TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 67/13 9/4/13
C
O N T E N T S
1. Davutoglu will illegally
visit occupied Cyprus; He reiterates his view regarding a two-state solution on
the island
2. Ozgrugun was unaware of
Davutoglu’s letter to Greek MFA on Cyprus; Nami: Turkish “sortie” is
unfortunate, unnecessary and untimely
3. Sinay criticizes
Davutoglu’s proposal regarding the division of Cyprus and Eroglu’s mentality
4. Soyer: the initiative on
the Cyprus problem is left to Turkey, Turkish Cypriots are not actors in the
negotiations
5. Emiroglulari: Bagis
refers to Turkish Cypriots as if they are his property
6. Self-styled ministry of foreign affairs faces economic difficulties
6. Self-styled ministry of foreign affairs faces economic difficulties
7. Egypt to hold tender for
energy drilling in the Mediterranean Sea
8. Turkish firms seeks
cooperation with Egypt on Suez Canal project
9. Yildiz said that Turkey
sees it possible to cooperate with Cyprus and Israel in joint energy projects
10. Turkey, Russia to enhance
aviation
11. Bagis to carry out
contacts in Brussels
12. The 1st
University Sport Games to take place in the breakaway regime
13. The final results of the
“by-elections” in the occupied Lefkosia
14. More than four thousand
Turkish Cypriots were reportedly affected by the economic crisis in the
Republic of Cyprus; No payment of the pensions yet
1.
Davutoglu will illegally visit occupied Cyprus; He reiterates his view
regarding a two-state solution on the island
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspaper (09.04.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has
claimed that while Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side are allegedly decisively
demanding a solution in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot side is “stubbornly” exerting
efforts in the direction of postponing this solution.
In statements in Ankara the day before
yesterday after meeting Eamon Gilmore, Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Davutoglu argued that no one should
doubt about Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriot side’s good will [as regards the
solution of the Cyprus problem] and added that he would visit the occupied part
of the island within this framework. He went on and alleged: “However, let no
one think that ‘if this issue remains unsolved forever, it would be in our
favor’. Solution now is for everyone’s benefit”.
Referring to the energy resources of
Cyprus, Davutoglu alleged that the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he
described the government of the Republic of Cyprus, has committed a “fatal
mistake”. He added: “…With a solution now, everything, including the natural
resources, could be used in peace. If this is not possible soon, these natural
resources could be commonly used with the initiative of a joint technical
committee. If they say ‘the south belongs to us and the north belongs to you’,
then let them talk about the two-state solution. No one benefits from shelving
the matter in this manner…”
(I/Ts.)
2.
Ozgrugun was unaware of Davutoglu’s letter to Greek MFA on Cyprus; Nami:
Turkish “sortie” is unfortunate, unnecessary and untimely
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
newspaper (09.04.13) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs
of the breakaway regime, Huseyin Ozgurgun has said he was unaware of the letter
sent by the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to the Greek Minister of
Foreign Affairs by which he was submitting three proposals regarding the Cyprus
problem. Ozgurgun was replying a question addressed to him yesterday at the “assembly”
by the self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozdil Nami,
who wondered whether Ozgurgun was aware of Davutoglu’s letter.
Ozgurgun said that the letter had been
sent by Turkey to Greece and ten EU member-countries and that he knew no
details of this letter. “However, there is a reference to a bank account for
the solution”, he noted adding that “actually the substance of the proposal is
the use of the resources both before and after the solution for the solution”. He argued that the Greek Cypriot side is
using delaying tactics and the economic crisis for delaying the process. “The
Greek Cypriots should understand that they have something to lose”, he alleged
and claimed that Turkey “has put forth everything for the solution”.
Referring to Davutoglu’s letter, Nami
pointed out that the first choice in the letter is to reach a solution and
added that no one has any objections about this. Noting that the second choice
is to establish a commission for the use of the natural gas in case a solution
could not be reached, to gather the income from the sales of the gas in a joint
account and to use it after the solution, Nami added that the third choice is
the division of the island in case a solution in not reached by the end of
2013.
Describing the letter as “unfortunate”,
Nami said that the letter includes statements which contradict with the
proposals previously made by the Turkish side and added: “It was unnecessary
and untimely for the Turkish side making such a sortie in a period during which
it is obvious that the Greek Cypriot side could not be focused on the
negotiations process”.
Nami criticized the statement that
negotiations should start immediately and wondered: “Is the aim negotiating or
a show? This should be decided…”
Pointing out that Turkish Cypriot leader
Eroglu should closely cooperate with the parties in the “assembly” and prepare
for the process, Nami said that especially when the recent developments in the
area are taken into consideration, “it is obvious that something is being
cooked on the Cyprus problem” and that they are unaware of this.
(I/Ts.)
3.
Sinay criticizes Davutoglu’s proposal regarding the division of Cyprus and
Eroglu’s mentality
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
newspaper (09.04.13) reports that Abbas Sinay, self-styled deputy with the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has criticized the proposal made by the Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who had said that either a solution should be
found in Cyprus by the end of 2013 or the island should be divided.
Addressing the “assembly” of the regime
yesterday, Sinay criticized this statement made in a period during which
developments, such as the existence of natural gas and oil in Cyprus and the
solution of the Kurdish problem, are experienced and argued that these
developments should be used as an advantage in favour of the Turkish Cypriots
in the solution process.
Sinay referred also to Turkish Cypriot
leader Eroglu’s statement that “not agreeing is also an agreement” and noted
that “nowhere could be reached with such a way of thinking” and that it is
better not to sit at the negotiating table instead of sitting with such a
mentality.
He argued that a situation which had
been in favour of the Turkish Cypriots was turned into a disadvantage. He also
said that he feels ashamed when he reads the financial “protocol” signed
between Turkey and the breakaway regime and argued that their relations should
not continue in this way.
Sinay referred also to the statement
made recently by the self-styled minister of health, who had said that the
regime could offer health services to Greek Cypriots. He argued that this
statement is tantamount to making fun of the “people”, as the “ministry” could
not offer health services even to its own community.
(I/Ts.)
4.
Soyer: the initiative on the Cyprus problem is left to Turkey, Turkish
Cypriots are not actors in the negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
newspaper (09.04.13) reports that Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled deputy with
the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that the Turkish Cypriots are not
actors in the negotiations [for the solution of the Cyprus problem] during this
period and that the initiative was left to Turkey.
Addressing the “assembly” of the regime
yesterday, Soyer argued that the Turkish Cypriot political leadership and the
policies of the Turkish Cypriots should come forth and added that recently
Ministers from Turkey express opinions regarding the Cyprus problem.
Soyer said that the statements made by
the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu on the issue of natural gas, weaken the
Turkish Cypriot claims for rights on the natural resources and create the
impression that they could abandon these rights easily.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Emiroglulari: Bagis refers to Turkish Cypriots as if they are his property
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (09.04.13) reports that Mustafa Emiroglulari, “MP” with the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) criticized the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs, Egemen Bagis for his recent statements on Cyprus and stated that Bagis refers to the Turkish Cypriot community as if “it is his own property”.
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (09.04.13) reports that Mustafa Emiroglulari, “MP” with the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) criticized the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs, Egemen Bagis for his recent statements on Cyprus and stated that Bagis refers to the Turkish Cypriot community as if “it is his own property”.
Emiroglulari who was speaking at
yesterday’s “assembly” meeting said referring to Bagis: “Look at your own
business. Do not make statements that will affect our issues at the
international community”, he said.
He went on and added that Bagis must
realize that he must express views that coincide with the Turkish Cypriots’
views and added that Bagis has not the right to put the Turkish Cypriot
community into the refrigerator.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Self-styled ministry of foreign affairs faces economic difficulties
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper
(09.04.13) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin
Ozgurgun stated that the “ministry” faces economic difficulties.
Ozgurgun, who was speaking at
yesterday’s meeting of the “assembly”, said that the “representation offices”
of the breakaway regime have been doubled during the last 3-4 years; however
the budget has been reduced. Ozgurgun who stressed the importance of the
“representation offices” said that the “representation office” of Saudi Arabia,
which is the 22nd place that the breakaway regime received a
permission to open an “office”, is very difficult to be opened due to the high
cost of living in the area.
7.
Egypt to hold tender for energy drilling in the Mediterranean Sea
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(08.04.13), Egyptian Minister of Investment Osama Saleh, speaking to A.A.
correspondent, said: “We will hold a tender for energy drilling in the
Mediterranean Sea.”
Saleh said that there were laws which
protected investors and noted that there was not a situation that would affect
investors negatively in Egypt.
Saleh explained that they would invite
leading international companies by the end of the year or in the beginning of
the next year to hold a tender for energy exploration and drilling in the
Mediterranean Sea. He added that the explorations by the Republic of Cyprus
entered into the continental shelf of Egypt, which is a subject of
international law and agreements.
Saleh said: “There is no need to give
investors in Egypt assurances. I've talked to investors in Egypt and they are
satisfied with the situation and have plans to do more business and expand
their existing businesses. Egypt is a state with laws and institutions to
protect investors.”
Saleh explained that the investment
system in Egypt is different and added: “Turkish investors prefer to build
export-oriented factories in free trade zones because it is exempt from taxes.
Also there is a security. Egypt has bilateral agreements with Arab, African,
European and American countries. Therefore we present our investors a market
with a population of 1.5 billion. The products exported from Egypt to these
countries are not subject to customs and extra taxes.”
Saleh said that a lot of Turkish
factories had moved to Egypt because of qualified and cheap workers. “Among our
targets are construction and contracting companies,” Saleh added.
8.
Turkish firms seeks cooperation with Egypt on Suez Canal project
According to Turkish daily Sabah
(09.04.13) Turkey has responded positively to Egyptian’s Investment Ministry
calling to Turkey for Arab and Turkish businessmen to cooperate on the project
prepared during 1990s by then Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, which envisages
the further development and expansion of the Suez Canal.
As the paper writes, Arab and Turkish
businessmen carry out contacts in Suez. The paper envisages the establishment
of industry and trade zones, a port and a techno park around the Canal.
In statements on the issue, the chairman
of Turkish-Egyptian Business Council Zuhal Mansfield said that Turkish
businessmen would like to participate on all fields of the project.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Investment
Minister Osama Saleh who visited Turkey last week explained Egypt’s 30 years
development projects and said that an international tender will open for the
Suez Canal project, adding that Turks are pretenders in all stages.
(AK)
9.
Yildiz said that Turkey sees it possible to cooperate with Cyprus and Israel
in joint energy projects
Under the title “Turkey says joint
energy projects with Greek Cyprus, Israel possible”, Turkish daily Today’s
Zaman (online, 08.04.13) reports, inter alia, the following:
“Weary of a lingering political tension
undermining potential large-scale energy deals in its surrounding region,
Turkey sees it possible to cooperate with Greek Cyprus [Trans. Note: Republic
of Cyprus] and Israel in joint energy projects in the Mediterranean ‘so long as
the political atmosphere allows it,’ Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told
a meeting in Baku on Monday.
The minister was speaking at a meeting
with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) president on the
side-lines of the World Economic Forum Strategic Dialogue on the future of the
South Caucasus and Central Asia that kicked off in Baku on Monday.
‘In case of a possible remedy to
political issues that remain a gridlock hindering further prosperity in our
region, Turkey will be ready to take steps in order to ensure a lasting peace
environment,’ Yildiz said in a rare statement of what can be regarded as
‘extending an olive branch’.
Underlining that a recent Israeli
apology to Ankara over the Mavi Marmara raid should not be seen as an excuse
for future energy partnerships with this country, Yildiz told reporters: ‘But
it is possible that cooperation in energy between Turkey and Israel follow an
anticipated rapprochement’. He said Turkey will then ‘not only warm to
partnering in energy deals with Israel but also would like to see Greek Cyprus
[Trans. Note: Republic of Cyprus] be involved here’.
But the Minister has some reservations
as he cites a single condition Turkey has long seen as vital: Greek Cyprus
[Trans. Note: Republic of Cyprus] abiding by international law. ‘If we are able
to make sure the energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean are made use of
in line with international law, this will be an opportunity for regional peace
and stability,’ Yildiz said. ‘If we see the energy plans that are against
international law continue, then this is a threat to regional security.’
Turkey has long warned the Greek Cypriot
government [Trans. Note: Cyprus government] against unilateral moves to extract
natural gas and oil reserves off Cyprus, saying the Turkish Cypriots (…) also
have a say on these reserves. The dispute escalated recently when reports
surfaced that hydrocarbon exploration rights were part of the Russia - Cyprus
talks last week over a possible deal on Russian financial help. The disputed
Cyprus Block 12 (Aphrodite field) is estimated to hold between 5 and 8 trillion
cubic feet (tcf), or between 142 and 227 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural
gas. Ignoring Turkish calls, Greek Cyprus [Trans. Note: Republic of Cyprus] has
already signed deals with some leading energy firms to drill in Aphrodite
including Noble Energy from the US and Italy's Eni.
Yildiz's comments follow earlier remarks
by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who, for the first time in 30 years, said
Ankara would consider supporting a two-state solution on the island in order to
claim the rights of Turkish Cypriots to the energy reserves. Ankara frets over
the idea that Greek Cyprus [Trans. Note: Republic of Cyprus] insists on using
hydrocarbon reserves off the island to overcome its debt crisis without the
consent of the Turkish Cypriots. ‘The Greek Cypriot administration government
[Trans. Note: Cyprus government] will have to rely on Turkey to export the
natural gas it hopes to extract from eastern Mediterranean fields,’ Davutoglu
said last month.
(…)
Yildiz said the region will enhance its
power by continuing its political stability and move forward by using energy as
a reason for peace. ‘We have developed
projects with Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Iraq while keeping away from the
political commentary. Also we continue to provide Syria with electricity, even
though the politics of the state is not approved of, the same with the Greek
Cyprus government [Trans. Note: Cyprus government]’, he said.
Noting that Turkey's contribution to the
region continues to grow with the advantages of its geographical location,
which stands as a bridge between consumer Europe and producer Asia and the
Middle East, Yildiz underlined Turkey will continue its positive approach to contribute
to peace in the region.
(…)
Yildiz noted Turkey's strategic
relations with Russia on energy, calling it a ‘mutual dependency’ and said as
Turkey relies on natural gas imports from Russia and their help in constructing
nuclear power plant, Turkey continues to open its borders for Russian natural
gas to be exported to third countries.
He also reminded that the US had passed on its concerns regarding this
relationship and said: ‘We also had called on US three times before to take
part in our projects,’ while repeating his call. Explaining that Turkey's
energy projects do not represent a barrier to each other, he commented, ‘While
letting Russian blue stream pipeline to pass through the Black sea, we also
have American companies searching for petroleum in the same sea.’
Also speaking at the meeting held with
Yildiz, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev said the company will invest $17
billion in Turkey in the next five years, stating that the investments will be
the largest foreign direct investment of the republic's history. ‘On top of
economic investments, SOCAR also contributed to social projects in the country
that includes constructing five vocational higher educational institutions,’ he
concluded.”
10.
Turkey, Russia to enhance aviation
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 09.04.13) with the above title reports that Turkey and Russia signed a
civil aviation agreement yesterday in order to enhance cooperation with regard
to airspace use, code sharing and increasing the number of flights between the
two countries.
After bilateral negotiations between the
Turkish Ministry of Transport’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM)
and Russia’s Civil Aviation Authority between April 3 and 4, the two sides
concluded an aviation agreement, as SHGM made public yesterday.
As the agreement will increase the
frequency of, and remove restrictions for, flights between several Turkish and
Russian provinces, the number of destinations served by flights to and from
Russia is set to increase, notably to include locations in Turkey’s provinces
of Samsun, Nevsehir and Gaziantep. Turkey’s airline companies will be able to
fly to the Commonwealth of Independent States (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia) through
Russian airspace without any restrictions on frequency, according to the
agreement.
Turkey will be allowed to benefit from
trans-Siberian airspace for its flights to the Far East (Tokyo, Osaka, Bishkek,
and Ulaanbaatar), although limited to a frequency of 21 flights per week.
The agreement also allows the designated
companies to engage in code sharing applications along with third parties.
Turkey and Russia signed 11 agreements
in many fields during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Turkey in
December. As the two countries bid to increase the $32 billion annual bilateral
trade to an ambitious $100 billion, energy ties dominated the talks.
Russia is Turkey’s largest gas provider
with two main pipelines: the Blue Stream that carries 16 billion cubic meters
(bcm) of fuel from underneath the Black Sea and the 6 billion bcm capacity West
Line that will be soon used by four private firms rather than by the Turkish
state. Russia is also building Turkey’s very first nuclear plant in the southern
province of Mersin.
There are around 3,000 Turkish companies
active in Russia, according to Moscow sources.
After the lifting of visas in 2011, some
3.5 million Russian tourists have visited Turkey last year.
11.
Bagis to carry out contacts in Brussels
Under the front-page title: “‘Persuade
tour’ to Brussels”, Turkish daily Milliyet (09.04.13) reports that Turkey is
organizing a ‘persuade tour’ to Brussels, since it was not able to open any
chapter in its EU bid during the last three years.
According to the paper, Turkey’s EU
Minister Responsible for EU Affairs, Egemen Bagis accompanied by Turkey’s
Labour Minister, Faruk Celik will carry out contacts in Brussels tomorrow with
the aim to achieve a progress on the opening of the chapter “Social Policy and
Employment”. However, the EU is of the opinion that no result is expected to
come up from the talks, since Turkey has not yet fulfilled the criteria for the
opening of this chapter.
Bagis and his accompanied delegation
will meet with the Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and
Inclusion, Laszlo Andor and the European Commissioner responsible for
Enlargement, Stefan Fule, writes the paper, adding that tomorrow’s meeting is
very important for the future of the chapter.
(AK)
12.
The 1st University Sport Games to take place in the breakaway
regime
Turkish Cypriot Gunes newspaper
(09.04.13) reports that the 1st University Sport Games will take place in the
breakaway regime between 15-20 of April, with the participation of 571 athletes
of various foreign countries.
Athletes from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,
Pakistan and Kirgizstan will participate in the games which will include among
others games in tennis, badminton, futsal, ping-pong and wrestling.
For the organization of the games the
breakaway regime borrowed 2.5 million Turkish liras from Turkey.
Speaking during a press conference, the
self-styled minister of education, youth and sports Mutlu Atasayan alleged that
the Turkish Cypriots are under sport embargo and added that the games are
organized by the Economic Cooperation Organization which has 11 members and the
breakaway regime was accepted last year as an observer member.
He also said that the games are
important for the recognition of the breakaway regime.
13.
The final results of the “by-elections” in the occupied Lefkosia
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
(09.04.13) reports that the political parties have officially received the
following percentages at the “by-elections” held in the occupied part of
Lefkosia last Sunday:
·
Republican Turkish Party
(CTP) – 35.48%
·
National
Unity Party (UBP) – 27.07%
·
Democratic
Party (DP) – 19.91%
·
Social
Democracy Party (TDP) 13.33%
The
paper also publishes the results of two previous “elections” in 2009 of the
political parties as follows:
CTP
received in the “general elections” 2009, 29.34% and in the “local elections”
in 2009 27.2%. UBP got in the “general elections” 2009, 43.97% and in the
“local elections” in 2009 42.7%. DP got 10.64% in the “general elections” 2009
and in the “local elections” in 2009, 11%. Finally, TDP got 6.87% in the
“general elections” 2009 and 6 in the “local elections” in 2009.
Paper’s
chief-in-editor Cenk Mutluyakali wrote that the “by-elections” have changed the
political climate in the occupied area of Cyprus. He explained that the UBP on
the one hand had a serious loss of votes; on the other hand CTP took precedence
over during the “by-elections”. Nevertheless, UBP has the most members at the
“municipality assembly”.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (09.04.13) reports that CTP elected 6 “municipal
assembly members”, UBP “elected” 4, DP 3 and TDP 2. However, UBP has already 7
“municipal assembly members” who had not resigned. As a result, UBP has total
11 members in the “municipal assembly” of the occupied Lefkosia.
14.
More than four thousand Turkish Cypriots were reportedly affected by the
economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus; No payment of the pensions yet
Under the title: “No transfer of money
in their accounts”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.04.13) reports
that more than four thousand Turkish Cypriots who receive payment and cheques
from “south Cyprus”, as the Republic of Cyprus is called, were affected by the
economic crisis in the “south”.
According to the paper, the Turkish Cypriots
who receive pension from the Department of Social Insurances of the Republic of
Cyprus, were not able to cash their cheques in the “banks” in the occupied area
of Cyprus since the money were not transferred into their accounts yet.
In statements on the issue, the chairman
of TURK-SEN trade union, Arslan Bicakli said that they talked with officials of
the Department of Social Insurance in “south Cyprus”, as he called the Republic
of Cyprus and they were informed that no problem will occur for the Turkish
Cypriots to cash their cheques since in two days the latest, the money will be
transferred to their accounts.
(AK)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
