TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 162/14 30.08-01.09.14
1. Erdogan prior his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus called the international community to take decisive steps
2. Erdogan to pay today his first trip abroad in the occupied area of Cyprus
3. Erdogan's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus protested
4. Bulent Arinc becomes Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs
5. Talat said that he will not be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections”; Afrika wonders if this is a political manoeuvre
6. Ozersay: Eroglu will meet with Eide on the 6th of September
7. Eroglu congratulated Davutoglu and Cavusoglu
8. Bakirci on the water transfer project
9. Ulucay: “e-passport system to be implemented at crossing checkpoints by the end of the year”
10. Davutoglu’s new government program to be announced today; It is expected to focus on EU and Kurdish bid
11. Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister: “EU membership a strategic goal for Turkey”
12. Chief of General Staff: “Military is not included in Kurdish settlement process”
1. Erdogan prior his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus called the international community to take decisive steps
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online, 01.09.14) reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure for his first illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus as President, said that the ongoing negotiations, which started with the joint declaration of both leaders on the 11th of February and within the framework of the United Nation General Secretary’s good offices mission, are currently at the last stage.
He claimed that despite good intention by “north Cyprus”, as he referred to the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, there has not been a positive approach by “south Cyprus”, as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus. He added that the solution is possible only if the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides exhibit their good intentions. He also said: “We, as a guarantor country, expect Greece to be in closer contact for this job.”
Erdogan alleged that even after 50 years the Turkish Cypriots, who are the only victims, have managed to protect their will for reconciliation. He accused the Greek Cypriot side of not being determined to reach a settlement, and he called on the international community to take decisive steps.
Erdogan also said that both the government and himself will keep in all their meetings the Cyprus problem, adding that the democratic structure of the “TRNC” based on human rights and justice constitutes an example to the world with its every day development. He added: “The increase of the per capita income and the parallel development with the development in Turkey in the last ten years, despite the unjust restrictions and obstacles, is satisfactory for the fact that the economic gap with ‘south Cyprus’ is getting narrow.”
Referring to the water project, Erdogan said that with the water and electricity transferred from Turkey, all the “people” living in the “TRNC” will have access to great power sources. He added: “The period has been narrowed. As a President, I follow up closely all the developments. With the support and security of Turkey, the political will of the Turkish Cypriots to live freely and the assurance of the TRNC’s future to exist will continue.”
2. Erdogan to pay today his first trip abroad in the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.14) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set for his first international appearances after taking office on August 28, including participation at the key NATO Summit and bilateral visits to the “TRNC”, as the occupation regime is called and Azerbaijan.
Erdogan’s itinerary this week begins with a one-day trip to the “TRNC”, in line with the tradition followed by every Turkish statesman who comes into office. He will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and other high ranking “officials” today, where he will reiterate Turkey’s support to the ongoing reunification talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots and will urge the Greek Cypriots not to further delay the process.
Erdogan’s second trip abroad will be to Azerbaijan. He is expected to depart to Baku tomorrow and will meet with Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev the following day. Turkey and Azerbaijan have recently intensified economy and energy relations after Azerbaijan’s state company SOCAR put billions of dollars of investments into Turkey. The two countries are currently working on the realization of a major pipeline project, the TANAP, to transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe via Turkey.
Erdogan will then directly go to Wales from Baku to attend the NATO Summit on September 4 and 5. Erdogan’s team and the Foreign Ministry are still working on his program in Wales, especially on his possible bilateral meetings, including with U.S. President Barack Obama.
(…)
3. Erdogan's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus protested
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (01.09.14) reports that newly elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus was protested on Sunday at the occupied part of Lefkosia.
Dozens of protesters representing trade-unions, political organizations and political parties gathered at Kugulu Park in order to protest Erdogan's arrival. Protesters gathered at the park in the afternoon and put up a tent which was removed by the so-called police who intervened.
Speaking on behalf of the protest committee, Baraka activist Nazen Sansal said that the demonstration was successful and the message to Erdogan that he is not welcome in Cyprus was given through this demonstration.
In addition, while almost all the Turkish Cypriot newspaper, comments were positively about Erdogan’s illegal visit to Cyprus, Afrika (01.09.14) writes in its first page: “He is not welcome”. The paper also writes that no other newspaper than Afrika published the declaration issued by the protest committee that organized yesterday the demonstration against Erdogan.
4. Bulent Arinc becomes Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (01.09.14) reports that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in the new Council of Ministers of Turkey Bulent Arinc, is appointed as Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs.
The new duties of Arinc were announced today in the Cabinet under the chairmanship of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Arinc is known for his conservative views and controversial sexist comments about women.
5. Talat said that he will not be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections”; Afrika wonders if this is a political manoeuvre
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.09.14) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that he will not be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections”.
According to the paper, Talat announced through social media (his twitter account) the following: “I will not run for the presidency. As of yesterday (30 August) I told the CTP General Secretary that I will stand with our party’s candidate”.
Speaking to Kibris, Talat said that he was forced to take a decision on the issue, adding that he will exert his support to his party whatever decision will take.
Kibris also writes that commenting on the same issue, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk, said that CTP has not yet decided who the party’s candidate for the “2015 presidential elections” will be. Erk said that the party’s evaluations have not being completed yet, adding that he was informed on Talat’s decision, however as regards the party, the procedure on the issue is continuing.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (01.09.14) commenting on Talat’s statements and on Erk’s response that the issue is still open for the party’s candidacy, wonders if Talat’s statements is his last-chance maneuver for his “presidential candidacy”. According to the paper, the former Turkish Cypriot leader have stated in various cases that he would not be a candidate, only to change his decision later.
6. Ozersay: Eroglu will meet with Eide on the 6th of September
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.08.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, in statements to the Turkish Cypriot news agency (“TAK”), said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will meet with the new Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on the 6th of September. He added that they also asked that the leaders meeting to be held within September.
Meanwhile, according to confidential sources, the Turkish Cypriot side asked the meeting of the leaders to be held before the 22-23 of September, before Eroglu’s departure for New York. It is expected that the Turkish Cypriot side will convey to Eide this request.
Moreover, it is reported that the arrival of Eide is not the only reason for the postponement of the leaders meeting, but also that Eide will be in New York for consultations with the UN Secretary - General and other senior UN officials including the Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim.
7. Eroglu congratulated Davutoglu and Cavusoglu
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (31.08.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu sent congratulation messages to the new Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and to the new Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Eroglu stated in his message to Davutoglu that the Cyprus problem is a national problem for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, adding that he is sure that Davutoglu will offer his support to the solution of the Cyprus problem and to the Turkish Cypriots from the position of the Prime Minister as he did from the position of the Foreign Minister of Turkey. He also invited Prime Minister Davutoglu to visit the breakaway regime.
On his message to Cavusolglu, Eroglu expressed the hope that Turkey and the breakaway regime to continue hand-by-hand their efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem as they always did.
8. Bakirci on the water transfer project
According to illegal Bayrak television (29.08.14) the so-called minister for environment and natural resources Hapit Bakirci, in statements to illegal BRT about the water transfer project from Turkey, said that the sea phase of the project is about to be completed and that the land phase of the project will be completed in December this year.
Evaluating the project, Bakirci said that everything was progressing well and that the water will arrive on the island in December. “By the end of 2015 the water will reach homes throughout all of the TRNC” said the “minister” and added: “For now the majority of the land phase of the pipe installation from Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou] to Lefkosia had been completed. Once this is finished we will move on to the pipe installation from Girne [occupied Keryneia] to Tatlısu [occupied Akanthou] and then Gazimagusa [occupied Famagusta] to Iskele [occupied Trikomo]”, said Bakirci.
Explaining that the committees who will oversee the distribution of the water were continuing with their workings, he said that the “law” regulating how the water is going to be administered has also been prepared and would be presented to the “parliament” as soon as possible. “We as the state want to manage the water but technically we do not have a fully equipped department”, Bakirci added.
He noted that although the water is coming to the “country” for free, there will be a price to pay as 25 megawatts of energy is needed to pump and distribute the water. “We are still working on how much the water will cost the people”, Bakirci said.
(…)
9. Ulucay: “e-passport system to be implemented at crossing checkpoints by the end of the year”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (29.08.14) the so-called minister of interior Teberruken Ulucay has stated that with the help of the electronic reader systems that have been placed on the “borders” and checkpoints, the “passport control” will be faster and modernized by the microchips placed in “passports and identity cards”.
According to the “minister”, the “ministry of interior” is preparing to put the “electronic passport control system” at the “borders” into use by the end of this year, in order to make the crossings easier and faster.
He added that towards the end of the year, the period of filling forms at the “borders” will come to an end.
Ulucay has stated that within this framework, they are in communication with the “police department” and that as a result of these communications they have decided to start modernization processes in all air and sea “ports”. Ulucay has stated that the processes of the provision of the equipment to be used in this framework have already been completed. He further noted that 104 optic reader devices have been brought.
“The processes to install the optic electronic passport reader devices at ports and borders have been started by the police department and the communication and computing directorate,” Ulucay added.
10. Davutoglu’s new government program to be announced today; It is expected to focus on EU and Kurdish bid
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.14) Turkey’s 62nd government, led by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, is set to outline its program on September 1, placing strong emphasis on the “new Turkey” theme as well as boosting the Kurdish peace process, European Union accession talks, and bringing about fresh economic reforms.
As a continuation of previous Justice and Development Party (AKP) administrations, Davutoglu’s government will also pursue its struggle against the “parallel structure,” a reference to the individuals working in the state apparatus who are affiliated with Fethullah Gulen.
The General Assembly is set to convene in an extraordinary session at 2.00 p.m. on September 1st, so that Prime Minister Davutoglu can read out his government’s program. According to Parliament’s internal regulations, a debate on the program will take place on September 4 and the confidence vote will take place on September 6.
Before reading his program, Davutoglu will convene his Cabinet for the first time at 10.00 a.m. At the meeting, Ministers will review the government’s program and will make last minute updates in any areas that they regard as necessary. After this, Davutoglu will also convene the AKP’s parliamentary group before speaking at the General Assembly.
A team of advisors has long been working on the writing of the program after Davutoglu was announced as the next chairman of the AKP and the Prime Minister. Although this program will be valid only for 10 months due to the upcoming parliamentary elections, many in Ankara believe that it will be substantial and assertive and in line with the reformist spirit of all AKP governments.
In a long address to the AKP’s extraordinary convention last week, Davutoglu chose to focus on his views about the future of Turkey under the same title of “restoration of the country,” placing the stress on the idea of the “new Turkey.”
Program to focus on ‘new Turkey’
The concept of the “new Turkey” is a continuation of previous AKP governments’ well-known “2023 vision,” a set of targets outlined to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic.
The election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the presidency as the first ever Turkish head of state to be directly elected by the votes of citizens is regarded as the first step in the formation of what AKP officials call the “new Turkey.” In his program to be read at Parliament, Davutoglu is sure to underline this achievement, but will also recall that the completion of the targeted process to change Turkey to a presidential system can only be possible with a new Constitution. Therefore, the program is expected to underline the need for a new charter, although there will not be enough time to push a constitutional amendment before next year’s general election in June.
Kurdish bid a priority
One of the new government’s priority areas will also be the continuation of the Kurdish resolution process, in line with expectations that the talks are set to enter a new stage as the government outlines a new road map on the issue.
Davutoglu has repeatedly expressed his determination to complete the process, and as a sign of the significance he attaches to the dossier, Yalcın Akdogan, one of his closest colleagues in the party, has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the negotiations.
EU “strategic objective”
The government program will also place the EU accession process among its priorities, in line with earlier promises to make 2014 Turkey’s “EU year.” The appointment of Volkan Bozkır as the new EU minister is seen as an important development to this end, with the government expected to once again express its determination to accelerate the negotiation process and open more chapters. In his first statement after being appointed, Bozkır described EU accession as “Turkey’s strategic objective.”
Key foreign policy issues will also be reviewed in the government program, as a series of burning issues build up in Turkey’s immediate neighborhood.
Economic boom
The economy will also be highlighted in the government program, which is expected to detail measures aimed at fostering a boom to help Turkey become one of top 10 global economies by 2023, one of the government’s central targets.
Fight against ‘parallel state’
One of the indispensable areas that Davutoglu will cover in the government program will be the efforts to clear state institutions of the members of the “parallel state.” He has repeatedly made clear that he will show zero tolerance to those loyal to the Gülen community rather than the state, referring to it as a threat to national interests.
11. Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister: “EU membership a strategic goal for Turkey”
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (29.08.14 online in English) reported that Volkan Bozkır, who has been appointed as Turkey's new Minister of European Union Affairs and the Chief negotiator for EU talks, has reaffirmed that membership in the 28-member bloc is a strategic goal.
Bozkır, a former career diplomat, said in remarks soon after his appointment that the EU membership process is critical for Turkey's efforts to attain a higher level of wellbeing. “Turkey's strategic goal is EU membership,” he told the state news agency Anadolu, according to a report published on the agency's website. “God willing, we will intensify our efforts to that end and I will do my best to achieve progress,” he said.
12. Chief of General Staff: “Military is not included in Kurdish settlement process”
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (31.08.14) reported that the Chief of the General Staff General Necdet Özel has stated that the Turkish government does not share information with the military in its secretive efforts to resolve the Kurdish issue, insisting that the military still maintains “red lines” when it comes to fighting terrorism.
“We have said in the past that we will do what is necessary if our red lines are crossed and we will continue to say what needs to be said. We have been conducting this fight for 30 years,”Ozel said, adding that there are now “nuances” in the description of red lines when compared to 10 years ago.
The government, through the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), has been conducting secret talks with the imprisoned leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- whose three-decade violent campaign in southeastern Anatolia has led to 40,000 deaths -- to end the PKK terrorism and resolve the Kurdish issue. Former Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay recently said the talks could be expanded to include the PKK leadership in the Kandil Mountains in northern Iraq.
Responding to questions on the settlement process, Ozel revealed that the military is not part of the efforts. He said the government has not shared with the military any road map regarding the steps to be taken to advance the settlement process and that all the information the military has about that road map has come through the media.
“We are not part of that effort. I wish we were,” Ozel told reporters at a Victory Day reception hosted by newly inaugurated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace on Saturday evening. He said that Atalay had said the relevant state institutions would be handed a blueprint outlining steps to resolve the Kurdish issue, but no such document has been sent to the General Staff yet. “We will express our view when we see it [the document],” Özel said.
The efforts to end PKK terrorism and resolve the Kurdish issue through expanding rights for Turkey's Kurds have been widely commended, but the secrecy surrounding the talks have led to suspicions as to what the government's planned steps are. Despite sporadic violence, the clashes between the PKK and the Turkish military have ended to a large extent as part of the ongoing settlement process.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
1. Erdogan prior his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus called the international community to take decisive steps
2. Erdogan to pay today his first trip abroad in the occupied area of Cyprus
3. Erdogan's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus protested
4. Bulent Arinc becomes Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs
5. Talat said that he will not be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections”; Afrika wonders if this is a political manoeuvre
6. Ozersay: Eroglu will meet with Eide on the 6th of September
7. Eroglu congratulated Davutoglu and Cavusoglu
8. Bakirci on the water transfer project
9. Ulucay: “e-passport system to be implemented at crossing checkpoints by the end of the year”
10. Davutoglu’s new government program to be announced today; It is expected to focus on EU and Kurdish bid
11. Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister: “EU membership a strategic goal for Turkey”
12. Chief of General Staff: “Military is not included in Kurdish settlement process”
1. Erdogan prior his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus called the international community to take decisive steps
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online, 01.09.14) reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure for his first illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus as President, said that the ongoing negotiations, which started with the joint declaration of both leaders on the 11th of February and within the framework of the United Nation General Secretary’s good offices mission, are currently at the last stage.
He claimed that despite good intention by “north Cyprus”, as he referred to the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, there has not been a positive approach by “south Cyprus”, as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus. He added that the solution is possible only if the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides exhibit their good intentions. He also said: “We, as a guarantor country, expect Greece to be in closer contact for this job.”
Erdogan alleged that even after 50 years the Turkish Cypriots, who are the only victims, have managed to protect their will for reconciliation. He accused the Greek Cypriot side of not being determined to reach a settlement, and he called on the international community to take decisive steps.
Erdogan also said that both the government and himself will keep in all their meetings the Cyprus problem, adding that the democratic structure of the “TRNC” based on human rights and justice constitutes an example to the world with its every day development. He added: “The increase of the per capita income and the parallel development with the development in Turkey in the last ten years, despite the unjust restrictions and obstacles, is satisfactory for the fact that the economic gap with ‘south Cyprus’ is getting narrow.”
Referring to the water project, Erdogan said that with the water and electricity transferred from Turkey, all the “people” living in the “TRNC” will have access to great power sources. He added: “The period has been narrowed. As a President, I follow up closely all the developments. With the support and security of Turkey, the political will of the Turkish Cypriots to live freely and the assurance of the TRNC’s future to exist will continue.”
2. Erdogan to pay today his first trip abroad in the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.14) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set for his first international appearances after taking office on August 28, including participation at the key NATO Summit and bilateral visits to the “TRNC”, as the occupation regime is called and Azerbaijan.
Erdogan’s itinerary this week begins with a one-day trip to the “TRNC”, in line with the tradition followed by every Turkish statesman who comes into office. He will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and other high ranking “officials” today, where he will reiterate Turkey’s support to the ongoing reunification talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots and will urge the Greek Cypriots not to further delay the process.
Erdogan’s second trip abroad will be to Azerbaijan. He is expected to depart to Baku tomorrow and will meet with Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev the following day. Turkey and Azerbaijan have recently intensified economy and energy relations after Azerbaijan’s state company SOCAR put billions of dollars of investments into Turkey. The two countries are currently working on the realization of a major pipeline project, the TANAP, to transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe via Turkey.
Erdogan will then directly go to Wales from Baku to attend the NATO Summit on September 4 and 5. Erdogan’s team and the Foreign Ministry are still working on his program in Wales, especially on his possible bilateral meetings, including with U.S. President Barack Obama.
(…)
3. Erdogan's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus protested
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (01.09.14) reports that newly elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus was protested on Sunday at the occupied part of Lefkosia.
Dozens of protesters representing trade-unions, political organizations and political parties gathered at Kugulu Park in order to protest Erdogan's arrival. Protesters gathered at the park in the afternoon and put up a tent which was removed by the so-called police who intervened.
Speaking on behalf of the protest committee, Baraka activist Nazen Sansal said that the demonstration was successful and the message to Erdogan that he is not welcome in Cyprus was given through this demonstration.
In addition, while almost all the Turkish Cypriot newspaper, comments were positively about Erdogan’s illegal visit to Cyprus, Afrika (01.09.14) writes in its first page: “He is not welcome”. The paper also writes that no other newspaper than Afrika published the declaration issued by the protest committee that organized yesterday the demonstration against Erdogan.
4. Bulent Arinc becomes Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (01.09.14) reports that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in the new Council of Ministers of Turkey Bulent Arinc, is appointed as Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs.
The new duties of Arinc were announced today in the Cabinet under the chairmanship of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Arinc is known for his conservative views and controversial sexist comments about women.
5. Talat said that he will not be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections”; Afrika wonders if this is a political manoeuvre
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.09.14) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that he will not be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections”.
According to the paper, Talat announced through social media (his twitter account) the following: “I will not run for the presidency. As of yesterday (30 August) I told the CTP General Secretary that I will stand with our party’s candidate”.
Speaking to Kibris, Talat said that he was forced to take a decision on the issue, adding that he will exert his support to his party whatever decision will take.
Kibris also writes that commenting on the same issue, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk, said that CTP has not yet decided who the party’s candidate for the “2015 presidential elections” will be. Erk said that the party’s evaluations have not being completed yet, adding that he was informed on Talat’s decision, however as regards the party, the procedure on the issue is continuing.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (01.09.14) commenting on Talat’s statements and on Erk’s response that the issue is still open for the party’s candidacy, wonders if Talat’s statements is his last-chance maneuver for his “presidential candidacy”. According to the paper, the former Turkish Cypriot leader have stated in various cases that he would not be a candidate, only to change his decision later.
6. Ozersay: Eroglu will meet with Eide on the 6th of September
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.08.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, in statements to the Turkish Cypriot news agency (“TAK”), said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will meet with the new Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on the 6th of September. He added that they also asked that the leaders meeting to be held within September.
Meanwhile, according to confidential sources, the Turkish Cypriot side asked the meeting of the leaders to be held before the 22-23 of September, before Eroglu’s departure for New York. It is expected that the Turkish Cypriot side will convey to Eide this request.
Moreover, it is reported that the arrival of Eide is not the only reason for the postponement of the leaders meeting, but also that Eide will be in New York for consultations with the UN Secretary - General and other senior UN officials including the Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim.
7. Eroglu congratulated Davutoglu and Cavusoglu
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (31.08.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu sent congratulation messages to the new Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and to the new Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Eroglu stated in his message to Davutoglu that the Cyprus problem is a national problem for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, adding that he is sure that Davutoglu will offer his support to the solution of the Cyprus problem and to the Turkish Cypriots from the position of the Prime Minister as he did from the position of the Foreign Minister of Turkey. He also invited Prime Minister Davutoglu to visit the breakaway regime.
On his message to Cavusolglu, Eroglu expressed the hope that Turkey and the breakaway regime to continue hand-by-hand their efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem as they always did.
8. Bakirci on the water transfer project
According to illegal Bayrak television (29.08.14) the so-called minister for environment and natural resources Hapit Bakirci, in statements to illegal BRT about the water transfer project from Turkey, said that the sea phase of the project is about to be completed and that the land phase of the project will be completed in December this year.
Evaluating the project, Bakirci said that everything was progressing well and that the water will arrive on the island in December. “By the end of 2015 the water will reach homes throughout all of the TRNC” said the “minister” and added: “For now the majority of the land phase of the pipe installation from Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou] to Lefkosia had been completed. Once this is finished we will move on to the pipe installation from Girne [occupied Keryneia] to Tatlısu [occupied Akanthou] and then Gazimagusa [occupied Famagusta] to Iskele [occupied Trikomo]”, said Bakirci.
Explaining that the committees who will oversee the distribution of the water were continuing with their workings, he said that the “law” regulating how the water is going to be administered has also been prepared and would be presented to the “parliament” as soon as possible. “We as the state want to manage the water but technically we do not have a fully equipped department”, Bakirci added.
He noted that although the water is coming to the “country” for free, there will be a price to pay as 25 megawatts of energy is needed to pump and distribute the water. “We are still working on how much the water will cost the people”, Bakirci said.
(…)
9. Ulucay: “e-passport system to be implemented at crossing checkpoints by the end of the year”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (29.08.14) the so-called minister of interior Teberruken Ulucay has stated that with the help of the electronic reader systems that have been placed on the “borders” and checkpoints, the “passport control” will be faster and modernized by the microchips placed in “passports and identity cards”.
According to the “minister”, the “ministry of interior” is preparing to put the “electronic passport control system” at the “borders” into use by the end of this year, in order to make the crossings easier and faster.
He added that towards the end of the year, the period of filling forms at the “borders” will come to an end.
Ulucay has stated that within this framework, they are in communication with the “police department” and that as a result of these communications they have decided to start modernization processes in all air and sea “ports”. Ulucay has stated that the processes of the provision of the equipment to be used in this framework have already been completed. He further noted that 104 optic reader devices have been brought.
“The processes to install the optic electronic passport reader devices at ports and borders have been started by the police department and the communication and computing directorate,” Ulucay added.
10. Davutoglu’s new government program to be announced today; It is expected to focus on EU and Kurdish bid
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.14) Turkey’s 62nd government, led by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, is set to outline its program on September 1, placing strong emphasis on the “new Turkey” theme as well as boosting the Kurdish peace process, European Union accession talks, and bringing about fresh economic reforms.
As a continuation of previous Justice and Development Party (AKP) administrations, Davutoglu’s government will also pursue its struggle against the “parallel structure,” a reference to the individuals working in the state apparatus who are affiliated with Fethullah Gulen.
The General Assembly is set to convene in an extraordinary session at 2.00 p.m. on September 1st, so that Prime Minister Davutoglu can read out his government’s program. According to Parliament’s internal regulations, a debate on the program will take place on September 4 and the confidence vote will take place on September 6.
Before reading his program, Davutoglu will convene his Cabinet for the first time at 10.00 a.m. At the meeting, Ministers will review the government’s program and will make last minute updates in any areas that they regard as necessary. After this, Davutoglu will also convene the AKP’s parliamentary group before speaking at the General Assembly.
A team of advisors has long been working on the writing of the program after Davutoglu was announced as the next chairman of the AKP and the Prime Minister. Although this program will be valid only for 10 months due to the upcoming parliamentary elections, many in Ankara believe that it will be substantial and assertive and in line with the reformist spirit of all AKP governments.
In a long address to the AKP’s extraordinary convention last week, Davutoglu chose to focus on his views about the future of Turkey under the same title of “restoration of the country,” placing the stress on the idea of the “new Turkey.”
Program to focus on ‘new Turkey’
The concept of the “new Turkey” is a continuation of previous AKP governments’ well-known “2023 vision,” a set of targets outlined to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic.
The election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the presidency as the first ever Turkish head of state to be directly elected by the votes of citizens is regarded as the first step in the formation of what AKP officials call the “new Turkey.” In his program to be read at Parliament, Davutoglu is sure to underline this achievement, but will also recall that the completion of the targeted process to change Turkey to a presidential system can only be possible with a new Constitution. Therefore, the program is expected to underline the need for a new charter, although there will not be enough time to push a constitutional amendment before next year’s general election in June.
Kurdish bid a priority
One of the new government’s priority areas will also be the continuation of the Kurdish resolution process, in line with expectations that the talks are set to enter a new stage as the government outlines a new road map on the issue.
Davutoglu has repeatedly expressed his determination to complete the process, and as a sign of the significance he attaches to the dossier, Yalcın Akdogan, one of his closest colleagues in the party, has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the negotiations.
EU “strategic objective”
The government program will also place the EU accession process among its priorities, in line with earlier promises to make 2014 Turkey’s “EU year.” The appointment of Volkan Bozkır as the new EU minister is seen as an important development to this end, with the government expected to once again express its determination to accelerate the negotiation process and open more chapters. In his first statement after being appointed, Bozkır described EU accession as “Turkey’s strategic objective.”
Key foreign policy issues will also be reviewed in the government program, as a series of burning issues build up in Turkey’s immediate neighborhood.
Economic boom
The economy will also be highlighted in the government program, which is expected to detail measures aimed at fostering a boom to help Turkey become one of top 10 global economies by 2023, one of the government’s central targets.
Fight against ‘parallel state’
One of the indispensable areas that Davutoglu will cover in the government program will be the efforts to clear state institutions of the members of the “parallel state.” He has repeatedly made clear that he will show zero tolerance to those loyal to the Gülen community rather than the state, referring to it as a threat to national interests.
11. Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister: “EU membership a strategic goal for Turkey”
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (29.08.14 online in English) reported that Volkan Bozkır, who has been appointed as Turkey's new Minister of European Union Affairs and the Chief negotiator for EU talks, has reaffirmed that membership in the 28-member bloc is a strategic goal.
Bozkır, a former career diplomat, said in remarks soon after his appointment that the EU membership process is critical for Turkey's efforts to attain a higher level of wellbeing. “Turkey's strategic goal is EU membership,” he told the state news agency Anadolu, according to a report published on the agency's website. “God willing, we will intensify our efforts to that end and I will do my best to achieve progress,” he said.
12. Chief of General Staff: “Military is not included in Kurdish settlement process”
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (31.08.14) reported that the Chief of the General Staff General Necdet Özel has stated that the Turkish government does not share information with the military in its secretive efforts to resolve the Kurdish issue, insisting that the military still maintains “red lines” when it comes to fighting terrorism.
“We have said in the past that we will do what is necessary if our red lines are crossed and we will continue to say what needs to be said. We have been conducting this fight for 30 years,”Ozel said, adding that there are now “nuances” in the description of red lines when compared to 10 years ago.
The government, through the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), has been conducting secret talks with the imprisoned leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- whose three-decade violent campaign in southeastern Anatolia has led to 40,000 deaths -- to end the PKK terrorism and resolve the Kurdish issue. Former Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay recently said the talks could be expanded to include the PKK leadership in the Kandil Mountains in northern Iraq.
Responding to questions on the settlement process, Ozel revealed that the military is not part of the efforts. He said the government has not shared with the military any road map regarding the steps to be taken to advance the settlement process and that all the information the military has about that road map has come through the media.
“We are not part of that effort. I wish we were,” Ozel told reporters at a Victory Day reception hosted by newly inaugurated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace on Saturday evening. He said that Atalay had said the relevant state institutions would be handed a blueprint outlining steps to resolve the Kurdish issue, but no such document has been sent to the General Staff yet. “We will express our view when we see it [the document],” Özel said.
The efforts to end PKK terrorism and resolve the Kurdish issue through expanding rights for Turkey's Kurds have been widely commended, but the secrecy surrounding the talks have led to suspicions as to what the government's planned steps are. Despite sporadic violence, the clashes between the PKK and the Turkish military have ended to a large extent as part of the ongoing settlement process.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
