TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 85/14 10-12.05.14
1. Turkish columnist: US Vice President Biden will
visit Cyprus on 21 and 22 May
2. Eroglu: We feel the pressure of some big
countries
3. Eroglu briefed the “parliamentary platform” on the
Cyprus talks
4. “Deputies” to attend PACE meeting in Istanbul
5. Slovakian Ambassador: The current process could and
should not be allowed to fail
6. Messages for the 9th of May Europe Day
7. Ozgurgun: “We are ready to say ‘yes’ to a solution
based on equality”
8. The Italian Ambassador to Lefkosia met with the
"head of religious affairs department"
9. The son of the King of Jordan and a delegation of
the Malaysian Royal Family visited the tomb of the late SeyhNazimKibrisi in
occupied Lefka
10. Atlasjet to start direct flights to the breakaway
regime according to Sabah
11. The 2nd International Career Opportunities Forum
and the Turkish Cypriot Products Fair to take place in the occupied area of
Cyprus
12. Swoboda: The Cyprus problem has nothing to do with
Chapters 23 and 24
13. German Foreign Minister supports Chapter 23 in
Turkey's EU bid
14. EP Vice President: Turkey has moved away from the
EU
15. US Ambassador: The alliance between Turkey and the
U.S. will ensure regional stability
1. Turkish columnist: US Vice President Biden will
visit Cyprus on 21 and 22 May
Turkish
daily Haber Turk newspaper (11.05.14, online) publishes a column by
MuharremSarikaya under the title “Biden is coming for the solution”. The Turkish columnist reports that the Vice
President of the United States of America, Joe Biden will visit Cyprus on 21
and 22 of May in order to meet with President Anastasiades and the Turkish
Cypriot leader Eroglu to discuss the Cyprus problem and propose a “solution
model”.
The Turkish
columnist writes, inter alia, the following:
“…Biden will be in Cyprus on 21-22 May, meet
with the leaders of the two sides, discuss the negotiating process and propose
a solution model. I found out about
this as a result of meeting at the door the US Ambassador to Cyprus John Koenig
when I went to meet with TRNC President DervisEroglu in Nicosia. When I asked Eroglu about the intention of
the US delegation headed by Koenig, his answer was clear: ‘They[Translator’s
note: He means Eroglu and Koenig] held a
meeting regarding the visit of Vice President Biden…’ He also said that the
interest of Washington in the island has increased during Ambassador Koenig’s
term. When I asked him what kind of a
result he expected from Biden’s visit, his answer was humorous: ‘Perhaps he
will want to make us feel their weight. I have said it to them too. I said:
‘There is no need for making us feel your weight. It is enough if you make the
Greek Cypriot side feel it’.He noted that the USA wants to dominate over the
island in order for extracting oil and natural gas in Eastern Mediterranean
and added: ‘It let Russia seize Syria in the area. It does not want let it
seize Egypt as well. It shows interest in the island while it develops
relations with Egypt and Iran…’ He said
that the stance of the USA on the island until today was aiming at protecting
the interests of the Greek Cypriots. He said that ‘it secured no benefit
for the Turkish side until today’ and added: ‘It presents itself as if acting in a balanced manner towards both sides
with its Ambassador, but it is actually trying for the Greek Cypriot side’.
I reminded him
of what has been said as regards the USA needing a success story in the area
and that it is producing a formula for this. I said: ‘It is said that since a
state cannot be established, then let a joint energy company be established and
let’s reach a state from there. What is your approach?’ Eroglu said that interim solution models have not worked until today
and will not work from now on. He noted that the negotiations which resumed on
6 May went even more backwards because of the stance of the Greek Cypriot
sector. He said that the problem
derives from Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades’ wanting to ignore the past
agreements and to bring again all articles to the table.It seems that there
will be no result from these negotiations too. The expectation is for the process to be opened with the pressure by
the US Vice President Biden for going to a state partnership from a company partnership.
However, the most correct way is to
agree for divorcing and becoming two separate states instead of agreeing for
unification after 40 years of separation. It is both easy and permanent…”
In the
introduction of his column, Sarikaya reports that Vice President Biden’s to
Cyprus will be the first visit from the USA to the island at the level of a
President or a Vice President after 52 years. He recalls that Vice President
Johnson had been the last US official at that level who visited Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu: We feel the pressure of some big
countries
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (12.05.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has reiterated the allegation
of the Turkish side that the developments which happened in Cyprus after the
1974 Turkish invasion of the island cannot be ignored and that the Greek
Cypriot leadership should come to the negotiations evaluating the forty years
that passed since then.
Addressing the
18th general assembly of the war veterans who had participated in
the invasion, Eroglu said that they feel
the pressure of some big countries on them and added that he knows what he is
defending. He alleged: “Our people
have settled, took roots, and built new houses. If you ignore these and say ‘I
want whatever I had lost in 1974’, they will say to you that you are too late.
Where your mind was in 1974 for an agreement? An agreement between Denktas and
Makarios was reached in 1977, why did you shelve it?” Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side wants too many things in the negotiations.
“I also want many things, but the important thing is what is possible”, he
claimed.
Eroglu went on
and said that with the Turkish war veterans they share the roof of the same
“state” and the same destiny. He added: “…If we do not know the value of what
we have gained, one day it will be lost. We have to defend heart and soul our
gains”.
Eroglu alleged
that the “state”, which the Turkish Cypriots have established with the support
of Turkey and by paying heavy costs, is the biggest happiness for them.
Meanwhile,
according to Kibris (11.05.14), in statements during a meeting with a
delegation of a school from Turkey, Eroglu
argued that the negotiations are advancing too slowly and that this derives
from the Greek Cypriot side, which has allegedly “nothing to worry about”.
He said that the Republic of Cyprus, which the Greek Cypriots have allegedly
stolen from the Turkish Cypriots, is supported by the UN and the EU, while the
so-called TRNC established by the Turkish Cypriots is not recognized and
suffers under so-called embargoes.
Furthermore, in
statements to Anatolia news agency (09.05.14), Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot officials are not willing to
decide on a deadline to agree on a solution and added: “The Greek Cypriot
officials are now saying that July 2015 is the time to decide on an agreement,
but who knows if they will say ‘2016 is better’ when July 2015 comes?”. Eroglu
said that they will continue to insist on a ‘timeframe’ for the negotiations.
He alleged that their priority is to “ensure the
rights of those displaced” during the island's partition 40 years ago. “If a
person was to move from the northern part of the island to the south - or vice
versa - he/she has to have equal living conditions”,
he said.
(I/Ts.)
3. Eroglu briefed the “parliamentary platform” on
the Cyprus talks
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.05.14), Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu briefed the “parliamentary
platform”, which is made up by the representatives of the political parties
with seats in the “assembly”, on Friday on the new stage of the Cyprus
negotiations process.
Eroglu briefed
them regarding the proposals made by the Turkish Cypriot side at the last
meeting of the negotiators on the 6th of May on Governance and Power
Sharing and Property issues.
The meeting was
attended by the leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG),
self-styled prime minister OzkanYorgancioglu, the self-styled foreign minister
OzdilNami, the Secretary General of the CTP KutlayErk, the leader of the main
opposition National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun, UBP “deputies”
TahsinErtugruloglu and Ersan Saner, the leader of the Democrat Party - National Forces (DP-UG) self-styled deputy
prime minister SerdarDenktas, the DP Secretary General HasanTacoy and DP
Foreign Relations Secretary SerhatKotak, the leader of the opposition Social
Democratic Party (TDP) CemalOzyigit, the party’s Secretary General Mehmet
Harmanci and TDP Deputy ZekiCeler.
Eroglu’s
undersecretary HasanGungor, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay, the
self-styled presidential spokesman Osman Ertug and members of the Turkish
Cypriot negotiating team were also present at the meeting.
Speaking to
reporters after the meeting, Yorgancioglu said that it had been a useful
meeting during which Eroglu had briefed them on the latest proposals. “It was a
useful meeting. We believe that such meetings should be held more frequently.
We conveyed this suggestion to Eroglu”, he said.
Stating that both sides needed to accept the
convergences reached to this day in order to be able to reach a
settlement,Yorgancioglu said that the leaders needed to focus on areas where
divergences existed.
Ozgurgun, for
his part, claimed that the Greek Cypriot side continued to resort to delaying
tactics despite the bridging and constructive proposals made by Eroglu.
Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side had presented
proposals on Governance and Power Sharing which fell out of the framework of
standing UN parameters, Ozgurgun said: “There is no
rotational presidency, no right to veto. The ratio of the council of ministers
will be 7 Greek Cypriots and 3 Turkish Cypriots but all decisions will be taken
by a simple majority. That means that all decisions will be approved despite
Turkish opposition. Clearly all they
want is just 3 puppet Turkish Cypriot ministers which will mean that the new
administration will be completely run by the Greek Cypriots. This is
totally unacceptable. They want to postpone the process to after 2020”.
Also speaking to
the press after the meeting, Denktas said that as the process moved forward the
number of questions in his head was growing. “No matter how positive and hopeful the messages given to the public
are, I do not share this level of optimism” said Denktas, stating that
despite this, his party will continue to focus on a solution and try to remain
unprejudiced during the negotiations.
Denktas also
claimed that the Greek Cypriot side had no intention of reaching a solution and
that he believed some proposals were being made deliberately to sabotage the
process.
Ozyigit, who spoke last,
said that it had been an informative meeting on the latest stage reached in the
talks. He added that they attach great
importance to the joint statement and expressed the belief that the
negotiations should proceed on the basis of the joint declaration.
4. “Deputies” to attend PACE meeting in Istanbul
According to
illegal Bayrak (online, 10.05.14), a delegation from the self-styled assembly
of the breakaway regime is to attend the meetings of Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe’s Committee (PACE) on Culture Education and Media in
Istanbul.The delegation consisting of the Republican Turkish Party (DTP)
“deputy” Mehmet Caglar and the National Unity Party (UBP) “deputy”
TahsinErtugruloglu will be representing the “TRNC” at the meetings.
The two are
expected to return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on Tuesday,
May 13th.
Meanwhile,
Caglar represented the Turkish Cypriot community at the PACE’s Political
Affairs and Democracy Committee meeting in Athens.
Addressing the
meeting, Caglar touched upon the Cyprus issue and the freedom of religion that
existed on the island. He also said that the joint declaration agreed upon and
signed by the two leaders had created a positive atmosphere on the island.
Pointing out
that the religious leaders in Cyprus have recently launched a dialogue parallel
to the talks, Caglar said that the meetings of the religious leaders gave
messages to the two “peoples” on the island on the unifying role the religion
played.
Stating that
individuals who were non-Muslims practiced their religion freely in the “TRNC”,
Caglar alleged that despite the lack of funds, a number of projects is
developed and implemented in “North Cyprus” for the protection and preservation
of the cultural heritage and monuments.
5. Slovakian Ambassador: The current process could
and should not be allowed to fail
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.05.14), the Slovakian Ambassador to
Cyprus Oksana Tomova said that she
perceives the round table meetings held for the last 25 years under the
auspices of the Slovakian embassy to be part of the Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) between the two sides.
Speaking on a
program on “BRT” on Thursday night, the Ambassador said that her country has
been involved in the Cyprus problem since the first bi-communal meeting between
political parties was organized in Prague upon an invitation by the former
Czechoslovakian Ambassador 25 years ago in May 1989.
Underlining the
importance of the meetings that take place at Ledra Palace, she said that the
meetings provided a unique atmosphere and opportunity where political parties
from both sides of the divided country could come together to share and discuss
issues pertaining to the Cyprus problem. “These
meetings are extremely important in building bridges as well as conveying
messages to the public on both sides”, Tomova said.
Responding to a
question regarding the Cyprus negotiations process, the Slovakian Ambassador said that the current process could and should
not be allowed to fail. She said that everyone, including the international community and other actors had to work in
order to ensure that the process will be a success.
6. Messages for the 9th of May Europe
Day
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.05.14), the 9th of May Europe
Day was marked in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with various
events.
The Turkish
Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and the EU Commission’s Representation Office
organized a joint reception yesterday on the occasion.
The reception
was attended by the self-styled speaker of the assembly of the breakaway regime
SibelSiber, self-styled prime minister OzkanYorgancioglu, former Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami,
representatives of various Embassies and officials from the Greek Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Delivering the
first speech at the event, the Chairman
of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce FikriToros said that the EU’s
designs to ease the economic and social life of the Turkish Cypriots had
unfortunately failed despite numerous efforts and initiatives. Claiming
that this had created a deep sense of disappointment amongst the Turkish
Cypriots, Toros said that despite this the chamber remained committed to
cooperate and work with the EU.
Speaking next,
the Head of the EU Commission’s Representation Office in Cyprus George
Markopouliotis said that the current state of affairs in Cyprus is unacceptable
and that the EU Commission will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots
regarding the implementation of the acquis.
In addition,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.05.14) reported that the self-styled
foreign ministry issued a statement on the 9th of May Europe Day claiming that
in order for the Turkish Cypriots to be benefited from the basic European
rights, the “unnecessary limitation imposed in economic and social life and the
lack or representation” must be lifted.
The self-styled ministry also stated that the Turkish Cypriots, who
voted in favor of the Annan Plan ten years ago, celebrate this day, even if they
are not represented in the EU. It also claimed that the Turkish Cypriots
continue their efforts for a positive outcome at the Cyprus negotiations.
Also on his
message, the self-styled prime ministerOzkanYorgancioglu, stated that as a
“government” they will do everything possible for the solution of the Cyprus
problem and added that the solution is very important for the Turkish Cypriots
who are under “embargoes”.
Finally, on his
message, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish party KutlayErk said
that the Turkish Cypriots are part of the European family and their place is in
the EU.
7.
Ozgurgun: “We are ready to say ‘yes’ to a solution based on equality”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(10.05.14) reported on statements by the leader of the National Unity Party
(UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun who in statements to a televised program, evaluated
several issues and said that they do not agree with the bonding of the
so-called police to the social authorities.
Referring to the Cyprus negotiation
talks, Ozgurgun said that the National Unity Party is ready to say “yes” to a
solution to be reached as a result of the Cyprus negotiation talks, based on
the equality of the two communities.
Ozgurgun added also the following: “If
the Greek Cypriot side abandons the view that the Turkish Cypriot people are a
minority, this will pave the way for solution. However, we had not witnessed
yet such an approach at the negotiation table…”
(AK)
8. The Italian Ambassador to Lefkosia met with the
"head of religious affairs department"
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (10.05.14) reports that the Italian Ambassador to
Lefkosia Guido Cerboni met with TalipAtalay "head of religious affairs
department".
According to the
paper, Cerboni stated that Italy follows and supports the dialogue taking place
between the religious leaders in Cyprus during the last three years.
On his part
Atalay thanked the Italian Ambassador for his support and added that separating
the “religious” language from the “political” language is very important for the
religious leaders.
9. The son
of the King of Jordan and a delegation of the Malaysian Royal Family visited
the tomb of the late SeyhNazimKibrisi in occupied Lefka
Under the front-page title: “The son of
the King of Jordan is in Lefka”, Turkish Cypriot daily HaberalKibrisi newspaper
(12.05.14) reports that Prince Hasim, son of the King of Jordan is illegally
visiting the occupied area of Cyprus and particularly the occupied Lefka
village.
As the paper writes, Prince Hasim
visited yesterday the tomb of the late SeyhNazimKibrisi of Lefka who passed
away the previous week. The Prince visited also the family of Kibrisi and
expressed his condolences.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (10.05.14), a
delegation of the Malaysian Royal Family consisting of 12 persons arrived
yesterday, (on Friday) with a private jet via Larnaka Airport to Cyprus. After
their arrival, they crossed over to the occupied area of Cyprus where they visited
the tomb of the late SeyhKibrisi in Lefka.
The Malaysian Royal Family delegation
is headed by Princess Raja Aleena, sister of Malaysian Princess Raja Ashman
Shah who passed away some time ago. The Malaysian delegation departed from
Larnaka airport on May 10.
(AK)
10. Atlasjet to start direct flights to the
breakaway regime according to Sabah
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (12.05.14) reports that Atlasjet will start in 2015 direct flights to the occupied area of Cyprus.
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (12.05.14) reports that Atlasjet will start in 2015 direct flights to the occupied area of Cyprus.
Speaking to
Sabah, the chairman of Atlasjet administrative board, Murat Ersoy, stated that
the firm is able to start direct flights in 2015 to the breakaway regime,
adding that this will bring life to tourism in the area. He also stated that
the possibility of launching direct flights is the reason behind the
construction of a luxury five-star hotel with 2.500 bed capacity in occupied
Keryneia. He also said that with these investments foreign franchises may come
to the breakaway regime.
11. The 2nd
International Career Opportunities Forum and the Turkish Cypriot Products Fair
to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(11.05.14) reported that the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” (KTSO),
together with the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) and the
Eurasia Economic Relations Association (Ecoavrasya), will co-organize the 2nd
International Career Opportunities Forum and the Turkish Cypriot Products Fair.
The event will be organized on May
15-16 at the “RaufDenktas” Congress Center in occupied Famagusta.
The paper writes that more than 70
participants from 9 countries are expected to attend the event. Among the
participants will be ministers and businessmen.
(AK)
12. Swoboda: The Cyprus problem has nothing to do
with Chapters 23 and 24
Turkish daily
Milliyet (12.05.14) reports that HannesSwoboda,
leader of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in
the European Parliament, in an interview to the paper, asked to comment that “chapters 23 and 24 are in the shelf due
to the Cyprus problem and can the sides create a solution?”, said that in reality the Cyprus problem has
nothing to do with the Chapters 23 and 24, but unfortunately they are connected
issues. He added that the Greek
Cypriot side is open-minded on this issue and is ready to produce a solution.
The Turkish government should use this
advantage and to have positive stance towards a solution, Swoboda said and
added: “The longer the solution takes,
the more difficult will become. The solution is not impossible, but the
display of a political will is a condition.”
On the same
issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.05.14), under the title
“Turkey further away from EU accession than in 2007, Swoboda says”, reports
that Turkey is further away from European Union membership today than it was
seven years ago, HannesSwobodahas said, voicing concerns over judicial
independence in the country, to the paperon the sidelines of a conference
titled “International Symposium on Justice and the Rule of Law” held in
Istanbul last week for the first time.
In the last two years, Turkish Prime Minister
RecepTayyip Erdogan has changed and has rolled back some reforms that were
significant for the EU, according to Swododa.
He said Europe
and Turkey had to work for accession. “We have to convince our citizens in our
countries that the Turkish membership would be good,” Swoboda said. For
Turkey’s part, it should do “a real constitutional reform” and realize
“decentralization,” he added.
“You can’t keep
such a big country together with populations including the Kurdish one in a
unitary state. It is one of the issues, but there are many other issues
concerning democratic reforms,” said Swoboda.
He also said
that centre-right European politicians could cease supporting Turkey’s
accession process in the near future, predicting that there would be more
extremist parties in the European Parliament after the elections. “The danger
is that some right-wing parties could move away from the enlargement and Turkey
issue because they are afraid that they could be consumed by the extremists.
The effect will not be immediate, but we might see the influence over the
centre right,” Swoboda said.
13. German Foreign Minister supports Chapter 23 in
Turkey's EU bid
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.05.14), German Foreign Minister, Frank Walter
Steinmeier reaffirmed Saturday his support for Turkey on the opening of Chapter
23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights – during its accession into the European
Union.
Delivering a
speech at the 10th session of the Turkish-German Society, Steinmeir said that Turkey and Germany have
deeply rooted relations and that Germany's affirmative stance in 2005 paved a
way for the negotiations between Turkey and the EU.
Neither the
European Union nor Germany are excellent, stated the German Foreign Minister,
adding that Turkey has a long path ahead on judiciary and democracy and should
not abstain from criticism.
14. EP Vice President: Turkey has moved away from
the EU
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 11.05.14) reports that Turkey's bid to join the European Union has been undermined in recent
months and Turkey has moved away from the 28-nation bloc, according to
OthmarKaras, an Austrian politician and member of the European Parliament's
biggest group, the European People's Party (EPP).
In an interview
with Today's Zaman, Karas insisted that the EU is not just a common market and
that membership in the bloc requires a commitment to values such as freedom of
religion and democracy, and respect for human dignity. “I hope Turkey will
reinstate the dynamism of reform on the way to becoming an EU member,” he said
in the interview, which was conducted in German.
Karas, who is running
for re-election to the European Parliament in the elections slated for the end
of this month, said he and another Austrian Member of the European Parliament
(MEP), HannesSwoboda of the Social Democratic Party, supported the opening of
accession talks between the EU and Turkey. “But I have to say with regret that
developments over the past several months have pushed Turkey away from the EU,”
he said, adding, “I regret this because I believe that the EU and Turkey moving
closer to each other is in the interest of both sides.”
According to the Austrian politician, the EU does not
have the capacity to absorb the membership of a country like Turkey, and Turkey
has not met the conditions of membership. But the
membership negotiations must be continued on the basis of agreements signed and
the European values," he said.
15. US Ambassador: The alliance between Turkey and
the U.S. will ensure regional stability
In an exclusive
interview with Turkish daily Sabah (online, 12.05.14), U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone stressed that the
alliance between Turkey and the U.S. will ensure regional stability.
He also touched
on the fact that the two countries respect one other's independent policies
while maintaining national interests. He confirmed that he enjoyed his time
spent in Turkey and may collect his memoirs into a book.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS
SECTION
