TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 206/13 31.10.13
1. Davutoglu: No concessions on the Cyprus problem
2. Turkey’s MFA: no final date on the reciprocal visits;
Mavroyiannis: Some progress on the joint statement;
3. Eroglu claimed that the hydrocarbon resources has complicated the
Cyprus settlement
4. Talat: the Turkish side has interrupted the negotiations; it is
not reasonable to present the wish for a joint statement as “precondition”
5. BKP: Both sides should stop complicating the process by putting
forward preconditions
6. TMT: Federation will be a suicide for the Turkish Cypriots
7. Slovak Ambassador Dr Tomova met with UBP leader Ozgurgun
8. Bagis should watch his language, says European Parliament
rapporteur
9. Cicek blamed France and Cyprus for blockage over Turkey’s EU
process
10. Erdogan to visit Moscow for talks on strategic alliance
11. Officials from US get in line for Ankara visits
1. Davutoglu:
No concessions on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet
Davutoglu reiterated that no concessions will be done on the Cyprus problem,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.10.13) reports.
According to the paper, Davutoglu made this
statement after his meeting with Slovakian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign
and European Affairs MiroslavLajcak in Bratislava.
Commenting on the Cyprus problem after the
meeting with his Slovakian counterpart, Davutoglu claimed that both Turkey and
“TRNC” make a sincere effort in order a peaceful solution is found in the
Cyprus problem. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side accepted the UN peace plan
while the Greek Cypriot side rejected it, Davutoglu claimed that the EU, which
supported the plan, reportedly signed a big injustice by rewarding the Greek
Cypriots and punishing the Turkish Cypriots.
Davutoglu went on saying that he believes
that the Cyprus talks will resume within few months, adding that they, as
Turkey, always support a peaceful negotiation process.
Replying to a question regarding Turkey’s
relations with the EU on the Cyprus problem, Davutoglu stressed that they will
not make any concessions, adding that first, the EU should keep its promise
given to the Turkish Cypriot side. Davutoglu concluded that the Turkish side is
ready any time to launch the negotiations in order to ensure peace.
Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia
news agency (30.10.13), Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu also requested
Slovakia’s help for Cyprus problem. He pointed that Turkey and “Northern
Cyprus” [Editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus] showed sincere effort to solve that long-stalled issue and
voiced his hope that negotiation process can start again within a few months.
During his one day visit to Bratislava,
Davutoglu has met with his Slovakian counterpart MiroslavLajcak and held a
joint press conference.
Davutoglu called on the European Union to
lift its visa requirements for Turkish citizens and praised Turkey-Slovakia relations
on Wednesday.
Lajcak praised Turkey’s decision to lift
visa requirement for Slovakian citizens. In response, Davutoglu said Turkey
awaits similar step from Bratislava and its lobby within the EU for Turkish
citizens. Commenting on bilateral relationship, Davutoglu said two countries
has increased their ties, adding that Presidents and Prime Ministers have made
mutual visits in recent years.
During the visit, Davutoglu was received by
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. During the talks, Davutoglu and Fico
discussed bilateral, regional and international developments, according to
diplomatic sources.
On the same issue, according to A.A.
(30.10.13), Davutoglu will proceed to Hungary upon an invitation by Hungary's
Minister for Foreign Affairs Janos Martonyi to attend the Visegrad Group
Meeting in the capital Budapest along with Austria, EU's term president
Lithuania and West Balkan countries.
Visegrad Group, consisting of four
important countries of Central Europe ,Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and
Slovakia are known as a formation which contributes to regional stability and
welfare and strengthening the cooperation between the countries in the
region.
Turkey is invited for the first time to the
Visegrad Group meeting, where Davutoglu will evaluate the joint cooperation
projects intended to regional economic and democratic developments with
Visegrad Group and Foreign Ministers of West Balkan countries.
2. Turkey’s
MFA: no final date on the reciprocal visits;Mavroyiannis: Some progress on the
joint statement
Reporter Osman Kalfaoglu, writing in
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.10.13), reports that the Greek Cypriot
negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis gave optimist messages regarding the text of
the joint statement for the resumption of the Cyprus talks. Mavroyiannis said
that some progress has been obtained in the text of the joint statement,
adding, however, that he cannot give any details.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, in statement to
the paper, announced that the visits of the special representatives will be set
in a coordinated effort among the four sides “Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot,
Turkey and Greece”.
CenkUnal, head of the information
department of Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, said that nothing has been finalized
on the issue of the visits’ day; adding that the final date will be set through
coordination and will be announced.
Moreover, Turkey’s MFA, regarding the
unofficial statement by the Greek Cypriot side that the visits to Ankara and
Athens will not be materialized in case of no progress is obtained to the text
of the joint statement, announced that they have not received any information
on this issue.
On the other hand, Kalfaoglu reports that
Mavroyiannis noted that the visits to Athens and Ankara are parallel to the
ongoing efforts for a joint statement and not directly related.
3. Eroglu
claimed that the hydrocarbon resources has complicated the Cyprus settlement
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 30.10.13), Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, delivering the opening
speech of the “Neo-Liberalism Symposium” organized by the illegal European
University of Lefke on Wedneday, said: “I believe such studies that would be
carried out by the ‘TRNC’ universities will provide a series of contributions to
our world, our region and our country”.
Referring to the hydrocarbon resources
around Cyprus, Eroglu argued that these resources have caused the solution of
the Cyprus problem to become more complicated instead of playing a catalytic
role in efforts aimed at solving the problem.
“Five years ago, there was no such a matter
in the Cyprus problem. However the way of sharing the resources has become an
issue of discussion and this is becoming more complicated with the intervention
of many other countries”, Eroglu noted.
Pointing to the strategic importance of the
Cyprus Island, Eroglu said the increasing importance of Cyprus is causing more
problems.
Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots are
pacifist, he reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side is in favour of the
solution of the Cyprus problem which will be based on the realities on the
island.
Claiming that the Cyprus problem remained
unsolved as the Greek Cypriot side’s stance is compatible with the interests of
some member countries of the United Nations and the European Union, Eroglu
added the Turkish Cypriot side is not responsible for the failure of the
resumption of the negotiations process.
Eroglu went on to say that time has come
for the Turkish Cypriots to become part of the world and no one should prevent
the Turkish Cypriot youngsters to become integrated with the rest of the world.
“We want a bi-zonal federation which will
be based on political equality of the two founding states. We also want the
continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantees in Cyprus”, Eroglu
concluded.
4. Talat:
the Turkish side has interrupted the negotiations; it is not reasonable to
present the wish for a joint statement as “precondition”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper
(31.10.13) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, former Turkish Cypriot leader, has
drawn attention to the fact that the Turkish side was the one that interrupted
the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and added that if
the negotiations had not been interrupted they would most probably be continued
with the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader, but now “we are thinking of how to
launch the negotiations”.
In statements yesterday during a television
program, Talat argued that the Greek Cypriot side is now trying to strengthen its
position and added: “In brief, the decision of interrupting the negotiations
because of the EU presidency in 2012 slammed us today”.
Noting that putting forward preconditions
will not give results in the negotiations, Talat said that what President Anastasiades
wants is a joint statement and it is not a reasonable approach to present this
as a precondition.
Talat alleged that President Anastasiades
“experiences difficulties due to his coalition partners” and claimed that it is
inevitable for President Anastasiades to get away from the Annan Plan when he
acts together with his partners.
Asked to comment on the issue of the
military service, Talat said that as long the Cyprus problem exists, military
service will also exist. Referring to the demands of reducing the period of the
military service in the occupied area of Cyprus, as it has happened in Turkey,
Talat argued that those who demand this are the same persons who do not want
Turkey to interfere in the internal affairs of the Turkish Cypriots. He went on
and said that if they want their “state structure” to participate as equal
entity in a federation, it would be unthinkable to leave their security totally
to Turkey. He argued that the only way is to have a strong economy and a
professional army. “Otherwise, Turkey will give the money and provide the
security and you will play the game of being an independent state! Will it not
be comical? …I think that taking money from Turkey to pay the salaries is a
serious disgraceful situation”.
(I/Ts.)
5. BKP:
Both sides should stop complicating the process by putting forward
preconditions
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.10.13)
reports that the United Cyprus Party (BKP) called on both sides that they
should stop complicating the process by putting forward preconditions, adding
that the negotiations should resume as soon as possible from the point they
were left off on the basis of a federal solution uniting again Cyprus.
In a written statement issued yesterday,
the leader of BKP IzzetIzcan noted that the condition,in order the negotiation
process resume and reach a federal solution soon, is that both sides be sincere
and constructive. He pointed out that the passage of time without a settlement
robs the future of all Cypriots.
Izcan reiterated that to start searching
for a new basis for negotiations apart from a bizonal, bi-communal federation,
with political equality based on a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and
a single international personality, as defined by the UN Security Council
Resolutions, is a fruitless venture.
6. TMT:
Federation will be a suicide for the Turkish Cypriots
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
(31.10.13), the chairman of the TMT “fighters’ association” Yilmaz Bora said
that they will not abandon the “state” founded by the Turkish Cypriots and they
will try to keep italive.
In a written statement issued yesterday,
Bora criticized the self-styled minister of foreign affairs OzdilNami and added
that a federation will be a suicide for the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that
they hear unconfirmed news similar to the news that occurred prior the Annan
plan, adding that the motherland Turkey has given them every kind of support
and the Turkish Cypriots will not make any concession on their “state”.
7. Slovak
Ambassador Dr Tomova met with UBP leader Ozgurgun
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.10.13)
reports that the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Cyprus Dr Oksana Tomova
paid a courtesy visit yesterday to the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP)
Huseyin Ozgurgun.
In a short statement prior the meeting,
Ozgurgun said that they will discuss some issues including the Cyprus problem.
8. Bagis
should watch his language, says European Parliament rapporteur
Under the above title, Turkish daily Today’s
Zaman (online, 30.10.13) reported that RiaOomen-Ruijten, the European
Parliament (EP) rapporteur on Turkey, met with Turkish officials on Wednesday
in Ankara and said EU Affairs Minister EgemenBagis should watch his language
when talking to EU officials.
Speaking to the Cihan news agency after
holding talks with Bagis on Wednesday, Ruijten said that the Turkish EU
minister sometimes puts EU officials in a difficult position and complained
about the “harsh rhetoric” Bagis uses with them.
When the European parliamentarians rebuked
Turkey for its handling of the summer protests in Turkey, Bagis accused some
European officials and politicians of making “irresponsible” statements and
“talking nonsense” for the sake of media attention.
“Some parliamentarians should understand
that there is a price to pay for talking this comfortably and daringly about
Turkey's internal matters,” Bagis said in mid-June while the protests were
still ongoing and added, “Turkey is not a banana republic.”
Ruijten told Cihan on Wednesday: “He
[Bagis] will get a response from me if he uses harsh words on an issue that is
related to me.”
Ruijten underscored that she had also
expressed these complaints about Bagis’ rhetoric to him directly. “I told
Mr.Bagis that he should use this type of language only in internal politics. I
told him that such harsh language creates a negative reflection in Europe,”
added Ruijten.
Highlighting that the EU and Turkey should
strengthen their relations, Ruijten noted that there were many common interests
between Turkey and the bloc.
Commenting on the opening of a new chapter
in Turkey's EU accession, Ruijten said the opening of Chapter 22 on Nov. 5 will
breathe new life into Turkey's EU bid.
Speaking to reporters after the
closed-to-press meeting, Bagis said Ruijten had offered “constructive
criticism” about Turkey during their conversation. Bagis said that although
some of Ruijten's criticism in the past had “saddened” Turkey, her comments
still helped raise standards in the EU candidate country.
Bagis said he believed Ruijten's reports
will continue to light the way for Turkey and added: “This year, the European
Commission has published a far more realistic report when compared to past
years. I guess that the report to be published by the European Parliament [on
Turkey] will also be constructive”.
"Nov. 5 is a turning point in
Turkish-EU relations. Because for the first time after a three-year gap, we
will be opening a new chapter," Bagis added. He said that the decision to
open Chapter 22 was important as it also signalled that Turkey may soon be able
to begin talks on Chapter 23 and 24, the two chapters that cover issues related
to the judiciary, fundamental rights, freedom and security.
"Once the Cyprus issue is resolved,
once the reunification of Cyprus happens, all 14 EU chapters blocked over that
issue will also be unblocked," Bagis concluded.
9. Cicek
blamed France and Cyprus for blockage over Turkey’s EU process
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(30.10.13), Turkish Parliament Speaker CemilCicek, after holding talks with the
European Parliament’s rapporteur RiaOomen-Ruijten on Wednesday, told
journalists that the EU’s progress reports on Turkey should be fair,
constructive, and encouraging so that those reports can be a driving force for
change.
Noting that Turkey’s choice to be a member
of the EU is fundamental and strategic, Cicek said that Turkey’s membership
process has started 50 years ago and called it “a long wait”. He added that
Turkish membership into EU is beneficial for both sides.
He blamed France and the Greek Cypriot side
for blockage over Turkey’s EU process and said: “Turkey is wasting fuel on red
light. Engine is on but Turkey cannot move.” Cicek also slammed European Union
for its refusal to let Turkish citizens to travel freely within the EU although
Ankara is in a negotiation process and also a member of the Customs Union.
In response, Dutch rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten
said Turkey should look to the future instead of past. She said reforms are
applied when Justice and Development Party (AKP) came into power and praised
Turkey has taken important steps regarding the Copenhagen Criteria, a set of
conditions that any country has to meet to be a member of EU. “The
democratization package pleased us. But they have to be implemented.”
Dutch rapporteur defended EU annual reports
on Turkey by saying that the reports are objective and balanced.
10. Erdogan
to visit Moscow for talks on strategic alliance
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 30.10.13), Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit
Russia with a number of Ministers on Nov. 22 for the fourth Russian-Turkish
High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC).
According to information attained by
Today's Zaman, the meeting, which is planned to last two days, will be on Nov.
22-23. On his Moscow visit, Erdogan will be accompanied by seven or eight
Ministers. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Energy Minister TanerYildiz and
Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister BinaliYildirim are
among those likely to attend the meetings in Russia. Each Minister is expected
to meet with his Russian counterpart, assess the projects of the last year and
devise a plan for the coming year.
11. Officials
from US get in line for Ankara visits
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
31.10.13), with the above title, reports that Turkey and the United States are
intensifying political dialogue as bilateral visits between the capitals gain
momentum.
A delegation from the U.S. Department of
Defence is conducting official talks in Ankara, while Victoria Nuland,
assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in the U.S., and
a top U.S. security official are set to hold talks with Turkish officials in
the coming days.
“Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Jim
Miller is visiting Turkey for bilateral consultations on regional security
issues, including Syria; the U.S.-Turkish bilateral defence relationship; and
our partnership in NATO,” a U.S. embassy official in Ankara told the Hurriyet
Daily News yesterday.
Relations between the U.S. and Turkey have
been chilly since the Turkish government announced its decision to start
negotiations with a Chinese firm for the co-production of a $3.4 billion
missile defence system.As part of intensified efforts to improve ties, Nuland
will hold talks with Turkish officials in her first visit to Turkey since
taking up her present post.
Moreover, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
will pay a visit to Washington for bilateral talks on Nov. 18.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Conflict
and Stabilization Operations (CSO) Rick Barton will travel to Turkey on Nov.
2-7.
The visits come in the wake of recent U.S.
newspaper reports in recent weeks suggesting Turkish intelligence chief
HakanFidan had shared sensitive information with Iran, which has led to
speculation that ties between the two had soured.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
