TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 84/13 03-7/05/13
C O N T E N T S
1. NATO head calls for solution
to Cyprus problem
2. Inter-governmental agreement
for Turkey’s second nuclear plant was signed between Turkey and Japan
3. Babacan: Turkey would use all
its rights stemming from international law if needed regarding hydrocarbon
exploration activities
4. Ozgurgun is in Istanbul
5. Self-styled minister of public
works on airline companies halting flights to illegal Tymvoy Airport
6.
Formula to decrease costs of aviation companies causes problems to occupied
Kythrea “municipality”
7.
Eroglu refers to the issue of halloumi cheese and the Cyprus problem
8. Gul held contacts in Portugal
and said that he is hopeful for Turkey's EU membership negotiations
9. Turkish Foreign Minister in
talks with his American and Egyptian counterparts
10. Bagis slams the remarks of EU
envoy to Ankara on Turkey’s negotiation process
11. Turkey, Israel approaching
compensation deal
12. Turkey denies anti-Iran defense
pact
13. Bid for new Istanbul airport
breaks all records
14.
Continuing problems in the UBP influence the work of “parliament”; Kucuk warns
his opponents within the party “for the last time”
15.
Illegal university will have the Castle of Keryneia in its logo
16. A coffee war: Is it Greek or
Turkish?
1. NATO
head calls for solution to the Cyprus problem
Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.05.13) reported that
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the Cyprus problem
should be solved in order to advance NATO-EU cooperation.
In a press conference, Rasmussen called on all sides
in Cyprus to advance, find a solution and unite the island.There are many
things that remained at risk on economic aspects, and parties will be better
off by reuniting, Rasmussen added.
After solving the Cyprus problem, oil and natural gas
drilling can be initiated, and beyond these political obstacles before NATO-EU
relations will be removed, he said.
Regarding the Israeli warplane's attack in Syria,
Rasmussen said that no military activity was seen within the radius of Patriot
systems that are installed in Turkey.
2. Inter-governmental
agreement for Turkey’s second nuclear plant was signed between Turkey and Japan
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.05.13) reports
that Turkish Energy Minister TanerYıldız spoke to the press for the first time
after the intergovernmental agreement for Turkey’s second nuclear plant which was
signed between Turkey and Japan on May 3.
“Turkey may become a net energy exporter in the Middle
East in the medium term, specifically in light of failures to provide energy in
the region due to security concerns”, he stated.
“164 new nuclear plants have been planned to be built
in the world by 2030. The share of nuclear power is more than 20 percent in 15
countries and the share of nuclear energy will be 17 percent in Turkey by 2023.
Seven of the 30 countries that have nuclear power are net energy exporters.
Turkey is becoming an energy exporter in its region,” Yıldız said, adding that
the lack of energy supplies for Turkey is no longer on the agenda thanks to the
nuclear plants set to be built.
Yıldız noted that the share of Japan in the second
nuclear plant would not exceed 51 percent, reserving 49 percent for Turkey.
“France will get some share from Japan’s stake. Our plan A is for the share of
the Turkish Electricity Generation Corporation (EÜAŞ) to be 49 percent, and
plan B is for EÜAŞ to have maximum 25 percent. We are working on both. The Turkish
private sector will also take a share.”
The power to be generated at the Sinop nuclear plant,
which will be built by a Japanese-French alliance led by Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries and French firm Areva with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts, will
be sold at around 11.80 [U.S.] cent per kWh (plus fuel). “Another option is to
set price at 10.80 cents/kWh – fuel excluded. If we can find cheaper fuel, we
will choose this option,” Yıldız said. Turkey inked a deal to build its first
nuclear plant with Russia in the Mediterranean province of Mersin in 2010, at
which the power price was set at 12.35 cent/kWh. Turkey is planning to have
three nuclear plants in total by 2023.
3. Babacan:
Turkey would use all its rights stemming from international law if needed
regarding hydrocarbon exploration activities
Illegal Bayrak television (04.05.13) broadcast that
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan alleged that Turkey would use all its
rights stemming from international law if needed regarding hydrocarbon exploration
activities.
Speaking to the Turkish Anatolian News Agency, Babacan
alleged that “the Greek Cypriots had brought on themselves all the economic and
financial problems they were currently experiencing”.
He said that all of the island’s resources were the
common property of its inhabitants: “Turkish
Cypriots have equal rights over any natural resources on the island discovered
and extracted”.
“It is totally unacceptable to us and the Turkish
Cypriots for the island’s natural resources to be used as collateral for the
settlement of the south’s economic or financial problems” he alleged.
Babacan also said that Ankara has issued necessary
warnings on the issue of hydrocarbon exploration around Cyprus and claimed:
“Should any such attempt be made, we and the Turkish Cypriot Side shall
exercise all our rights stemming from international law. We have a strong
position in terms of international law.”
4. Ozgurgun
is in Istanbul
Illegal Bayrak television (06.05.13) broadcast that
the self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun is in İstanbul to attend the
IDEF-2013 11th International Defense Industry Fair.
As part of his contacts in the Turkish city, he will
also attend a dinner and a reception hosted by the Turkish National Defense
Minister İsmetYılmaz in honor of the guest ministers attending the fair. He
will also attend another reception hosted by the Turkish National Defense
Minister at the Çırağan Palace tomorrow evening.
5. Self-styled
minister of public works on airline
companies halting flights to illegal Tymvoy Airport
Illegal Bayrak television (03.05.13) reports that the
self-styled minister of public works and transportationErsan Saner has said
that positive developments have taken place regarding the threat of 3 airline
companies halting flights to illegal Tymvou
Airport.
Saner said that he had met with representatives of the
three airlines and alleged that it was out of question for these companies to
halt their flights to the breakaway regime.
According to Bayrak, Saner who was in Istanbul to
attend a conference organized by the Turkish Corporation for Information and
Communication Technologies Authority which was also attended byministers from
Greece, Azerbaijan, Tunisia and Afghanistan.
6. Formula
to decrease costs of aviation companies causes problems to occupied Kythrea
“municipality”
Under the title “They will fly, the municipality will
go bankrupt”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.05.13) reports that
the self-styled ministry of public works and transport has not imposed on the
new operators of illegal Tymvou airport the cost of the discount which the
aviation companies that fly to the occupied area of Cyprus had demanded.
Instead, notes the paper, the “ministry” has burdened with this cost the
so-called municipality of occupied Kythrea, which offers services to 12.000
people.
The paper writes that Turkish T&T Company has
signed a contract for operating the illegal airport for a period of 25 years
with the Build-Operate-Transfer model.
According to Havadis, one million 394 thousand
passengers used the illegal airport to exit from the occupied area of Cyprus in
2012 and this number is expected to increase by 15% in 2013 reaching one
million 600 thousands. With the new arrangement, every passenger who exits the
occupied area from illegal Tymvou airport will pay 15 euro and 5.25 Turkish
liras (TL) as tax. The T&T Company is expected to have an income of 22.5
million euro in 2013 only from the passengers who will exit the occupied area
of the island.
With the new practice, every passenger who receives
counter service at the illegal airport will pay 0.25 euro, every airplane which
lands will pay 25 euro for approaching the “airport” and additional 4 euros for
every ton of fuel. The aviation
companies are annoyed by these fees.
(I/Ts.)
7. Eroglu
refers to the issue of halloumi cheese and the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.05.13)
reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has addressed the 27th
Regular General Assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry held in the
occupied part of Lefkosia on Saturday. According to the paper, Ali Cirali was
reelected to the post of the chairman of the Chamber.
In his statement, Cirali recalled that they had
registered halloumi cheese (with the name of hellim) both in Turkey and the
occupied area of Cyprus and they continue their struggle to register it in the
European Union (EU) as well. Cirali said
that they aim at producing halloumi cheese by preserving its traditional
characteristics and this production to be continued by future generations. He
noted that they exert these efforts for registering halloumi in order for both
protecting its cultural characteristics and gaining an advantage in the
international field. Cirali said that they continue their inspections in the
factories which produce halloumi and that their aim is to complete the
inspections and give certificate to all the producers by the end of this year.
In his address, Eroglu reiterated the allegation that
their main aim is the commencement of the Cyprus talks within the framework of
a time limit and the conclusion of these talks with an agreement. He argued
that if the open-ended negotiations continue for many years, the new
generations will adopt the status quo and having a result in the negotiations
will become more difficult. He reiterated that when he meets with President
Anastasiades on 29 May, they will try to determine a road map for the
negotiations and the date on which these negotiations will start.
Eroglu called on the industrialists to register the
traditional products of the Turkish Cypriots, which are an inseparable part of
their culture and life. Otherwise, he said, these products will either be lost
as time goes by or they will be taken by others.
Eroglu expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation
between the Chamber and the “universities” and added that they closely follow
the efforts for registering halloumi in the EU. He noted that they had brought
up the issue of halloumi within the framework of confidence building measures
with Greek Cypriot side, but because of what he described as Greek Cypriot
side’s intransigent stance, they could have no result. He argued that the
process as regards halloumi was “didactic” for them and called on the industrialists
to register all traditional Turkish Cypriot products.
Referring to the economic crisis in the
government-controlled area of Cyprus, Eroglu alleged that it seems that this
crisis will be exploited on the issue of the commencement of the Cyprus talks
and added that he conveys to all foreign diplomats his demand for the beginning
of the talks the soonest within the framework of a time limit. He said that the
approach of the Greek Cypriot side is for the negotiations to start in autumn.
(I/Ts.)
8. Gul
held contacts in Portugal and said that he is hopeful for Turkey's EU
membership negotiations
Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.05.13) reported that
Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed hope that Turkey's EU membership
negotiation process would be concluded positively.
Holding a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime
Minister Pedro Passos Coelho on Monday, Gul said that Turkey's completing the
negotiation process successfully would be in everybody's interest.
Gul noted that Turkey and Portugal's relationship was
very strong today, and added that both countries served within NATO in hard
times. He underlined that the trade volume between the two countries was about
USD 1 billion and would continue to increase and that businessmen would be able
to establish valued partnerships.
"As of April 2013, Portuguese citizens are able
to visit Turkey only by using their ID cards. We hope that the EU will change
its visa policy against Turkey and make it more understandable," Gul said.
The Portuguese Prime Minister said that "the
political relationship between Portugal and Turkey is on a great level. The
signing of four agreements will boost it."
9. Turkish
Foreign Minister in talks with his American and Egyptian counterparts
Ankara Anatolia news agency (04.05.13) reported that
Turkish Foreign Minister AhmetDavutoglu has had separate phone calls with the
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed
KamelAmr, diplomatic sources said.
The diplomats discussed the ongoing conflict in Syria
and recent developments in the region, and made mutual situation assessments,
sources said.
10. Bagis
slams the remarks of EU envoy to Ankara on Turkey’s negotiation process
Turkish daily Hürriyet Daily News (06.05.13) reported
that Turkish EU Minister EgemenBağış criticized the remarks of the European
Union’s envoy to Ankara in which the latter said that Turkey’s best course of
action would be to open a new chapter in each presidency.
“We appreciate Mr. [Jean-Maurice] Ripert’s steps, but
he couldn’t put an end to his inexperience in terms of following the messages
we share with him [nor could he] adapt to our country. It is a serious gaffe to
say Turkey is seeking to only open one chapter in each presidency. He should at
first correct himself,” Bağış said in a written statement to the Hürriyet Daily
News. “If this is ‘wishful thinking’ for the EU, then they should put this into
words.”
Ripert’s remarks on the pace in Turkey’s EU accession
bid came in an interview with the Hürriyet Daily News. “At any rate, the best
way is to have one chapter open in each presidency. This is the objective of
EgemenBağış,” the EU envoy said in the interview.
“It is a naïve to think that we would accept the
opening of just one chapter in each presidency. Our patience has been tested in
the past and now. If we wait for it, then we will still be talking about
chapters in 2023. I don’t think we have that much patience. Our people won’t
allow this, first of all,” the EU minister said.
11. Turkey,
Israel approaching compensation deal
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (06.05.13) reported
that the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister BulentArincsaid that a second meeting between Turkish and
Israeli officials was held in Israel’s Tel Aviv, for negotiations over
compensation for a raid by Israel on a Turkish flotilla that resulted in the
killing of nine Turkish citizens.
“If a result from the meeting is not obtained, a third meeting could be on the
agenda,” Arinc told members of the press after a cabinet meeting in Ankara.
After his statement, the Associated Press reported
that a draft agreement on compensation for the victims had been reached by
Israel and Turkey, but the Israeli side reportedly said “additional
clarifications” were needed on “a few issues.”
A Turkish delegation led by Foreign Ministry
Undersecretary FeridunSinirlioglu had travel to Tel Aviv for the second round
of compensation talks for the families of victims of Mavi Marmara raid by
Israel in 2010. Turkish and Israeli delegations held their first meeting in
Ankara to discuss the compensation, discussions that were described at the time
by Arınç as “positive.”
“Rather than attempting to set an exact amount for the
compensation, the Turkish side referred to international law when presenting
the criteria to be used for the amount of compensation to be requested”, writes
the paper.
12. Turkey
denies anti-Iran defense pact
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.05.13) reported that
Turkey's Foreign Ministry has denied a report that appeared in the British
daily the Sunday Times that Turkey is planning to make an anti-Iran defense
cooperation agreement with Israel and three Arab states.
Ministry spokesperson LeventGumrukcu called the report
"unreal and manipulative."
"We invite the public to be prudent in the face
of such manipulative news in such a sensitive period," Gumrukcu said.
Citing an unnamed Israeli official, the Sunday Times
said Israel was preparing to make "a defense crescent" with Turkey,
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan to establish a warning system
against Iranian missiles. The daily said the proposal dubbed as "4+1"
would involve technicians from the five countries working together in joint
command-and-control centers.
13. Bid
for new Istanbul airport breaks all records
Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.05.13) reported that
Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications
BinaliYildirim said on Friday that the winner of the bid for new Istanbul
airport was Limak/Cengiz/Kolin/Ma-Pa/Kalyon Consortium, a joint venture of only
local companies.
"It was a fair and transparent bid. The airport
addresses the following 50 years of Turkey", Yildirim said.
For the construction and 25-year lease of the third
airport in Istanbul, the group offered the highest bid of 22.152 billion euro,
which is the record price in the history of the country.
Tender for the third airport in Istanbul took place in
Ankara's Esenboga International Airport on May 3.
Fifteen Turkish and two foreign companies received
approval for their technical capabilities to build the third airport.
14. Continuing
problems in the UBP influence the work of “parliament”; Kucuk warns his
opponents within the party “for the last time”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.05.13)
reports that the internal quarrel within the ‘ruling’ National Unity party
(UBP) has started to influence negatively the work of the so-called parliament
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. While
last Thursday the “parliament’ convened with the support of the opposition
parties, yesterday the “body” started its work with one hour delay, because the
UBP “deputies” who oppose to “prime minister” Kucuk did not respond positively
to the first invitation to participate in the session.
According to the paper, UBP chairman in occupied
Keryneia area, NecdetNuman said that this situation could not continue and that
holding “early elections” was absolutely necessary. The opposition parties are
also annoyed with the developments, calling on the opponents of Kucuk to resign
and on the “prime minister” to declare “early elections”.
Meanwhile, Havadis (07.05.13) reports also that Kucuk
issued a written statement yesterday “warning for the last time” his opponents
within the party and calling them to “reason”. Under the title “Hint for
expulsion”, the paper writes that Kucuk said that the rules and the members of
the UBP would not allow for the party to be weakened and that those who
undermine the process today would very soon receive the necessary answer within
the framework of the statutes of the party.
(I/Ts.)
15. Illegal
university will have the Castle of Keryneia in its logo
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (06.05.13)
reported that the illegal “University of Keryneia” will have the historic
castle of the occupied city in its logo. The efforts for establishing this
“university” are intensified, according to the paper which writes that this
“university” will represent the regime in the field of maritime operation and
science. The “university” will be built on 80-donums of land [Translator’s
note: a donum is a land measure of around 1000 square meters] next to the
occupied port of Keryneia. The paper claims that this is a Turkish-owned land.
(I/Ts.)
16.
A coffee war: Is it Greek or Turkish?
Turkish daily Zaman newspaper (07.05.13) reports that
a woman from a volunteer initiative to promote Turkish coffee has started a
petition on charge.org to appeal to famous Turkish-Amercian surgeon Mehmet Öz,
calling on him to celebrate Turkish coffee culture.
The campaign, titled “Dr. Mehmet CengizÖz,
Turkish-American TV show host: Celebrate Turkish coffee culture's 500-year-old
history,” aims to gather at least 5,000 signatures; it currently has some 250.
What urged GizemŞalcıgil White, the founder of the Mobile Turkish Coffee Truck,
to start the petition was a recent TV program hosted by Dr. Öz, where he
promoted a super-potent coffee as a heart-protecting and antioxidant beverage,
saying it was Greek coffee.
“As a person of Turkish heritage, I look up to Dr.
Mehmet Öz as an inspiring figure. Millions of people are exposed to Turkey and
Turkish culture through Dr. Öz's television program. Turkish people proudly
applaud his success and contributions to society,” the “Turkish Coffee Truck
lady,” as she calls herself, says in the petition, calling on Dr. Öz to
recognize the significance of Turkey's cultural contribution to the world.
White also gives a historical background of Turkish
coffee in the petition: The properties of coffee were first observed in
Ethiopia by herders who watched their goats become hyperactive after eating the
beans. Coffee beans were brought to İstanbul in 1517 from Yemen and then brewed
and served in a unique way that has been a fundamental part of Turkish culture
and heritage ever since.
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