TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 172/14
13-15.09.14
1. Eroglu
says they struggled to make Cyprus a Turkish land and reiterates
their “red lines”
2.
Sibel Siber will be CTP’s candidate for the “presidential
elections”
3.
Former Barcelona President: A match between
Catalonia and the breakaway regime is possible; Sertoglu comments on
the agreement with KOP
4.
Turkish Cypriots to launch an initiative
against EU Commission’s decision to bind the Turkish Cypriot
affairs to the Regional Policies Directorate-General
5.
Turkish Cypriot businessmen, industrialists
and building contractors held contacts in Brussels
6.
Representatives of Turkish, Greek, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot
Chambers agreed on the establishment a joint arbitration center
7. German
Minister of State Michael Roth: “This is the time for the solution”
8.
Talip Atalay continues his contacts in Sweden
9.
CAS workers to carry out a sitting protest in occupied Lefkosia upon
Davutoglu’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus
10.
So-called mayor of occupied Lefkosia municipality met with a US
official
11.
Denktas demands from the illegal
Turkish Cypriot agency (TAK) to cover only the activities of the
breakaway regime
12. The
SAT / joint exercise of the special action teams of the breakaway
regime and Turkey is taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus
13.
Fashion TV to promote the occupation regime’s tourism; Statements
by Serdar Denktas
14.
Kerry’s contacts in Turkey; The Cyprus problem among the agenda;
Turkey and the US to carry out joint fight against terrorism
15.
Turkey’s EU Minister backs new Internet Law; He criticized
‘concerns’ of a foreign diplomat over the issue
16.
President Erdogan to 'prioritize Turkey’s EU bid' after October
17.
CHP’s Kilicdaroglu announced the “shadow cabinet” of the party
1.
Eroglu says they struggled to make
Cyprus a Turkish land and reiterates their “red lines”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.09.14) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has said
that they struggled to make Cyprus a Turkish land and argued that
their aim is to continue the existence of the so-called Turkish
Cypriot state allegedly established in Cyprus, to secure that the
Turkish Cypriots continue living in peace and security and to carry
their cooperation with Turkey to the highest point.
Eroglu made these statements at the Turkish municipality of Kemer,
which organizeD the opening ceremony of a boulevard that has Eroglu’s
name. The Mayor and the Deputy Governor District of Antalya were
present at the ceremony. During his visit, Eroglu met also with the
Mayor of Kemer, Mustafa Gul.
In
his statements in the Turkish city, Eroglu alleged the following: “No
one has the right to keep us under the roof of the Republic of
Cyprus, which is occupied by the Greek Cypriots. We are exerting
efforts for a state which will be composed of two founding states in
Cyprus and its citizens will have equal rights”.
Eroglu
claimed that the Turkish Cypriots have been excluded by force from
the Republic of Cyprus and alleged that this is the reason for which
now the Greek Cypriots, who call Turkey “occupier” in Cyprus, are
the actual occupiers. Alleging that
there are “two separate states” now in Cyprus, Eroglu added:
“We
are looking for an agreement at the negotiating table taking into
consideration these realities. (…)
There will be no return to the pre-1974
period. Turkey’s
active and effective guarantees will continue.
The citizenship of all those who have
taken the TRNC citizenship will remain and they will become citizens
of the partnership state, if we can establish it”.
Eroglu said that the above are their
“red lines”.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Sibel Siber will be CTP’s
candidate for the “presidential elections”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.09.14) reports that the “speaker”
of the “assembly” Sibel Siber will be the sole candidate for
the position of the candidate of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
as regards the “presidential elections” which will be held in
April 2015.
According
to the paper, following the decision of the party’s assembly, those
who are interested to be CTP’s candidates should apply to the party
expressing their interest for the position, Siber will issue her
application this afternoon. The paper
citing information writes that no other member of the party will
apply for the position.
3.
Former Barcelona President: A match
between Catalonia and the breakaway regime is possible; Sertoglu
comments on the agreement with KOP
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.09.14) reports that Joan
Laporta, former President of Barcelona
Sports Club and former member of the Catalonian parliament, has
alleged that the “TRNC”
[Translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus] and Catalonia,
which is struggling for independence in Spain, should not be treated
in a different way than Scotland, which is expected to hold a
referendum for its independence this week.
The self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas and the
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot so-called football federation
(“KTFF”), Hasan Sertoglu hosted a lunch yesterday for Laporta at
Merit Hotel in occupied Keryneia.
In
his statements, Laporta said that the reason of his visit to the
occupied area of Cyprus is related to his profession as lawyer. He
argued that he was unable to understand the so-called isolation
implemented on the Turkish Cypriots in the field of sports and
claimed that the Turkish Cypriot youth not being able to compete
against the youth of other countries is “a great injustice”.
Laporta
expressed their support to the process
started between the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP) and the
Turkish Cyprus so-called federation (“KTFF”)
alleging that the main reason for FIFA launching this process is that
“it owes something to this country”. He said that he supports
“KTFF’s” approach on the content of this process and referred
to FIFA’s regulation providing for “one national team for each
country”.
“You
should make well use of the process launched between Catalonia and
Spain and you and KOP for reaching the target of FIFA membership”,
he argued noting that Catalonia holds a friendly match every year
upon FIFA’s permission, but “this is not a solution”.
Laporta
alleged that holding a match between the breakaway regime and
Catalonia is possible and in order for this to happen the two
football “federations” should meet and make arrangements.
Laporta
argued that this is the right time for
Catalonia to gain its independence and claimed that 75% of the people
in Catalonia want independence. “It
is difficult to accept and understand why the Scottish people can go
to the polls and Catalonia cannot”, he added.
In
his statements, Denktas said that during
their meeting they discussed ways of cooperation.
As regards the process with KOP, Denktas
noted that their common position with the “KTFF” is that equality
should not be harmed and added that
they have some disagreements but the decision will be taken by the
“federation”. Referring to Laporta, Denktas said that “as of
today we have a valuable friend by our side”.
Finally,
Sertoglu said that Laporta’s visit should not be associated with
the discussions between KOP and the “KTFF” and added that they
will hold a press conference on this issue within the forthcoming
weeks. Sertoglu argued that their aim is
the successful conclusion of the process they have launched with KOP
and noted: “If this job does not happen we have to think. We have
to make plans regarding this. Of
course, the aim is for this job to happen. I have not lost hope yet…”
(I/Ts.)
4.
Turkish Cypriots to launch an initiative
against EU Commission’s decision to bind the Turkish Cypriot
affairs to the Regional Policies Directorate-General
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.09.14) reports that a
delegation from the so-called assembly of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will visit Strasbourg this
week to launch an initiative as regards
the decision of the European Commission
to bind the Task Force for the Turkish Cypriot community to the
Directorate-General for Regional Policies, instead of the
Directorate-General for the Enlargement.
The delegation is expected to meet with various groups in the
European Parliament (EP) and MEPs and question the above-mentioned
decision.
In
statements to Kibris, Armagan Candan,
so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that
this arrangement should not constitute
an obstacle for the continuation of direct contacts between the EU
and the Turkish Cypriots. “Our
expectation from the EU is the continuation of the autonomous
relation established until today with the Turkish Cypriots”,
he noted adding that a delegation from the ‘assembly” will hold
contacts on the issue next (this) week.
Hasan
Tacoy, general secretary of the
Democratic Party (DP), argued that this
decision “is trying to push” the Turkish Cypriots under the
Republic of Cyprus and “present them” as part of the Republic of
Cyprus. “I
believe that the EP will not approve this”,
he said adding that when the issue of
the continuation of the Cyprus negotiations is taken into
consideration, the “TRNC” should definitely be under the
enlargement directorate-general, the
harmonization efforts should continue and some projects should be
developed for being harmonized with the EU.
Ersan
Saner, self-styled deputy with the
National Unity Party (UBP), argued that
this behavior “presents the Turkish Cypriot side as any community”.
He noted that the UBP cannot accept this
and added that the aid would be granted through the Greek Cypriots.
He alleged that the other aspect of the decision is related to the
Cyprus talks and that the Greek Cypriots are trying to lead the
negotiations to EU ground. “The Turkish Cypriot people should see
clearly now what threats are ahead of us in case we slide to the EU
ground”, he argued adding that they will not abandon the UN
parameters and they will not accept the EU to interfere in this
issue.
Deniz
Birinci, foreign relations secretary of
the Social Democracy Party (TDP), noted
that the Directorate – General for the Enlargement exists for third
countries which are candidates to join the EU and added that the
occupied northern Cyprus’ status is not this.
She said that this change will be made on an administrative issue and
will not influence their legal status. She described the former
arrangement as an “administrative mistake” and added: “This
does not mean that the EU accepts us as a separate structure. This
was an administrative mistake on behalf of the EU and it was
changed”.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (15.09.14) reports that Cemal
Ozyigit, chairman of the TDP, said
that the direct contact with the Turkish Cypriots should continue and
that the decisions should contribute to the solution of the Cyprus
problem. He
noted that some worries are expressed as regards pushing aside the
Turkish Cypriots. He alleged that this includes a great danger
and claimed: “Everyone should know
that such an approach will make the division permanent”.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Turkish Cypriot businessmen,
industrialists and building contractors held contacts in Brussels
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.09.14) reports that the
chairmen of the Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Commerce and Industry and
the chairman of the Building Contractors’ Union,
Fikri Toros, Ali Cirali and Cafer Gurcafer respectively, held
contacts in Brussels between 9 and 11 September with high ranking EU
officials.
According
to a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, the Turkish Cypriot
delegation expressed their views on the matters of the registration
of halloumi/hellim cheese as geographical trade mark, the
intensification of the Turkish Cypriots’ harmonization process with
the EU, the expansion of the scope of the Green Line Regulation and
the problems experienced with the investments projects materialized
with funds granted by the EU.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Representatives of Turkish, Greek, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot
Chambers agreed on the establishment a joint arbitration center
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.09.14) reports that the
representatives of the Turkish, Greek and Cypriot private sectors
have agreed to set up a joint arbitration center that will deal with
the resolution of commercial conflicts, giving a boost to the efforts
for the reunification of the Cyprus.
Business
leaders from the “TRNC” and the Republic of Cyprus, as well as
Turkey and Greece, made the decision when they met in Istanbul as
part of the Nicosia Economic Forum to discuss cooperation
opportunities to contribute to the resolution process.
The
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) chairman
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, his Greek counterpart, Constantine Michalos,
and the chairmen of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot chambers,
Fikri Toros and Phidias Pilides announced the agreed decision in the
final declaration of the forum.
All four
parties’ commerce chambers had agreed to start an initiative on
establishing a cooperation mechanism and holding frequent meetings to
enable closer communication.
The
first forum meeting was held in June at the U.N.-controlled buffer
zone in Nicosia and the next meeting will
be in Athens in December, Hisarcıklıoglu announced.
7.
German Minister of State Michael
Roth: “This is the time for the solution”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.09.14) publishes an interview by
the German Minister of State Michael Roth, prior
to his official visit to Cyprus. According to the paper Roth stressed
during the interview the importance of reaching a solution in Cyprus.
“This
the time for the solution”, he stated.
Roth
stated that the natural gas is a great opportunity for the solution
that has potentials and can create both economic and political gains
in Cyprus and the region.
He
also said that the EU-Turkey relations must be intensified and
improved adding that this will benefit both Turkey and the EU.
8.
Talip Atalay continues his contacts in Sweden
Turkish
Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (15.09.14) reports that the leader
of the “Religious Affairs department” in the occupied area of
Cyprus Talip Ataly who carries a series of contacts in Sweden upon an
invitation from the “Religious Social Democrats Community of
Sweden”, visited Johan Berglund, responsible for Cyprus affairs at
the Swedish Foreign Ministry.
According
to a statement issued by the “religious affairs department”, the
leader of the “Religious Social
Democrats Community of Sweden”, Peter Weiderug and the chairman of
the Association of Islam in Sweden, Tahir Akan were also present at
the meeting.
Speaking
during the meeting, Atalay stated, inter
alia, that there are a lot of psychosocial barriers which prevent the
solution of the Cyprus problem and stressed that the religious
leaders have the responsibility to contribute in order for these
barriers to be lifted.
Explaining
with examples the efforts exerted by the two religious leaders in the
island to contribute to the rebuilding of the mutual trust between
the two communities through dialogue, Atalay
said that the Church of the Greek Cyprus has an important gravity
into the society and added that it would be very difficult for the
people to accept an agreement which will be vetod by the Church. “The
Church provides an important financial support to the Greek Cypriots
the last two years, and it is for this reason that it is a key
actor”, said Atalay.
AK
9.
CAS workers to carry out a sitting protest in occupied Lefkosia upon
Davutoglu’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (12.09.14) reported that 64
CAS workers, who were transferred from the “Cyprus Turkish
Airlines” (“KTHY”) to Cyprus Airport Services, are carrying out
a tent protest in front of the old “KTHY” building.
The
protesters are requesting from the
“government” to comply with the protocol within the framework of
equality in the “constitution” and to apply the same solution
model that they applied on the other KTHY workers.
Speaking
on behalf of the former “KTHY victims”, Osman Yucelen in a
written statement said: “We have gathered to say “Enough is
enough” to our continuing victimization”.
Yucelen
said that they will continue their
struggle and protests and added that on September 16th,
when Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is to visit the
island, they will carry out a sitting protest at the illegal Tymbou
“Ercan” airport roundabout.
10.
So-called mayor of occupied Lefkosia municipality met with a US
official
According
to illegal Bayrak television (13.09.14) the “mayor” of the
occupied Lefkosia municipality Mehmet
Harmancı met with the Deputy Political Chief at the US Embassy in
Cyprus Victor Marsh.
Embassy
employee Murat Bulbulcu accompanied Mr
Marsh during the meeting.
According
to a statement released by the “municipality”,
the meeting between the two men was held at the Lefkoşa Turkish
Municipality.
During
the meeting, the latest political developments on the island were
discussed.
Harmancı
noted that the occupied Lefkosia
municipality, which had international recognition, had put its
signature on a variety of bi-communal projects both in the past and
currently as well.
During
the visit, Harmancı pointed to the importance of exchanging views
with representatives of countries that were carrying out active
politics in Cyprus.
11.
Denktas demands from the illegal
Turkish Cypriot agency (TAK) to cover only the activities of the
breakaway regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (15.09.14)
reports that the self-styled deputy prime minister and the “minister
of economy and tourism” of the breakaway regime Serdar Denktas
decided that due to lack of personnel of TAK (the illegal Turkish
Cypriot news agency), only the activities and news regarding the
self-styled government should be covered by the illegal news agency.
According to
the paper, Denktas sent a letter to TAK administrative board, saying
that until the issue of the lack of personnel is solved, the persons
working at the illegal news agency should only cover foreign news and
“government” statements or activities. Denktas also asks from the
board to follow his demand on the issue.
Reporting
on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (15.09.14) writes
that this move by Denktas is censorship and reports that the TAK
administrative board rejected his demand.
12.
The SAT / joint exercise of the
special action teams of the breakaway regime and Turkey is taking
place in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.09.14) reports that the
SAT / joint exercise of the special action teams of the breakaway
regime and Turkey is taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus
between 15-25 of September.
The
paper writes that the Turkish Naval Forces Commandership SAT teams
and the occupation forces in the breakaway regime will participate in
the exercise.
13.
Fashion TV to promote the occupation regime’s tourism; Statements
by Serdar Denktas
Under
the title: “The TRNC to be promoted by
Fashion TV”, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (15.09.14)
reports that the so-called deputy prime minister and “minister of
economy, tourism, culture and sport” Serdar Denktas has announced
the signing of an agreement with Fashion TV for the promotion of the
occupation regime’s tourism.
According
to the paper, Denktas has announced in a
press conference organized yesterday at Merit Premium Hotel that they
reached to an agreement with the director of Fashion TV, Alona
Fischbein for the promotion of the “TRNC”. The former chairman of
Barcelona Team Club and also one of the lawyers of Fashion TV, Joan
Laporta attended also the press conference.
Stressing
that the “TRNC’s tourism” will be promoted by Fashion TV,
Denktas added that totally 33 million people will be able to watch
the advertisements to be broadcast by Fashion TV.
14.
Kerry’s contacts in Turkey; The
Cyprus problem among the agenda; Turkey and the US to carry out joint
fight against terrorism
Under
the title: “Cyprus has been discussed as well”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (13.09.14) reports on the two day visit of the
US Secretary of State, Jonh Kerry in Turkey after his Europe and
Middle East tour, to get a
coordinated strategy in fight against ISIL.
According
to the paper, as it was made known,
during Kerry’s meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and Turkey’s Foreign Minister, the Cyprus problem was among the
matters of discussion.
Other
issues being discussed during the meetings were also the developments
in Iraq, in Syria, other regional issues and bilateral ties, the
Cyprus problem, the developments in the Middle East, Armenia and
Ukraine.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Yeni Safak (13.09.14-online in English) reported that
Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. State Secretary John Kerry, during
their meeting in Ankara on Friday, agreed
to continue a joint fight against terrorist groups in the Middle East
as before.
The two
leaders also confirmed logistical support to Syrian opposition and
humanitarian aid to Syria.
Kerry came
to Turkey on Friday for a two-day trip following his visits to Iraq,
Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
A
Jeddah communique was signed after an
international meeting which foresees a coordinated campaign including
military measures against the Islamic States in Iraq and the Levant,
or ISIL. Turkey, for its part, refrained
from signing the treaty.
15.
Turkey’s EU Minister backs new
Internet Law; He criticized ‘concerns’ of a foreign diplomat over
the issue
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.09.14) reported that Turkey’s
EU Minister Volkan Bozkır has criticized the concerns of an
Ankara-based foreign diplomat over the recently passed Internet law,
saying he has not received any criticism from EU diplomats on the
issue.
“I
criticize the anonymous Ankara-based diplomat’s attempt
to put Turkey down with threatening statements.
The head of the EU delegation to Turkey
is a very significant diplomat and his duty is to help Turkey. It is
not right to give messages through media statements,” said Bozkır
upon questions during his visit to Lisbon.
"I
guess an odd person has decided to make statements outside of his
business, although I have spoken to the head of the EU delegation to
Turkey [Stefano Manservisi] every day, he has not mentioned these
[criticisms] to me," he added.
An
Ankara-based foreign diplomat,
speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Hürriyet Daily News on
Sept. 11 that the recent legal changes allowing Turkey’s
telecommunication authority to monitor web users and the sites they
visit without a court order is “very worrying,” adding that they
had unofficially conveyed those concerns to the Turkish government.
However,
Bozkır stressed that the Telecommunications Directorate (TİB) would
not violate privacy and stressed that the legislation is a matter of
“state security.” The
EU Minister also said that the new Internet law does not conflict
with the EU acquis.
He
added that he understood that all EU representatives had been
informed that the new Internet law is “the end of the world for
Turkey and will affect the EU bid negatively,” and stressed that he
will inform EU diplomats and politicians during his visits to
Strasbourg and Brussels next week that this belief is wrong.
(…)
16.
President Erdogan to 'prioritize
Turkey’s EU bid' after October
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.09.14) reported that President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan aims to focus on Turkey’s EU bid with visits
to European capitals, starting in October.
Speaking
during a meeting with the editors of pro-government media outlets on
September 13, Erdogan has said that he
is planning to carry out frequent visits to European capitals after
the Parliament reopens on October 1, in a bid to accelerate Turkey’s
European Union accession process.
Erdogan
listed his current areas of primary concern under five titles: The
new Constitution, the Kurdish resolution process, the fight against
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the EU process and
foreign policy, and the fight against the "parallel state."
(…)
One of
the areas Erdogan also prioritizes is
Turkey’s foreign policy, and plans to hold his visits abroad on
weekdays and his visits in Turkey during weekends. He will begin his
European tour of the Baltics after October 1, the opening day of the
legislative year, before heading to other prominent European
countries. His visit to Europe aims at accelerating Turkey's
bogged-down EU accession process, as well as benefiting from Italy’s
term Presidency, which will end on December 31, 2014. Italy is in
favor of Turkey's EU bid.
Erdogan
will also visit a number of African countries and will attend a
summit between African countries and Turkey; he will then visit Latin
American countries in a bid to seek votes for Turkey’s ongoing bid
to be elected to temporary membership of the U.N. Security Council.
Erdogan
will also attend the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York on
Sept. 21-26, where he is expected to once again meet U.S. President
Barack Obama and other top leaders regarding the international
community’s endeavor to destroy ISIL militants in Iraq and Syria.
(…)
17.
CHP’s Kilicdaroglu announced
the “shadow cabinet” of the party
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.09.14) the
chairman of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, has renewed nearly half of the party's
management to take it to the 2015 parliamentary elections.
The new
shadow Cabinet was announced on September 14, one day after the
60-seated Party Assembly held its first meeting under Kılıcdaroglu’s
renewed leadership.
According
to a statement issued by the CHP, Deputy Head Gursel
Tekin will continue to serve as the party’s secretary-general.
The
new list of Deputy Leaders and their areas
of responsibility is as follows:
Tekin
Bingol: Party organization and its structuring abroad;
Haluk
Koc: Administrative and financial affairs;
Bulent
Tezcan: Election and legal issues;
Seyhan
Erdogdu: Inter-party education;
Sezgin
Tanrıkulu: Human rights;
Veli
Agbaba: Local governance;
Yakup
Akkaya: Trade unions and other civil society organizations;
Faik
Oztrak: Business groups;
Selin
Sayek Boke: Economic policies;
Burhan
Senatalar: Social policies;
Safak
Pavey: Environmental policies;
Sencer
Ayata: Research and development;
Ercan
Karakas: Culture and arts;
Mehmet
Bekaraoglu: Public relations;
Enis
Berberoglu: Communication and media.
(…)Meanwhile,
Kılıcdaroglu is planning to appoint
two chief advisers to work directly with him: Murat Ozcelik on
foreign policy and the Kurdish peace process and Erdogan Toprak on
policy planning. Both recently failed to be elected to the Party
Assembly and thus cannot be appointed as Deputy leaders.
(…)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
