TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 90/14 17-19.05.14
1. Davutoglu: Turkish side is ready to discuss any
pragmatic proposal
2. Davutoglu said that despite their determination for
an agreement on Cyprus, their efforts for world recognition of the “TRNC” are
continuing
3. Eroglu stated that
he expects Biden’s visit to speed up the Cyprus negotiation talks; He met with
the “British Resident Society”
4. Statements by Talat
on Biden’s visit, the issue of oil and natural gas and Varosha
5. Ozgurgun on UBP’s
redlines and claims: The Greek Cypriot side is stalling the clock and prevents a solution to be
reached
6. How the Turkish
columnist evaluate Biden’s visit
7. Turkey could
benefit from EU bid to diversify energy sources
1. Davutoglu: Turkish side is ready to discuss any
pragmatic proposal
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (18.05.14), under the title “The time has come to end the
problem”, reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu paid an
illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus (17.05.14) prior to US Vice President Joe Biden’s tour
of the island and held talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and
other “officials”. During the visit, Davutoglu reiterated the determination of
the Turkish side for a solution in Cyprus.
Eroglu and
Davutoglu, noting that Cyprus is going through a process that may lead to a
solution and that has the support of many countries, called on the Greek
Cypriot side to speed up the process.Eroglu and Davutoglu said that they believe
that Biden’s visit to the island will contribute to the process and called on
other countries to initiate activities that will motivate the process.
Eroglu said that
they want with Turkey to take the necessary joint steps to bury the Cyprus
problem in history. Expressing his satisfaction for the increased international
interest in a solution, Eroglu said that he hopes that Biden’s visit will add
impetus to the solution process and that a permanent solution to the Cyprus
problem will be found soon.
Davutoglu
underlined the need to accelerate the negotiations aimed at finding a lasting
solution to the Cyprus problem and to have more frequent talks between the
leaders. He said: “The time has come to end this crisis that is more than half
a century old.”
Quoting the agreement on a joint declaration, the
start of real negotiations, and the increase in international interest as three
important positive developments of the recent period, Davutoglu said that the
fact that Biden will talk to both sides on an equal basis while visiting the
island is a sign of this interest and added that this will create a serious
momentum toward a solution.
Eroglu and
Davutoglu held a joint press conference after their working lunch with the
delegations at Eroglu’s “office”.
Accompanying
Eroglu and Davutoglu at the working lunch were self-styled prime minister Ozkan
Yorgancioglu, self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas, the self-styled
Turkish ambassador in the occupied part of Nicosia Halil Ibrahim Akca,
self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami, the main opposition National Unity
Party (UBP) leader Huseyin Ozgurgun, the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) leader
Cemal Ozyigit, several members of Eroglu’s negotiating team, and members of the
Turkish Foreign Ministry delegation.
Noting that the
Turkish Cypriot side is doing all it can in the substantive talks to achieve
results, Eroglu said: “In order for the negotiations to produce results, this
process must continue from where it left off. Adherence to past convergences is
very important.”
Commenting on US
Vice President Biden’s visit to the island, Eroglu said: “The Turkish Cypriot
side wants this visit to add impetus to the negotiation process. As we have
demanded for a long time, we want a lasting and feasible solution to be found
soon.” Eroglu also thanked Davutoglu for his endeavours in this direction.
Recalling that
nearly two months have passed since his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos
Anastasiades on 31 March, Eroglu said: “It is worrisome that we have not received
even a date for a meeting nearly two months after the last leaders’ meeting.”
Stating that the
Turkish Cypriot side wants a “solution as soon as possible,” Eroglu said: “If
we want to attain a comprehensive solution, we have to focus on the negotiations
and we have to finish this job with a road map on which both sides agree.”
Eroglu said that
the Turkish Cypriot side has given to the Greek Cypriot side concrete proposals
that will lead the two sides to a result step by step and that will allow them
to move on to the give-and-take phase of the process. He continued: “However,
as you know, these are possible only if the other side accepts them also. We
can finish this job with a road map on which both sides agree. I would like to
underscore one more time that we are ready for this if the Greek Cypriot side
is also ready. In our consultations today, we observed one more time that
Motherland Turkey is working with all of its good will for a lasting solution
and that it supports a solution. Lastly, I would like to say the following: The
Turkish Cypriot side wants to take the required joint steps with Turkey to bury
the Cyprus problem in history.”
Asked whether “TRNC” [Translator’s note: the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] “standards” and “flags”
will be used during US Vice President’s visit, Eroglu said that Biden will be
received in the “VIP hall of the office of the president” like all other guests
and that “TRNC” and Turkish flags will fly outside the building as they always
do.
Davutoglu
recalled that an agreement of principle was reached with Eroglu during his last
visit in December 2013 to meet at certain intervals for future planning. He
said that he is paying this visit now to discuss developments in the last six
months within the framework of that agreement and he thanked Eroglu for giving
him this opportunity.
Noting that
three positive developments have occurred in the last six months, Davutoglu
said that the first positive development is the agreement reached by Eroglu and
Anastasiades on the “basic framework text for negotiations.”
Stating that the
joint declaration is a very important document that details the essence and the
60-year history of the problem, Davutoglu said: “This reference document will
shine a light on the negotiation process ahead of us.”
Davutoglu said that the resumption of the negotiations
after a gap of two years is the second positive development. He said: “One
wishes that the negotiations could be conducted directly at the level of leaders
and that the leaders could meet more frequently.”
Davutoglu said
that the third positive development is that a strong desire for a solution
without delay formed in the international community soon after the negotiations
start. He said that the cross visits paid by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot
negotiators to Ankara and Athens contributed to the establishment of this
strong desire. He added: “This is important in terms of the inclusion in the
process of the motherlands, which both communities trust deeply.”
Noting that the
solution of the Cyprus problem is important in terms of transforming the
Eastern Mediterranean into a region of peace, Davutoglu said that US Vice
President Biden’s impending visit to the island is another sign of the
international interest in the attainment of a solution in Cyprus.
Calling on the international community to show the
same interest in Cyprus as the United States, Davutoglu said: “Talks by other
members of the international community with the two sides on an equal footing
would encourage and add serious momentum to the negotiations.”
Davutoglu said:
“A comprehensive solution in Cyprus is a prerequisite for lasting peace in the
Eastern Mediterranean. The reality seen in crises across the world and
especially in our surroundings is that these crises may grow at any time if
efforts are not made for a solution at the negotiating table in time. For this
reason, we have an obligation to preserve this atmosphere that has developed in
Cyprus today and that is the source of great hopes.”
Calling on the
Greek Cypriot side to contribute to the acceleration of the process, Davutoglu
said that “they must also respond to the international will and accelerate the
process.”
Expressing the
hope that the positive approach of the “TRNC” will also prevail in “south
Cyprus” (translator’s note: the government controlled area of the Republic of
Cyprus), Davutoglu said: “I would like to reiterate one more time that the
Republic of Turkey and its government will continue to contribute in every way
on the path to a lasting solution.”
Commenting on speculation that a development will
occur on fenced off town of Varosha in connection with US Vice President
Biden’s arrival in the island, Davutoglu said: “We have always viewed Varosha
as a piece of the comprehensive solution.”
The Foreign Minister said: “Nothing can replace a
comprehensive solution. When we set out with fragmentary solutions, these piece
part solutions create new status quo situations after a while. Then these
status quo situations become a hurdle before a comprehensive solution.”
Noting that Confidence-Building Measures have their
own dynamics, Davutoglu said that, if these are viewed as a basket, the items
tossed by the sides in the basket must be of equal level and value. He added that, otherwise, the confidence of one side may increase
even as the confidence of the other side decreases. When a reporter commented
that there are worries in the Turkish Cypriot community about what may happen
to them if Turkey withdraws [from Cyprus], Davutoglu said: “Turkey has always
stood by the side of the TRNC. We have never abandoned our brothers and kinsmen
here to their fate.”
Davutoglu said
that the Cyprus problem is a crisis with a belated solution and that it is not
possible to solve this problem by spreading the problem over time. He said:
“When we have a text on which an agreement has been reached, when everyone has
united around this text, we have to work hard to accelerate the process as soon
as possible. In this regard, we say in all of our contacts with the other
guarantor states, Greece and Britain, and especially the UN that there is a
window of opportunity in Cyprus and that we should find a solution without
delay before this window of opportunity closes.”
Commenting also on the latest verdict of the European
Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that Turkey has to pay 90 million compensation to
the Republic of Cyprus, Davutoglu said that they don’t recognize this state and
for this reason they don’t find a reason to implement this decision.
2. Davutoglu said that despite their determination
for an agreement on Cyprus, their efforts for world recognition of the “TRNC”
are continuing
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (18.05.14), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu, during his one day illegal visit to the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, had separate meetings with self-styled minister of foreign
affairs Ozdil Nami, the self-styled assembly speaker Sibel Siber and
self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu.
During the
meeting with Davutoglu, Siber said that the meetings have created hopes to the
people and added that the meeting of Erolgu with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden
will lead to momentum in the on-going reunification Cyprus talks.
Nami and
Davutoglu discussed and exchanged views on the recent developments on the
Cyprus problem.
Underlining that the bilateral relations between
Turkey and “TRNC” are deep-rooted, Davutoglu pointed out that the progress made
in the negotiations in the last 6 months is praiseworthy and “TRNC diplomacy”
is carried on to the international platform more than ever. Davutoglu also
expressed that the visit of the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden
to Cyprus is the effect of “TRNC’s diplomacy”.
Repeating that Ankara’s determination is an agreement
on the island, Davutoglu stressed that in any case, they are also continuing
their efforts for world recognition of the “TRNC”.
On the other
hand Nami pointed out that, following the joint statement the acceptance gained
by the international area reached to a higher level with the support of Turkey.
“There is a difficult negotiation process ahead of us, but I have no doubt that
we will overcome it successfully” he said.
Nami also added
that “the visit of Biden is important for explaining their just cause to the
world. All of their efforts will be in the direction of actualizing it in this
way”.
3. Eroglu stated
that he expects Biden’s visit to speed up the Cyprus negotiation talks; He met
with the “British Resident Society”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (17.05.14) Turkish Cypriot
leader Dervis Eroglu expressed positive expectations in connection with Vice
President Joe Biden’s visit to Cyprus.
Responding to a
journalist’s question he said that he will hold talks with Biden on 22 May and
continued: “Although Ukraine, Crimea, and Russia occupy the world agenda and
although Cyprus is not a big problem like them, I think that the world believes
that the time has come for an agreement in Cyprus.”Eroglu recalled that he
frequently said that the problem must be solved this year.
Stressing that US Secretary of State John
Kerry’s visit program has not yet been finalized, Eroglu noted that he expects the talks that are held to solve the
Cyprus problem to gain speed after Biden’s visit.
Meanwhile according to illegal Bayrak
television (16.05.14) Eroglu met on Friday with members of the British Resident
Society, headed by David Brown. The delegation from the society conveyed the
problems experienced by British expats living in the “TRNC”.
Speaking during the visit, Eroglu said that it
was one of his fundamental duties to deal with the problems of “citizens” and
foreign nationals living in the “country”.
“As we do with all citizens, we shall listen
and if possible assist in solving the problems of those who have settled in the
TRNC and who have purchased property” he said.
4.Statements by
Talat on Biden’s visit, the issue of oil and natural gas and Varosha
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (19.05.14,
online in English) reports on statements by
the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat who has stated that
federations are usually formed by two independent states but that Greek
Cypriots as he said, do not want to think about that.
Talat was a guest on a
TV show where he evaluated the latest development in negotiations. During the program Talat said that positive results can be acquired if
‘peace culture’ is developed in Cyprus. “Federations are usually formed by
two independent states with two aims: To strengthen the defense against outside
by joining forces and to sustain economic growth. However the Greek Cypriots do
not even want to think about it. We have to understand their concerns and we
should not put uncomfortable issues forward”, Talat said and added:
“On the other hand the
Greek Cypriots should understand that the Turkish Cypriots will carry their
current mechanisms to the federation and they should come to terms with the
fact that whether the TRNC is recognized or not, Turkish Cypriots will carry
their past into the federation. It is important that this is accepted within a
culture of peace.”
Talat also noted that the Greek Cypriots have
serious concerns and they are not confident about the matters related to
Turkey. According to Talat all these concerns should be discussed within a
peace culture in which two sides can try to understand each other’s concerns
and help each other erase these concerns.
Noting that the role
of the external factors is important for positive outcomes of the talks, Talat
said that Biden’s visit might be effective in increasing the Greek Cypriots’
engagement to the process so that the negotiations can be empowered. “But of
course we should not expect Biden’s visit to be a major turning point”, added
Talat.
Talat said that Biden
might have opinions on Varohsa but that it would be wrong to overshadow the
negotiations by making the issue of Varosha part of the negotiations. “I don’t expect the US to do that. If they
have a proposal regarding Varosha, these proposals can be discussed at the
level of technical committees instead of the negotiation table”. According to
Talat, if the conditions of opening Varosha are discussed directly on the
negotiation table, this would mean delaying the process for at least two years.
Touching upon the possible construction of a gas liquefaction
plant in the “south”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, Talat said that such
an attempt would not be cost effective as construction of a gas liquefaction
plant would be very expensive. “Carrying the gas with pipelines would be the
best and most profitable method”, said Talat and added: “The US’ real interest is the gas in Israel
which is much more than the reserves in Cyprus.”
5. Ozgurgun on
UBP’s redlines and claims: The Greek Cypriot side is stalling the clock and prevents a solution to be
reached
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi (16.05.14) reported that the chairman of the National Unity
Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun stated that UBP is a political party which wants a
solution to be reached and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is stalling the
clock and prevents a solution to be reached.
Ozgurgun was speaking during a reception
organized for the delegation from İstanbul Aydın University where he said that UBP
has always been the most powerful party in north Cyprus and has its signature
on every achievement of the breakaway regime.
Touching upon the
negotiation process Ozgurgun said: “It has always been the TRNC who wanted
solution and the Greek Cypriots always seek ways to run away from the table. We
have four redlines which are: bizonality, two constituent states with political
equality and Turkey’s guarantorship.”
6. How the Turkish
columnist evaluate Biden’s visit
Various Turkish columnists evaluated the visit
of the American Vice President Joe Biden.
Under the title “Will
it be Cyprus’ year?”, Yusuf Kanli writes in Hurriyet Daily News (19.05.14):
“[…] The highlight of the one-day trip to North
Cyprus by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu might best be his bold declaration
that time has come to end the 50-year-old Cyprus problem. Can there be
relevance between the age and the time for the resolution of a problem?
Obviously not, but a minister expressing conviction that time has come to end a
problem carries incredible importance and naturally boosts expectations to that
end.
Is it really the high time, best opportunity,
right moment, last chance or whatever for a Cyprus deal? All through the past
many decades, somehow many prominent and otherwise effective personalities,
including not only Davutoglu and people of his caliber, but many premiers,
presidents and at least every American leader since George Bush Sr. have
declared many of the past years as the “Cyprus year” but that Cyprus year never
came […]”.
Under the title “The
Verdict of the ECHR on Cyprus and Its Reason”, Dogan Bekin wrote in Milli
Gazete (17.05.14):
“[…]At a time when talks between Dervis Eroglu
and Nikos Anastasiades have gathered speed in Cyprus, [the ECHR] believes that
the time has come to define the future structure of Cyprus openly. […]
The visit US Vice President Joe Biden will pay
to Cyprus next week is driven more by the hydrocarbon and natural gas reserves
[around Cyprus] than by the importance of the island. Another important point
is that Biden has maintained pivotal relations with all Israeli prime ministers
since the time of Golda Meir. Indeed, in a statement to Shalom TV on 28 August
2008, he said: “I am a Zionist.” The reason why Biden has found it necessary to
make a landing in Cyprus with an entourage of 400 persons is probably hidden in
that sentence.”
7. Turkey could
benefit from EU bid to diversify energy sources
Ankara Anatolia news
agency (18.05.14) reported that the EU’s bid to diversify its energy sources
and guarantee supply security could bring about the opening of the fifteenth
"chapter" or EU's accession policy area on energy, currently being
blocked by the Republic of Cyprus, in Turkey’s accession process say experts.
A spokesperson for EU
Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger said "the Commission has been
considering for years that Turkey is sufficiently prepared to start negotiations
on the energy chapter," adding, "in our view the chapter could be
opened and the Commission has repeatedly expressed this view in public.
However, all 28 EU member states need to agree on this unanimously and so far
this has not been possible."
The spokesperson continued saying that the
problem with the opening of this chapter is the unresolved issue of Cyprus. According
to Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, an expert on Turkey at the Canada-based BBA
consulting and engineering firm and board-member of the pro-EU-Turkey dialogue
group Young Friends of Turkey, said "France has changed its position
vis-a-vis Turkey, as can be seen with the opening of chapter 22. Secondly, the
situation in Cyprus is changing quickly. This is a result of increased U.S.
pressure on the island, while Turkish, EU, local players as well as private
companies are pushing for more meetings and negotiations."
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