TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 09/15 16.01.14
1. Yilmaz: It has been put
to the UN record that Turkey has legitimate rights and jurisdiction in certain
waters to the west of Cyprus
2. Turkish MFA spokesman on the joint statement
3. Downer withdraws from his Cyprus duties; Ertug asked from Downer an
“impartial report which will reflect the realities”
4. Nami: We are trying to
create a new Cyprus
5. Eroglu: Turkish Cypriots want to live under their own
administration and to maintain a strong relationship with motherland Turkey
6. Denktas: an improved Annan Plan will come before us
7. Initiatives for the
representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP
8. Kasif held contacts in Ankara on improvingthe telecommunications
infrastructure of the breakaway regime
9. Bakirci: Closing down the quarries could cause great increases which
will shake the price balance in the constructions’ sector
10. Ozyigit met with the Danish Ambassador to
Lefkosia
11. The breakaway regime is participating in
the “Vakantiebeurs 2014 Tourism Fair” in Holland
12. Erdogan tasks Turkish
Ambassadors to tell the “truth” on corruption probe
13. Tanju Bilgic appointed
as the new spokesman of Turkish MFA
1. Yilmaz: It has been put
to the UN record that Turkey has legitimate rights and jurisdiction in certain
waters to the west of Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (15.01.14) broadcast that the Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz evaluated
issues related to the Economic Exclusive Zone off the coast of Cyprus at a
session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Addressing the session, he
alleged that the Republic of Cyprus has signed continental delimitation
agreements with neighbouring countries by ignoring the rights of the Turkish
Cypriots.
Claiming that none of
these agreements were valid or binding for Turkey or the breakaway regime, Yilmaz
said that this position had been conveyed to the UN and published as UN
documents. “Particularly it has been put to the
record that Turkey has legitimate rights and jurisdiction in certain waters to
the west of the island”, he said.
Also reminding that a continental delimitation agreement had been
signed with the breakaway regime on the 21st of September 2011, Yilmaz alleged
the following: “It is not possible for third
countries to conduct any activity in areas in the Eastern Mediterranean of
which we exercise sovereign rights over without the consent of our country. We
are openly and clearly stating this”.
2. Turkish MFA spokesman on the joint statement
According to Turkish daily Zaman (online, 16.01.14), Turkish Foreign
Ministry spokesman Levent Gumrukcu, replying to questions through his Twitter
account referred also to the Cyprus problem.
Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side has not taken the necessary
steps for a settlement, Gumrukcu noted: “One of our fundamental priorities is
to find a just and comprehensive solution the soonest possible on the Cyprus
problem, which enters its 50th year. We make rigorous efforts with
the TRNC (trans. Note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus) toward this. However, the Greek Cypriot side could not
exert the necessary political will towards this.
Regarding the resumption of the talks in the island, no concrete
result has been achieved from the on-going efforts. The Turkish side on this
issue has adopted a constructive stance and has accepted the reconciliation
formula proposed by the UN. The Greek Cypriot side has not approved yet the
text of the joint statement that they have been working on. We expect from the
international community to give support to the resumption of the negotiations
and to take concrete steps towards the solution.
A just and comprehensive solution in Cyprus will create a positive
dynamic for the entire Eastern Mediterranean region. It is important that all
concerned sides move towards this understanding and to support the efforts of
the Turkish Cypriots for peace.”
3. Downer withdraws from his Cyprus duties; Ertug asked from Downer an
“impartial report which will reflect the realities”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (16.01.14) reports that UN Secretary-General’s special adviser for
Cyprus, Alexander Downer is withdrawing
from his duty on the island before completing his mission. The Australian
diplomat has been carrying out this duty for about five years, writes the paper
adding that the current visit of Downer to the island is his “farewell visit”. Downer, who arrived yesterday to the
island with a 48-hour delay, met with Osman
Ertug, Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu’s spokesman and special representative.
No statement was issued after the one-hour meeting.
Citing diplomatic sources, Afrika
writes that Downer said that “Cyprus has been the most difficult problem I have
dealt with”. It is said that Downer will be appointed to another duty by the
Australian government. It is not known
whether a new special adviser of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus will be
appointed, notes Afrika.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (16.01.14) refers to the issue and reports that the contract of Downer, which ends by the
end of this month, will not be renewed. A source that wishes to remain anonymous told Kibris that the reason
for this development is the criticism against Downer by the Greek Cypriot side
and especially by President Anastasiades. The source argued that the “last
straw” was the statement by President Anastasiades to ANT1 television that
Downer was not objective and the fact that Greek Cypriot political parties said
that Downer lost their trust. According to information acquired by the paper, Downer has been appointed to the post of
the Australian High Commissioner to London.
Furthermore, Kibris reports also
that Osman Ertug told its correspondent, Osman Kalfaoglu that they had a very
“useful and sincere” meeting with Downer yesterday. Ertug said that during the meeting they asked from Downer to submit to
the UN Security Council a report which will be “impartial and reflecting the
realities”. Ertug alleged that the
only valid proposal at the table now is the one submitted by the Turkish
Cypriot side on 14 December. He said that they asked from Downer to persuade the Greek Cypriots to accept this
proposal, or in case this does not happen, to include in the report to the
Security Council that they [the Turkish side] are ready to start negotiations
without a joint declaration.
Ertug argued that the point at
which the negotiations on the joint declaration reached “is not appropriate for
the other side’s submitting any proposal”. He said that in case Downer does not
prolong his visit, their meeting yesterday would be the last one before the
submission of the report to the Security Council.
(I/Ts.)
4. Nami: We are trying
to create a new Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (16.01.14) with the above title
reports that self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami said that they
are trying to create a new Cyprus, which does not forget the past, but does not
live in the past. Nami also added that a solution in the island will help to
solve the economic and social problems in both sides.
During a visit to the “Cyprus Turkish public workers’ trade union”
(KAMU-SEN), Nami noted that the public is more interested to be informed on the
Cyprus problem compared to the past, adding that although the negotiations are
carried out by the Turkish Cypriot leader, the “government” has always have a
saying due to its administration with the “parliamentary system of the
country”.
Noting that the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs has enough
accumulation of knowledge and experience, Nami added that the “ministry”
supports the Turkish Cypriot leader and gives importance to harmony. He also
claimed that it is not possible to explain to the world about the just case of
the Turkish Cypriots without the support of the Turkish Republic.
Nami said that all joint statements made until now are focused on
encouraging the leaders for a solution and added that the important role of the
non-governmental organizations in this regard should not be ignored.
Noting that the search for a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution in
Cyprus has been going on for an eternity, Nami said that the efforts regarding
the text of the joint statement has been developed for the last three months.
He went on saying that UN General Secretary Advisor on Cyprus Downer came to
the island in order to remove some difficulties and he hopes that he will
succeed it.
Nami said that they are trying to create a new Cyprus, which does
not forget the past, takes lessons from the past, but does not live in the
past.Nami also added that a solution in the island will help to solve the
economic and social problems in both sides.
Pointing out that even the USA is carrying out a perfect diplomacy,
Nami added that no country can live isolated from the world.
5. Eroglu: Turkish
Cypriots want to live under their own administration and to maintain a strong
relationship with motherland Turkey
Illegal Bayrak television (15.01.14) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot
leader Dervis Eroglu accused again the
Greek Cypriot side of avoiding the negotiating table and of not having desire
to reach an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot side.
Speaking during a ceremony on the anniversary of Fazil Kucuk’s death, Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots were
aiming to create a structure which would bring the Turkish Cypriots under their
domination and control.Also that they [they Greek Cypriots] were demanding more
territorial concessions than those envisaged in the Annan Plan and were totally
opposed to the continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantee. “This is not possible”, Eroglu said.
“The Turkish Cypriots want
to live under their own administration and to
maintain a strong and healthy relationship with motherland Turkey. This was the
vision of Kucuk and Rauf Denktas” he said.
6. Denktas: an improved Annan Plan will come before us
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (16.01.14) reports that Serdar
Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said he had heard that “an
improved Annan Plan” will be submitted to the sides and alleged that this plan
will be in favour of the Greek Cypriots.
In a statement issued by his
“ministry’, Denktas alleged that regardless of what the Turkish Cypriot side
does, regardless of how much good will it shows, the Greek Cypriots will demand
more than the proposals accepted by the Turkish Cypriots.
Denktas claimed: “What is
whispered to us lately is that an improved Annan Plan will come before us. The Greek Cypriot community had said ‘no’
to the Annan Plan. For this reason, an improved plan will definitely be in
favour of the Greek Cypriot people”.
Denktas alleged that the Turkish
Cypriot leader Eroglu exerts “self-sacrificing efforts” on the issue of the
negotiations and that the Greek Cypriot side refrains from taking steps on the
Cyprus problem trying to have Turkey as its interlocutor instead of the Turkish
Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
7. Initiatives for the
representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (16.01.14) reports that a delegation from the self-styled assembly,
which continues to carry out contacts at the European Parliament (EP) in
Strasbourg, met with Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator
Mevlut Cavusoglu.
The delegation, consisting of self-styled deputy of the Republican
Turkish Party –United Forces (CTP-BG) Armagan Candan, self-styled deputy of the
National Unity Party (BP) Ersan Saner and self-styled deputy Hasan Tacoy,
exchanged views with Cavusoglu on the Cyprus problem and evaluated the relations
of Turkey-EU-Cyprus.
According to information
from the self-styled assembly, the delegation, which met also with officials
from the political groups of the EP, brought into the agenda issues regarding
the resumption of the Cyprus talks, the representation of the Turkish Cypriots
to the EP and what the Turkish Cypriots expect from the EU.
Moreover, Candan of CTP met also with Hannes Swoboda, Chairman of
the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), when he
participated at their meeting as “observer”.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (16.01.14)
reports that the delegation followed yesterday the plenary session of the EP.
Candan said that within the framework of his contacts, he met with the
President of the EP Martin Schulz. He stressed that during their contacts in
Strasbourg they tried to bring the issue of the representation of the Turkish
Cypriots in the EP with the “observer” status in the agenda. Candan added that
they briefed them on the latest stage of the Cyprus problem and they submitted
proposals for the improvement of the paragraph regarding Cyprus in Turkey’s
Progress Report.
Noting that the Conference of the Presidents of the political groups
of the EP will convene in four months, Candan said that it is important the
issue of the representation of the Turkish Cypriots with the “observer” status
in the EP to come into the agenda as a concrete issue. He added that they have
taken initiatives for this. Candan also said that the political groups at the
EP should make concrete steps on this issue and bring it on the agenda at the
Conference of the Presidents.
The delegation was expected to meet with the Deputy of the Liberal
Democrats Party Baroness Sarah Ludford this morning. Meanwhile, the EP Socialist Group will visit Cyprus at the end of
January and will have also contacts in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus.
8. Kasif held contacts
in Ankara on improving the telecommunications infrastructure of the
breakaway regime
Illegal Bayrak television (15.01.14) broadcast that self-styled
minister of public works and communications Ahmet Kasif is holding a series of
contacts in Ankara.
Kasif met with the Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs
and Communication Lutfu Elvan and is set to meet with the Turkish Minister of
Environment and Urban Planning İdris Gulluce.
Projects to develop the
ports and to improve the telecommunications infrastructure as well as road
safety standards in the breakaway regime dominated the agenda of Kasif’s
meetings.
Speaking during the
meeting, Elvan said that his government is ready to extend its support to the
breakaway regime which places the establishment of a “TRNC national airline”
amongst its priorities. He also said that his
ministry will continue to support projects and investments in motorway and
other infrastructure projects both technically and financially.
9. Bakirci: Closing down the quarries could cause great increases which
will shake the price balance in the constructions’ sector
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (16.01.14) reports that Hamit
Bakirci, self-styled minister of environment and natural resources of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that
closing down the quarries, which operate on occupied Pentadaktylos range,
“would be tantamount to creating a process which could have great increases
that will shake the price balance in the constructions’ sector”.
In a statement issued yesterday
by his “ministry”, Bakirci replied to questions on the issue during a
television program he had participated. Bakirci said that the important thing
is for the quarries to operate in a “scientific and proper manner” and added
that the “disappointing picture” that
came up today is derived from the lack of sufficient controls after “permits”
were granted.
Bakirci said that the fact that the quarries are near to
settlements because of the small size of the occupied area of Cyprus, the excessive number of the “permits”
granted and the “insensible methods” implemented have turned the quarries into
one of the most important environmental problems in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Noting that they were preparing
projects to “rehabilitate” the quarries, Bakirci said that closing down the
quarries would be tantamount to creating a process that could have increases
which will shake the price balance in the constructions’ sector. He added:
“However, 16 quarries are more than
these needs. We will talk with the owners of the quarries. We will work on
the issue of their operating together at the same places with the method of
unification. This will contribute to a more quick development of the
rehabilitating process which we will materialize”.
(I/Ts.)
10. Ozyigit met with the Danish Ambassador
to Lefkosia
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis
newspaper (16.01.14) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP),met with the Danish Ambassador to Lefkosia Casper Klynge.
The latest developments of the Cyprus problem and other issues which
are on the agenda were the main topics of the discussion at the meeting.
11. The breakaway regime is participating in
the “Vakantiebeurs 2014 Tourism Fair” in Holland
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis
newspaper (16.01.14) reports that the breakaway regime is participating in the
“Vakantiebeurs 2014 Tourism Fair” which is taking place in Utrecht, Holland,
between 14-16 of January.
This is the fourth biggest Tourism
fair in the world with 1.400 participants writes the paper.
12. Erdogan tasks
Turkish Ambassadors to tell the“truth” on corruption probe
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.01.14) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has tasked Turkish Ambassadors with "telling the truth" about
a "treacherous" corruption probe in their host countries, encouraging
them to say that the investigation is a treacherous plot against Turkey's credibility
and foreign policy targets.
"A very important
task falls on your shoulders. We expect you to exert more effort to defeat this
treacherous plot targeting Turkey by telling your counterparts the truth.I request you to underline that what's going on is not a corruption
operation but a coup [against the government] in the form of a corruption
operation," Erdogan said.
13. Tanju Bilgic
appointed as the new spokesman of Turkish MFA
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.01.14) reported that Tanju Bilgic, Turkey's former Counsellor to
St. Petersburg, has been appointed the ministry's new spokesman
The move came after Levent Gumrukcu, former spokesperson to the
foreign ministry was appointed as Turkey's Ambassador to Georgia. Bilgic will
assume his new post late January.
Bilgic earlier worked at
the Cyprus economic and political units of the Ministry. He served as the Counsellor in Turkey's permanent representation to
the Council of Europe.
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