TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 177/14 20-22.09.14
1. Eroglu departs for New York today; He will meet with the UNSG on 27 September
2. Ozersay says that their contacts in New York are important and that they expect a “decisive stance” from the international community
3. Kristin Lund says that the commander of the “security forces” should meet with the Chief of the National Guard
4. Eroglu reiterates the allegation that questioning the “citizenship” of the illegal Turkish settlers is not under discussion
5. Nami: The EU Commission should not impose unjustified requests on Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem
6. Ozersay met with the German EU Minister
7. Denktas said that their efforts to break the reportedly sports embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots will continue
8. The Turkish Cypriots are targeting the Russian market
9. High demand reportedly exists from Arab countries for the occupied area of Cyprus in the field of tourism
10. The price of the water from Turkey has reportedly been determined
11. Erdogan: Protecting ISIL hostages was Turkey's priority
12. Turkey must be partner in the anti-ISIL coalition: Pentagon
13. Erdogan to meet with Jewish and Armenian religious leaders in New York
14. Turkey unlikely to consider armed engagement against ISIS, experts say
15. Experts: TANAP to provide energy security to EU, Turkey
16. CHP Deputies have dropped to 129
1. Eroglu departs for New York today; He will meet with the UNSG on 27 September
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.09.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu is departing for New York today in order to hold various contacts and meet with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Eroglu’s meeting with the UNSG will be held on 27 September at 19.15 hours Cyprus time. The Turkish Cypriot leader is also expected to meet with the President of the Islamic Cooperation Organization, Iyad Medeni and with representatives of many countries. On Friday, 26 September, he will deliver a speech at Columbia University on the issue of Cyprus.
Eroglu, who is expected to arrive in New York at 23.50 hours tonight, will be accompanied by his spokesman Osman Ertug, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay and the director of advisory and political affairs, Gunes Onar.
Eroglu will return to the island on Monday, 29 September.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ozersay says that their contacts in New York are important and that they expect a “decisive stance” from the international community
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (22.09.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay has argued that they expect a “decisive stance” from the international community on the Cyprus problem. In statements to Kibris Postasi prior to the departure of the Turkish Cypriot delegation for New York, Ozersay described their contacts as very important and alleged: “We now want to see a concrete and decisive stance which will help us end this uncertainty and not initiatives which will die away like a flash in the pan”.
Ozersay argued that they have been trying for months to enter into the stage that started now. He said that the UN Secretary-General’s newly appointed Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide’s influence on the process was like an “adrenaline” and claimed: “If there is a will for a solution, there is no reason for not to conclude the issues even though in difficultly. If there is a lack of will in the direction of the solution in our interlocutor, it will be possible to test this clearly and evidently”.
Ozersay argued that they entered into a new stage during which “real negotiations” will be held for concluding the issues having the mentality of “win-win”.
“The contacts, which will be held in New York with officials of both the UN and other important players of the world at such an important threshold, are very important”, he claimed.
(I/Ts.)
3. Kristin Lund says that the commander of the “security forces” should meet with the Chief of the National Guard
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.09.14) reports that UNFICYP’s Force Commander, Major General Kristin Lund has said that it is important for the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Georgios Basiakoulis and the commander of the so-called security forces, Major General Ilyas Bozkurt come together and talk. In an interview with Kibris, she noted that they should work for increasing trust among them. “My personal view is that instead of having messengers among us, it would be better if the commanders talked to each other. This is important”, said Major General Lund.
Lund pointed out that many persons are working for finding a solution in Cyprus and added that this should not remain limited only to the politicians and that the Cypriots in both sides of the island should participate in joint activities without prejudices.
Asked to comment on criticism which is allegedly made against the UNFICYP such as that it is on vacation in Cyprus, Lund underlined that those who say this are people who have not been in Cyprus, adding that she is here for five weeks and she is continuously working. She noted that the duty of UNFICYP is to make sure that there are no conflicts on the island and added that during the past five weeks she went around the entire island.
Asked whether she visited the occupied fenced off city of Varosha, Lund said: “Going to the fenced off Varosha was saddening. That place remained closed for years. They have to decide what they will do. Going there is very dangerous. Therefore they need a special plan. I do not know whether the buildings will be demolished, new road systems will be built and buildings will be reconstructed. However, first it should be decided who possess what”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Yeni Duzen newspaper (22.09.14) reports that in statements to Turkish Milliyet newspaper’s correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, Lund called on the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to look at the future because they cannot change the past and added that people can find a solution, if they want. She noted that she is not afraid of a conflict in Cyprus and added that she met with the generals who are on duty in the island and these generals are “acting with full responsibility”.
When asked by the paper to comment on the allegations that the UNFICYP is behaving in a privileged manner towards the Greek Cypriots, Lund said that she heard that such a perception exists and added: “That is why I try to visit equally the north and the south… There are many issues in which both sides should contribute here…”
Asked to comment on information published in the Greek Cypriot press that the UN soldiers will evacuate Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone where a hotel and a casino will be built, Lund replied: “We have an agreement with the Republic of Cyprus for maintaining troops here. If one of the buildings which we use belongs to them and we are asked to find another place, we will find another place”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eroglu reiterates the allegation that questioning the “citizenship” of the illegal Turkish settlers is not under discussion
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.09.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has reiterated the allegation that questioning the “citizenship” granted by the breakaway regime to the illegal Turkish settlers who came to the island after the 1974 Turkish invasion is not under discussion.
Addressing a cocktail party on the occasion of the “War Veterans’ Day”, Eroglu said that they have been meeting very often with the “war veterans” who after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus decided to stay in the occupied area of the island. He argued that the “war veterans” shed blood and sweat on these lands and they established a “state” in the geography which they created.
He claimed: “Questioning your citizenship is not under discussion. I am definitely a supporter of the continuation of the citizenship of all those who have the TRNC citizenship in case an agreement is reached and I will continue to support this. During the meeting we held the other day, they tried to put onto the table the issue of this citizenship, but we can easily say now that this is not an issue to be debated”.
Eroglu alleged that all of them had come to these lands having the same aim, struggled having the same aim and came to the establishment of the “TRNC”, the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Eroglu claimed that they have the chance to live freely and safely on these lands under the guarantee of the Turkish occupation army and added that this chance is given once and they could not consider abandoning their gains at the negotiating table with some tricks.
(I/Ts.)
5. Nami: The EU Commission should not impose unjustified requests on Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 20.09.14), the EU Commission should not impose “unjustified requests” on Turkey regarding the Cyprus issue in the upcoming progress report, self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami said.
Speaking to the Ankara Anatolia news agency after his meeting with European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle late Thursday in Brussels, Nami claimed that Turkey was not evaluated justly and fairly in the previous EU progress reports on Turkey’s efforts to meet EU standards. He added: “For example, Turkey is asked to normalize its relations with the illegitimate Southern Cypriot Republic. The essence of the problem is this already. These kinds of demands are equal to pretending that there is no problem at all.”
Nami also alleged that the Greek Cypriots will continue to try to exploit their EU membership as long as leading EU countries such as Germany, France and the UK permit it do so.
He said that the other EU member countries must see the ‘bigger picture’ and to put an end to the Greek Cypriot side’s obstructive efforts.
“The solution of the Cyprus problem is crucial. A great number of obstacles in Turkey’s EU membership process will be removed as and when a settlement is reached in Cyprus. It will also contribute greatly to establishing healthier ties between Turkey and the EU. Perhaps the hydrocarbon reserves in the region will transform itself into an opportunity for Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt to cooperate on energy matters”, Nami said.
Nami also underlined the need for the European Union to encourage and motivate the Greek Cypriot side to work towards a settlement.
6. Ozersay met with the German EU Minister
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 19.09.14), the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay met with the German EU Affairs Minister Michael Roth and MP Manuel Sarrazin and Heinz Barchmann who had accompanied Roth on Friday.
At the meeting which took place at Ozersay’s office, besides discussing the latest developments in the negotiations and the steps to be taken to proceed to the next phase, the necessary steps to be taken in order to create a trustworthy environment between the two sides were also discussed.
Speaking after the meeting, Ozersay noted that Germany is an important actor in showing leadership in terms of taking steps forward regarding many issues within the European Union and that as the Turkish Cypriot side they endeavoured to draw attention to their rights.
Ozersay also claimed that in order to gain a positive result from the negotiations and in order for the rights of the Turkish Cypriots to be integrated internationally there are a number of duties to be followed through which involve the responsibilities of the international society.
Ozersay added that during the meeting with the German Minister they had a chance to underline these subjects and expressed the Turkish Cypriot standpoint on these topics. The so-called director of political affairs Gunes Onar, so-called second secretary Sonat Altug and so-called diplomat Ayse Balcioglu accompanied negotiator Ozersay at the meeting which lasted for an hour.
7. Denktas said that their efforts to break the reportedly sports embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots will continue
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 20.09.14), hundreds of motor sport fans lined the streets of central Lefkosia yesterday afternoon to watch the Cyprus Rally’s opening ‘super-special’ stage – which for the first time took crews through both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas of the capital.
As a counter for both the European Rally Championship (ERC) and the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), the island’s premier international sporting event promised plenty of thrills for fans on both sides of the Green Line – and the cheers from Turkish Cypriot spectators standing atop the ancient city walls when Turkish Cypriot crews came through was uplifting.
Fans experienced frustration, as, even on foot, they couldn’t cross the barriers to their desired spectating point because the streets were closed off totally.
Among the hundreds of spectators in the occupied part of Lefkosia were “prime minister” Ozkan Yorgancioglu, “deputy prime minister” Serdar Denktas and the “mayor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia Mehmet Harmanci.
Speaking to BRT, all hailed the event as a great success, stating that the special stage proved that the Turkish Cypriots were ready to host and participate in international sporting events.
Serdar Denktas further said that their efforts to break the reportedly sports embargoes on Turkish Cypriots will continue.
8. The Turkish Cypriots are targeting the Russian market
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (22.09.14) reports that Russia, which has been importing 2.2 million tons of fruits and vegetables from EU member countries, has turned towards Turkey to satisfy its needs because of the Ukrainian crisis. After the inclusion of Turkey in this process, the Turkish Cypriots exporting goods to Russia has also come onto the agenda.
In statements to Havadis on this issue, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, Ali Cirali said that after a “serious and meticulous work”, the breakaway regime could also export goods to Russia. He noted that they could sell to Russia goods such as citrus fruits, potatoes, chicken meat, milk and dairy products, if the ‘state’ supports this issue and works seriously.
Moreover, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Fikri Toros argued that a chance has come up for the ‘TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, after the Russian embargo on EU member states. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce started meetings with representatives of other sectors to evaluate the chance which has been created. Noting that the Republic of Cyprus, which was exporting “very serious quantities” of citrus fruits to Russia, has also been influenced by the Russian embargo, Toros argued that the efforts of how the Greek Cypriots will conduct their exports to Russia through the “TRNC” and break this embargo continue.
(I/Ts.)
9. High demand reportedly exists from Arab countries for the occupied area of Cyprus in the field of tourism
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (22.09.14) reports that Mine Gurses, general director of Merit Hotel in the occupied part of Nicosia, has said that a high demand exists from Arab countries for the occupied area of Cyprus in the field of tourism. In statement to Halkin Sesi, she noted that the transportation problem will be overcome with the assistance of the Turkish Airlines (THY), which will start flying from new destinations to the occupied area of Cyprus.
Gurses said that during the recent illegal visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the occupied area of Cyprus, the president of the administrative council of THY, Hamdi Topcu held a long lasting meeting with the chairman of Merit Hotels’ administrative council, Reha Arar. After the meeting, she noted, Topcu issued a statement which “made us happy”. She added: “New destinations will be launched. There is a high demand, especially from Arab countries. They said they will launch new destinations. I wish this to happen. It is a big contribution to tourism”.
She argued that they should feel gratitude for Besim Tibuk, owner of Merit Hotels, because he carried six of his hotels to the occupied area of Cyprus, in spite of all the difficulties.
(I/Ts.)
10. The price of the water from Turkey has reportedly been determined
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (22.09.14) reports that the price of the water which is planned to be brought to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey through undersea pipelines has been determined to three Turkish liras (TL) per ton. The paper notes that the price paid today by the consumers varies from 1.5 to 3.5 TL, depending on the “municipality” in which they live. One Euro today is purchased for 2.84 TL and sold for 2.87 TL.
(I/Ts.)
11. Erdogan: Protecting ISIL hostages was Turkey's priority
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.09.14), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said a now-resolved hostage situation in Iraq was one reason for Turkey not joining the international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
Meeting the rescued Mosul consulate staff including Consul General Ozturk Yilmaz in Cankaya presidential palace on Sunday, Erdogan said: “We could have given an immediate favourable response to the international coalition demands. Global powers were all united. But we could not have said that, because we had our 49 lives (held hostage).”
The 49 hostages – including diplomats, consular officials and their families - were kidnapped from the Mosul consulate on June 11, a day after ISIL took control of Iraq's second-largest city. Forty-six Turkish hostages arrived on Turkish soil following their rescue on Saturday.
“Some politicians and media institutions, domestic or foreign, acted irresponsibly, not at all caring for the sensitivity of the situation. We preferred silence for the security of our staff,” said Erdogan.
Referring to claims that Turkey bargained with the extremist group to rescue the hostages, Erdogan said: “A financial bargain with the ISIL was totally out of question. But if the owners of those claims mention a political, diplomatic bargain, yes it is true.”
12. Turkey must be partner in the anti-ISIL coalition: Pentagon
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.09.14) reports that Turkey must be a partner in the coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby has said, underlining the geographical importance of the country.
“Whether they contribute militarily is up to them. We did not go to Ankara with a specific request. We did go to solicit their views in the situation, and to find out what was possible for them. They offered some views of things that they might be able to do that could be helpful,” Kirby told daily Hurriyet.
“Let them speak for that. But we know just by the geography that Turkey is, will be, and must be a partner in this effort,” he added, suggesting that the campaign would not solely be a military one.
“This is not just a military campaign. This is a comprehensive approach. Regionally, politically, economically and militarily. There is a military component to it. But that is not the only component. And Turkey could contribute in other ways outside of the military component,” Kirby said.
“We know that Turkey has a significant national security interest in this. Every day they are dealing with over a million refugees. They have foreign fighters that they concerned about on their borders and inside Turkey. We certainly expect that Turkey will contribute, one way or another,” he added.
Kirby also confirmed that the U.S. has had discussions about the buffer zone within Syria that the Turkish government wants to establish, but said he will not go into the details of the discussions. “We understand the concerns that the Turks have expressed in that regard, and we are looking for ways to continue to improve our coordination and cooperation. We understand the security concerns that they’re facing. And we understand their desires for some sort of buffer zone. But I won’t go into details,” he said.
13. Erdogan to meet with Jewish and Armenian religious leaders in New York
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 22.09.14), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet with Jewish and Armenian leaders in New York as a part of his trip to the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly for Climate Summit, which is due to take place between September 22 and October 1.
On the second day of his trip to New York, Erdogan will meet with a committee from the World Jewish Congress led by Ronald Steven Lauder. Erdogan has previously vowed to protect the rights of the Jewish community in Turkey and has asserted that the government will never let the Jewish people in Turkey get hurt.
Known for his conciliatory approach to the Armenian citizens in Turkey while he was Prime Minister, Erdogan will accept Archbishop Khajag Barsamian the primate of Diocese of Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the president of the Fund for Armenian Relief during his New York trip. Erdogan was previously praised by the Armenian community in Turkey for officially offering condolences for the events of 1915, an unprecedented move in the history of modern Turkey.
Erdogan's New York agenda also include a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, an interview with American journalist Charlie Rose and a meeting with Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Inc.
The AK Party is in the process of returning the properties of Armenian foundations in Turkey, a move warmly welcomed by the Armenian community in Turkey.
President Erdogan is also set to meet with other world leaders during the UN Climate Summit in New York.
14. Turkey unlikely to consider armed engagement against ISIS, experts say
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 21.09.14) with the above title reports that with the return of the hostages held by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), Western media started discussing whether or not Turkey will take part in military action by the U.S.-led and growing anti-ISIS coalition.
NATO member Turkey, which saved the lives of its abducted citizens through its diplomatic tactics using negotiations with local tribes in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, had previously reiterated that it will not get into an armed response to ISIS but will provide support to the anti-ISIS coalition including intelligence, humanitarian and security assistance. Circles close to the government and political experts state that the stance of Turkey will not change as the hostage crisis was not the only point that prevented it from joining a military action.
According to foreign policy experts, involvement in any armed coalition against ISIS could lead to an influx of extremist militants into the country which could harm its relations with non-ISIS people of neighbouring countries. Such people could get killed in armed attacks and would harm the overall trust it gained from the people of Middle East by taking a position next to Western powers.
Turkey, a NATO member and Washington's key ally in the region, had been reluctant to take part in combat operations against ISIS, or allow a U.S.-led coalition to use its airbases for strikes against the militant group, citing concern over for the safety of its hostages and its historical ties with the region. Speaking to press on Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled that Turkey may reconsider its position now that the hostages have been released. "We [previously] said we cannot play a role in the coalition, but we will draw out a roadmap after intensive negotiations with coalition members," he said.
Turkey should not change its "ethical" attitude in the anti-ISIS coalition and should continue its humanitarian diplomacy in the region, author and political analyst Vahdettin İnce told Daily Sabah on Sunday. İnce added that Turkey knows the region well and unlike Western powers, it knows that an armed response will always brought chaos to the region. "Turkey's success in general comes from using its 'soft diplomacy power' and if it changes this attitude for ISIS, this can lead to the import of terrorism. In a possible attack by Turkey, it would lose the trust of people in the region. We should not forget that, it was from the tribes that Turkey sought assistance to rescue its hostages from the hands of ISIS," İnce added.
Renowned journalist and former politician Orhan Miroglu told Daily Sabah that attempts to pull Turkey into problematic situations since the Gulf War has been continuous and in each case Turkey acknowledged the demographic and social side of the crises that were taking place in its neighbouring countries. The Iran-Iraq war, the Iraq invasion, Iraqi Kurds gaining autonomy and the civil war in Syria are all major developments during this period, Miroglu said, adding that three years ago some powers tried to pull Turkey into a war with the Assad regime and committed all sorts of provocations including the downing of a Turkish jet and suicide bombings in towns bordering Syria.
15. Experts: TANAP to provide energy security to EU, Turkey
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 22.09.14), the ground-breaking ceremony for the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which will carry gas from Azerbaijan to Europe via Turkey, was held in Baku on Saturday. Experts believe that the project has great importance in terms of Europe and Turkey's energy security. The pipeline is planned to pump 16 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year, 6 bcm of which will be designated to Turkey's domestic consumption.
TANAP project managers say that the pipeline will transfer 31 bcm of gas and Turkey - the ninth biggest gas importer by 45 bcm per year - has a right to increase its share to 21 bcm per year when the pipeline starts to function with full capacity by 2023. Energy specialists forecast that Turkey's total gas consumption will annually reach 70 bcm in 2020.
Speaking to Daily Sabah, Ibrahim Palaz, a veteran energy expert at the Istanbul-based think tank Caspian Strategy Institute, noted that TANAP is quite an important project for Turkey and Azerbaijan, but it is a crucial project for the European Union whose natural gas demand has been increasing and is expected to increase more in the future. "Even if the latest conflict between the EU and Russia, the top gas supplier to the EU, is left out of the equation, European countries are still in need of new energy routes enabling them to diversify energy suppliers, which is the most vital issue of energy politics,"Palaz said.
Underlining that TANAP has been on the agenda of Turkey, Azerbaijan and the EU long before the political crisis between the EU and Russia regarding the Ukraine crisis, Palaz remarked that TANAP will not only provide gas, but will also provide security to the countries it passes through. "Turkey, a country which lacks hydrocarbon sources, is obligated to become an energy transfer route to have a say in global energy politics. TANAP is the second step taken for this cause. The first one was the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline, which enables Azeri oil to reach the global market," Palaz said.
Kenan Yavuz, CEO of SOCAR Turkey - a local branch of the state-owned Azerbaijani SOCAR company that holds the majority stake in the project - told Daily Sabah that the latest ceremony held on Sept. 20 in Azerbaijan was to celebrate the initiation of the Shah Deniz II gas reserve field to pipeline route. "TANAP is a $45 billion project which is being carried out by Turkey and Azerbeijan's efforts. With the groundbreaking ceremony Turkey sealed the fact that it is a strategic energy player in the region. As it is known, Turkey's state-run oil and gas company TPAO is the second largest partner in the Shah Deniz II field where the gas is to be extracted and sent through the TANAP line.
In May 2014, Turkey's TPAO purchased the assets of French oil and gas giant Total for $1.5 billion which used to hold 10% in the Shah Deniz II field and increased its share in the field to 19%. TPAO also holds a 30% stake in the pipeline. Turkey has become a key player in the region thanks to its latest regional energy policies,"Yavuz said.
Yavuz also stated that TANAP will pave the way for other large energy projects in the region. "Governments and companies will benefit from the experience of TANAP, which I would I like to call the Silk Road of energy," Yavuz concluded.
16. CHP Deputies have dropped to 129
Under the title “Leadership still dubious within CHP”, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 21.09.14) reported that the Turkish government's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has shown more fractures with Vice Chairman and Ankara Deputy Emrehan Halici's resignation from his post in the party over the weekend. According to sources close to the CHP, the reason behind Halici's resignation is that his name was not included in the party assembly list after the party's extraordinary congress on Sept. 5-6.
With Halici's resignation the number of CHP Deputies in the Turkish Parliament has dropped to 129.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
