TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.
201/13 23.10.13
1. Bagis: Turkey will not give land in Cyprus even for its full EU
membership
2. Nami says he met with Mavroyiannis three times in ten days
3.
Ertug comments on Cyprus talks
4. Turkish Cypriot columnist: the Turkish Cypriot side creates the image
that is aspires to a confederation under the garment of federation
5.
KTOS warned that the meetings between CFA and “Turkish Cypriot football
federation” would be sabotaged
6.
Organ transplants in occupied Cyprus
7.
Archbishop Chrysostomos B’ met with Talip Atalay
8.
Turkish FM attends "London 11" meeting
9.
Erdogan both criticizes and welcomes EU's recent report
10.
EU agrees to convene on Nov. 5 for talks on new chapter with Turkey
1. Bagis: Turkey will not give land in Cyprus even for its full EU
membership
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.10.13)
reports that Egemen Bagis, Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator, has said
that the issue of the return of the occupied closed city of Varosha to its
legal owners is part of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. In
statements yesterday to Turkish NTV television, Bagis noted that Turkey will
not give even a single hand span of land for opening a chapter in her accession
talks with the European Union, like some Greek Cypriot politicians say.
Bagis described as a “delayed positive
development” the opening of chapter 22 in Turkey’s EU accession negotiations,
noting that the decision had been taken during a previous EU term presidency,
but its implementation was left for until after the announcement of its
Progress Report by the EU Commission, due to objections by Germany.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Bagis argued
that the non-solution in Cyprus harms the interests of the EU more than it
harms the interests of Turkey. “However, it shows an influence on Cyprus’
interests more than anyone else’s”, he noted.
Bagis recalled the Annan Plan and claimed that
this was “one of the most reasonable peace projects that came up until that
time”, even though it allegedly included some dimensions which were annoying
Turkey as well. He argued that President Anastasiades was
the only Greek Cypriot politician who had openly supported the Annan Plan and
alleged that time showed that Turkey and President Anastasiades were right when
they supported this plan. He argued that if the plan had been accepted, Cyprus
could have been one of the most prosperous EU countries. He described the
election of Nicos Anastasiades to the presidency of the Republic Cyprus as “a
sign that the Greek Cypriot people accepted their mistakes during the Annan
Plan process”.
Bagis referred to the visits of the
representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side to Ankara and
Athens respectively and expressed the hope that “the necessary steps will be
taken on the Cyprus issue, a new plan will come up until the end of this year
and we as Turkey will support the solution accepted by both sides”. “Cyprus
will be a single country in the EU with its structure established by two states
that are as free as possible internally, which is also Mr Anastasiades’
vision”, he argued noting that both Turks and Greeks will have a say in this
“single state”. He concluded by saying
that, in this manner, a problem which prevents the opening of 14 chapters in
Turkey’s accession negotiations will cease to exist.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily
Yeni Duzen newspaper (23.10.13) reports that in the same statements Bagis,
referring to the Greek Cypriot proposal on the issue of the occupied closed
city of Varosha, said that if the issue comes onto the agenda within a new plan
discussed and accepted by the two sides, Turkey could approach this issue
positively. He added: “However, absolutely no country in EU’s history gave a
territorial concession for the opening of a chapter. Turkey will never be the
first to do this. Let them not even dream about it”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Nami says he met with Mavroyiannis three times in ten days
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.10.13)
reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has confirmed information
published in the Greek Cypriot press that he had met three times in ten days
with the Greek Cypriot negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis. Responding to
questions of Kibris from Strasbourg, Nami said that these meetings were held
both in the occupied and the government-controlled part of Nicosia as well as
in the buffer zone.
Nami noted that the aim of these meetings “with
social content” was to get to know each other and exchange views with
Mavroyiannis on the Cyprus problem.
Asked whether these meetings were held within
the framework of the promise that the Republican Turkish Party – Democratic
Party self-styled government will undertake a more active role in the Cyprus
talks, Nami replied that the duty of carrying out the negotiations belongs only
to the Turkish Cypriot leader and his special representative.
Meanwhile, Kibris cites a source from the
government-controlled area of Cyprus, which allegedly said that the process
could not be conducted only by Eroglu and his special representative and that
Nami should be included in it, even unofficially. The source reportedly said
that the meeting was held secretly because the self-styled foreign minister
could not officially participate in the process.
The paper writes that Eroglu’s special
representative, Osman Ertug refrained from making a comment because he had no
information on the issue.
Kibris reports that Nami will stay
in Strasbourg for three days. He is expected to meet with representatives of
the political groups in the European Parliament (EP) and the Commissioner
Responsible for Enlargement, Stefan Fule.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ertug
comments on Cyprus talks
Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.10.13)
reports that Osman Ertug, the special envoy of the Turkish Cypriot leader
Dervis Eroglu said regarding the quartet meetings in Ankara and Greece:
"We have nothing to lose. It is a win-win situation. We can break the ice
and open a new era."
Speaking to AA, Ertug stated that the Turkish
side approached the process positively from the beginning and noted there is no
precondition for the talks. "We prefer a joint announcement. But, we have
to agree on that. If we cannot agree, it will not obstruct talks."
Ertug said they had talks with the Greek
Cypriot side for a month to decide on the quartet meetings to start with a
joint announcement.
He also underlined quartet meetings will be
the first: "We hoped that two sides will gain from that and approached the
issue positively. We have nothing to lose. It is a win-win situation. We can
break the ice and open a new era."
Ertug emphasized that the Turkish side
acted within the UN parameters, but accused Greek Cypriots of 'dragging their
feet', alleging that they could not see a constructive approach from the Greek
side. "We did not lose hope for peace. We are waiting for them to take the
necessary decision."
Special Envoy Ertug said they are striving
to have an agreement that the two sides can agree. "If we have that
agreement, there will be coordinated referendum at both sides. People will
decide."
Ertug cautioned that Greek Cypriot side
should deliver the same message to its people and to the Turkish side during
the talks. He underlined that it is the Greek side that is going through
'sincerity test'. "We voted in favour of the UN plan (2004). But they set
preconditions such as Maras for the talks."
4. Turkish Cypriot columnist: the Turkish Cypriot side creates the
image that is aspires to a confederation under the garment of federation
Under the title “Is there a bargain on single
citizenship and single sovereignty?” Turkish Cypriot columnist Tumay Tugyan
comments in daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (23.10.13) the stance of the Turkish
Cypriot side on the issue of single sovereignty and single citizenship in the
Cyprus talks, especially after a recent statement by Ozdil Nami, self-styled
foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus.
Tugyan recalls that on 23 May 2008 the then
community leaders, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, confirmed that
they were committed to a bi-zonal,
bi-communal federation on the basis of political equality as described in the
relevant UN Security Council resolutions. She goes on and notes that on 1 July
2008, the community leaders agreed also that the state described in the 23 May
agreement would have a single sovereignty and a single citizenship.
Noting that these principles were a requirement
of the “federation” accepted in the 1977-79 High Level Agreements, Tugyan says
that “the single international identity and the single sovereignty were
requirements of a federal state and sine qua non”.
She goes on and says, inter alia, the
following:
“…It is true that Eroglu unwillingly confirmed
before the UN that he accepts the principles of single international identity,
single sovereignty and single citizenship, but both his and the National Unity
Party’s (UBP) tradition has always been contrary to these principles. This has
been for many years one of the basic points of conflict between the UBP and the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) as regards the Cyprus problem…
At the stage reached today, the resumption of
the negotiations process is expected and the sides are working on a joint
statement. According to what we found out from foreign minister Ozdil Nami, the
basic difficulty experienced now is the effort by the Greek Cypriot side to include
in the text of the joint statement the issue of single sovereignty and single
citizenship.
Nami says: ‘The Greek Cypriot side wants to
have immediately included in the text of the joint statement the issue of
single sovereignty and single citizenship which is its own priority’.
Is the conclusion we have to draw from this
statement by Nami that, contrary to the Greek Cypriot side, the issue of
‘single sovereignty and single citizenship’ is not a priority for the Turkish
Cypriot side? Because the Greek Cypriot side wants to renegotiate the issue of
internal citizenship and the residual powers, are we, in return, going to open to
renegotiations the issue of single
sovereignty and single citizenship?
It is understandable for Eroglu to
demand this, because the political tradition which Eroglu represents is annoyed
by the federation. But what about the CTP? What else than creating the image
that the Turkish Cypriot side aspires to a confederation under the garment of
federation and not a real federation, is
served by approaching the issue of single citizenship and single sovereignty in
this manner now?”
(I/Ts.)
5. KTOS
warned that the meetings between CFA and “Turkish Cypriot football federation”
would be sabotaged
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (23.10.13) reports
that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot primary school
teachers’ trade union (KTOS), pointed out that Turkey’s officials as well as
officials of the breakaway regime are trying to sabotage the on-going meetings
between the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and the “Turkish Cypriot football
federation”.
Claiming that it is still in his memory how
the Turkish officials and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat tried
to prevent the initiatives of the former chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot
football federation” Omer Adal of opening the Turkish Cypriot football to the
world, Elcil affirmed that they exert their insincerity with statements like
“we want solution”, “we are not the side, which runs off the solution”,
solution until the newyear”.
Elcil called on them to be sincere and to
support the effort in order for the meetings between the CFA and the “Turkish
Cypriot football federation” to have results.
6. Organ
transplants in occupied Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (22.10.13)
reports that the issue of “legalizing” organ transplants in the breakaway
regime was on the agenda of the “parliament”.
While a debate regarding the content of the
“draft law” which was prepared within the framework of EU harmonization laws
was discussed at “parliament”, the self-styled government has announced that
the technical aspects of the draft have been taken up.
The “draft law” which will pave the way for
cell, tissue and organ transplants was brought to the agenda of the “plenary
session” by the leader of the Social Democratic Party Mehmet Cakici.
Addressing the session Mr. Cakici said
there were aspects of the “law” that were worrying and added that if the organ
transplant issue is seen as an opportunity to import and export body parts then
this could lead to problems and wrong doings.
7. Archbishop
Chrysostomos B’ met with Talip Atalay
Illegal Bayrak Television (22.10.13)
reports that the “head of religious affairs department” Talip Atalay visited
Archbishop Chrysostomos B’.
The last visit between the two men was
realized two and a half years ago. Atalay evaluated his visit to the Archbishop
saying that he was greeted by the Archbishop at the buffer zone and then they
visited the Bayraktar Mosque.
He also said that he was hosted at the
Archbishopricand after having lunch with the Archbishop he moved on to the Hala
Sultan Mosque where he attended Friday prayers.
He said it was their aim to create mutual
tolerance between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots on the island within the
framework of religious mentality.Atalay also added that they are working
towards overcoming the problems being faced at border crossings throughout the
island.
8. Turkish
FM attends "London 11" meeting
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.10.13)
reports that Foreign Ministers of the Core Group of the Friends of Syria came
together in London on Tuesday to discuss the Syria crisis and the preparations
for the Geneva 2 Conference which is expected to take place in Switzerland next
month. Following the "London 11" titled conference, Turkish Foreign
Minister Davutoglu held a press conference in the British capital.
Stating that the meeting was held in two
phases, Davutoglu said first of all the teams of 11 foreign ministers got
together and formed a communique they worked on yesterday and stated: "We
came to an agreement on the communique. Later on today, we discussed the next
steps in the framework of this communique and met with President of the
National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Ahmad Jarba.
Both main points of the communique and what should be the next steps were
covered. It was such a beneficial meeting. You will see it on the communique
that there are points which Turkey was paying attention at."
Davutoglu noted that it was important for
them as the process was not open-ended and added: "There should not have
been any doubts occurring over the representation of the Syrian opposition.
These were included in the communique." "Whatever would cause the
neglect the humanitarian dimension, would not satisfy us. It is very important
for all those 11 countries coming together and that is why the Syrian National
Coalition stated their satisfaction of 11 countries gathering within the scope
of this frame. And as these 11 countries go together, what we emphasized is the
importance of the maintenance of the Syrian oppositions' unity."
9. Erdogan
both criticizes and welcomes EU's recent report
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.10.13)
reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan both criticized and
welcomed the European Union after it released its progress report on Turkey last week.
"Is the European Union's only issue to
prepare a progress report only on Turkey? You cannot stand idly by the
developments in Syria. The EU still does not call to the action against the
elected president as coup in Egypt. We sincerely expect the EU, who sharply
criticizes its member countries, should criticize itself and write its own
progress report," Erdogan said after AK Party's group meeting in Ankara.
On the recently released progress report,
he said, "However the report included false evaluations, it generally
confirms the government's determination on reforms." Erdogan stated that Turkey would continue its
reforms despite all the obstacles and negative attitudes.
The European Union released its 2013
Progress Report on Turkey by hailing reforms carried out by the country and by
criticizing Turkey for what it called an "uncompromising stance" on
freedom of speech and assembly.
The Turkish premier also mentioned the
release of Turkish pilots Murat Agca and Murat Akpinar, who had been abducted
on their way to hotel in Lebanon and thanked Lebanon and Qatar for their
cooperation.
"When Turkey's influence increases,
its economy and democracy grows, those who don't want this development, will
explore different ways and target Turkey," he added.
10. EU
agrees to convene on Nov. 5 for talks on new chapter with Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper
(23.10.13) reports that the European Union's General Affairs Council has
approved talks on the opening of a new chapter in Turkey's accession to the EU,
deciding that an intergovernmental conference for this purpose will be held on
Nov. 5.
The council had already agreed in June that
Chapter 22 on regional policy would be opened, but it delayed the
intergovernmental conference until October in retaliation for Turkey's handling
of the Gezi Park protests.
With the opening of Chapter 22 in November,
the EU and Turkey will put an end to the three-year hiatus in accession talks.
Stefan Fule, the European Commissioner for
Enlargement, welcomed the EU's approval of the opening of a new chapter in a
statement published on the European Commission's website.
“Recent developments in Turkey underline
the importance of EU engagement and of the EU remaining the benchmark for
reform in Turkey. To this end, accession negotiations need to regain momentum,
respecting the EU's commitments and established conditionality. In this regard,
today's decision represents an important step,” Fule said.
He also expressed satisfaction with last
week's progress report for providing “a timely contribution” to the process
leading up to Tuesday's decision. Fule said he hopes that more chapters will
follow Chapter 22.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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