TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 113/14 20.06.14
1. Eroglu: We waste our time
2. Nami: The Cyprus problem is on a critical stage
3. Sources claimed that the negotiations process will
be very difficult
4. Rasmussen: The key to reach the full potential of
NATO-EU cooperation would be to solve the Cyprus dispute
5. Commentary in
Afrika writes about Turkey’s connections with ISIL and Cyprus
6. CHP requests parliamentary inquiry into ISIL
funding
7. Turkey gives cold shoulder to US strikes in Iraq
8. Number of Syrian refugees in Turkey exceeds one
million
9. Erdogan says Europe without Turkey is unimaginable
1. Eroglu: We waste our time
Noting that
President Anastasiades does not count the convergences that were agreed upon
with former President Christofias, Eroglu said: “As a new leader, he doesn’t
accept these convergences and says ‘however, if there is something that I like,
I may take it’. It is like choosing
cherries, he will take what he wants and he won’t take what he does not want.
He opposes the convergences of the past with new proposals. Of course, this is
nothing else than wasting time.”
Explaining that
although on the issue of rotating presidency were agreed upon with the former
President Christofias, Eroglu said that Anastasiades brought a new proposal in
which the Vice President has no longer the right of veto and the election of
President and Vice President are included on a single list. Eroglu wondered
what that it means, claiming that the President will always be a Greek Cypriot
and the Vice President will be a Turkish Cypriot elected by the Greek Cypriots.
Noting that the
Greek Cypriot side brought new proposals on the issue of property at the
negotiation table, Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side said that they
can start negotiating the proposals regarding the property only with the
condition that the property of 100.000 Greek Cypriot refugees would be given
back and would they be able to settle
down.
Noting that the issue
of territory is the last issue that will be discussed except the criteria,
Eroglu said that the map and the numbers, of course, will be the last ones that
will be discussed after there is an agreement on all other chapters.
“Otherwise, our people will see that they will become again refugees without
reaching an agreement and the economic life will stop”, Eroglu said adding that the trust to the current
administration will be null.
On the same
issue, “BRT” (online, 19.06.14) reported that Eroglu, delivering the opening
speech at the workshop, said that the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the
Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) added a new dynamic to efforts aimed at
reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
“We shall all
see together how great and strong an influencing factor this will become.
Should this factor be strong enough it might impact the way the Cyprus problem
will be solved. This change could furthermore reshape the geopolitics of the
region” he said.
Pointing out that
the energy reserves are not distributed equally across the globe, Eroglu said
that this is one of the main sources of conflict and political competition. He
said that global powers often chose to wage or support conflicts in other parts
of the world far from their own territories. “As a result the existence of
energy resources and the use of these resources peacefully is not enough in
itself. A series of military, diplomatic and political necessities such as
energy security which occupies the agenda of the international community
arises”, he added.
Eroglu pointed
out that in the last 3 years a new dynamic had been added to the Cyprus
problem. Stating that the natural gas reserves found off the coast of “South
Cyprus” did not only concern the island but affected all other countries in the
region, Eroglu said that the discovery had raised question as to the
extraction, exploitation and distribution of these resources.
Eroglu claimed
that as long as the current status quo continues, the Turkish Cypriots have an
equal right over any resources extracted off the coast of the island, something
he added which had been accepted by the Greek Cypriot side.
Stating that the
natural gas reserves could act as a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus
problem, Eroglu said that the Cyprus Turkish side had tabled proposals on the
issue in 2011 and 2012, all of which had been rejected by the Greek Cypriot
side.
2. Nami: The Cyprus problem is on a critical stage
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (20.06.14) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign
affairs Ozdil Nami, in his speech at the 41st session of the OIC
Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, said that the joint statement of the two leaders in Cyprus is a historical text, adding that with this text for the first time
the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have reached a decision on
important matters regarding the solution. Nami stressed that the Cyprus problem
is on a critical stage.
According to a
press release by the “information office” of the so-called ministry, Nami said
that they follow with sorrow the conflicts in the region, adding that “we as Turkish Cypriot government extend support
to refugees arriving to North Cyprus in the form of social assistance and
education”.
Referring to the
economy of the occupation regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus, Nami said that despite the global financial crisis,their economy is
steadily developing and new investments are being realized.
Reminding that a
group of business persons and investors from member states of the Islamic
Development Bank visited the occupied area last week, Nami said that the Bank
in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce is implementing a
very important project worth 15 million USD.
Noting that tourism
is an important economic sectorwhere they are making considerable progress,
Nami said that this is a promising area of investment where entrepreneurs from
member states are most welcomed and encouraged by the government (translator’s
note: the breakaway regime) with favourable tax regimes. He added “North Cyprus
is also emerging as a centre of higher education”.
Referring to the
cooperation with the EU Commission, Nami said that “the Turkish Cypriot state
is implementing an intensive EU harmonization programme in close cooperation
with the EU Commission. As part of this programme, they have adopted more than
70 articles of legislation harmonizing not only their laws but also the
day-to-day practice with the EU rules and standards. All these are increasing the
life quality of North Cyprus”.
Commenting on
the latest state of the United Nations led peace talks in Cyprus between the
Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot leaders for a comprehensive
settlement, Nami said that the Cyprus
talks have reached a critical stage.
Noting that the
joint declaration has raised hopes and expectations, Nami said that as part of
this promising atmosphere, the US Vice President Joe Biden visited Cyprus
contributing to the process.
Claiming that
the Greek Cypriot side is not using the process wisely and is following
delaying tactics, Nami said that the Greek Cypriot side is not respecting past
agreements which are the backbone of a future peace settlement and the result
of years of work. Noting that there is a role for the United Nations to play in
order to move the process forward, Nami said in this respect that all members
of the international community are expected to encourage the Greek Cypriot side
to adopt a positive approach and respect past agreements.
Nami also said
that the new energy sources will contribute to peace, stability and
prosperityin Cyprus and the wider region.
Expressing
gratitude to the OIC for their support to the Turkish Cypriots through OIC
resolutions and declarations, Nami said: “These resolutions and declarations
call upon member states to strengthen effective solidarity with the Turkish
Cypriots and to take concrete steps to end the unjust isolation of the Turkish
Cypriots. Moreover, they call upon all member states to further develop
bilateral relations with the Turkish Cypriots in all fields such as direct
transport, trade, tourism, culture, education, sports and in this respect, to
exchange high-level visits with the Turkish Cypriot side.”
The paper also
reports that Nami got together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
of Brunei Prince Muhammed, the Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
and the Foreign Minister of Cameroon in the framework of his Jeddah
contacts.
3. Sources claimed that the negotiations process
will be very difficult
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (20.06.14) reports that at the latest meeting of the Cyprus talks,
the Turkish Cypriot side, on the issue of the EU, asked the “citizens” of the
“TRNC”, which are approximately 210 thousands, to be citizens of the new
partnership state that will be established.
According to a
close source of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, during the four hour
meeting on Wednesday, the Greek Cypriot side said that they oppose the
agreement to be an EU primary law. The source claimed that the Turkish Cypriot
side is affected from this hard stance of the Greek Cypriot side on the
proposals related to “all the citizens of TRNC should be citizens of the
partnership, which would be found”.
The paper also
reports that the source also said: “The derogation will be received for the
bi-communal and bi-zonality. It means the development of the indigenous model
in Cyprus on issues like the purchase of immovable property from the
other founding state, the residency at the other founding state and the
implementation of some political rights. It was like this at the Annan plan”.
The source added that these issues were permanent derogations of a single road
by differentiating from four freedoms (the free movement of goods, services,
capital and people), claiming that the Greek Cypriot side supports these
derogations, which continue for 5-10 years, and do not accept them as permanent.
4. Rasmussen: The key to reach the full potential
of NATO-EU cooperation would be to solve the Cyprus dispute
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.06.14) reported that NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that for better EU relations, the issue of
Cyprus would need to be addressed: “I think the key to reach the full potential
of NATO-EU cooperation would be to solve the Cyprus dispute”, he stated.
He made these
statements to Ankara Anatolia while in the UK at the London-based think tank,
Chatham House. He also stated that NATO has not received any request for assistance
from Turkey regarding events in Iraq but added that NATO would not "hesitate" to protect its allies including
Turkey, told Anadolu Agency in London on Thursday.
Rasmussen was
ambiguous about the possibility of NATO intervening in Iraq, "As it is now
publicly known, the Iraqi government has requested at least from one of its
allies some military assistance. I am not going to interfere with that, that's
a national decision." He explained that NATO is focused on providing
effective defence protection for all allies, and he discussed this on his visit
to Ankara last Monday.
5. Commentary in
Afrika writes about Turkey’s connections with ISIL and Cyprus
Under the title “Do they want Hatay
(Alexandretta) or do they still set their eyes on Sultanate?” Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (20.06.14) publishes in Afrika’dan Mektup (Letter from
Afrika) daily column about Turkey’s
connections with ISIL and Cyprus.
The paper cites information according to which
the terrorists do not want money from Turkey for the Turkish citizens taken as
hostages from the Mosul Consulate some days ago but they want other things
instead.
“They want Hatay (Tr. Note: Alexandretta) more
than anything else. They demand Turkey to be the first to recognize the state
to be established in Iraq”, writes the paper adding that there is a danger as
regards Cyprus from these developments: “The “candidate’s state” (Tr. Note:
meaning Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan) who keeps under occupation the
state for 40 years now is having cooperation with the bloodiest for the time
being terrorists of the world. Look… The ISID (Iraqi Damascus Islamic State)
army in Istanbul it even gathers openly volunteers for its army. Do not be
surprised if tomorrow these ISID members come here. If Erdogan sends here some
few thousand militants and an event occurs with the Greek Cypriots, who is
going to prevent it?”, writes the paper, adding that very easily 500 ISID
militants in a few days can create a mess in the island.
6. CHP requests parliamentary inquiry into ISIL
funding
Turkish Today's Zaman (19.06.14) reports that the main
opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in Turkey has submitted a proposal
for a parliamentary inquiry into allegations of funding from Turkey going to
militants linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The proposal
comes at a time when Ankara is struggling to bring about the safe return of its
citizens held captive by ISIL in the Iraqi city of Mosul, the second largest
city of Iraq.
İhsan Ozkes, a Deputy from the CHP, asked for a
parliamentary inquiry to reveal whether some funds allocated by the Directorate
of the Religious Affairs (DİB) go to ISIL and the
al-Nusra Front, militant groups that Ankara has formally listed as terrorist
organizations. Ozkes went on to ask whether funds raised by the DİB were
delivered to ISIL militants over the course of the past few years. The CHP Deputy,
himself a former prominent official at the directorate, also asked if some ISIL
fighters had been hosted in DİB guesthouses across the country.
7. Turkey gives cold shoulder to US strikes in Iraq
Turkish Today's Zaman (19.06.14) reported thatTurkey
objected to possible US air strikes on militant targets in Iraq on Thursday, a day after the US announced that the Iraqi government has
officially asked for such attacks to help it deal with a mounting insurgency
that now threatens Iraq's territorial integrity.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said any air
strike on Iraq could cause considerable civilian deaths and that the US does
not view such a strategy as favorable.
In his remarks in Ankara, before departing for Vienna
on Thursday, Erdogan indicated that Turkey, which has seen 80 of its citizens
held captive by the insurgents of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) in Iraq more than a week ago, will not welcome an air attack on Iraq. “America, looking at its stance and recent statements, does not view
such attacks positively. Because the ISIL elements are mixed with the civilians
there, such an operation could result in a serious number of civilian
deaths," Erdogan said.
The Foreign Ministry did not immediately confirm the
report or provide any further information about Turkey's stance on the
possibility of an air strike in Iraq.
8. Number of Syrian refugees in Turkey exceeds one
million
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.06.14) reports
that the number of Syrians taking refuge
in Turkey has reached 1.05 million with no peaceful end in sight to the civil
war-torn country, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said on June 19.
In addition to
camps for Iraqi citizens fleeing the violence in the northern Iraqi city of
Mosul, Turkey would also be setting up a refugee camp only for Turkmens, Atalay
also stated.
9. Erdogan says Europe without Turkey is
unimaginable
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.06.14) reported thatTurkey's
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Europe without Turkey is
unimaginable. He made these statements at a speech in Austria's capital Vienna
on Thursday.
At a rally for the
10th anniversary of the Union of Turkish Democrats, Ergodan said that Turkey
would contribute to the European Union with its growing economy and young
population. "Turkey will not give
up on the EU membership process and will continue its efforts to join the
union,” he said. "We have come to Vienna to conquer hearts and nobody
should be afraid of us or extract any meanings otherwise, if the Prime Minister
of the Republic of Turkey has come to meet his expatriates in Europe.”
In addition, Turkish Today's Zaman (19.06.14) reported
that Erdogan's visit to Vienna on Thursday continues to generate reactions in
the European country, with Austrian media outlets clearly voicing their
opposition to the visit, saying, "You are not welcome here."
The headline of the Austrian newspaper Kurier was “As
an election campaigner, you're not welcome here!: -- a headline similar to that
of the German newspaper Bild during Erdogan's visit to Cologne last month.
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