taxes did not come to the agenda of parliament on Monday.
Why? Is the government planning to make more changes?
Being aware that their proposal has not received support from the public, are they after something new?
We’ll soon find out but looking at the statements of some of the ministers and MPs, we see that the government is determined to pass the draft legislation.
According to information we have obtained, the government is after a formula that will justify [its decision], will appease the public and will not draw backlash…
For one thing, by not bringing the draft law to the plenary session in parliament on Monday, the government proved that it is, in a sense, scared, hesitant and antipathetic [to the public].
No matter what they do, it will not be easy for them to get the public to accept the bill…
The government is ignoring many of the recommendations and is trying to do things it planned from the beginning. I don’t know if you can call it stubbornness, inability to come up with alternatives or being incapable but everything they try to do is antipathetic…
For example, the draft law also includes “the introduction of additional fees on insurance policies issued at crossing points”…
The draft law envisages; imposing an additional fee of 5 Euros for [car insurance policies valid for] one month, 10 Euros for three months, 15 Euros for six months and 20 Euros for 12 months at crossing points.
The additional fee introduced to insurance policies, “is a proposal prepared with a very plain logic” …
It is a very thoughtless initiative that will do more harm than good…
The rationale behind the decision is nothing more than, “the Greek Cypriots are crossing to the north in large numbers, and it’s quite affordable [for them] to shop here so we should raise the price of the insurance policies. This is the opportunity.”
Whereas what is being done is something like cutting the goose that lays the golden egg.
If the word “cutting” comes too harsh let me say “spook”…
The increase to be introduced to insurance will create an additional burden for those crossing to the north from South Cyprus.
No matter what, the additional cost, will make Greek Cypriot customers feel like “suckers”, and will lead them to think, “They’re earning profits off our backs”…
There will be even some who will think of “not coming” to Northern Cyprus…
The government, which has not taken any measures to ease crossings at the checkpoints even though it promised to do so is preparing to take another decision that will have a negative impact on crossings.
You’ll be playing into the hands of some circles in the south that are trying extremely hard to deter Greek Cypriots from crossing over to Northern Cyprus, from shopping or spending money at restaurants and petrol stations.
Organisations that are trying to stop Greek Cypriots from shopping in the north will say, “Look their purpose is to rob you”, and they will want to turn this situation to their advantage.
Immediately there will be retaliation, Greek Cypriots, showing the increase as example, will try to create difficulties and obstacles in other areas.
The Turkish Cypriot side’s “unilateral” decision will pose a golden opportunity for Greek Cypriots; they will call the UN and EU to get involved…
Some circles in the south that are disturbed by Greek Cypriots shopping in the north will try and pressure EU officials, demanding that the few EU benefits gained by Turkish Cypriots be suspended.
Why all of a sudden, by adopting a thoughtless and opportunist stance, should you increase the price of insurance policies for those coming to Northern Cyprus, why take a unilateral decision on such an important and vital issue?
And without ever asking the insurers and their organisations, without consulting them, without taking their opinion…
It really doesn’t make sense… Can’t these people think multi-dimensionally when making decisions?
Don’t they have people around them to warn them; to tell them, “Oh, let’s not do this, we’re going to make matters worse”?
It seems not… If there were such people, such a selfish decision would not be made on such an important and vital issue…
Unfortunately, those who said, “we are going to ease the crossings at the checkpoints” cannot see that they are going to create further difficulties by this unilateral price hike on insurance…
Source: LOOK AT WHAT THOSE WHO PROMISED “TO EASE THE CROSSINGS” ARE DOING!
