TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 79/14 01-02.05.14
1. Eroglu: There should be a timetable in the negotiations
2. Ozyigit: Varosha must come onto the agenda before the solution and be returned to its legal owners
3. Turkish Foreign Ministry on Greece’s statements for the Continental Shelf Delimitation Agreement between Turkey and the breakaway regime
4. Ozersay: “We would be pleased if Feltman attends the meeting on May 6th”
5. Atalay expresses support to the Cyprus talks
6. Ozgurgun: No agreement before 2020
7. Self-styled deputy Tore resigned from DPUG
8. AKP deputy stated that the “no solution is solution” mentality on Cyprus must be abandoned
9. Moscow Classic Ballet will perform in the breakaway regime
10. Turkish police block Istanbul 1 May Day rally
11. National Security Council to act against Gulen
1. Eroglu: There should be a timetable in the negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.05.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that he had held a “very good meeting” with the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon in New York recently and described as satisfactory Ban Ki-moon’s agreement, as alleged, with the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal on the issue of putting a timetable in the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.
In an interview with Kibris Media Group’s director Suleyman Erguclu, Eroglu reiterated that the negotiations on the substantial issues will start on 6 May and alleged that until today President Anastasiades is submitting to the table proposals which the Turkish side cannot accept. He wished that as the negotiations advance President Anastasiades “will put his feet on the ground and submit more reasonable proposals”.
Eroglu argued that prolongation of the negotiations could cause “attitudes against the solution” within both “peoples”.
Eroglu noted that during his meeting with the UN Secretary-General he had told Ban Ki-moon that it would be useful if he invited the two community leaders to New York to inform him on the convergences and the debates in the negotiations by that date. As he said, Ban Ki-moon replied that he would send his Deputy UN Secretary-General Feltman to Cyprus for contacts after which they (the UN) will re-evaluate the above proposal. Eroglu argued that Feltman’s visit to Cyprus is important from the point of view of showing the interest of the UN in the Cyprus problem. “Otherwise, he will not come with a solution formula, but I think that he will certainly have some suggestions for us for an agreement”, he added.
He went on and said, inter alia, the following as regards his meeting with Ban Ki-moon:
“…We have shared with him our view regarding putting a timetable in the negotiations. It is important that he also said that he believes that the Cyprus problem should be solved by speeding up the negotiations and said he agrees with us…He said he is very satisfied with our proposal for ‘demining the buffer zone and areas deep inside the two countries, which we have submitted to the negotiating table on the issue of the Confidence Building Measures…We think, and this is included in the joint statement as well, that we should find out if we could solve this problem by starting from the chapters on which convergences are secured. The Greek Cypriots are bringing some proposals to the negotiating table at the first stage. In our view these are adverse proposals, but these are that they brought to the table in the beginning of the negotiations. I assume that as the negotiations advance, they could come before us with more realistic proposals. Our basic goal now is to reach a result within a time limit rather than continuing the negotiations. With a statement made by Mr Anastasiades in Brussels, we understand that the Greek Cypriot side thinks of delaying tactics. He set as target the end of 2015 and while we are still in the first quarter of 2014 he gives the message that he may want to push [things] to the end of 2015 and when we come to the end of 2015 to extend it in 2016…If there is a will, you can discuss all chapters in three, five six months and conclude them…”
(I/Ts.)
2. Ozyigit: Varosha must come onto the agenda before the solution and be returned to its legal owners
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.05.14) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said that the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha must come onto the agenda without waiting for the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.
In statements to illegal TAK news agency, Ozyigit noted: “Our expectation is for Varosha to be shaped in a way that will contribute to the economy of both sides by being returned to its legal owners and accordingly for the opening of the Famagusta Port to international trade and Tymvou airport for international flights”.
He recalled a provision of the High Level Agreements that Varosha could be discussed outside the comprehensive solution and added that the confidence building measures do not consist only of the above proposals, but more crossing points should be opened and the Green Line Regulation should be developed. Ozyigit went on and noted, however, that all these should not prevent the comprehensive solution.
Referring to the right of the illegal Turkish settlers to vote in a possible referendum, Ozyigit argued that the principles that had been implemented in the Annan Plan should be safeguarded and claimed that this is “a technical issue”.
Ozyigit described as “a positive ground” the joint statement agreed by the two leaders and expressed the view that the negotiations should be held on this ground. He noted that both leaders should submit more constructive and flexible proposals which will be taking into consideration the sensitivities of the other side.
Ozyigit said that they oppose to the view that all issues should be discussed in the negotiations arguing that there is no need for the agreed chapters to be re-opened and that only issues which have not been agreed should be negotiated.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side has accepted the single sovereignty with the joint statement of the 11th of February, Ozyigit added that “watering this down afterwards and even putting forward two different sovereignties is not a sincere approach”.
Referring to the territory issue, Ozyigit said that a number of difficulties will be experienced when people are forced to leave the places where they have been living for 40 years, but on the other hand, these people have been experiencing problems due to uncertainty. “At least the arrangement to be made afterwards will be lasting”, he said adding that this arrangement will be according to the international law and there will be transitional periods as in the Annan Plan. “Our people will know that the property which they will acquire in the place they will go will be permanent now”, he noted.
Ozyigit claimed that the rotating presidency and the cross voting in the presidential elections are important in a possible government that will be established after the solution of the Cyprus problem.
(I/Ts.)
3. Turkish Foreign Ministry on Greece’s statements for the Continental Shelf Delimitation Agreement signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime
The Turkish Foreign Ministry published on 30.04.14 in its website (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/) the following statement of the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to a question regarding the Continental Shelf Delimitation Agreement signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime:
“Turkey and the TRNC signed a continental shelf delimitation agreement on 21 September 2011, since the Greek Cypriot side started drilling activity on 19 September 2011 in the maritime areas that it had declared in disregard to the rights of the Turkish Cypriots who are the co-owners of the Island. The agreement takes into account the legitimate, equal and inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriots like those of the Greek Cypriots over the whole continental shelf of the Island. The Agreement entered into force on 12 December 2012 following the completion of the ratification process in both countries.
We find it difficult to understand Greece's objection to Turkey’s informing the UN of the outer limits of its continental shelf and, in this context, to the Turkey-TRNC Continental Shelf Agreement, which concerns an area unrelated to Greece. We believe that it would be more appropriate for Greece, as a guarantor country, to use its energy to see to the Greek Cypriot side end its unilateral actions that are damaging for the settlement process and cause tension.
Turkey preserves its resolute stance towards the transformation of the Eastern Mediterranean to an area of peace, stability and cooperation through rapidly reaching a just and lasting solution in the resumed UN negotiating process. We expect Greece to contribute to this vision.”
4. Ozersay: “We would be pleased if Feltman attends the meeting on May 6th”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (30.04.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay returned to Cyprus after completing his contacts in South Africa, together with Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis where the duo attended a series of meetings organized by the Transformation Initiative and UNDP.
Commenting on Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman's visit to Cyprus which is scheduled for May 5th Ozersay said: "We would be pleased if he attends the meeting on May 6th".
5. Atalay expresses support to the Cyprus talks
Illegal Bayrak television (30.04.14) broadcast that Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Cyprus Affairs Besir Atalay speaking at a conference in Washington D.C. said that Turkey supported the United Nations efforts in Cyprus.
Atalay said that Ankara is following developments on Cyprus closely and was fully supportive of the UN’s efforts in achieving a comprehensive solution in Cyprus. “So far the talks are continuing productively. We are hopeful of the process in Cyprus” he said. He also said that Ankara supported a pro-solution policy for all regional and international conflicts.
6. Ozgurgun: No agreement before 2020
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (online, 02.05.14), reports that the leader of the main opposition, National Unity Party (UBP), Huseyin Ozgurgun said that an agreement to the Cyprus problem is not expected before 2020.
In an interview to the Turkish Cypriot news agency “TAK”, Ozgurgun noted that with the financial crisis in Cyprus, it doesn’t seem that they are close to an agreement. He claimed that the crisis in the “north” increases the number of those who want a solution, contrary, in the “south” that the crisis increases those who don’t want a solution.
Reiterating his view that he is against to the return of the fenced off town of Varosha to its legal owners before a comprehensive solution, Ozgurgun said that the opening of Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution and added that within the framework of the Confidence Building Measures, it may open under a Turkish administration instead of being returned.
Asked to comment on the sensitive issue of the territory within the framework of give-and-take, Ozgurgun said that they have more distance to cover in order to enter in the process of take-and-give on the territory issue. He also criticized some officials, who created an atmosphere like everything has been completed and only the stage of give-and-take is left.
Referring to the issues of hydrocarbon and natural gas, Ozgurgun said that an alternative energy line to the Russia energy resources for the EU could be formed through the connection of Israel-Turkey and the addition of Cyprus after a settlement.
Ozgurgun said that his party is against the term “TRNC citizens of Turkish origin”, adding that there is only one term “TRNC citizens”.
7. Self-styled deputy Tore resigned from DPUG
Illegal Bayrak television (30.04.14) broadcast that the “deputy” with the Democrat Party National Forces Zorlu Tore has announced his resignation from his party.
Tore who announced his decision at a press conference cited the termination of the “election alliance” between the DP and UBP as the main reason for his resignation. He also stated that contrary to rumors, he will not be joining the main opposition National Unity Party for the time being and will remain as an independent “MP”.
Strongly criticizing the current CTP-BG and DPUG coalition government, Tore said that the “government” had failed to perform its duties since the day it was first established. He also called on the current “government” to resign and for a new “coalition” to be established between the UBP and the DP.
The distribution of seats in “parliament” after Tore’s resignation is as follows: Republican Turkish Party (CTP): 21, UBP 14, DPUG 11, Social Democracy Party (TDP): 3, independent: 1. The coalition “government now has 32 seats in “parliament”.
8. AKP deputy stated that the “no solution is solution” mentality on Cyprus must be abandoned
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.05.14) reported that Bulent Turan, the Deputy with the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) visited the breakaway regime in order to participate in a seminar at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) on the latest political developments in Turkey.
According to the paper, Turan who is a graduate of DAU (year 2001) stated that the mentality that the best solution regarding the Cyprus problem is the non-solution, must be abandoned. Turan further said that even the worse solution is better that the non-solution in Cyprus.
9. Moscow Classic Ballet will perform in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (02.05.14) reports that a group of the Moscow Classic Russian Ballet will visit the breakaway regime for the first time.
According to the paper, the ballet will perform in the occupied area of Cyprus on May 5 in the framework of the celebration for the 25 years of the establishment of the illegal Near East University.
10. Turkish police block Istanbul 1 May Day rally
Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.05.14) reported that police in Istanbul have used tear gas and water cannon to block demonstrators from entering the city’s central Taksim Square, the scene of major anti-government protests last year.
Trade unionists and other protesters – a mix of opposition party activists and some far-left groups – gathered at several locations in central Istanbul from the early hours of Thursday morning, intent on marching to Taksim to celebrate May 1 – International Workers’ Day.
Unions have said that a ban on gathering at the iconic site contravenes both the Turkish constitution and European human rights legislation on freedom of assembly.
Today’s attempted rally has prompted the government to deploy almost 40,000 police in Istanbul; many have been flown into the city from across the country.
Although the day started peacefully in Istanbul, police responded with tear gas and water cannon as tension spilled over into violence with some protesters hurling stones, fireworks and ball bearings in the Besiktas, Sisli and Okmeydani areas of the city. Petrol bombs were also thrown at police vehicles.
11. National Security Council to act against Gulen
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 02.05.14) reports that the national Security Council (MGK), bringing the country's top political and security leadership together, convened at the presidential residence under the leadership of President Abdullah Gul in Cankaya, Ankara on Wednesday for its monthly meeting to discuss factors posing an imminent threat to Turkey's national security. With an emphasis on the Gulen Movement, the meeting analysed structures threatening law and order in the country and precautionary measures that should be taken to address them.
The council also discussed current conflicts in the Middle East including Syria, and analysed its implications and threats for Turkey's national security, as well as peace and stability in the region.
Those attending the meeting were presented with information about the defence reforms initiated by the President in line with regional and global developments in the field of security. Among the attendees were Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ministers who are members of the MGK, while Necdet Ozel, chief of the Turkish general staff, was represented by Hulusi Akar, the chief of the army, and other commanders from the armed forces as Ozel was unable to attend the meeting.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
