TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 156/14 22.08.14
1.AKP
ruling party nominates Davutoglu as AKP leader and new Prime Minister
2.
“Diplomats International” invites Eroglu to Germany; Meinel: We want to attract
German investors to the occupied area of Cyprus
3. Casino operators want the establishment of a central gambling
administration
4. Ozgurgun expresses support to illegal YDU
hospital which is accused of human organ trafficking
5. Talat most probably
CTP-BG’s candidate
6. TDP to support
Akkinci in next year’s “presidential elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus
7. Eroglu to carry out
contacts in Trabzon
8. Turkey’s Minister
of Health to visit illegally the occupied area of Cyprus; The Oncology Centre
foundation laying ceremony to take place today
9. The Montessori
Schools in occupied Keryneia and Lefkosia became members of the European
Montessori Union
10. Turkey purchased
10% of Total’s share in Shah Deniz gas field
1.AKP ruling party
nominates Davutoglu as AKP leader and new Prime Minister
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (22.08.14)
reports that Turkey’s ruling (AKP) party has formally designated Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to be the successor of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as both
Prime Minister and chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), marking
the start of a new era in Turkish political life.
The AKP’s Central Executive Board (MYK), which
was convened under Erdogan’s leadership, decided to propose Davutoglu’s name
for the chairmanship of the party, which will be elected during the AKP’s
extraordinary congress in Ankara on August 27.
The decision was announced by Erdogan after a
three-hour meeting at the party headquarters yesterday.
"Our nominee is
our Foreign Minister, our Konya deputy, our brother Ahmet Davutoglu,"
Erdogan told the crowd, which included government Ministers and
journalists.
Erdogan said that Davutoglu was chosen
following “very delicate deliberations” and due to his “determination to fight
the ‘parallel state.’”
“We had consultations
with everybody from the people on the street to the highest bodies of our
party,” Erdogan
added regarding the selection of Davutoglu. “We have come to a certain point in peace and brotherhood; the unity of
this movement comes above everything. Many people hope for cracks within our
party, but we have survived such operations.”
Davutoglu took the stage after Erdogan, addressing
him as "Mr. President", and stated: “ (…)The great restoration
movement that has been realized over the past 12 years will continue without
interruption. The country that was regarded as a sick man 12 years ago is now
on its feet, has remembered its historic mission, and started a blessed
march," Davutoglu added, vowing that neither the "parallel
state" nor any other force could stop this march.
Davutoglu is expected
to be given the mandate to form the next government by Erdogan on August 29, a
day after the official Presidential handover. He will become Turkey’s 26th
Prime Minister following a procedural confidence vote at Parliament in early
September.
Who is Davutoglu?
A former academic, Ahmet Davutoglu has served
the Justice and Development Party faithfully since 2002, as an adviser to Prime
Ministers Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdogan and, for the past five years,
as Foreign Minister.
It was in this role that he emerged as one of
the party’s leading figures, steering Turkey to a more central position on the
regional and global stage.
As Foreign Minister of the country bridging
Europe and Asia, Davutoglu wanted to "transform Turkey into not only a
regional power but also a global power."
Born in the central Anatolian province of Konya
in 1959, Davutoglu suffered the loss of his mother aged four but has emerged as
a world-renowned diplomatic figure over the past decade.
Even before his promotion to the Foreign Ministry,
he was a prolific writer on foreign policy issues with books published in
Turkish, English, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Persian and Albanian.
This culminated in him being placed seventh in
Foreign Policy magazine’s 2010 list of top 100 global thinkers, citing his role
as “the brains behind Turkey's global reawakening.”
During his political
life he has been centrally involved in the 40-year-old Cyprus issue; the
dispute between Turkey and Armenia; as well as the seemingly intractable feud
between Palestinians and Israel.
In Cyprus, he
supported Kofi Annan’s 2004 peace plan which saw Turkish Cypriots agree to a
federal system, only for Greek Cypriots to vote overwhelmingly against the
proposal.
In another diplomatic hurdle close to Turkish
hearts, Davutoglu was involved in negotiations on establishing ties between
Ankara and Yerevan in 2007.
Since 2002, Turkey has played a key role as a
mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict with Davutoglu, bringing the two
sides together for a peace conference in Ankara.
He also played a role at the heart of Turkey’s
efforts to resolve sectarian violence in the Muslim world between Sunni and
Shiite factions, particularly in neighboring Iraq and Syria, as well as
wielding influence in Serbia’s disputes with Bosnia and Kosovo and over
cross-border tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
During Davutoglu’s period near the top of
government, Turkey’s representation overseas has grown significantly, with the
number of diplomatic missions rising from 163 to 221 over the last 12 years.
Furthermore, Turkey has developed its Africa
policy, extending an open hand to the continent to secure valuable commercial
contracts. The number of Turkish embassies in Africa has nearly trebled while
28 African nations are now represented in Ankara.
Perhaps more than any other foreign policy
issue, European Union accession has dominated Davutoglu’s time in power. Turkey
began negotiating in 2005 and has been working hard to secure membership. At
the end of last year, Turkey signed an agreement to allow visa-free travel in
the EU for Turkish citizens.
However, Davutoglu’s pet project has always
been humanitarian diplomacy, in particular the human suffering unleashed by the
U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the Arab Spring.
Accordingly, the Global Humanitarian Aid Report
ranks Turkey as fourth in a table of contributor countries to its emergency
humanitarian fund and Turkey spent more than $1 billion on relief projects,
mainly aimed at Syrian refugees, in 2012.
2. “Diplomats International” invites Eroglu to Germany; Meinel: We want to attract German investors to the occupied
area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.08.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met yesterday with a
delegation from the “Diplomats International” non-governmental organization,
which is illegally visiting the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus upon an
invitation by the illegal American University of Keryneia (GAU).
In
statements before their meeting with Eroglu, the chairman of “Diplomats
International”, Gunter Meinel said that
efforts should be exerted for reaching a solution in Cyprus and the unification
of the island on the basis of equality.
Meinel noted that they want to attract
investors from the industrial sector in Germany to the occupied area of Cyprus
and added that they are expecting for more support on this issue from the USA
and the UN.
He alleged
that the voice of the Turkish Cypriots should be heard in order for the Cyprus
problem being explained in a better way and added that therefore they plan to invite Eroglu to Germany.
Meinel submitted to Eroglu an invitation to visit Germany. He noted that they could mediate for Eroglu
having contacts in Germany and added that during these meetings Eroglu will
find the opportunity to put some problems onto the table.
Meinel
alleged that since their last meeting with Eroglu, he became an “official
adviser” of the UN and his working tempo is more intensive and tiring now.
He noted
that they are working together with the illegal “GAU’s” rector Serhat Akpinar
and that they want to attract students
from Europe and open a school of diplomacy in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Meinel said that diplomats are educated in Europe as well, but their target is
to draw more attention to what happens in Cyprus and turn Nicosia into a main
center of diplomatic education. He
noted that they will bring the four best teachers in Europe to this school and
offer an education at European standards.
In his
statements, “GAU’s” rector Serhat
Akpinar also said that they want to open a school of diplomacy in Nicosia
and that they will make Eroglu as their
“honorary president”.
On his
part, Eroglu expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Meinel is interested
in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that the opening of a diplomatic
academy in the occupied part of Nicosia and the efforts to attract German
investors to the occupied area of Cyprus makes them happy. Eroglu said that he will respond positively to Meinel’s invitation as
soon as possible.
The “Diplomats International” delegation met
also with the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorganciolgu, the self-styled
deputy prime minister, Serdar Denktas and the so-called minister of education,
Mustafa Arabacioglu.
Meile told
Yorganciolglu that he had come to Cyprus three years ago, saw the “injustice”
and wants to help. He argued that their aim is to “unify the two sides at the
same level” and expressed the belief that they will succeed.
Yorgancioglu
described as “a very important development” the opening of a school of
diplomats in the occupied area of Cyprus, pointing
out that diplomacy is an important means “in promoting the country and its
people to the world”.
Denktas
briefed the foreign delegation on the problems they face in exporting goods
even to Turkey. He noted that the most important problem is the lack of a
laboratory for granting certifications and carrying out controls. He said that they plan on solving this
problem with the establishment of a “Turkish Cypriot Standards Institute”.
Denktas pointed out that the most
important problem they face in the field of education is the fact that they cannot
be included in Erasmus Program.
(I/Ts.)
3. Casino operators want the establishment of a central gambling
administration
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.08.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met yesterday with the
“Casino Operators’ Union”. The coordinator of the union, Ayhan Saricicek informed Eroglu about their
reservations and expectations regarding the Cyprus problem and its possible
solution. Saricicek said that the law on the casinos in the Republic of
Cyprus has been conveyed to the House of Representatives and added that they
have translated this into the Turkish language. He noted that casinos in the
government controlled area of the island will start operating in 2015.
Saricicek pointed out that the issue which interests
the casino operators in the occupied area of Cyprus is the establishment of a
central gambling administration which the operators in the occupied area of
Cyprus will also be able to join. He expressed the view that in case of a
solution, the casinos should be bound to the component states and not the
central government.
Eroglu said that the economy chapter was discussed in the
negotiations but this issue was never
put onto the table. He noted that the issue could be discussed only after
an agreement is reached and during the preparation of the laws. Eroglu further claimed that two separate
founding states will exist in the agreement and each of these states will make
its own laws.
(I/Ts.)
4. Ozgurgun expresses support to illegal YDU
hospital which is accused of human organ trafficking
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.08.14) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), has said that his party stands by the side
of illegal Near East University (YDU) hospital on the issue of carrying out organ and tissue transplants. In
statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation from the “YDU”,
Ozgurgun referred to the tension created recently between the “YDU” hospital
and the self-styled ministry of health, which had said that suspicions exist
that human organ trafficking is carried out at the above-mentioned hospital.
Ozgurgun
argued that a “government” which is trying to wear out its own “institutions”
and harms the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus, has lost its so-called legitimacy. He
said that he could not understand the “government’s” wish to wear out an
“institution” which they developed to offer quality services to their “people”
in their own country and instead is forcing them to be treated “in the south”,
as he called the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, and
abroad.
(I/Ts.)
5.Talat most
probably CTP-BG’s candidate
Under the title: “Talat will be most probably CTP-BG’s candidate”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (22.08.14) reports that the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) party assembly
which convened the night before yesterday, has decided to nominate its
own candidate for the forthcoming “presidential elections” which will take
place next year in the occupied area of Cyprus.
According to the
paper, the “party assembly” will meet again on August 28 in order to finalize
and announce its decision regarding the name of their candidate.
The paper writes that according to reliable
sources, before the CTP-BG Party assembly meeting, several names were mentioned
as possible candidates for the party. Among the names that were mentioned werethat of former Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat and the current “speaker” of the so-called assembly, Sibel
Siber.
AK
6.TDP to support
Akkinci in next year’s “presidential elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper
(22.08.14) reports that the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit in statements to ADA TV,
announced that his party will support Mustafa Akkinci’s candidacy during the
forthcoming “presidential elections” to take place in the occupied area of
Cyprus next year.
Stating that they consider Akkinci to be the
appropriate person to support, Ozyigit said that Akkinci was among the founders
of their party and a person who is admired by the “people”.
AK
7.Eroglu to carry
out contacts in Trabzon
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(21.08.14-online in English) reported that Turkish
leader Dervis Eroglu is going to the Turkish city of Trabzon as a guest to give
a conference at the “Erbakan Foundation”, formed in honor of the former Turkish
Deputy Prime Minister who was in office during the 1974 invasion in Cyprus.
Eroglu's visit will take place today afternoon.
Eroglu is going to give a conference on
the subject: “The yesterday, today and tomorrow of the Cyprus Problem,” at the
Karadeniz Technical University.
On Saturday, Eroglu will hold various contacts
and visits in Trabzon.
He is expected to return in the occupied area
of Cypruson Sunday.
8.Turkey’s Minister
of Health to visit illegally the occupied area of Cyprus; The Oncology Centre
foundation laying ceremony to take place today
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(22.08.14) reports that Turkey’s Health
Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu will pay today illegally a one-day visit to the
occupied area of Cyprus in order to attend the foundation laying ceremony for
the construction of the Oncology Centre in the occupied area of Cyprus.
According to the paper, the Oncology Centre
will operate as part of the so-called Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu state hospital and
its construction is considered as one of the most important steps against the
fight for cancer, writes the paper.
The so-called health ministry, in a written
statement said that the Oncology Centre to be constructed will offer
radiotherapy and chemotherapy services for cancer patients.
The “ministry” statement said further that the construction of the Oncology Centre is
expected to be concluded on July 2015.
Meanwhile, as the paper points out, in the
framework of his visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Minister Muezzinoglu and
his accompanied delegation will carry out a series of contacts.
Muezzinoglu will meet
today with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the “speaker” of the
so-called assembly Siber Siber and the so-called prime minister Ozkan
Yorgancioglu.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s
Health Minister will signed today with the so-called minister of health, Ahmet
Gulle an additional protocol which envisages the strengthening of the
cooperation between the “two ministries” in the field of health, writes the
paper.
The additional protocol to be signed, also
envisages that the so-called Burhan Nalbantoglu hospital will cooperate and
become “sister hospital” with the Antalya Education and Research Hospital.
AK
9.The Montessori
Schools in occupied Keryneia and Lefkosia became members of the European
Montessori Union
Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper (22.08.14) reports that the Montessori Schools in occupied
Keryneia and Lefkosia which provide early childhood education between the ages
of 0-6, became members of the Monterssori Europe Schools Union.
According to the paper, during the recent
annual meeting of the “Montessori Europe Schools Union” which took place in
Hungary, Budapest the Union evaluated the application of membership of the two
schools in the occupied area of Cyprus and decided unanimously to accept them.
AK
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (21.08.14) reported that a$1 billion credit deal to finance Turkish Petroleum Corporation's
(TPAO) purchase two months ago of French company TOTAL's 10% share in one of
the largest gas fields in the world - the Shah Deniz gas field in the Caspian
sea, was signed on Thursday.
TPAO announced that a seven-year loan from
state-owned Vakifbank and Turkiye Is Bankasi was signed.
In statement in a ceremony in Ankara, Taner
Yıldız said: “TPAO will contribute $500
million to finance the project. Totally $45 billion will be spent for the
projects including Trans Anatolian Pipeline Project (TANAP) and Trans Adriatic
Pipeline (TAP), in the next 4 years”.
“We are aiming to
double our shares in the projects following years” Yildiz added. “Money is
important but not more than owning the petroleum”
The purchase increases
TPAO’s share from 9 to 19% in Shah Deniz and the South Caucasus Pipeline and
makes Turkey the second biggest shareholder after British Petroleum (BP), which
has 28.8% and operates the gas field.
Turkish energy officials said that the cost of
the 10% share is quoted as $1.45 billion,
The South Caucasus Pipeline was built to export
Shah Deniz gas from Azerbaijan to Georgia and Turkey.
Shah Deniz is among the largest gas fields in
the world with nearly 1.4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. Apart from
Azerbaijan, gas extracted from Shah Deniz field is exported to Georgia and
Turkey.
The 692 kilometres (430 mile) South Caucasus
Pipeline, which began operation at the end of 2006, transports gas from the
Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea to Turkey, through
Georgia.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory
Authority (EMRA) announced on Thursday that Turkey’s imports of natural gas
fell slightly in 2013.
Compared to the previous year, gas imports fell
by 1.42% to 45.2 billion cubic meters. Nearly 60% of the natural gas came from
Russia, with 9 billion cubic meters from Iran and 4.3 billion cubic meters from
Azerbaijan.
In addition, Turkey imported 6.1 billion cubic
meters of liquefied natural gas last year – 13% of Turkey’s total natural gas
imports.
The report also revealed that Turkey’s natural
gas production dropped by 15% in 2013, totaling 537 million cubic meters. More
than half of Turkey’s natural gas production took place in the north-western
province Tekirdag.
Natural gas production in Turkey has been
decreasing since 2008 as reserves run out.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
