TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 64/14 08.04.14
1. Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots want land to resettle 160 thousand persons
2. Eroglu invited Anastasiades to the Deep Purple concert
3. Nami: It is difficult to return some territories
4. Eroglu and Fule have reportedly not discussed Varosha
5. Ozersay: Territorial adjustment will be made, but the important thing is to influence as few people as possible
6. Chairman of KTTO met with Siber and Yorgancioglu
7. New row between Kurdish and Grey Wolf students at the illegal Near East University
8. There are 54 stone quarries operating in the breakaway regime
9. Sertoglu: Not the whole of the Greek Cypriot community should be blamed for the Turkish flag burning
10. Illegal Near East University participated in the IATEFL Conference in the UK
11. Uzan family opens new lawsuit against Turkey over seizure of energy companies
1. Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots want land to resettle 160 thousand persons
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that the issue in the Cyprus problem does not end with giving back the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal owners and added that the Greek Cypriots want also land to settle 160 thousand persons.
In statements yesterday during a meeting with the recently elected administrative board of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), Eroglu noted that these are issues which will be solved at the negotiating table and argued that the Cyprus problem could not be solved only with confidence building measures.
Eroglu alleged that when the Greek Cypriot side refers to confidence building measures, it means only Varosha, “but there are so many confidence building measures”. He went on and recalled the proposal he had reportedly submitted during his recent meeting with President Anastasiades regarding the demining of Cyprus and expressed the view that the demining could be a measure that would increase confidence for both sides. He said that they have prepared a “broad list” on this issue.
Eroglu argued that the confidence building measures should be mutual and added: “And I say, come and let us pass the Direct Trade Regulation and let the confidence of my people increase. The Greek Cypriots say that this could happen after the solution. Very well, why Varosha cannot happen after the solution?”
Eroglu argued that the issue of the solution of the Cyprus problem should not be exploited in the internal politics of the Turkish Cypriot community and alleged that everyone in the occupied area of the island wants an agreement, but “not any agreement, an agreement which not leave our rights on the table”.
Eroglu said that they are continuing the effort on the issue of the harmonization with the EU and added that they are always open for dialogue and suggestions by an important organization such as the KTTO.
Meanwhile, according to Kibris (08.04.14), yesterday Eroglu met also with Izzet Izcan, the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP). In his statements, he once again referred to the confidence building measures and alleged that while the main target is to reach an agreement in Cyprus, the efforts of the Greek Cypriots to change the agenda with confidence building measures and the issue of Varosha could not be accepted.
Alleging that the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side is to end the negotiations with a viable and lasting agreement, Eroglu argued that they want more frequent meetings between the community leaders and more intensive negotiations. “However, our neighbours are not as much in a hurry as we are”, he alleged. Eroglu argued that things will be facilitated, if the convergences achieved in the past and the efforts that have been exerted are not ignored.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu invited Anastasiades to the Deep Purple concert
Turkish daily Hurriyet (08.04.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has invited Cyprus President Anastasiades to a concert by British rock band Deep Purple, which is scheduled for next month in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
In an interview to daily Hurriyet by Zeynep Gurcanli, Eroglu said that he made the proposal to Anastasiades during recent negotiations, but had not received an answer yet. Eroglu said he is renewing the concert invitation.
Commenting on the ongoing Cyprus talks, Eroglu said: “The Greek Cypriots are still negotiating according to the conditions that existed in 1974. While 40 years have passed since then, many things have changed. The negotiations should be conducted according to the today’s conditions. Those who the Greek Cypriots called ‘settlers’ are the third generation in the TRNC (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). When we sat at the negotiation table, I showed to Anastasiades my committee. I said: ‘There are 7-8 persons in my negotiation committee. The father of my grandchildren is from Turkey. The mother of our lawyer is from Turkey. The wife of our property specialist is from Turkey. The husbands of two ladies are from Turkey. Only the wife of Kudret Ozersay is Cypriot. Therefore, if you only see this, the case of those who are from Turkey in Cyprus is finished’. We should evaluate these 40 years. If you don’t evaluate these 40 years, you cannot go anywhere. There have been some results in these 40 years.”
Eroglu also said: “Turks, who immigrated to Germany, took that citizenship. Germany has accepted them and integrated them, why don’t you integrate them too?”
Eroglu claimed that their aim at the negotiations is a referendum in three months, however, he added that Anastasiades thinks that there will not be a solution before the end of 2015.
Referring to the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Eroglu said: “The Greek Cypriots consider only the return of Varosha (translator’s note: the fenced off town of occupied Varosha) as a Confidence Building Measure. However, the moment you give Varosha, there will be no solution. On the top of it, the solution is being delayed. Because when you give Varosha, they will say: ‘We took Varosha with a little bit of pressure. We can take other things too, if we put pressure.’ This will bring only stalemate.”
Regarding the USA's involvement in the Cyprus talks, Eroglu said: “Now, the USA got involved quite intensely in order for this latest joint declaration to come about. Because the issue of natural gas has emerged. On the gas issue, there are significant deposits on the side of Israel. It is not said that there is a great amount of gas reserves in plot 12. The USA does not want a solution to earn our favour. They need our friendship in order to continue their own domination. Russia, for this reason, moves with Syria and Egypt.
Comparing the politics of former Cyprus President Christofias with Anastasiades, Eroglu said: “The politics of Anastasiades with Christofias are not much different. It even seems that the politics of Anastasiades are tougher. Because he said ‘yes’ to the Annan plan in the past, he created the impression that he was a pacifist. Whereas during the elections he gave promises to DIKO and later to the National front. I can say that Christofias is more pacifist than Anastasiades.”
3. Nami: It is difficult to return some territories
Turkish daily Hurriyet (08.04.14) reports that self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami said that the territory arrangements contained in the Annan plan are no longer possible, adding that ten years have passed since the Annan plan and investments have been made in certain areas in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, which make it difficult to give some areas back under Greek Cypriot administration.
In an interview to the paper, Nami said that top-level visits are being expected from the USA and the EU in support of the ongoing Cyprus talks, adding that the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule will come, and the visits of US Secretary of State John Kerry and Manuel Barosso from the EU are also a possibility. He announced that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s assistant will also visit Cyprus.
Noting that he started to have concerns about the slow pace of negotiations despite the positive atmosphere, which emerged after the acceptance of the joint declaration by the two Cypriot leaders, Nami said: “I still keep my optimism, but I have to admit that I have some concerns towards the developments after the joint declaration”. He added that the reason of his concerns is that the negotiation process does not move with the speed that he desires.
Commenting on the ongoing Cyprus talks, Nami said the following: “The expectation was the coming of substantial things after the joint declaration; like intensive meetings, compatible announcements, and joint daily activities. Nothing from these happened. Instead of this, the leaders decided to meet once per month. This was a disappointment. Our negotiator proposed to the other side to meet at least twice per week. At first, it was accepted, but later the Greek Cypriot side said: ‘No, we can meet only once a week’. We, as the Turkish side, see this as a conscious movement of the Greek Cypriot side in order to slow down everything.”
Nami made the following proposals in order to speed-up the negotiations:
The leaders should meet once every two weeks and the negotiators once every two days.
Working groups should be formed regarding the issues that are referred to in the text of the joint declaration.
Technical working groups on issues like health, trade and crime should be formed and meet every day.
The reciprocal visits to Athens and Ankara should become more frequent and visits from Ankara and Athens to Cyprus should be happened, too.
Visits from the EU and the USA for support should be increased.
The Turkish side proposed demining as a Confidence Building Measure. Apart from this, an agreement containing the connection of landline and mobile phones networks can be done. Permission should be given in order that goods transported by Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles cross to the South Cyprus (translator’s note: the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus). We give permission to the vehicles carrying merchandise from the South Cyprus. A united committee for the European Parliament should be formed. All these were proposed, but no answer has come yet by the Greek Cypriot side.
Referring to the territory arrangement, Nami said: “We cannot know from now which village, or territory will be given and to whom while the territorial arrangement is going on. However, time, which has passed, has resulted in some limitations to this arrangement. Ten years have passed since the Annan plan, new infrastructures have been made in places that are being inhabited by Turks. More Turks have settled in these places. Practically, no possibility of making the same arrangements remains. As time goes on, this possibility becomes even more remote.
4. Eroglu and Fule have reportedly not discussed Varosha
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.04.14) reports that the issue of the fenced city of Varosha has not come onto the agenda of the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu and the EU Commissioner for the Enlargement, Stefan Fule that was held in the occupied part of Nicosia yesterday.
The paper writes that Fule met yesterday with both Eroglu and President Anastasiades. Citing sources close to Eroglu's office, Kibris notes that the Eroglu-Fule meeting was held in a sincere and positive climate. The same source, which wished to remain anonymous, said that the issue of Varosha has not come onto the agenda during the meeting and that the Turkish Cypriot side conveyed its demands to Fule on the issue of the contribution of the Commission regarding the negotiations being held in an effective manner.
The source said that Eroglu told Fule that the confidence building measures should be balanced, in the benefit of both communities and not cause a deviation from the target for a comprehensive negotiation. The source noted that Eroglu emphasized on the confidence building measures submitted by the Turkish side.
The issue of intensifying the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots with the acquis communautaire did not come onto the agenda of the meeting, but Eroglu has reportedly said that the Cyprus negotiations should be intensified. It is reported that President Anastasiades indicates that a solution could be reached by the end of 2015, while Eroglu has allegedly set as target a solution within the next few months.
(I/Ts.)
5. Ozersay: Territorial adjustment will be made, but the important thing is to influence as few people as possible
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (08.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay has said that a territorial adjustment will be made in the Cyprus problem, as the territory is one of the six chapters in the negotiations. In an interview to Ada TV, Ozersay noted, however, that the important thing is to elaborate on a model by which the least possible persons will be negatively influenced in a territorial adjustment.
“Secondly”, he added, “given that the two founding states, which will come up or will be transformed in the northern and southern part of Cyprus, will not be municipalities, the territory that these founding states will possess and control, should create a viable economic area”. “That is, it is not possible to seriously decrease this, because someone wants it”.
Ozersay said also the following: “We, as Turkish Cypriot side, do not negotiate for giving any place to the Greek Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot founding state. We will not do this until the last stage of the negotiations. We have some principles. One is that we do not accept any discrimination among persons who are TRNC citizens. This does not mean the following: Then is everyone equal in every sense on every issue? No they are not. Equality is discussed according to your legal status. What do I mean? We support that all the citizens of the TRNC to become citizens of the United Cyprus in case a united partnership comes up. I could easily say that this is supported by the international players as well…”
Moreover, Ozersay said that the momentum in the process has not been lost. He went on and added that disagreement between Eroglu and the self-styled foreign minister Nami is out of the question and pointed out that Eroglu is holding the negotiations, because he had been given this duty by the “people” in the “elections”. Referring to himself, he said that he was appointed by Eroglu and this is why he is actively participating in the negotiations.
He argued: “There could be nothing more natural for the foreign ministry or the foreign minister undertaking diplomatic initiatives included in the position determined by the presidency. This situation should satisfy everyone. On the other hand, diplomatic activities should be held within this drawn framework”.
(I/Ts.)
6. Chairman of KTTO met with Siber and Yorgancioglu
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (08.04.14), the new board of directors of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) headed by businessman Firki Toros paid separate visits yesterday to self-styled assembly speaker Sibel Siber and self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu.
Noting that the voice of the Turkish Cypriots should be heard in the international arena and underlining the importance of lobbying activities in voicing the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots to the world, Siber said that a so-called parliamentary committee has been established to deal with this issue. She further explained that the aim of this committee is to explain the existence of the Turkish Cypriots in contacts with Parliamentarians of different countries.
Toros, for his part, said that the KTTO will continue to work for the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and to harmonize their “laws” with EU acquis communautaire.
On the same issue, Toros, during the meeting with Yorgancioglu, said that the works for the harmonization with the EU laws will come into force even prior the Cyprus settlement. He also said that they will continue to lobby on the direct trade regulation.
Yorgancioglu noted that the Cyprus problem is first again in the agenda, adding that the contributions by KTTO will be significant.
7. New row between Kurdish and Grey Wolf students at the illegal Near East University
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (08.04.14) reports that a row took place yesterday between Kurdish and Grey Wolf students at the illegal Near East University. The paper writes that four students were injured during the row while six other were arrested by the so-called policy.
Commenting on the incident “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Dogus Derya stated that the Grey Wolf organization must be closed down in the occupied area of Cyprus. “In the south there is ELAM organization and in the north there is the “Hearths of the Ideal” organization. They are promoting racism and they are terrorizing people”, said and called on the breakaway regime to close down the organization.
8. There are 54 stone quarries operating in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (08.04.14) reports that the “undersecretary” of the self-styled ministry of environment and nature Hakan Oran, who is member of the Democratic Party” resigned from his post saying that the “ministry” has not environmental vision.
Speaking to the paper, Oran said that there are 54 stone quarries in the “country” but there is only need for half of them. He also added that permissions for stone quarries were given by various “administrations” and various persons in the occupied area of Cyprus.
9. Sertoglu: Not the whole of the Greek Cypriot community should be blamed for the Turkish flag burning
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper reports that Hasan Sertoglu, the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” commented on the news that a Turkish flag was burned on Saturday by APOEL Nicosia football club’s supporters during the football match of their team with Omonia Nicosia FC, and stated that they condemn this is a sad and extreme action. However, he noted that the whole of the Greek Cypriot community should not be blamed for the incident.
Sertoglu stated that the incident was caused by 3-5 persons and it is not right to blame all the Greek Cypriots for it. He went on and said that encouraging hate is not a solution.
10. Illegal Near East University participated in the IATEFL Conference in the UK
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (07.04.14) reported that the illegal Near East University participated in the 48th Annual IATEFL Conference and Exhibition that took place in Harrogate, UK on 02-05 April, 2014.
English Preparatory School Director Enis Sayman represented the illegal University at IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) and stated that the NEU English Preparatory School is an institutional member of IATEFL. He also said that over 2500 ELT professionals from more than 100 countries attended the Conference
11. Uzan family opens new lawsuit against Turkey over seizure of energy companies
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (08.04.14) reports that members of the fugitive Turkish Uzan business dynasty have opened a 2.5 billion euro lawsuit against Turkey, this time in a Stockholm court, over the termination of electricity company, concessions the Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz has announced.
Yildiz said that the Uzan family applied to the arbitration court of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce with a demand for 2.5 billion euro, claiming Turkey’s seizure of the group’s ÇEAŞ and Kepez electricity companies’ in 2003 infringed on their property rights. In the past 10 years, all cases filed by the family on the issue have been concluded in favor of Turkey.
Libananco Holdings Co. Ltd., which introduced itself as a company operating in the Republic of Cyprus, claimed that it was a partner of the said companies and had thus suffered losses due to the seizure. With such claims, the company carried the issue to the U.S.-based International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Turkey, only for the court to find in favor of the latter.
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