12/2/14

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW


C O N T E N T S


No. 28/14                                                                                           11.02.14
1. Cyprus talks are resuming today; Eroglu: The Turkish Cypriot will determine their own future
2. Davutoglu and Kerry agree on avoiding unilateral steps that might harm the solution process in Cyprus
3. Nami: If the will for a federal solution is exhibited, a comprehensive plan could be submitted to referenda within months 
4. Erk: No other alternative than saying yes to referendum
5. Fule met with Turkish Ministers in Brussels and expressed satisfaction for the negotiation’s launching
6. KTOEOS reacts against Islam spreading to the occupied area of Cyprus

1. Cyprus talks are resuming today; Eroglu: The Turkish Cypriot will determine their own future
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.14) reports that the process with the aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is resuming today at the UN headquarters in the buffer zone near the closed International Airport in Nicosia, after the agreement reached by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides on the text of the joint declaration. According to the paper, this will be the first meeting between the community leaders since 29 March 2012.
In a written statement prior to the meeting, Eroglu pointed out that “it is evident that the process will be difficult” and added that “what I want from everyone is to pay attention to what we say not the speculations”. He argued: “As I always say, our biggest power is our unity and solidarity. It is leading the national cause of Cyprus together with motherland Turkey within the framework of mutual respect and love. While I was entering into the 2010 presidential elections, I had said that the will of the people will solve the Cyprus issue. I am at the same point again. The Turkish Cypriot people themselves will determine their future”.
Meanwhile, the paper writes that the US Ambassador to Nicosia, John Koenig visited Kudret Ozersay and expressed his satisfaction about the latter’s appointment to the post of the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side. They reportedly held consultations on the today’s meeting and the process which will follow.
(I/Ts.)

2. Davutoglu and Kerry agree on avoiding unilateral steps that might harm the solution process in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.14) reports that Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu and his US counterpart, John Kerry discussed the developments in Cyprus over a telephone conversation they had last night. According to information acquired by diplomatic sources, Davutoglu and Kerry assessed the latest developments on the island and pointed out to the importance of supporting the process that has just resumed. The two ministers underlined the necessity of avoiding unilateral steps which might harm the process. Moreover, the two ministers exchanged views on the second round of talks on Syria which will be held in Geneva.
Meanwhile, Davutoglu stated that they “broadly discussed the Cyprus problem” during the Political Dialogue Meeting between Turkey and the EU. “An extremely positive climate exists”, he said adding that the joint statement agreed by the two sides on the island “is not any joint text, it has in a sense created a negotiating framework”. He alleged that significant part of the difficulties, which had come up during the process, was overcome with what he described as “very good intended and constructive initiatives of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side”.   
He said that the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem have gained “serious acceleration” recently. He noted that during the meeting they conveyed to the EU their determination to speed up Turkey’s EU perspective and the negotiating process in Cyprus and hold these processes within a timetable. He said that this is the first time during the recent years that all the players have exhibited strong will to contribute in the process and added that the UN, the EU, Turkey, Greece and Britain as guarantor powers and the USA “have exerted very serious effort”. “This is a new stage”, he argued adding that he would meet with his Greek counterpart at a working dinner between the EU Foreign Ministers and each Foreign Minister of the candidate countries.
Davutoglu said that after the resumption of the negotiations, the visits of the representatives of the sides to Athens and Ankara will take place and “this will give a new dimension to the negotiations”. 
(I/Ts.)

3. Nami: If the will for a federal solution is exhibited, a comprehensive plan could be submitted to referenda within months 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.14) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that if lessons have been learned from the mistakes of the past and the will of reaching a federal solution is really exhibited at the negotiating table, “a new comprehensive plan could be submitted in both sides to referenda with a process that will last months, not years”. 
Nami noted that after the meeting held today between the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and President Anastasiades, the beginning of a new negotiating process will be announced. He said that the two leaders will give instructions in the direction of immediately starting work on the main chapters of the negotiations on the basis expressed in the joint declaration. He said that the leaders will be focused on the issues on which no solution is reached. 
In statements to Anatolia news agency, Nami said that he had evaluated with EU Commissioner for the Enlargement, Stefan Fule in Brussels the recent developments in Cyprus, the process as regards the joint declaration and the steps taken by the Turkish Cypriots for the EU. He noted that their discussions were positive and added that they expect Fule to come to Cyprus. He argued that the world’s interest for Cyprus increases and a new process started for the solution.
The two sides on the island should stop seeing each other as the enemy”, he noted.  
Nami went on and claimed that Turkey has played a “positive role which is very much appreciated” in the process and argued that we owe a big thanks to the Turkish government, if today a positive climate exists for Cyprus in Europe and the UN. He alleged that Turkey’s stance encouraged all sides concerned and claimed that if all sides show the same will, success is inevitable. 
Moreover, in statements to Ada television, Nami argued that “a very important window of opportunity exists” in the Cyprus problem. He expressed the view that the interest of the international community for the Cyprus problem will help the leaders in taking difficult decisions, adding that “we are closer to the solution than yesterday”. He argued: “It will be a beautiful beginning. There is an important document which has historic value. Davutoglu’s visit to the island was very important. A very important window of opportunity was opened. We are at a verge which will lead us to the comprehensive solution”.
Asked on how the appointment of Kudret Ozersay to the post of the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side will influence the negotiating process, Nami replied that Eroglu will determine the persons with whom he will work together and that he is responsible for the continuation of the process. “The leaders are the negotiators”, he added.
(I/Ts.)

4. Erk: No other alternative than saying yes to referendum
Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper (11.02.14) reports that a delegation headed by the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk held a meeting with a delegation of the United Cyprus/ Bi-communal Peace Initiative.
According to the paper, the two parties exchanged views regarding the steps needed to be taken so that the two “peoples” in Cyprus to be motivated for the solution.
During the meeting, Erk commented on the launching of the Cyprus negotiations and stated that there is no other alternative than the two sides to say yes to a referendum. “Either we control as Cypriots the procedure or we will live on this island without hope”, he stated. He went on and stated that there are Cypriots sitting at the negotiation table, therefore they will be the ones to form the solution.

5. Fule met with Turkish Ministers in Brussels and expressed satisfaction for the negotiation’s launching
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (11.02.14) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and EU Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton yesterday in Brussels for a Turkey-EU political dialogue meeting.

After the meeting, Fule issued a statement noting that Turkey and the EU agree on how important the reaching of a solution is for the benefitof the two sides in Cyprus.
During the meeting Turkey’s EU relations, including Ankara’s accession progress were discussed and an exchange of views on major regional and international developments took place. The paper also writes thatthe EU expressed concerns over Turkey’s new internet bill.

6. KTOEOS reacts against Islam spreading to the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (11.02.14) reports that the fact that the theological college in occupied Ayia Milia village offers to its student’s free meals, residence and free transportation to school and the fact that it also organizes for them various trips to Turkey, caused the reactions of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teacher’s Union (KTOEOS).

According to the paper, KTOEOS stated that these actions lead to the creation of a privileged body in the occupied area of Cyprus. The paper also writes that the self-styled minister of education issued a statement noting that the trips to Turkey are not organized by the “ministry” but by the Youth and Sport Ministry of Turkey.


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