TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 32/14 15-17.02.14
1. Ozersay: The visits to Athens and Ankara will be
held on 27 February
2. Davutoglu describes the joint declaration as a big
diplomatic success
3. Davutoglu: EU's 'principled attitude' vital in
Cyprus talks
4. Nami is going to Brussels for contacts
5. Nami does not accept Ozersay’s capacity as
negotiator of the Turkish side; He describes the occupied closed city of
Varosha as risky issue at the first stage of the negotiations
6. Eroglu, Nami and Talat on the resumption of the
Cyprus talks
7. Eroglu evaluated the joint statement
8. Harmancı: Varosha issue, Famagusta port and Tymbouairport
should be a part of a comprehensive solution
9. UN’s Ban Ki-moon plans high-level engagement for
the Cypriot talks
10. Turkish ambassador to Athens: Gas reserves key for
Cyprus resolution
11. Sibel participates in the 9th Parliamentary Union
Conference of the OIC in Tehran
12. Thirty-four civil society organizations expressed
their gratitude to Erdogan for his efforts in the breakaway regime
13. The breakaway regime participated in the “BIT
Milano-2014” tourism fair
14. 185 passengers arrived in the occupied Ercan
airport with a charter flight from Helsinki
15. Turkish Parliament approves controversial bill on
judicial body
1. Ozersay: The visits to Athens and Ankara will be
held on 27 February
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (17.02.14) reports that KudretOzersay, the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side in the
Cyprus talks, has said that the visits
of the negotiators of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities to Athens and
Ankara respectively will be held on 27 February.
In statements to
Kibris, Ozersay noted that Turkey and Greece have consulted with the Greek and
Turkish Cypriot communities and agreed on the above-mentioned date for holding
the visits of the negotiators. He said that the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot
community, Andreas Mavroyiannis will meet
with the Undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry and he will meet with
the Undersecretary of the Greek Foreign Ministry.
Moreover,
illegal Bayrak television (online, 15.02.14) broadcast that Ozersay, evaluating
his meeting with his Greek Cypriot counterpart Mavroyannis on Friday, said that
the meeting had been conducted in a cordial atmosphere and that they had
discussed on how to proceed with the talks.
Reminding that
the joint statement notes the leaders’ determination to resume structured negotiations
in a results-oriented manner, Ozersay said: “We as the Turkish Cypriot side
informed our collocutor what we thought structured negotiations meant and put
forward out proposals which take place in three steps. During out next meeting
the Greek Cypriot side will respond to our proposal.”
Explaining that
they had come to an agreement in principle to meet twice a week Ozersay said
that this was necessary adding that if accepted they could carry out more
meetings during the week.
Noting that they
also put forward a proposal regarding the leaders meeting and are waiting for a
response, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator said that the negotiators’ next
meeting is scheduled for the 19th of February.
On the same
issue, under the title “Turkish, Greek Cypriot negotiators to visit Athens,
Ankara”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 14.02.14) reported that Osman
Ertug, Turkish Cypriot leader's special advisor and spokesperson, told Today's
Zaman on Friday about the planned visits by the two negotiators to Ankara and
Athens, that “this is a historic development.”
“Such
unprecedented visits will build confidence and create a better atmosphere for
the Cyprus peace talks,” Ertug added.
Ertug stressed
that the Turkish Cypriots will have the opportunity to express their views
directly to the Greek government and in turn listen to their thoughts, rather
than communicating through reports. Greek Cypriots will also be able to do the
same in Turkey, he said.
Responding to a
question on whether he is hopeful for the peace talks in Cyprus, Ertug stated:
“Let's say I am cautiously optimistic.
There is a positive atmosphere and the significant support of international
powers, Turkey and Greece. I do not want to draw too rosy a picture to ensure
that we do not become disappointed. But we are certainly more hopeful than
before the start of the talks.”
Ertug has told Sunday's Zaman (online, 16.02.14) that
Turkey supports the reconciliation talks to resolve the conflict on the island,
adding that the “TRNC” (Editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus) also shares this enthusiasm.
Mehmet Hasguler,
a professor of international relations at Çanakkale University who focuses on
the Cyprus dispute, said Turkey is promoting accelerated talks over the island
since this would contribute to its foreign relations.
In remarks to
Sunday's Zaman, Hasguler said that with an attempt to resolve the Cyprus issue,
Turkey may accelerate its accession negotiations to become a member of the EU.
He also noted that a solution in Cyprus would
strengthen relations between Turkey and Israel which are critical due to a
natural gas dispute involving Cyprus.
Commenting on
Anastasiades' remarks in his latest press conference, Ertug told Sunday's Zaman
that he hopes Anastasiades will not maintain the same attitude during the next
peace talks between the two sides. “His comments on the joint statement [during
his address to Greek Cypriots] are one-sided and treat the Turkish Cypriots
like a group of secondary importance,” said Ertug.
2. Davutoglu describes the joint declaration as a
big diplomatic success
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (16.02.14) reported that the Turkish Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ahmet Davutogluhas described
the joint declaration as a “very important diplomatic success”. In
statements on a television program in Turkey, Davutoglu argued that Turkey and the “TRNC”, the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, are stronger than ever since
the “cause of Cyprus” started.
Davutoglu said
that during the past 4-5 months, a “determined and very effective diplomacy”
was carried out and for three months they have been working on the text of the
joint declaration. He noted that they gathered all the officials in Cyprus [Translator’s
note: in the occupied area of the island] at Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu’s
office and during a working dinner, the “government” and the “opposition”
parties all fully agreed once more on the issue of which the fundamental
parameters in that text should be.
He went on and
alleged: “This is a very important
diplomatic success. For the first time all sides in the TRNC agreed on these
parameters… During my meetings with
my interlocutor the Greek Foreign Minister I have ever since said ‘let us go together
to the island, if we will bring peace. I am ready to go to the south. Let us
have lunch in the south together or breakfast. Afterwards let us have dinner in the north together. Then let us
meet all together in the middle wherever they want and have coffee. So that
they see that Turkey and Greece have decided together to solve this…”
Asked whether
there are some points on which concessions have been given in comparison to the
Annan Plan, Davutoglu replied, inter alia, the following: “In this manner a
foggy cloud is created. What concessions have been given comparing to 2004?
What happened? … Everybody is praising Turkey because of Cyprus. They are
praising the Turkish Republic… If EU’s
chapters 23 and 24 are substantial, this text is the complete substance of the
40-year long Cyprus negotiations, including the plan of 2004. Turkey and the TRNC are stronger than ever
since the Cyprus cause have started”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Davutoglu: EU's 'principled attitude' vital in
Cyprus talks
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.02.14), the
European Union (EU) should take a just, principled and determined stance in the
Cyprus issue and not favour the Greek Cypriot administration (editor’s
note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus) during the ongoing peace talks just because it is a member country,
Turkey's Foreign Minister said Friday, in a joint press conference with his
Dutch counterpart FransTimmermans in Ankara.
Davutoglu said
there is a positive momentum which is very promising in terms of reaching a
comprehensive settlement of the longstanding problem in Cyprus, adding: “Now it
is time to construct a building out of this momentum. (…) A Cyprus in peace
should be established”.
Davutoglu also
called on the EU not to favour any side during the negotiation process. He said
it would be a mistake if the EU chooses to favour the Greek side just because
it is an EU member.
He stressed that
both Turkish and Greek sides sit around the negotiation table on equal terms.
Dutch Foreign
Minister Timmermans also commended the leadership that all parties showed for
the adoption of a joint communique. “I have seen strong political willingness
to create some dynamics, which is a very necessary development in our joint
future,” he said.
He said a
resolution to the Cyprus conflict will bring economic advantages to the whole
region.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 15.02.14), under the title
“Netherlands will welcome Turkey as an EU member state, Dutch FM says”, reported that opening negotiation on chapters
23 and 24 with the European Union will engage Turkey in the debate over the
rule of law, visiting Dutch Foreign Minister Timmermans has said.
Timmermans voiced his personal support for opening the
chapters but said his government and Parliament would have the final word on
the issue.
“The Netherlands
will be one, once negotiations have finished, who gladly welcome Turkey among
the EU member states. It’s only fair that the process that started with the
intention of making Turkey a member of the EU should lead to its membership if
we can conclude the negotiations in a positive way,” the Dutch minister said.
“At some stage,
Turkey will have to end its negotiations with the EU and Turkey will then make
the choice whether to become a member of the EU,” he said.
Turkish Foreign
Minister Davutoglu, for his part, expressed Turkey’s expectation of support
from the Netherlands on the opening of negotiation Chapters 23 and 24, along
with support for new rounds of talks for the reunification of Cyprus.
4. Nami is going to Brussels for contacts
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (17.02.14) reports that self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami is going to Brussels on
17th February, to make presentations at the European Policy Center and at the
European Union Socialist Group meeting. The meeting will take place at the
European Parliament Nami where will also have “official contacts”.
He will be
accompanied by the “ministry private secretary” HuseyinOzel and the
“coordinator of the EU coordination center” ErhanErçin.
5. Nami does not accept Ozersay’s
capacity as negotiator of the Turkish side; He describes the occupied closed
city of Varosha as risky issue at the first stage of the negotiations
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (16.02.14) reported that before even the
negotiations start, the debate as
regards who will be carrying out the negotiations is getting harder. In
statements to the paper, the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, OzdilNami said that he “does not adopt the
capacity of the negotiator” of the Turkish Cypriot side which is attributed to
Kurdρet Ozersay. He noted: “We do not adopt the capacity of
‘negotiator’ attributed to these special representatives. They are there on behalf of the leaders”.
Nami argued that
the “allegations” that the new negotiating process is controlled by
international actors are not correct and added that the joint declaration completely belongs to the Cypriots and it was not prepared by the Americans or the UN.
Nami referred to the return of the occupied closed
city of Varsoha to its legal owners and claimed that this issue is a “risky
approach” during the first stage of the commencement of the negotiations. He
recalled that Varosha is an issue of territory.
Meanwhile, in
statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (17.02.14), Nami replied to those
who criticize him for holding many contacts on the Cyprus problem. He argued
that he is holding these contacts within a “legal framework” and added that
many “authorities” are related to the Cyprus problem. “What we call Turkish side is not only the president of the republic”,
he noted.
Nami criticized the fact that the two community
leaders did not determine how often they will be meeting within the framework
of the Cyprus talks and argued that saying that the
leaders would meet when it is regarded to be necessary “is not in harmony to a
disciplined, good structured negotiating format”.
Nami argued that
the leaders are distanced from the negotiating table and added that “we do not
find this structure to be sound”. “We do not see it as an approach which will
produce results”, he noted arguing that the Turkish Cypriot leader and
President Anastasiades should closely interfere in the issue.
Moreover, in an
interview with Turkish Cypriot Realist newspaper (16.02.14), Nami said that
there is a team which is visible at the buffer zone in the negotiations and
various intensive processes will be happening in the preparation of the
documents and the formation of the perceptions in centres which will influence
the process. “We as foreign ministry
will be in the focal point of these”, he added.
(I/Ts.)
6. Eroglu, Nami and Talat on the resumption of the
Cyprus talks
Columnist Yusuf
Kanli, in Turkish daily Hurrieyt Daily News (online, 17.02.14) under the title
“Skepticism over talks' success in northern Cyprus”, talked separately with
Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, self-styled minister of foreign affairs
OzdilNami and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talaton the resumption
of the Cyprus talks and wrote the following:
“Turkish Cypriot
leader Eroglu was unsure whether he was happy or not with the resumption of the
Cyprus peace-making diplomacy with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.
‘Give me some time, after few meetings I will make a decision over whether I
should have hope [for the success of the process]’, he said. Yet, Eroglu was
confident that whatever he agrees upon would receive the support of his people.
Talking with the
Hurriyet Daily News during a luncheon at his office in the northern half of the
divided Nicosia, Eroglu underlined that he wanted to have a deal with the Greek
Cypriot side by March or April. But after so much skidding on a joint text
demanded by the Greek Cypriot leader for the resumption of the process, he was
now unsure. ‘We could have finished the job [the negotiations] this way or the
other within three months. Now that we
have been praised so much by American President Barrack Obama, U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and others, they will not let us [say we have
failed] … I am sure we will be forced to stay in the process.’
Why is American
involvement so important? According to
Eroglu, Americans have vital interests in the southern Mediterranean and the
Middle East. ‘The Americans are not here for either mine or the Greek’s
black eyebrows and eyes [a Turkish proverb, meaning affection]. Large states
have interests and their interests always come before the interests of smaller
states. It is unfortunate, but true. A settlement in Cyprus will have results
bigger than Cyprus itself…’
The island’s
offshore hydrocarbon riches, as well as the political situation in the entire
region were elements dictating an end to the more than half-century-old Cyprus
problem. Joking, Eroglu said the interests of the big powers will make it
difficult to say ‘We failed’. Yet, he said he fully agreed with Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that the Cyprus problem ought to be resolved ‘this way
or the other’. Everyone knows what ‘this way’ is, but what about ‘the other’ or
Plan B? Eroglu was tight-lipped on the issue, saying nothing lasts forever and
the Cyprus talks should come to an end as well.
But would he
accept under duress the sort of a Greek dominated resolution he has been battling
all along against. ‘No way’, the grey haired president said, stressing he was sure an overwhelming majority of his
people would say ‘yes’ to a deal in simultaneous referenda on a settlement
plan. But, he said, he would never ever
agree to anything that fell short of the fundamental demands and expectations
of his people. ‘Whatever text I agree on, my people will accept it. I am
acting with the awareness and responsibility of this’, he said.
Saying that
during a discussion with former Greek Cypriot leader DemetrisChristofias told
him that he was lucky, because he was negotiating with a pro-settlement
opponent. In response, Eroglu said, he told Christofias that indeed he was
lucky to be talking with an opponent whose ‘yes’ would mean an overwhelming
Turkish Cypriot ‘yes’ in a referendum.
Yet, in a
separate interview with the Daily News, Foreign Minister Nami believed the Greek Cypriots will not say ‘no’ this time either,
because Greek Cypriot leadership learned well in the 2004 referenda the price
of a ‘no’ vote. He said, as was said in the joint statement, a deal will be
subjected to simultaneous referenda only when the leaders agreed so.
Nami, like Eroglu, agreed with Davutoglu that time has
come to finish off the Cyprus problem this way or the other, but he was
critical of the pace of the process. He said if
chief negotiators are to meet every other week and leaders are to meet once a
month, would it be logical to expect a Cyprus deal in five months or so?
Nami, a
politician who developed a reputation of being ‘pro-settlement’ and has been
often accused by his opponents for conducting ‘unauthorized parallel
negotiations’ with the Greek Cypriot side, did not share complains from the
‘close circle’ of Eroglu that Turkish Cypriots were bypassed by Ankara in the
process that led to the resumption of the talks. ‘Ankara and northern Cyprus have been in close contact all through the
process’, he said, but from his stress on north Cyprus, it was apparent that Ankara preferred to
work with him rather than the official negotiating president to overcome the
deadlock over the joint text. Ankara, with American encouragement, becoming
involved in the process, bypassing the Turkish Cypriot presidency and dealing
directly with Nami, created some concerns among Turkish Cypriots that something
odd might be in the pipeline.
Eroglu said he
might have wanted the inclusion of some other elements, like a reference to the
continuation of the 1960 guarantee system or a statement barring unilateral
representation of the entire island by one of the two constituent states, but
as it was agreed, the current text was welcome, because it was just a tool to
get the talks resumed. Besides, he said,
there were some very important elements in the text, such as for the first
time, it was stated that the new federation will come to being with the
agreement – that is virgin birth – or it would be created by two ‘equal’
constituent states and will be bi-zonal and bi-communal and that feature would
be reflected all through the new state.
But, was there
indeed reason to celebrate? According to former President Talat, his political
arch foe Eroglu was on the right track and must be encouraged to continue
walking on that road. Talking with the HDN, Talat said he was confident that
Eroglu was prodded by some factors to walk that difficult road, but now that he
has taken so many important steps, political differences must be abandoned and
he should be encouraged to continue further.
‘I already
declared that if he continued on this road and delivered a settlement, I will
support Eroglu in the elections next year’, Talat said smiling with the
happiness of seeing Eroglu so much accused of being an anti-settlement
politician now continuing a settlement process with Turkey’s strong
encouragement.
The cross visits representatives of Eroglu and
Anastasiades will be making to Greece and Turkey respectively might not help to
achieve any landmark development, Eroglu, Nami as well as Talat agreed in
separate interviews. Yet, all three politicians
stressed the psychological importance of such trips. (…)”
7. Eroglu evaluated the joint statement
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 15.02.14), Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu, during his address to the Turkish Cypriots, made evaluations
regarding the views of the Turkish Cypriot side on the joint statement.
Claiming that it
wasn’t easy bringing the Greek Cypriot side to the negotiating table but that
they were determined to do so, Eroglu noted that they confirmed the principles
and concepts that are rooted in the EU parameters with the joint declaration.
Alleging that statements made by the Greek Cypriot
leader regarding the joint declaration were in conflict with the realities,Eroglu said: “The joint statement is not a document that takes the sensitivities
of one side into consideration. That is not possible. We would never allow such
a document to take place”.
Laying emphasis on the fact that the Greek Cypriot
side has accepted the fact that sovereignty emanates equally from Greek
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots by accepting the joint statement, Eroglu said
that the new partnership will contain two constituent states and these will
have equal political status. He added that the fact
that this has been recorded is also very important.
He also alleged:
“The joint statement clarifies that the comprehensive solution plan will be put
to simultaneous referenda and not the federal constitution. The new partnership
will be established after the referendum has taken place. This is important as
it proves that the Republic of Cyprus during the negotiations process will not
able to work on constitutional changes in order to transform itself into a
federal state”.
8.Harmancı
argued that the returnof the fenced off city of Varosha, the opening of
occupied Famagusta port and the start of flights to illegal Tymbou airport
should be a part of a comprehensive solution
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi in
English (16.02.14) reported that the so-called general secretary of the
Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Harmancı, said that the confidence
building measures should be on the agenda parallel to the negotiation process.
Harmancı listed the occupied fenced off
city of Varosha “Maras” and European Parliamentary elections as two topics that
can be approached in this framework and said: “In order to prepare for a
bi-communal federal solution, we should take some concrete steps”.
“In this framework returning Varosha to
its legal owners under UN's supervision, opening Famagusta port to free trade
and start of international flights from Ercan airport [Translator’s note:
illegal Tymbou airport] as a part of a comprehensive solution, is what TDP has
been arguing for many years. Harmancı also reminded that according to the
1979's Second Summit agreement, returning Varosha prior to a comprehensive
settlement did not contradict with the comprehensive solution.
“European Parliament elections can be a
very important opportunity for confidence building measures. Two of the seats
of the Cypriot delegation belong to the Turkish Cypriots and it is important to
do legal work on this, so the Turkish Cypriots can realize their legal rights”,
Harmancı said.
9. UN’s Ban Ki-moon plans high-level engagement for
the Cypriot talks
Under the above
title, columnist SerkanDemirtas in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
15.02.14), reported that only a few days
after talks were launched in Cyprus, a high-level U.N. delegation, led by Under
Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, paid a visit to Ankara
to hold talks with Turkish officials on both the Cyprus and Syria talks.
According to
diplomatic sources, meetings between the Turkish and U.N. officials were
focused on two main topics, Syria and Cyprus, both regional problems awaiting a
political solution under the U.N.’s auspices.
The most important message Feltman delivered to Ankara
was the fact that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wants to play a very
strong role during the negotiations and is planning a high-level engagement. He has already made it clear in his written statement that the U.N.
will pledge its resolute commitment to the efforts of the Turkish and Greek
Cypriots. The U.N. is still working on how to define the Secretary-General’s
commitment to the process. But differently from the 2004 Annan Plan process,
the U.N. Secretary-General will have no authority of filling in the blanks of
an agreement. The U.N.’s role in the 2014 process will be a limited one in a
bid to create “a fully Cypriot plan” and is believed to increase the
probability of its approval by both communities in referenda.
Ankara welcomes the U.N. and Ban Ki-moon’s commitment
to the process, but also makes it clear to the U.N. that the settlement of the
Cyprus problem is a matter of urgency for Turkey.
This sense of
urgency introduced by Turkey has a direct link with its ambition to give
momentum to its nearly de facto suspended negotiations with the EU for full
membership. Resolving the Cyprus problem
would help Turkey to open at least 10 chapters, but in general give a huge
boost to the accession process. This surely will have an impact on the domestic
political arena, especially on the eve of critical elections.
However, this
urgency could also cause the Turkish side to give unnecessary concessions to
the Greek Cypriots on a number of very vital issues, Demirtas concluded.
10. Turkish ambassador to Athens: Gas reserves key
for Cyprus resolution
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.02.14), without a resolution settlement in the
last 50 years, the Cyprus issue
remains unresolved and is directly
related to a settlement over sharing of natural gas, water, and electricity
resources between the Turkish and Greek parts of the island, allegedTurkish
Ambassador to Greece KerimUras.
“The Greek
Cypriot administration [editor’s note: the Republic of Cyprs] became an EU
member just one month after it rejected the Annan Plan. Following that, eight
of the chapters in Turkey’s EU accession were blocked,” claimed Uras, alleging
that the Cyprus issue has evolved much more negatively for Turkey after the
Greek side's unilateral accession to the EU.
“Even though we
lost so much time, the recent joint statement (of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek
Cypriot leaders) gave a new momentum to the negotiations. We hope things will
speed up during this process,” Uras said.
Uras also
emphasized that if there is a settlement from the negotiations, Turkey’s EU bid
will be more positively received. He said that in such conditions, “Cyprus
would become Turkey’s forefront supporter in the EU, instead of being an actor
restraining the bid.”
Uras also
mentioned another long-term dispute between Turkey and Greece over the
territorial rights in the Aegean and the east Mediterranean.
Egypt and Greece
decided to resume negotiations for establishing an Exclusive Economic Zone in
the Mediterranean in late 2013, something which frustrates Turkey in the
absence of a delimitation agreement between Turkey and Greece. Uras said that
the Greek press reports that the ongoing negotiations between Greece and Egypt
are not going well.
Uras said that
Egypt is unwilling to move forward with this project taking into account
Turkey's position, however, Greece regardless still wishes to pursue the
project despite Turkey's objections.
The dispute
concerns the areas of continental shelf to be attributed to Turkey and Greece
beyond the six mile territorial sea in the Aegean.
11. Self-styled “assembly” speaker participates in
the 9th Parliamentary Union Conference of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation in Tehran
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (17.02.14) reports that the self-styled speaker of the “assembly” SibelSiber participates in
the 9th Parliamentary Union Conference of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC), which is held in the Iranian capital Tehran.
Siber held a meeting with UmitYardim, the Turkish
Ambassador to Tehran and gave interviews to some media representatives.
Speaking to IRNA
State Agency and to Asya newspaper, Siber gave information about the launching
of Cyprus negotiations and the “embargoes”. She also said that the participation of Turkish Cypriots with the
observation status at the OIC is very important, stating that this is a great
opportunity for the “national cause” of the Turkish Cypriots and for their
voice to be heard. As regards the
launching of negotiations, she said that the support of Islamic countries is
necessary.
Siber also
evaluated the relations between Iran and the breakaway regime, saying that
there are culture connections between them
which needs to be strengthen even more.
The paper also writes that Siber will hold today
meetings with various speakers of parliaments.
12. Thirty-four civil society organizations
expressed their gratitude to Erdogan for his efforts in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (16.02.14) reports that
34 organizations, representing 40.000 persons, under the name “Cypriot Civil
Initiative Platform” sent a letter expressing their gratitude and respect to
the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, a letter published in the Turkish
pro-Erdogan press.
13. The breakaway regime participated in the “BIT
Milano-2014” tourism fair
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (14.02.14) reported that the self-styled ministry
of economy, tourism, culture and sports has attended the “BIT Milano-2014”
tourism fair, one of the biggest tourism fairs in the world.
According to a
statement of the self-styled ministry, the occupied area of Cyprus tourism
potential was promoted at the stand of the breakaway regime.
14. 185
passengers arrived in the occupied Ercan airport with a charter flight from
Helsinki
According to illegal Bayrak television
(15.02.14) the first chartered flight to take place in 2014, was from the
Finnish capital of Helsinki.
Within this framework, 185 tourists
arrived at the occupied area of Cyprus in illegal Tymbou airport.
The tourists were greeted with flowers
and local folk dance shows upon their arrival.
“The undersecretary of the ministry for
tourism, culture and environment”, SahapAsıkoglu said that workings that have
been taking place in the tourism field are finally on track and the chartered
flights are taking place in a more professional manner”.
15. Turkish Parliament approves controversial bill
on judicial body
According to
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 15.02.14), tension in Parliament
boiled over again Feb. 15 as the government succeeded in passing a
controversial judicial reform package amid fisticuffs and injuries, even as the
opposition vowed to take the package directly to the Constitutional Court
without waiting for a presidential evaluation.
Dozens of MPs
fought during the tense 20-hour debate on a law to reshape the Supreme Council
of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), and insults flew back and forth between the
parties, while one opposition lawmaker was hospitalized following an attack by
a Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy.
After the law is
sent to his office, Gul will have two weeks to approve or veto it.
On the same
issue, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 16.02.14) reported that opposition
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader DevletBahceli has continued his
criticism of the stance of Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan since a major
corruption scandal erupted on Dec. 17, 2013, saying that Erdogan is trying to
control the judiciary to save himself from legal troubles.
Claiming that
Erdogan is on the path of a one-man dictatorship in Turkey, the MHP leader said
absolute power corrupts politicians, leading them to call the opposition
traitors and to level all kinds of insults at those who do not like them.
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