TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
1. European Parliament
adopts progress report on Turkey; Bagis’ comments
2. Turkey’s reaction on EU report regarding Cyprus
2. Turkey’s reaction on EU report regarding Cyprus
3. Kucuk says
developments regarding “TRNC” at EP are better than in the past
4. Eroglu alleged that
EU has to accept the existence of the breakaway regime if it sees it as an
interlocutor
5. Reactions to the
decision of the EP regarding the representation of Turkish Cypriots
6. Sonya: solution has
come closer than ever in Cyprus
7. Tatar: “Foreigners buy much property in
‘TRNC’”
8. A cooperation agreement between “GAU” and
La Rochelle Business School of Tourism
9. Moves by the
“national olympic committee” in sports
10. “Pilot project” by
the European Commission for students who study in occupied Cyprus
11. Children festival
with the participation of seven countries in the breakaway regime
12. Turkish
Journalists and Writers Foundation statement on media freedoms receives broad
support
1.
European Parliament adopts progress report on Turkey; Bagis’ comments
Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.04.13) reports that the European Parliament's General Assembly adopted on Thursday Turkey's progress report drafted by the Dutch politician and member of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) Ria Oomen-Ruijten.
Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.04.13) reports that the European Parliament's General Assembly adopted on Thursday Turkey's progress report drafted by the Dutch politician and member of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) Ria Oomen-Ruijten.
The report was accepted by 451 to 75.
Prior to the voting, European lawmakers
rejected a proposed amendment to the wording of draft that would leave out a
definition of PKK as a "terrorist organization."
A proposal to grant the breakaway regime
an observer status was rejected by Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. However
but European lawmakers decided to refer the issue to the Conference of
Presidents.
Lawmakers rejected by a majority of the
votes an amendment to invite Turkey to participate at a summit meeting of the
European Union on December 2013 in Brussels.
Commenting on the issue, the Turkish
Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that the European
Parliament (EP) approved the Turkey progress report for 2012 and that "for
the first time, the EP called on the European Commission to open certain
chapters to talks with Turkey".
"The EP has called on the European
Commission to open several chapters to negotiations as they saw Turkey's
performance clearly. They are aware that they are to blame for certain issues
they hold Turkey accountable for," Bagis said.
Bagis' comments came at a seminar held
by Microsoft Turkey as part of the "Open Academy Project".
Touching on the issue of visas, Egemen
Bagis said he wanted a little bit more patience from Turks for visa exemption
in the EU.
2.
Turkey’s reaction on EU report regarding Cyprus
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper
(19.04.13) reports that the Turkish Foreign Ministry commented on the latest
European Parliament (EP) progress report on Turkey alleging that is not
objective on the Cyprus problem although it fairly addresses positive
developments in a number of fields in Turkey.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry commented
on the rejection by the European Parliament (EP) of a motion calling for
representation for Turkish Cypriots as observers in the institution.
“The EU's flawed and biased position
regarding the Cyprus issue is regrettably echoed in the EP's resolution. We
will under no circumstances accept unconstructive attitudes which ignore the
sovereign rights of Turkish Cypriots. The EU can be of help to a solution on
the island only by acting impartially and objectively”, was said at the
statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
3.
Kucuk says developments regarding “TRNC” at EP are better than in the past
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper
(19.04.13) reports that Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, argued
yesterday that Turkey’s influence, position in the world and economic progress
has caused developments within the European Union in favour of both Turkey and
the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.
In statements during a meeting with a
delegation from Turkey’s Ministry for EU Affairs, Kucuk said that they
continuously send delegations to the European Parliament (EP) and that the
Greek Cypriots continuously try to prevent them.
Kucuk said that they have asked for the
so-called deputies from the “TRNC” not only to be represented as observers at
the EP, but to be able to de facto perform their duties, address the EP as
speakers and participate in the voting procedures. He noted that the decision
they expected had not been taken and on the other hand it had been decided that
the “TRNC” representatives should travel through Larnaka International Airport.
Alleging that this decision “does not reflect realities”, he added that the
decision should not be accepted as definite rejection and they should work for
the realization [of their demands] after a period.
Kucuk noted that they would take the
necessary measures especially before the general “elections” which will be held
next year and make “legal arrangements” regarding the two representatives who
will participate in the EP. He argued that in spite of everything, the
developments regarding the “TRNC” at the EP are much better than in the past.
Kucuk said that Turkey’s contribution for
coming to this point was big and added that they expect more positive
developments to come.
On his part, referring to the aim of
their illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Burak Erdenir, deputy
undersecretary at Turkey’s Ministry for EU Affairs, said that they wanted to
brief the “officials” of the regime on Turkey’s EU accession process and
exchange views with them. He argued that their EU bid became more difficult
after Cyprus’s accession to the Union in 2004 and alleged that this development
has negatively influenced both the Cyprus problem and Turkey’s accession to the
EU.
Erdenir said that in spite of the
negative developments Turkey’s government is determined to continue its EU accession
process and recalled Minister Bagis’ statement that they will not abandon
Cyprus for the EU or the EU for Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
4.
Eroglu alleged that EU has to accept the existence of the breakaway regime
if it sees it as an interlocutor
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (18.04.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu
held a meeting with a delegation from Turkey's EU Ministry in occupied Lefkosia
and claimed that “the EU had to accept the existence of the Turkish Cypriot
state, the plane trips to and from the TRNC and how the Turkish Cypriots travelled
to all corners of the world, if it said it saw TRNC as an interlocutor”.
He also expressed his gratitude to the
Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis for always
bringing up the problem of Cyprus.
“Cyprus problem being on the agenda of
Turkey all the time is crucial” Eroglu stated.
He went on and alleged that the
accession of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU was a mistake on the part of the
EU.
5. Reactions to the
decision of the EP regarding the representation of Turkish Cypriots
Under
the title “’Observer’ status for the TRNC”, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes
newspaper (19.04.13) reports that the European Parliament (EP) rejected
yesterday the proposal for giving the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied
area of Cyprus, the observer status and decided to refer the issue to the
Presidential Council. The paper notes that the majority of the members of this
council are left-wing and liberal MEPs, who support the demand of the “TRNC”.
Under
the title, “The progress report was accepted” and “Swoboda: it is
unacceptable”, Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Yeni Duzen (19.04.13) reports
that the President of the Socialist Group Hannes Swoboda said they would refer
the issue to the Presidential Council. The co-chairperson of Turkey-EU Joint
Parliamentary Committee, Helene Flautre said that the possibility of the issue
being solved at this council is high.
Swoboda noted that they have met with
officials of the Republic of Cyprus and asked from them to produce solutions so
that the “elected representatives” of the Turkish Cypriots to participate in
the works of the EP. He argued that the fact that a group of European citizens
do not participate in EP’s important works is unacceptable. He said that the
Cypriot officials should submit “valid and practical” proposals on the issue of
how this representation will be addressed.
Meanwhile, the paper writes also that
the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce issued a statement yesterday arguing
that returning the two seats at the EP to their “real owners” would be an
“equitable and creative act”. It claimed that such an act would accelerate the
relations between the EU, Turkey and Cyprus. The chamber said it had sent a
letter to all Members of the EP explaining this.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Sonya: solution has come closer than ever in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper
(19.04.13) reports that Bengu Sonya, general secretary of the Democratic Party
(DP), has argued that today the solution came closer than ever in the Cyprus
problem. In a written statement issued yesterday, Sonya said that all parts of
the society should evaluate the situation well and express their views with
good will. He claimed that the Cyprus problem could not be solved only by
saying “let us negotiate”.
Sonya argued that some circles, both in
the government-controlled and the occupied area of Cyprus, do not want a
solution and are trying to make use of the economic difficulties on the island.
He alleged that a possible change of mentality which could be created by the economic
crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus “is an important element
that will ensure the elimination of prejudices which have been ossified in
front of the solution”.
Sonya pointed out to the importance of
submitting “supportive, realistic and innovative proposals” during the solution
process and recalled DP’s proposals on the issue of the Cyprus Airways, which,
he argued, “goes beyond the ordinary” and “will overcome many deadlocks”.
(I/Ts.)
7. Tatar:
“Foreigners buy much property in ‘TRNC’”
Under the headlines “There is no problem
of title deeds; flow of property”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (19.04.13), in
its front page, reports that the so-called financial minister Ersin Tatar,
commenting on the economic situation in Cyprus to illegal BRT television, said that there is an interest of
the “TRNC” from many places of the world. He added: “People from different
nations come to ‘north Cyprus’ to purchase property.” He explained that every
week property, which is bought by many foreigners, is approved by the so-called
council of ministers.
Tatar claimed that the title deeds given
by the occupation regime are valid. However, the paper reports that he did not
announce whether these title deeds are Turkish or Greek.
8. A cooperation
agreement between “GAU” and La Rochelle Business School of Tourism
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (19.04.13)
reports that the illegal American University of Keryneia (GAU) signed an
agreement of cooperation and exchange programme of students and academic staff
with the La Rochelle Business School of Tourism of France.
The director for “school of Tourism
& Hospitality Management Education” Dr. Ismet Esenyel, in an announcement,
said that within the framework of the students exchange programme, the students
would be able to continue the fourth year and their graduate studies in France.
Esenyel also said that “school of
Tourism & Hospitality Management Education” of “GAU” is accredited by
United Nations World Tourism Organization TedQual (UNWTO) and the World Association
for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT). He added that the
exchange programme will start with the new academic year on October and the
first students and academic staff will be sent to France.
9.
Moves by the “national olympic committee” in sports
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
(19.04.13) reports that during the meeting of the head of the so-called
national olympic committee (“MOK”) of the “TRNC” Serdar Savim with the Chairman
of Turkish Sports Games Union Kayrat Zakiryanow, they discussed ways to make
openings to the sports sector with the Turkic Republics. Savim invited them to
participate in the “Dr Fasil Kucuk Sport Games” that are organized every year
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and he received a positive
replying by Zakiryanow.
During the meeting with the delegation
from Kazakhstan, who are also in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
for the ECO University Sports
Games, Savim said that they renewed their cooperation protocol.
Savim, who also had a meeting with
Muhammed Zahir Agbar the head of the
National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan, said that they exchanged views on
the issue of launching sports relations between Afghanistan and the breakaway
regime.
10.
“Pilot project” by the European Commission for students who study in
occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
newspaper (19.04.13) reports that it was announced that students who receive
education in the breakaway regime will be benefited from European Union
Scholarship programs in the framework of a “pilot project” by the European
Commission (EC).
According to the paper, the EC supports
that the Turkish Cypriot students who study in the Republic of Cyprus can be
benefited by European Union Scholarship programs and that this year a “pilot
project” will be launched for students who study in the occupied part of
Cyprus. According to the EC, students who study at least for seven years in
occupied Cyprus can be included in the program.
In statements to Yeni Duzen, officials
from the EC said that the project aims for Turkish Cypriot students and
teachers who did not receive any education outside occupied Cyprus and want to
receive education in any other European Country. The project also aims to ease
the feeling of “isolation” for them, according to the paper.
11. Children festival
with the participation of seven countries in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (19.04.13) reports that children from seven countries will participate in the “15th International 23rd of April Children Festival”, which is starting in the breakaway regime today and will continue until the 25th of April.
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (19.04.13) reports that children from seven countries will participate in the “15th International 23rd of April Children Festival”, which is starting in the breakaway regime today and will continue until the 25th of April.
The
festival is organized in the occasion of the 23rd April which is
declared in Turley as Children’s day.
Children
from Azerbaijan, India, Malaysia, Serbia and of Turkish schools in the UK will
participate in the festival.
12.
Turkish Journalists and Writers Foundation statement on media freedoms
receives broad support
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper
(18.04.13) reports that the Journalists and Writers Foundation is (GYV) statement
released on Wednesday that calling for reforms to provide more media freedoms,
found great support among media members in Turkey.
The GYV stated that increasing debates
on restrictions on media, harm Turkey's image in the international arena and it
criticized the problematic relations between media owners and the state.
Journalist and columnist Alper Gormus
commented that the statement touched upon important points. In addition, Gormus emphasized the importance
of editorial freedom from big business. Journalist Dogan Akın joined Gormus in,
saying that the statement has important emphasis on media's problems in Turkey.
Secretary-General of the Media Association Deniz Ergurel also said that he
finds the statement very positive and important. “There is a great
responsibility on the shoulders of journalists in terms of protecting media
freedoms,” Ergurel said, as he added that GYV's statement would make a positive
contribution to the debate on the freedom of media in Turkey.
Finding the GYV's call for democracy and
freedom of media positive, Taraf Editor-in-Chief Oral Calıslar says, “I wish
civil society organizations would have a similar reaction and defend the
freedom of media.”
EI/
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