TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 35/14 20.02.14
1. Ozersay: We are going well; We entered into the substance
2. Turkish daily
argues that if there is no solution in Cyprus negotiations the Kosovo model could be adopted for the
breakaway regime
3. Kayalp: Even if Turkey decides tomorrow morning to open Varosha”, it
will take five years for the city to open for settlement
4. Nami called on the EU to promote a resolution on
the Cyprus problem
5. Siber called for the opening of observer status
office for the “TRNC” in Jeddah
6. Yildiz: Pipeline through Turkey is best route for
Cyprus gas
7. Eroglu called the
Greek Cypriot side to proceed to the negotiation table with “healthy” proposals
8. Sertoglu calls on
for the creation of a Cyprus national football team consisting of Greek and
Turkish Cypriot players like in the past
9. UBP and DP move
forwards to cooperate in “local elections”
10. Israel and Turkey step up gas exports negotiations
11. CHP takes law on judiciary to top court before
presidential approval
12. Europeans express concerns over Turkey’s EU bid
1. Ozersay: We are going well; We entered into the substance
Under the title “’We are going well’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin
Sesi newspaper (20.02.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersayhas said that both sides left
satisfied from their meeting yesterday and added that “we are going well”.
The paper writes that Ozersay met yesterday at the buffer zone with the Greek
Cypriot negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis. The next appointment was set for
Monday, 24 February.
In statements after the meeting, Ozersay said the following: “We left the meeting satisfied.
Moreover, as far as we understood, not
only the Turkish side, the Greek Cypriot side also left satisfied. This is
something positive. I think that it was
a good start and I could easily say that we have now started entering into the
substance of the issues. Certainly it is possible to reach the following
conclusion: There is in general a common
understanding between the sides regarding the method of the negotiations.
We have started debating the substance of the issues one by one. I could say
that there is an agreement on the method connected to the issues from time to
time but in general on how the negotiations will be conducted”.
Replying to a question Ozersay said that the details of the negotiators’ visits to
Athens and Ankara respectively started to be clarified and added that
during the meeting the sides informed
each other on the names of the persons who will participate in their
delegations during the above-mentioned visits. He noted that he will be
accompanied to Athens by the “political affairs director”, Gunes Onar and the
“representative of the director”, Gulfem Veziroglu.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish daily
argues that if there is no solution in Cyprus negotiations the Kosovo model couldbe
adopted for the breakaway regime
Under the title:
“Kosovo model in case no solution is reached”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper
(20.02.14) cites information by officials according to which in case no
solution is reached during the Cyprus negotiations which were launched
recently, the “TRNC will see its own way” and a Kosovo-like independence will
come into agenda.
The same officials
stated that the continuation of negotiations will be determined by the Greek
Cypriot side’s behavior. “Until now there is no issues left which were not
discussed. If there is will, the negotiations could be completed even within a
week”, the officials stated.
The paper also cites diplomatic sources
according to which this is the first time that the Turkish Cypriot side is
sitting at the negotiations table under equal conditions with the Greek Cypriot
side. According to these sources, conditions are quite different than 2004, the
Turkish side’s position is stronger and “yes” can be said easier than the Annan
Plan.
The paper also reports about the forthcoming
visit to Ankara and Athens by the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavrogiannis
and the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay accordingly and writes that
the visits will take place on February 27.
3. Kayalp: Even if Turkey decides tomorrow morning to open Varosha”, it
will take five years for the city to open for settlement
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (20.02.14) reports that Oktay Kayalp, “mayor” of the occupied city
of Famagusta, has said that even if Turkey decides tomorrow morning that “I am
opening Varosha”, it will take five years for the occupied close city to open
for settlement. In statements to Diyalog, Kayalp recalled that the occupied close city of Varosha is under
Turkey’s control and pointed out that in case the city opens, there will be a
boom in the economy of “not only the south but of the north as well”, as he
described the government-controlled and the occupied area of Cyprus.
“There is a six-kilometre long coast line and this place could be the biggest tourism centre of the Middle East”,
he noted pointing out that the area has the capacity to solve the problem of
unemployment in both the occupied and the government-controlled area of the
island in parallel to solving many other problems.
Recalling that the US President Barack Obama and the President of
the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso had referred to the issue last week,
Kayalp argued: “I think that not only Varosha, but the port of Famagusta, the
airport in Tymvou and Varosha and perhaps the within the walls area of
Famagusta could come onto the agenda in a package as confidence building
measure, if this will trigger off the negotiating process of the Cyprus
problem”.
Kayalp recalled that during
meetings held at the United Nations in 1975, the then Turkish Foreign Minister
Turan Gunes was committed that the closed area of Varosha would be returned to
its legal owners, in case of a
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. He argued:
“All the governments of the
Republic of Turkey that followed, Ecevit, Demirel, Tansu Cller, Erbakan
etc. are standing behind this commitment
since then. From this point of view, the
UN has given to Varosha the status of ‘’fenced area under the control of the
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF)’. The
closed area of Varosha is not in the borders of the TRNC. It is not in the maps
of the TRNC as well. Because, due to
an agreement reached between the UN and Turkey,it will remain under the control
of the TAF until the solution, and in a solution it will be returned to its old
owners, that is the inhabitants of Varosha. This is the agreement…”
Noting that no works are being held now in
the occupied closed city of Varosha, Kayalp said: “…The place is under the
control of the TAF. The authority which
will give permission for carrying out any works in Varosha is the Turkish
General Staff in Ankara. Therefore, only in case the sides reach a mutual
agreement on this issue, it is possible for works to be held there, that is, in
case the Turks and the Greek Cypriots [agree] and Turkey gives its
consent”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Nami called on the EU to promote a resolution on
the Cyprus problem
According to
self-styled ministry of foreign affairs website (online, 19.02.14), self-styled
foreign minister Ozdil Nami, in a speech at the European Union Socialist Group
meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, gave an overview of the current state of the
Cyprus talks.
He said: “I
specifically underlined the historic nature of the joint statement issued for I
believe this text paves the way for rapid progress at the negotiating table by
addressing some of the critical issues related to governance and power sharing
in a federal Cyprus.”, adding that their goal is to achieve a bi-zonal
bi-communal federation with political equality between the two sides, which
will have a single sovereignty defined as sovereignty enjoyed by all UN member
states under the UN Charter and which emanates equally from Turkish Cypriots
and Greek Cypriots.
He explained
that various factors contributed to this positive development, as the economic
challenges faced on both sides of the island, the discovery of natural
resources, the politicians who supported the Annan Plan are currently in power
on both sides, as well as the renewed interest in enhancing Turkey-EU relations
as well as the strong support given by Turkey for rapid progress in the talks.
Referring to the
participation of Turkish Cypriots at the European Parliament, Nami said: “We
also need to find a way to enable elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot
community to actively participate in the European Parliament in anticipation of
a united Cyprus. We welcome the initiative taken by the S&D group regarding
this issue but the fact that the EU parliament could not manage to create a
formula to accommodate this need continues to be a disappointment for the
Turkish Cypriots.”
On the same
issue, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.02.14) Nami, answering questions after the meeting, said
his Brussels contacts were fruitful and added that workings will continue
towards enabling the effective use of the EU Financial Aid Regulation and the
Green Line Regulation agreements.
He also provided
information about the content of the speech he delivered at the European
Parliament. “It was important that for the first time a Turkish Cypriot foreign
minister addressed the Socialist Group at the European Parliament. As you all
know, a joint statement was made by the two leaders in Cyprus which paved the
way for the re-launch of the negotiations. I explained to the Socialist Group
about the content of the joint statement. I also shared our views regarding our
targets and expectations from the process. The meeting was held in a positive
atmosphere and we got support of the Socialist Group MEPs. They are also
wishing that a comprehensive solution will be found to the Cyprus problem so
that the Turkish Cypriots will have their rightful place at the European
Parliament”, Nami said.
Furthermore,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.02.14) reported that Nami, speaking at the
Centre for European Policy Studies, asked the European Union on Wednesday to
prepare the “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus) for the post-resolution period.
Nami said that “the joint declaration envisages the
presence of both Turkish and Greek Cypriot governments authorized in specific
parts of the island, adding that if the EU wants to promote a resolution, it
needs to act now”.
Nami also met
with Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, representatives of political
groups in the European Parliament, EU Commission officials, and Ambassadors of
some member states to discuss the resolution process in Cyprus.
5. Siber called for the opening of observer status
office for the “TRNC” in Jeddah
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.02.14), self-styled parliamentary speaker
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Sibel Siber, addressed the general
assembly of the 9th Parliamentary Union Conference of the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation as the parliamentary speaker of the “Turkish Cypriot
State”. During her address, she pointed
to the importance of relations between the “TRNC” and OIC member countries and
called for the relations to be developed further.
Claiming that
the “TRNC” is known for its democratic structure and freedoms and is a model
country, Siber said: “The TRNC is a tourism island with its historical and
cultural structure and with its natural beauty.
Meanwhile, Siber
held meetings with Assembly Speakers from Azerbaijan, Libya, Sudan, Malaysia
and Tajikistan. She also met with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s
Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman
Alim. During the meeting, Siber briefed Alim about the “TRNC” and exchanged
views on the Cyprus issue.
She also invited Alim to the “TRNC” and called for the
opening of observer status office for the “TRNC” in Jeddah. As part of her
contacts Siber also came together with the Iranian Parliament’s Turkish-Iranian
Friendship Group President Huseyin Bedir Sadir.Siber called for support for the
Cyprus negotiations
Moreover, Ankara
Anatolia news agency (19.02.14) reported that Siber said Wednesday she hopes
the long-term Cyprus issue will be solved.
"We have a peaceful and reconciliatory culture
and we wish to live together with the Greek Cypriots in peace," Siber said, speaking in Tehran at the ninth session of the Conference of
Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States
(PUIC).
Claiming that
the European Union promised to lift the “embargo on the TRNC”, Siber said,
"We are the ones who were punished for ten years,'' referring to the 2004
referendum's failure to unite the island.
"Our
greatest desire is to live in peace and harmony and not to relive what happened
in the past," Siber said.
Pointing out that the “TRNC” wants closer relations
with the Muslim world, Siber said: "We sincerely look forward to your help
to let our voice heard to the world."
6. Yildiz: Pipeline through Turkey is best route
for Cyprus gas
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.02.14), the
use of pipelines through Turkey is the most feasible route for the transfer of
Cypriot gas to Europe, said Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz on
Wednesday in Ankara.
Replying to
journalists' questions after the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TWEA) sector
meeting, Yildiz said energy could not be evaluated separately from political
issues in Cyprus but Turkey is optimistic on the benefits of a pipeline between
Cyprus and Turkey.
7.Eroglu called the
Greek Cypriot side to proceed to the negotiation table with “healthy” proposals
Under the title: “You should respect our
rights”, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis (20.02.14) reports on statements by the
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu who met yesterday with a delegation of the
“retired fighter’s association” in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu said that
as the person being “elected” by the “people” to represent them at the
negotiation table, he is obliged to think of the “people’s” benefits.
Referring to the cross-talks that will take
place in Athens and Ankara, he said that these talks will speed up the
negotiation process.
Eroglu stressed
the need for the sides to put forward “healthy” proposals at the negotiation
table and added that the proposals to be submitted should be in the direction
of the benefits of the two “people” and towards the acceptance of the existence
of “two equal founding states in Cyprus and two people”.
Eroglu went on and called the Greek Cypriot side to show respect to the Turkish Cypriot
side’s rights. He said that the Greek Cypriots should proceed to the
negotiations with proposals that can be accepted and said that if the Greek
Cypriot sides sit at the negotiation table with acceptable proposals; this will
facilitate the work of the two sides.
AK
8. Sertoglu calls
on for the creation of a Cyprus national football team consisting of Greek and
Turkish Cypriot players like in the past
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (20.02.14) reports that a reception was held yesterday at the
French Embassy to Lefkosia. The chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot football
association” (TCFA), Hasan Sertoglu and the chairman of Cyprus Football
Association (CFA) Costakis Koutsokoumnis were among the guests at the reception
which also included many foreign diplomats.
The paper writes that
in a speech he delivered at the reception Sertoglu suggested that Greek and
Turkish Cypriot footballers to participate in the Cyprus national football
team, like in the past. He also suggested Greek Cypriot footballers to be able
to play in Turkish Cypriot teams and vice versa. On his part Koutsokoumnis stated that the
procedure started with the agreement signed between TCFA and CFA which should
be completed during summer.
9. UBP and DP move
forwards to cooperate in “local elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper
(20.02.14) reports that the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party
(DP) are testing the waters for a possible co-operation in the “local
elections” at the breakaway regime and notes that this development makes the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) which formed a “government coalition” with DP,
feeling uneasy.
In addition, reporting on the same issue
Turkish Cypriot Realist-Kulis newspaper (20.02.14) argues that the “Coalition
government is over”, and cites information according to which UBP and DP have
agreed on everything and that the first meeting between the two parties which
will deal on their cooperation, which may lead to the termination of CTP-DP
“government” will take place at 15:00 today.
10. Israel and Turkey step up gas exports
negotiations
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 19.02.14) with the above title reported that Turkey could emerge as a potential transfer
hub for Europe and a key customer of Israeli gas starting from 2017 provided
Ankara and Tel Aviv agree on terms, the Turkish media speculated on
Wednesday.
Turkey's Vatan daily said on Wednesday that
representatives from US-based Noble
Energy and Israel's Delek Group, two of Leviathan's largest stakeholders, are in talks with four Turkish energy firms
for a possible deal in the construction of a natural gas pipeline via Turkey to
Europe. Vatan said the Leviathan shareholders are in negotiations with
Turkey's Turcas, Zorlu, Calik and Enka Energy for a pipeline that would carry 8
billion cubic meters (bcm) of Israeli gas via Turkey starting from 2017, the
year Israel expects to start extracting gas.
Another option
for the project would be to build a joint liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal
with Cyprus.
Although an LNG
terminal would allow access to global markets, the cheaper option of a pipeline
to Turkey and the Palestinian Authority has recently gained traction. The
pipeline to Turkey is estimated to cost $2.5 billion to construct, a much
cheaper option when compared to the LNG terminal, estimated at $15 billion.
Vatan quoted
Turkish energy company Turcas CEO Batu Aksoy as saying that around 8 billion
bcm of natural gas could easily be transported to world markets via Turkey
while the rest can be exported in the form of LNG. Aksoy says Israeli exports via Turkey could begin in 2017.“Turkey
remains the safest energy corridor for Israel to sell its gas to global
markets. … We are talking about something that is more than a pipeline,
something that can be a remedy for lingering political clashes with Israel and
its neighbours,” Aksoy commented.
11. CHP takes law on judiciary to top court before
presidential approval
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 19.02.14) reported that the main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) has
filed an application to the Constitutional Court demanding that a law
restructuring Turkey’s top judicial institution to be declared null and void.
The application
comes despite President Abdullah Gul having yet to approve the law, and the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government firmly arguing that such
an appeal has no place in the Turkish legal system.
The CHP also asked for the annulment of the law
boosting government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors
through the reshaping of the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).
12. Europeans express concerns over Turkey’s EU bid
According to
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 19.02.14), Hélène Flautre, co-chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary
Committee, has sent a letter to
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, asking
him to take action in order to safeguard the credibility of Turkey's European
Union membership bid.
Flautre noted
that the Turkish government's increased pressure on the press, the media, and
journalists contradict the exercise of freedom of expression and the notion of
a free press.
Flautre also said
that the on-going crisis has the potential to endanger Turkey's EU bid at a
time when the governments of EU member states seem more open than ever to the
resumption of negotiations with Turkey.
She called on Gul not to approve the HSYK bill so that
Turkey's EU bid is not endangered.
Moreover,
Socialist Group leader and one of the most veteran politicians of the European
Parliament Hannes Swoboda harshly
reacted to the new law on the HSYK. Swoboda said the law was an outright
attack on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
Speaking to Today's Zaman, Swoboda said the new law
was deeply worrying for the European Union. Not
bothering to mince his words, the Austrian politician said it was unthinkable
in a democracy for the appointment of judges and prosecutors to not be
protected from political interests.
Stressing that the law would not be in line with EU
legislation, he warned President Abdullah Gul on the possible repercussions
that the law would have on EU-Turkey relations if he approves the legislation.
Meanwhile,
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks, in an exclusive telephone interview with Today's
Zaman on Wednesday, said that passing
controversial legislation in “haste and [with a] lack of transparency” in the
Turkish Parliament, such as the newly approved law on the Supreme Board of
Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) and the approval of a much-criticized Internet
law, raises many questions about the
motivations of the Turkish government.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
