TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 22/14 01-03.02.14
1. Turkish occupation in Cyprus becomes more evident
every day: Turkish warships intimidate a Norwegian vessel carrying out seismic
explorations in Cyprus’ EEZ
2. Yildiz announces that they will hold seismic
explorations in an area of 7,400 kilometres in the Mediterranean in 2014
3. A protocol on health between Turkey and “TRNC”;
Contacts by Turkish Ministers in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
4. Turkish Minister Eroglu: The sea phase of the water
project may be completed by 20th of July
5. Foundation laying ceremony for the project for
bringing water from Turkey was held in occupied Myrtou village area
6. Yorgancioglu commented on the latest proposal of
the Greek Cypriot side on the joint statement
7. Talat criticized Eroglu’s policy on the Cyprus
problem
8. Swoboda held contacts with Turkish Cypriot
politicians
9.
SerdarDenktas was re-elected DP leader
10. Turkish AKP and CHP parties send representatives
to the DP Congress
11. A decline on the Green Line Regulation trade
12. Izmir Chamber of Commerce: Lift the barbed wires
and start trading
13. Turkish businessman says they are working for
direct flights to illegal Tymvou airport
14. Israel and Turkey ‘close’ to compensation deal
15. Opinion polls on the popularity of the ruling AKP
16. New resignation in AKP over graft scandal
1. Turkish occupation in Cyprus becomes more
evident every day: Turkish warships intimidate a Norwegian vessel carrying out seismic
explorations in Cyprus’ EEZ
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (03.02.14) reports that
warships of the Turkish Naval Forces interfered when a vessel under the
Norwegian flag, which was carrying out seismic explorations in the southern sea
area of Cyprus, has allegedly entered into the so-called Turkish “marine space”.
A statement
issued by the Turkish General Staff notes the following: “After the seismic exploration vessel named
Princess, under the flag of Norway, which was carrying out explorations in the
south of the island of Cyprus, entered into the Turkish Marine Space on 1
February 2014 at 18.40 hours, the
above-mentioned vessel was warned by TCG Giresun Frigate, which has been in
the area within the scope of the Mediterranean Shield Operation, and it abandoned the Turkish Marine Space at
23.50 hours”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Yildiz announces that they will hold seismic
explorations in an area of 7400 kilometres in the Mediterranean in 2014
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibrisli newspaper (01.02.14) reported that TanerYildiz, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, has
said that they have carried out 2D seismic explorations for oil and natural gas
in the sea and on shore in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that they will
start 3D seismic explorations.
In an interview
with Kibrisli’s correspondent Emre Diner, Yildiz noted that the land drilling at so-called Turkyurdu
site in occupied Syngrasi village in Famagusta area has been completed and
added: “I want to say that there might
not be enough reserves, they will be processed and the result will be
seen…We have spent a very serious amount of money within the framework of the
drilling, but it does not matter, it is not important… I should note that we could not have the results we wanted at Turkyurdu1”.
Yildiz said that
they are continuing their soundings in the sea and that now they are working in the sea area west of Cyprus. Yildiznoted that in 2013 they carried out seismic
explorations in approximately 700 kilometres on shore and 5,500 kilometres in
the sea in “TRNC’s” continental shelf, as
he described the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus which remains
under Turkish occupation since 1974.
Yildiz went on
and said that they are planning to carry
out seismic explorations in an area of approximately 7,400 kilometres in 2014.
He noted that at the moment they have a
so-called licence to work in the west of Cyprus and they will hold seismic explorations in an area of approximately 3,500
kilometres there.
(I/Ts.)
3. A protocol on health between Turkey and “TRNC”;
Contacts by Turkish Ministers in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 01.02.14), Republic of Turkey nationals who are studying in the “TRNC” (editor’s
note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) or
are tourists will as of April be able to received free treatment at hospitals
in the “TRNC” with their Republic of Turkey Social Security Institution cards.
The self-styled health ministry undersecretary of the breakaway regime Mustafa
Akcaba and the Head of the Social Security Institution of Turkey
YadigarGokalpIlhan signed the protocol which will allow Turkish nationals to
receive free treatment at “TRNC state hospitals”.
Turkish Deputy
Prime Minister in charge of Cyprus Affairs BesirAtalay, self-tyledprime
ministerOzkanYorgancioglu and self-styled health minister AhmetGullesigned the
protocol.
Ilhansaid that with the signing of the protocol Turkish
nationals will be able to benefit from the “TRNC health system” and that all
costs will be covered by the Social Security Institution of Turkey.
Meanwhile, “BRT”
broadcast that r Atalay, the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
TanerYildiz and the Turkish Minister for Forestry and Water Works VeyselEroglu
held a series of contacts in the “TRNC”. The first visit of the Turkish
delegation was to Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu.
Speaking during
the visit, Atalay said that the focus of their contacts in the “TRNC” will be
on water, energy and health issues.
DervisEroglu,
for his part, said that he was pleased to see work being done on water, energy
and health, which were all important for the “TRNC”. Noting that economic
problems were on the rise in the “TRNC” as a result of the fall in the value of
the Turkish Lira against foreign currencies, Eroglu thanked the Turkish
government for the projects which were vital for their future.
Following their
visit to Eroglu, the Turkish Ministers and their accompanying delegations met
with the self-styled speaker of the assembly SibelSiber.
Speaking at this
visit, Atalay highlighted the importance of the “new laws passed by the TRNC
parliament”, describing them as major reforms.
4. Turkish Minister Eroglu: The sea phase of the
water project may be completed by 20th of July
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 01.02.14), the Turkish Minister for Forestry
and Water Works VeyselEroglu, evaluating the latest phase of the water project
in the occupied area of Cyprus, said that the project is foreseen to be
finished on the 7th of March 2014 and will be completed on time as
promised. “The land phase of the project is about to be completed and the
manufacturing of the underwater pipes have finished but workings are
continuing. The completion date for the sea phase of the project is September
2014 but we will persuade the contractor firm to complete this by 20th of
July”, said the Turkish Minister.
According to the
protocol, water will be carried to the occupied village of Panagra and after
inspections, a decision was taken for a purification and distribution plant to
be built.
Eroglu noted
that the water transfer project foresees 75 million cubic meters of drinking
and agricultural water coming to the “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) via Turkey and gave good
news that workings had begun for the water to be extended to the occupied areas
of Mesaoria and Morphou.
“The area around
the Panagra reservoir will be a green forest. An area for our Turkish Cypriot
bothers to spend some time in and enjoy themselves”, said the Turkish Minister
and added that they will continue to work on projects that will aid the
progress of the “TRNC”. “Turkey is always by the side of the TRNC”, Eroglu
concluded.
5. Foundation laying ceremony for the project for
bringing water from Turkey was held in occupied Myrtou village area
Under the title
“Production and prosperity will increase”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (02.02.14) reported that the
foundation of the so-called “TRNC Drinking Water Treatment Facility”, “Panagra
Elevation Centre”, “Nicosia Supply Pipe” and “Keryneia Supply Pipe” was laid on
Saturday in the area of occupied Myrtou village within the framework of the
project for bringing water from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus.
Addressing the
ceremony, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, BesirAtalay said that they want to celebrate two
feasts together on 20 July 214 in the occupied area of Cyprus and in case this
could not happen, the building contractors have been committed that the “water
from Turkey will reach the occupied area of Cyprus the latest until September.
Atalay argued
that with the water the land in the
occupied area of Cyprus will gain in value, the production will increase,
the prosperity will rise, and thus the ties between Turkey and the “TRNC” will
be strengthened further.
Atalay claimed
that they wish for the Turkish Cypriots to live in prosperity regardless of
whether a solution to the Cyprus problem is reached.
He referred also
to the “protocol” in the field of health that would be signed between Turkey
and the breakaway regime and said that more than 30 thousand students from
Turkey will benefit from this agreement.
In his
statements Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu
said that something which he has been dreaming during his entire political
career has come to life and argued that they are at the eve of solving their water and energy problems in the
occupied area of Cyprus. He claimed that the project gives the message to the world that “Turkey does not abandon
the TRNC” and at the same time it
strengthens the Turkish side at the negotiating table for finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem. He argued that water will become a big trump card for the Turkish side, if the issue
of sharing this water with the Greek Cypriot side comes onto the agenda in the
future.
In his address, self-styled
prime ministerOzkanYorgancioglu argued that the water is necessary for
achieving peace and solution in the country and thanked everybody who
contributed in the realization of this project.
(I/Ts.)
6. Yorgancioglu commented on the latest proposal of
the Greek Cypriot side on the joint statement
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (31.01.14), self-styled prime minister of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus OzkanYorgancioglu claimed that the latest
proposal for peace talks by the Greek Cypriot side goes against the principle
of equal rights and falls short of protecting the interests of the Turkish
Cypriots.
In an exclusive
interview with Anadolu Agency during his “official” visit to Turkey, Yorgancioglu stressed the need for both
sides to be equally represented.
He said the
“TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus) wants "real peace talks" to resume immediately.
He reiterated
their commitment to "transform and reform" all areas of life in the
occupied area of Cyprus.
Praising
Ankara's support to the Turkish Cypriots, Yorgancioglu
said Turkey is the “TRNC's” only window to the outside world. “Until the
Cyprus issue is settled, another duty of ours as the TRNC government, is to
fulfil our responsibilities to further develop the economy, raise living
standards, and pave the way for a better future for our country," he said.
Yorgancioglu
alleged that the Turkish Cypriots must
receive their share of the natural resources on the island, adding that the
Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders have agreed that these resources
belong to the two “nations”.
7. Talat criticized Eroglu’s policy on the Cyprus
problem
Turkish Cypriot
daily Diyalog newspaper (01.02.14) reported
that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat criticized the Cyprus
policy followed by the current Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu.
Talat stated that Eroglu does not follow a clear and
open policy on the Cyprus problem. “One day he behaves one way, next day he
behaves in a different way”, he stated and added that Turkey is very important
for the solution of the Cyprus problem as well. “But firstly Eroglu must change
and he must follow a clearer policy”, Talat stated.
8.Swoboda held contacts with Turkish Cypriot
politicians
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen newspaper 903.02.14) reports that HannesSwobodathe President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists
and Democrats in the European Parliament, held contacts in the occupied area of
Cyprus.
He was escorted
by the deputy President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
in the European Parliament, Libor Roucek and the Group’s consultant Agnieszka
Gregorczyk.
The delegation met with the self-styled prime minister
and leader of the Republican Turkish Party OzkanYorgancioglu and discussed the
latest developments of the Cyprus problem and the Turkey-EU-Cyprus relations.
In addition the delegation also met with the
self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami. According to the paper, the Cyprus
problem and the EU relations were among the topics of discussion during the
meeting.
9. SerdarDenktas
was re-elected DP leader
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (03.02.14) reports that SerdarDenktas was
re-elected at the leadership of the Democrat
Party (DP) during the party’s 9th ordinary party congress which was held yesterday.
Denktas received 1501 votes while the other three
candidates who also run for the party’s leadership received the following
votes: Bengu Sonya: 261, FuatTurkozCiner: 34, Abdurrahman Omeroglu:
25.
This is the 8th time that
Denktas is elected as DP chairman.
10. Turkish AKP and CHP parties send
representatives to the DP Congress
Turkish Cypriot
daily Star Kibris newspaper (03.02.14) reports that the ruling in Turkey
Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People’s
Party (CHP) sent representatives for the 9th
ordinary party congress of the Democrat
Party (DP) which was held on Sunday, the 2nd of February.
YasinAktay, deputy chairman of AKP and responsible for
foreign affairs, stated that his party supports the struggle of the Turkish
Cypriots and claimed that no compensations must be made to the sovereignty of
the Turkish Cypriots.
Speaking during the congress Gaye Usluer, MP with CHP
stated that her party respects the independence of the “TRNC” and the will of
the Turkish Cypriots. She also added that a solution must be found based on the
equality of the two “peoples” in Cyprus.
11. A decline on the Green Line Regulation trade
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris’ economy insert (03.02.14) reports that the trade, which was
conducted through the Green Line Regulation, towards the government controlled
area of the Republic of Cyprus, was estimated to 3.937.317 euro for 2013. It
has been the lowest number since 1997.
According to
data given by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), the total trade
sales since the Green Line Regulation came into force in 2004, between the
areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of
Cyprus exercises effective control and the areas in which it does not, until
the end of 2013 is 70,874,828 euro.
2004-2013 trade sale
2004…….470.821,11
2005…….1.673.459,57
2006…….3.228.342,97
2007…….4.125.547,85
2008…….7.172.115,72
2009…….6.006.347,89
2010…….5.909.238,15
2011…..29.407.435,08
2012…..8.944.202,77
2013…..3.937.317,52
Total: 70.874.828,63
12. Izmir Chamber of Commerce: Lift the barbed wires
and start trading
Turkish Cypriot
daily Ortam newspaper (01.02.14) reports that a delegation of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, headed by its chairman
EkremDemirtas visited the breakaway regime and held meetings with the Turkish
Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and various Turkish Cypriot politicians.
Speaking during
a meeting with the “speaker of the assembly” SibelSiber, Demirtas stated that
solution is one thing, peace is a different thing adding that the “people” in
Cyprus must start preparing for building up on peace on the island. He went on and stated in order for this to
be achieved the two sides in Cyprus must start trading: “Lift up the barbed wires,
the barrels and the barricades and start trading”, he stated.
13. Turkish businessman says they are working for
direct flights to illegal Tymvou airport
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (03.02.14) reports that EmrullahTuranli, president of the administrative board of TasYapi
Terminal (T&T), which is the company that has “leased” for 25 years the
illegal airport in occupied Tymvou, has alleged
that they will break the so-called embargo implemented on the issue of direct
flights towards the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
In statements to
Havadis, Turanli noted that in spite of
what he called “flight embargo” they are struggling to secure international
flights over the occupied area of Cyprus and added: “We are struggling in
this direction. Nine lawyers of ours are
working in this direction. There are
places we have applied in European countries. We are working seriously. We are giving reports to the politicians
here and in Turkey. Politics will also do its duty…”
(I/Ts.)
14. Israel and Turkey ‘close’ to compensation deal
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 03.02.14) with the above title reports that long-lasting negotiations between Turkey and
Israel over how to pay compensation and determine the amount of money to be
paid to the victims of the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid are nearing completion, with
the two sides nearing an agreement on the monetary figure.
Turkish and Israeli diplomatic sources have confirmed
that the two countries have nearly agreed on the terms of the agreement that
would conclude the process of normalization following Israel’s apology last
year to Turkey over the killings of nine Turkish activists on board the Mavi
Marmara.
“The amount of
compensation for those who were killed and wounded in the Mavi Marmara
operation, plus the damages inflicted on the vessel, will be around a few
million dollars,” diplomatic sources said, without giving further details.
Both countries’ diplomatic sources stressed that
although negotiations with regard to the deal are nearing completion, they have
been looking for the approval of their respective Prime Ministers to move
forward. In the event that the two countries sign the deal, they will also have
to exchange ambassadors immediately so the normalization of ties can become
more visible.
Diplomatic
sources noted that Turkey was on the eve of a very critical election process
and that Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan
might use the agreement with Israel as another foreign policy victory, in
the way he did last year when Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu
officially apologized to him following a direct intervention by U.S. President
Barack Obama.
15. Opinion polls on the popularity of the ruling
AKP
Recent surveys
published in Turkish media show that the support for the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) is in decline.
According to
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 02.02.14), a survey conducted by data
collection and research company Veritas of 3,038 people through face-to-face
interviews in 42 provinces indicated that support for the governing party AKP has declined to 36.4% as opposed to
the almost 50% it received in the national elections of 2011.
The support is
also below that which the AK Party received in the 2009 local elections, which
stood at 38%.
According to the
survey, Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) would receive 28.8% of the vote in local elections while the
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) would
get 20.5% of the vote and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) 7.4%.The figures of undecided
voters which were distributed in commensurate with voting percentages broken
down along party lines.
Another
interesting development which the poll found is that two centre-right parties,
the nationalist Grand Unity Party (BBP) and the Islamist Felicity Party (SP),
have also gained some strength. While the BBP received 2.8% of the vote, the SP
got 1.9% in the survey.
Undecided voters
represent a big chunk at 21.5%; most of them said they would vote according to
the local candidates rather than based on party preference.
Veritas also
asked respondents which political party they would vote for if a parliamentary
election were held on Sunday. According to the survey results with the
undecided distributed, 37.9% of
respondents said they would vote for the AK Party, while 27.4% said they would
vote for CHP and 18.8% for MHP.
According to the
poll, the most important issues that Turkey is facing are economic problems
(35.8%), corruption (19.1%), education (9.6%) and terrorism (5.5%).
The survey also
showed that the public is opposed to the government's plan to close down prep
schools with the majority of respondents (65.7%) saying the closure is a wrong
step by the government.
Almost half of all Turkish citizens favoured incumbent
President Gul as their presidential nominee in the upcoming election in the
summer, the survey revealed. Gul's recorded 47% of the vote if he decides to run for another
term while Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan
scored only 17.5%. In a poll in February 2012, Erdogan scored 37.6%
compared to Gul, who remained at 30.6%.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily HaberTurk (online, 02.02.14) published an opinion poll conducted
by polling firm Konsensus. Under the title “In which regions is the AKP at a
peak?” the paper reported that the polling firm Konsensus conducted the survey
for Haberturk by telephone with a total of 1,504 people (above the age of 18)
in 81 provinces, divided among 761 women and 743 men, deals with the general
elections and the events that are determining Turkey's agenda. Konsensus
asked the 1,504 people taking part in the survey: "If a general election were to be held
this Sunday, wich result would come out of the ballot boxes?" After the undecided votes were distributed,
the AKP, whose percentage of the vote dropped 5.5% from the vote percentage in
September, maintained its place in the lead with 44.6%. The CHP, whose votes increased by 2.7%, was
in second place with 29.6%, while the MHP, which experienced an increase of 2%,
was in third place with a vote percentage of 14.7%. As for the BDP, its percentage of the vote
was 6.4%, having decreased by 1.5%.
The paper then
wonders what sort of a scene emerges before us when the undecided votes are not
distributed? According to the Konsensus
survey, the vote percentages were as follows:
AKP in first place with 33.3%,
followed by the CHP with 22% and the MHP with 10.9%. The BDP's vote percentage was 4.7%.
The percentage
of those saying "I am undecided," which showed a 9.9% increase in
comparison with September, rose to 14.9%.
8.6% of those taking part in the survey declined to answer, while 1.5%
said "I will cast an invalid vote"; 8 in a thousand said: "I will not go to vote."
16. New resignation in AKP over graft scandal
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 31.01.14) reported that Istanbul Deputy Muhammed
Cetin officially resigned over the party’s decision to dispatch him to the
disciplinary board with a demand of expulsion two weeks ago.
With Cetin’s
resignation, the number of deputies who
have stepped down from the AKP since the graft scandal broke rose to eight
since the test prep school (dershanes) row erupted, in a wave of defections
unprecedented in the party’s history.
Cetin, who was
among the small group of AKP deputies who criticized the government’s position
on the test prep schools (dershanes) row, is also known to be close to
Gulen’smovement
The number of AKP’s Deputies at Parliament has fallen
to 319 out of 550 MPs.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
