TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 48/14 12.03.14
1. Davutoglu: I hope we will reach a solution in
Cyprus this time
2. Ozersay and Mavroyiannis held their fourth meeting;
The territory is reportedly also on the table; The leaders will meet on 31
March
3. Nami continues intensive contacts in Washington
4. Akinci: I want steps to be taken for changing the
existing situation in Cyprus
5. Bryza: Noble Energy discusses with Turkish
companies
6. Foreign media are interested on Cyprus issues
7. Journalists’ organizations meet to discuss the new
blow to the freedom of the press in the occupied area of Cyprus
8. “TRNC” is taking part in the CeBIT 2014 fair in
Hannover, Germany
9. Demonstrations to protest death of Berkin at the
occupied area of Cyprus
10. Protests over young Gezi victim Berkin Elvan's
death grip Turkey
11. Bulgaria plans gas pipeline to Turkey
1. Davutoglu: I hope we will reach a solution in
Cyprus this time
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 12.03.14), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu, in a statement to the press after his meeting with the U.N.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the U.N. General Assembly
John Ashe in New York, said that they discussed in detail the Ukrainian and
Syrian crises and the Cyprus reunification talks.
Referring to the
Cyprus problem, Davutoglu said that they came to an agreement that an eventual
peace of these negotiations should be seen. Noting that there is a positive
agenda in Cyprus, Davutoglu stressed that the reciprocal visits to Turkey and
Greece were very successful and the sides were satisfied from this.
Noting that
Turkey, Greece and the international community support the new process in
Cyprus, Davutoglu said: “I hope that we will reach a solution in Cyprus this
time”.
2. Ozersay and Mavroyiannis held their fourth
meeting; The territory is reportedly also on the table; The leaders will meet
on 31 March
Under the title
“The Territory is also on the table”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(12.03.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, KudretOzersay met yesterday at the buffer zone with the Greek Cypriot
negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis and discussed in detail the powers of the
federal government in a possible solution of the Cyprus problem. During the
three and a half hour meeting the Turkish Cypriot side has reportedly submitted
“bridging proposals”.
In statements
after the meeting, Ozersay said that there is a convergence document between
the sides on the issue of the powers of the federal government and added that
there are also some points on which agreement had not been reached as to
whether some powers will remain to the federal government and if they will what
kind of arrangement should be made. Ozersay
noted that they expressed in detail the Turkish Cypriot side’s views on this
issue and submitted some proposals.
According to
Ozersay, the two negotiators will be meeting again on Friday, 14 March in the afternoon in order to discuss the election
and the formation of the federal government, the decision taking mechanisms and
they will also continue talking about the property issue.
During the
meeting the sides agreed that the second meeting between President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu
will be held on Monday 31 March at a time that will be announced later.
In his
statements, Ozeray said that during the meetings which started in February, the
only issue which has not been discussed is “the map and the numbers”. “The fact that the map and the numbers are
not touched upon does not mean that the issue of the territory is also not
discussed”, he added.
Citing some
information, Kibris reports that Eroglu and
his team are annoyed because the Greek Cypriot side increased its demands
comparing to the previous negotiating period on the percentage of the territory
it wants and the number of the Turkish settlers that will remain on the island
after a possible solution.
Ozersay said
that the issues of the federal police,
the police of the constituent states and the “Federal Cooperation Agency”,
which are the internal aspect of the “security and the guarantees” have been discussed in the past and
convergence papers were secured. “These
issues are settled to an important extent”, he noted adding that the
guarantees and the international security will be discussed at a meeting with
the participation of the guarantor powers because they concern international
agreements.
Ozersay pointed
out that except these chapters, the Greek Cypriot side expressed to an extent
its general vision regarding the EU, while the Turkish Cypriot side reiterated
its views on the issue of the EU’s primary law and the derogations.
Ozersay
said that the sides have not yet brought
to the table any proposal regarding confidence building measures.
(I/Ts.)
3. Nami continues intensive contacts in Washington
Turkish Cypriot
daily Diyalog newspaper (12.03.14) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that there is no aspect of the Cyprus problem that could be
negotiated after 50 years and added that an important window of opportunity
exists for a solution of the problem.
Nami held a briefing yesterday at the Woodrow Wilson
think tank in Washington regarding the negotiating
process in Cyprus. He expressed the view
that the conditions on the island have matured for the solution and that we
have now came to the last stage for a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution on the
island.
Nami argued that the explorations for oil and natural
gas which are separately held by the two sides on the island could legally and
politically continue without a problem only in case of an agreement between the
two communities. He said that in case of an agreement
the income from any kind of hydrocarbon product should belong to the federal
government.
In statements to Anatolia news agency after his speech at the above-mentioned think tank, Nami said that there are reasons for being
hopeful about the negotiations between the two communities and added that the
community leaders have signed a “very important joint declaration”. Thus,
he added, a common understanding was
achieved on issues which had been discussed for years between the sides such as
the sovereignty, the international identity, the citizenship and the political
rights of the founding states. He noted that the other issues such as the
property, the territory, the security and the guarantees are difficult and hard
negotiations will be held for their solution.
Nami expressed the view that a new comprehensive
solution plan could come out within some months.
Moreover, within
the framework of his contacts in Washington, Nami participated in a round table discussion at the Atlantic Council
think tank and explained the perspective of the solution in Cyprus. He also
gave an interview to the Washington
Times newspaper. According to a statement issue by his “office”, on that
interview he reiterated that the Cyprus problem could be solved within months
and alleged that 20 years will be needed
for the Greek Cypriots to reach the standard of living they had been enjoying
before the economic crisis. Therefore, they should be interested in an
agreement on the Cyprus problem, he claimed.
Furthermore, Nami met also with President Obama’s
Special Advisor Christopher Smart and the Director of the National Security
Council responsible for Turkish, Greek and Cypriot Affairs, Christian Bobrow.
The “undersecretary” at the self-styled foreign ministry of the regime, ErhanErcin,
the “representative’ of the regime in Washington, AhmetErdengiz and the
“director” at the “foreign ministry”, HuseyinOzel participated in the 45-minute
meeting, during which Nami evaluated issues discussed in the solution process.
He said that the continuation of the strong support provided by the USA to the
solution of the Cyprus problem will be helpful in the process.
Nami
argued that the fact that for the first
time a Turkish Cypriot official has been accepted in the offices of the White
House reflects the positive way by which the USA views the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
4. Akinci: I want steps to be taken for changing
the existing situation in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Star Kibris newspaper (12.03.14) reports that Mustafa Akinci, former “mayor” of the occupied part of Nicosia, has said that he wants some measures to be
taken which will change the existing situation in Cyprus. In statements to
Ada TV, Akinci referred to the return of
the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners and
said:
“…On this issue of Varosha, if you say today
that we give it to its legal owners, how many years will take for the people to
go and settle there? Do we not intend to end the Cyprus problem within five
years? There could be serious steps. Some people are worried. Our confidence building steps are Tymvou
and the Famagusta Port. These are the issues which will bring balance. If
they say that Nicosia [airport] is feasible, I agree to this also. Some very
technical detailed reports had been prepared on what will be done in case the
Nicosia Airport opens. Let steps be taken as a good will gesture”.
Akinci
expressed the view that the biggest
benefit of the solution for the Turkish Cypriots will be their inclusion in the
international law. “Nothing exists at a place where law does not exist”, he
noted adding that the number of the people who want to live within EU standards
increased in the occupied area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
5. Bryza: Noble Energy discusses with Turkish
companies
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (11.03.14) reports that Mathew Bryza, former US
diplomat who is member of TURCAS Oil administrative council, has said that
Noble Energy discusses with his company and with Turkish Zorlu Group the
pipeline project for exporting Israeli and Cypriot natural gas to Europe.
In an exclusive
interview with Havadis, Bryza noted that Turkish
BOTAS, which is the regulator of this field in Turkey, has also participated in
the discussions.
Bryza reiterated
that the energy resources around Cyprus motivate for a solution on the island
and added that energy help in the revival of the talks and created more
enthusiasm to the people.
According to the
paper, Bryza sent a message to the
Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu by saying: “I hope that Mr Eroglu
understands that his own community will also secure outstanding benefits from
the solution”.
Bryza argued
that the USA always exerts efforts for a solution in Cyprus and that the US
Embassy to Nicosia, in cooperation with the British High Commission, tries to
bring the sides together. Bryza said that after the election of President
Anastasiades their initiatives for a solution increased.
Bryza noted he
is hopeful for a solution in Cyprus, but he
expressed the view that the comprehensive solution could not be reached soon
and that “the developments will happen in an order”. He went on and pointed out
that some steps could be taken which
will secure the advancement of the energy issue.
Asked to give
some examples, he said that Turkey could
implement the Ankara Protocol, some steps could be taken in the occupied closed
city of Varosha in this context and the Port of Famagusta could open.
“Perhaps a document of origin recognized by the EU could be given for Turkish
Cypriots’ products’, he noted pointing out that the Ankara Protocol “gains are
more meaningful than only opening the ports”. “It will give the opportunity for
the Turkish Cypriots’ window to the world even for a little bit”, he said.
(I/Ts.)
6. Foreign media are interested on Cyprus issues
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.03.14), a crew from France 24 news channel,
who is currently in Cyprus, carries out contacts and takes interviews for a
programme “Europe Today”, which will also have a section on Cyprus.
The France 24
crew interviewed yesterday the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay, who
explained briefly the text of the joint statement, said that this time the
sides do not focus on maximalist approaches hoping that they will enter a give
and take process soon. He claimed that this is the only way to reach a
comprehensive solution. He stressed that the issue of security is very
important for the Turkish Cypriots, adding that the Cyprus problem is not a
legal problem but a political one.
Later the crew
interviewed the mayor of the occupied old city of Famagusta OktayKayalp , who
briefed them on the declaration that he signed with the Greek Cypriot Mayor of
Famagusta Alexis Galanos on the town’s future. On the same issue, they also
interviewed members of the BicommunalVarosha Initiative, who explained that the
situation of the fenced off town of Varosha is disastrous for Famagusta and for
the whole island, so the unification of Varosha with Famagusta will also
contribute positive to the ongoing Cyprus talks.
Meanwhile, the
journalists Thomas Bormann and Mehmet Uksul from the German ARD radio are also
in the occupied area of Cyprus to make a programme on the Cyprus problem.
According to the paper, they interviewed the paper’s journalist HasanHasturer
on the Cyprus problem, who told them that the Turkish Cypriots are the victim
side of the Cyprus problem.
7. Journalists’ organizations meet to discuss the
new blow to the freedom of the press in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the title
‘The press organizations arose”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(12.03.14) reports that the reactions
against the “law” regarding the “protection of private life” that has passed
hurriedly from the “assembly” of the regime are getting bigger. The general
secretary of thejournalists’ trade union (BASIN-SEN), CananOnurer stated
yesterday that the journalists’
organizations will meet today to examine the “law”.
The paper notes
that the “law” supresses the press, forbids the publication of various kinds of
information such as tape recordings and tax lists and provides for many years
imprisonment for the journalists.
Referring to the
issue in her commentary in Afrika (12.02.14) under the title “New imprisonment
era”, AysuBasriAkter notes that with the
above-mentioned “law”, the ground is prepared for developments that are the
same with what has happened until today in Turkey on the issue of the freedom
of the press and the judiciary. She says that Turkey is on the top of the
list of the countries with the most imprisoned journalists and that its
judiciary cannot function.
(I/Ts.)
8. “TRNC” is taking part in the CeBIT 2014 fair in
Hannover, Germany
Turkish Cypriot
daily HalkinSesi (12.03.14) reports that the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus is participating in the trade fair CeBIT 2014 in
Hannover, Germany, between 10-14 March.
According to a
press release issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO), it is
the first time that they participate as “North Cyprus” and they have their own
kiosk, where the Turkish Cypriot companies can exhibit their products.
9. Demonstrations to protest death of Berkin at the
occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika (12.03.14), in its front page under the title “Berkin’s riot”
publishes a photo from the demonstration, which was held yesterday by the
political parties BKP (United Cyprus Party), CTP (Republican Turkish Party),
TDP (Social Democracy Party), YKP (New Cyprus Party) and some NGO’s in front of
the Turkish “embassy” at the occupied part of Nicosia.
The protesters
were chanting slogans like “Berkins are immortal”, “Death to fascism, the only
way is the revolution”, “The assassin state will give an account of”, and “We
silence when the children are sleeping and not when they are being killed”.
10. Protests over young Gezi victim Berkin Elvan's
death grip Turkey
Under the above
title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.03.14) reported that several demonstrations were staged across
Turkey to protest against the death of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old teenager
who died during last June's Gezi Park protests.
Police resorted
to tear gas and water cannon attacks against protesters who started gathering
in central Ankara.
On the same
issue, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 11.03.14) reported that hundreds of
Turks, in some places thousands of them, held demonstrations to protest the
death of Elvan across several European capitals and metropolitan cities late
Tuesday.
Protesters
lighted candles in Paris to honour Elvan while hundreds of protesters in cities
such as Berlin, Cologne, Mannheim, New York and Brussels, took to main squares
to mourn the tragic death of the Gezi victim.
Meanwhile, CHP
Deputy Chairman SezginTanrikulu said those who caused the death of Elvan will
go down in history as killers of a child who was out to buy bread for his
family. “It is RecepTayyip Erdogan, who
said, 'I instructed the police [to crack down on the Gezi protesters]' caused
Berkin's death,” Tanrikulu said in a written statement on Tuesday.
Turkey’s
President Abdullah Gul said in a news conference that he was saddened to hear
about Berkin's death and gave his condolences to the boy's family.
11. Bulgaria plans gas pipeline to Turkey
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (11.03.14) reported that a Bulgarian delegation will pay a visit to Turkey to discuss a gas
pipeline plan that would diversify natural gas resources.
An announcement
from the Bulgarian authorities in the Turkish capital of Ankara said a group of
experts, along with representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and
Energy, will soon negotiate a gas pipeline connection between the two
countries.
Bulgarian
Ministry officials announced their full support for the project and urged for a
swift timetable in undertaking the project.
The planned
pipeline between Bulgaria and Turkey will be approximately 114 kilometers in
length and is due to be completed in two years.
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