TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 241/14 24-29.12.14
1.Eroglu
on the Cyprus problem and the so-called presidential elections; He called
President Anastasiades to withdraw recent statements
2. Olgun evaluated the Cyprus
negotiation process
3. UN is reportedly exerting efforts for the
resumption of the Cyprus talks after Barbaros seismic explorations vessel
leaves Cyprus’ EEZ
4. Ozyigit: “Not extending NAVTEX
is a positive move”
5. The Turkish General Staff announced that the two
Turkish frigates have completed their duties on the “Mediterranean Shield
Operation”
6. Akdogan: “Non-solution is not
a solution”
7. Serdar Denktas on Cyprus
Airways: “Let’s fly the airline jointly”
8. “Compensation Committee” paid
189.219.093 Sterling to Greek Cypriots during the last nine years
9. Bright Future Movement
chairman sent a letter to the European Commission on the halloumi / hellim
issue
10. The reconstruction of the
occupied airport of Tymbou will start by the 1st of January 2015
11. Dincyurek backs the
construction of a power plant in Akkuyu; The “No to Nuclear Plant Platform” has
started a petition
12. Per capita income decreased in the breakaway
regime during 2014
13. The water will start to flow to
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus next May
14. Erdogan congratulates EC’s
President; He invited him to Turkey
15. Erdogan speaks about media
freedom in Turkey; No one in Turkey was jailed for journalistic activity
1.Eroglu on the Cyprus problem
and the so-called presidential elections; He called President Anastasiades to
withdraw recent statements
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.12.14)
reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has stated that a system change should be implemented after
2020 and suggested a "presidential system" for the “administration”
of the “country”.
Stating that he is a candidate
for the last time,
Eroglu stressed that he does not want anything for himself, and that indeed, in the event of being re-elected, he
proposes a move to a “presidential system” after this term is over.
Eroglu gave a New Year reception in honor of members
of the press yesterday evening in the occupied part of Lefkosia.
Speaking during the reception, Eroglu expressed hopes
that the New Year will bring happiness and health to the press community, to
the “country”, to humanity, to “motherland Turkey”, and to all the world and
noted that a year of intense and important contacts is coming to an end.
Eroglu stated that the Greek
Cypriot side, which was brought to the table by showing good intentions and
flexibility, was able to remain at the table for eight months, and that it left
from the table on 7 October.
Pointing out that [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu,
Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Cicek, and Deputy Prime Minister visited the “TRNC”
during the past year, Eroglu said: "We are continuing further with the
Cyprus cause in full harmony with motherland Turkey."
Claiming that the Greek Cypriots, in a manner contrary
to the vision set forth in the joint statement text, have continued in an
insistent way to take unilateral decisions and actions with regard to the
hydrocarbon resource in the vicinity of the island,Eroglu alleged that the
Greek Cypriot side began hydrocarbon exploration in early October, in the
number nine parcel contained in the exclusive economic zone that it
unilaterally declared.
Pointing out that the “TRNC” in consultation
with the Republic of Turkey, has taken important steps on behalf of preserving
their “rights” and justice, Eroglu stated that [the Greek Cypriots] left from
the negotiating table on October 7 by using the pretext of the Hayrettin Pasa
ship's conducting petroleum exploration in the name of the “TRNC”.
(…) Supporting
that rights and justice need to be defended properly and in harmony with
“motherland Turkey”, Eroglu alleged that the period ahead will be difficult
because of the uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriot side.
(…)
Eroglu stated also that the public wants an effort of
progress in a sustained way to begin and added that there are things that need
to be done in the areas of health, education, justice, the universities, and
the environment.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(28.12.14-online in English) reported
that Eroglu in a written statement said that President Anastasiades’ recent
statements that he will never accept a partner which has tried to abolish the
Cyprus Republic was “serious and worrying”, adding that he hoped that Anastasiades will give up from this type of
stance.
Eroglu alsoexpressed
regret over the fact that Anastasiades was referring to the Turkish Cypriot
side as the side which was trying to ‘abolish’ the Cyprus Republic and called
on him to give up this rhetoric and follow a path aimed for in the joint
statement.
2.Olgun evaluated the Cyprus
negotiation process
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.12.14)
reported that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergun Olgun and members of his
negotiating team held a press conference at the so-called presidential palace
on December 24, where they evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus
negotiation process.
Speaking during the press conference, Olgun said that
the Turkish Cypriot side does not see
the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot side from the peace talks as “the end of
the road” and expressed the hope that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be
found in 2015.
Noting that the current
negotiation process is “a last chance” for a solution in Cyprus, Olgun called
on the Greek Cypriot side to return to the talks “without any preconditions”.
Criticizing the Greek Cypriot
side for trying “to separate the discovery and use of hydrocarbon resources
from the solution process in Cyprus”, Olgun alleged that the Greek Cypriot side
is campaigning “to maintain the status quo by preserving the Republic of
Cyprus.”
Noting that the Turkish seismic
research ship Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa is “about to complete its exploration
work” and that “the Greek Cypriot side may halt its exploration work for
technical reasons”,
Olgun said: “If such an opportunity exists, if the sides will take a break, the
Turkish Cypriots would like to ensure that the sides return to the negotiating
table without any preconditions by using this period appropriately.”
Olgun also said: “The sides will
probably maintain their positions until the hydrocarbon issue is discussed and
brought to a conclusion. That is where we stand now.”
Describing the Joint Declaration
of 11 February 2014 as a “road map” that “must not be wasted”, Olgun said that the “unanimity of the Turkish Cypriot
side with regard to a solution is a constructive factor.” He said: “There is
public support (for a solution consistent with the Joint Declaration)”.
Noting that Turkey’s “unreserved support” for the
Turkish Cypriot side is making a “positive contribution to the process,” Olgun
said that Espen Bath Eide, the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on
Cyprus, “has demonstrated a positive and constructive attitude.”
Criticizing the Greek Cypriot
side for opposing the “equality” of the two sides, Olgun alleged: “The top threat is the steadfast stance
the Greek Cypriot side has taken against the division of powers and bi-zonality
on a foundation of political equality. This stance has become institutionalized
and [become part of] Greek Cypriot political culture. This has become the
prevailing posture of all [Greek Cypriot] political parties.”
He also quoted statements by former Republic of Cyprus
President Tassos Papadopoulos as examples of Greek Cypriot reluctance to agree
to a federation.
Olgun also criticized the
international community for “statements that defend the status quo” in Cyprus. He said that “statements to the effect that
exploration for offshore hydrocarbon resources on the island is a sovereign
right of the Republic of Cyprus” serve “to support the status quo.” He added
that the international community must “treat both peoples equally if it is
sincere about a solution.”
Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side “remains stuck to
the idea of Enosis” and “has failed to adapt the dynamic structure of the 21st
century,” Olgun criticized the Republic of Cyprus’ President Nikos Anastasiades
for “pursuing Hellenism steadfastly”.
Olgun said: “The
conduct of the Greek Cypriot side until now suggests that [they want] to use
the federation talks to expand their authority to north Cyprus, to create a
basis for the Greek Cypriots to return to their properties, to undermine the
guarantee treaties, and to drive out the Turkish military from Cyprus”.
Noting that the Greek Cypriots have been conducting
talks with Israel and Egypt “to create joint maritime zones”, Olgun said: “The
mindset of creating conditions to divvy up the entire Mediterranean and to
deprive a country with a population of 78 million and with the longest
coastline in the eastern Mediterranean from the resources of the eastern
Mediterranean looms before us as a very serious risk”.
Olgun also said that “the island of Cyprus is viewed
as the forward outpost of Christianity in the region” and that “from this
standpoint, there is a risk that the Turkish Cypriots may be viewed as ‘the
other’ on the island.”
Stating that cooperation with the Greek Cypriot side
is possible with regard to the water that will be brought from Turkey, Olgun
said: “The hydrocarbon issue is part and
parcel of the negotiations. We remain steadfast that the hydrocarbon issue be
part of the negotiations so that we can take advantage of its catalyzing
power.”
Olgun added that a settlement in
Cyprus will “open up Turkey’s markets for companies in the Greek Cypriot
sector” and that “hydrocarbon resources will be sold most profitably once
restrictions on the Turkish Cypriot side are lifted”.
Commenting on President
Anastasiades’s remark that “an entity that does not wish to join the Republic
of Cyprus cannot be treated as a partner”, Olgun said that “the Turkish Cypriot
side has no plans to join the Republic of Cyprus to seek its rights”.
Speaking at the same press conference, Hasan Gungor, “undersecretary” of the Turkish
Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu,said that
[cell phone] roaming and radio and television broadcast frequencies have been
discussed but that they “all hit the wall of the sovereignty concept of the
“Greek Cypriot administration”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus.
Noting that the bicommunal technical committees “are
not performing at desirable levels,” Gungor said that the Turkish Cypriot side
is planning “to define new strategies in the new year.”
Answering a question, negotiator Olgun said that the Greek Cypriot suggestion that
the World Bank prepare a report about the creation of a joint commission for
the use of hydrocarbon resources is aimed at “putting off the hydrocarbon
issue” and that this issue “is something that the two sides can resolve by
talking to each other.”
Answering another question on
“the villages the Greek Cypriot side has demanded for a solution,” Olgun said
that “territorial questions are some of the last issues to be discussed in the
negotiations.” Stating that “division of powers and property ownership will be
the top issues on the agenda if the negotiations resume”, Olgun said that the
Turkish Cypriot side envisions “the return of a minimum amount of territory” to
ensure that “a minimal number of people are forced to move.” He added that, at
this time a [Turkish Cypriot territorial share of] “somewhere around 29% plus”
is being envisioned but added that “this is his personal opinion.” He also said
that these proposals are no different from what was proposed by former Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Gunes Onar, a member of the
Turkish Cypriot negotiating team, said that the Turkish Cypriot side has not
discussed any figures or maps with regard to territorial adjustments and that
“criteria related to territorial adjustments were discussed in Geneva during
July 2011.”
Onar also said that “a paper
listing the places demanded has been obtained from the Greek Cypriot side” but
added that “this was a proposal that was not a proposal.”
3. UN is reportedly exerting efforts for the
resumption of the Cyprus talks after Barbaros seismic explorations vessel
leaves Cyprus’ EEZ
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (26.12.14) reports that Turkish
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic explorations vessel will leave Cyprus’
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in Eastern Mediterranean on 30 December, after Turkey’s NAVTEX ends. Various diplomatic sources said that the
negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem might resume after Barbaros’
leaving the area. It is argued that the UN has launched an initiative in this
direction.
A “diplomatic source” from the self-styled foreign
ministry of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus told Kibristhat after the completion of its duties in the area, Barbaros will return to Turkey where it
will study the information it has collected. The Turkish Foreign Ministry,
however, has not issued any statement on this matter. Meanwhile, sources close
to Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu’s office, said that “the way by which Barbaros
will leave the area” will be decided together with Turkey after consultations
they will have with Ankara.
Recalling that the
Italian-Korean ENI-Kogas partnership’s drillings in parcel 9 of Cyprus’ EEZ
have not given the expected results, the paper notes that the drilling platform
will be transferred to another area. A
“high ranking diplomat”, told Kibris that in spite of the statement that this
transfer could start within a week, diplomatic efforts are being exerted in the
direction of extending this period. The same diplomat said that especially the
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide is exerting
efforts for the resumption of the talks after the Turkish NAVTEX ends. The
source added that Eide is making some
inquiries in the direction of extending this one week period of “technical
pause”.
(I/Ts.)
4.Ozyigit: “Not extending
NAVTEX is a positive move”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(28.12.14-online in English) reported that the chairman of the Social Democracy
Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit in a written
statement described the decision not to extend NAVTEX (which expires on
December 30th) and for the withdrawal of the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa
exploration ship from the area as positive and something which had to be done.
Ozyigit said
that this would lead to an opportunity for the talks to resume and expressed
hopes that President Anastasiades would return to the negotiating table with
the same positivity.
He pointed out that the TDP has
always opposed tension building actions and statements and reminded that it is
important to bilaterally take steps to reduce tension.
5. The Turkish General Staff announced that the two
Turkish frigates have completed their duties on the “Mediterranean Shield
Operation”
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (29.12.14), the Turkish General Staff has
announced that the Turkish naval frigate TCG Gediz as part of the
“Mediterranean Shield Operation” fulfilled its duty for support and protection
of the Babaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel, which was carrying out seismic
exploration in the south of Cyprus within the scope of authority transfer made
to Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) by the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and the
Turkish naval frigate TCG Bozcaada fulfilled also its duty of monitoring the Bahamas flagged Saipem-10000
platform vessel from a distance of 5
nautical miles which is performing drilling activities within the Exclusive
Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
6.Akdogan: “Non-solution is
not a solution”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (28.12.14-online
in English) reported that Turkish Deputy
Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan in a written statement has disputed the statement
saying that the ‘non-solution is a solution’ and added that all problems will
be solved.
Akdogan said whenever a solution was near, a dark hand
always interfered with the hope of bringing Turkey down and pressuring the
country. He noted that before the AKP
came to power, the mentality that a non-solution was a solution reigned and the
status quo was built on this.
Pointing out that the AKP had
made serious headway with the EU, Akdogan noted that his party had changed the
paradigms on matters such as Cyprus and Armenia and underlined that a
non-solution was definitely not a solution.
7. Serdar Denktas on Cyprus
Airways: “ Let’s fly the airline jointly”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(26.12.14) reported that Serdar Denktas
“deputy prime minister and minister of tourism and economy”, commenting on the
reports about the closing of Cyprus Airways
called on President Anastasiades to “fly the airline jointly”.
Denktas offered for the Turkish Cypriot side to
purchase 50% of the airline so that the company will not close down. He said
that the airline could operate jointly as an airline for the whole island and
proposed the planes taking off from illegal Tymvou airport could fly to Turkey
and those from Larnacaairport to fly to Europe.
Denktas said: “This
would be an important rapprochement between the two sides” adding that the
political aspect of things would continue to be discussed as well. He said this
has nothing to do with recognition and reminded that the Turkish Cypriots had
experienced the bankruptcy of their “national carrier”.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot Kibris (27.12.14) reports
that the employees of the “Turkish Cypriot airways”, which were closed down
four years ago, will be given their compensations and salaries on Tuesday.
According to the paper Denktas promised that the employees who were to be given
the compensations ten months ago, will be paid on Tuesday
8. “Compensation Committee”
paid 189.219.093 Sterling to Greek Cypriots during the last nine years
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (29.12.14)
reports that the “Compensation Committee”
paid 189.219.093 Sterling as compensation to Greek Cypriots during the last
nine years.
According to the paper, the economic crisis in the
Republic of Cyprus increased the number of Greek Cypriots who applied to the “Compensation
Committee”, since from the 6.076 applications made the last nine years while,
4,864 were made in the years 2011,2012 and 2013. The paper also writes that 134
applications were rejected by the “Committee”.
Following is the data published by the “Committee”
regarding the year, the number of applications and the compensations paid:
|
Year
|
Applications
|
Compensations paid (mln)
|
|
2006
|
100
|
2,221,000
|
|
2007
|
197
|
3,147,000
|
|
2008
|
76
|
1,646,600
|
|
2009
|
70
|
31,047,000
|
|
2010
|
397
|
12,724,900
|
|
2011
|
1,926
|
12,980,440
|
|
2012
|
1,601
|
33,952,775
|
|
2013
|
1,337
|
46,277,406
|
|
2014
|
372
|
45,221,972
|
|
|
|
Total: 189,219.093
|
9. Bright Future Movement
chairman sent a letter to the European Commission on the halloumi / hellim
issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (28.12.14)
reports that Anil Kaya, the chairman of the Bright Future Movement sent a
letter to the European Commission as regards the halloumi / hellim issue.
According to the paper, Kaya who issued his letter to the
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, stated
that halloumi / hellim is a common product of both communities in Cyprus and
the Turkish Cypriots cannot be cut off the discussion and the developments on
the protected designation of origin (PDO) for halloumi.
Kaya stated that nobody takes into consideration the
opinion of the Turkish Cypriots halloumi / hellim producers on the issue and
added that these developments will affect negatively their life and their
well-being.
10. The reconstruction of the
occupied airport of Tymbou will start by the 1st of January 2015
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
(26.12.14) reported that self-styled minister of public works and
transportation Hasan Tacoy, speaking to the paper, said that the tender works
at the occupied airport of Tymbou are completed and the company Tasyapi will
start its investments by the 1st of January 2015.
Tacoy explained that according to
the protocol, the project will last for four years, with starting date the 1st
of January 2015, and will include the construction of a new airport building
and a new landing field. He added that the army has already withdrawn from the
area.
Tacoy said that in four years
they will have a new modern building with two landing fields and they will be
able to give service to two million 500 thousand travelers per year.
11.Dincyurek backs the
construction of a power plant in Akkuyu; The “No to Nuclear Plant Platform” has
started a petition
According to illegal Bayrak television (26.12.14) the
so-called minister of environment and natural resources Hakan Dincyurek in
statements to illegal BRT, referred,
inter alia, to the Turkish government’s plans to build a nuclear power plant
near Mersin in Turkey and said that an environmental impact assessment report
showed that there were no fault lines in the area where the power plant is to
be built.
(…)Pointing out that a number of large countries have
nuclear power plants which have been running without problems for years, Dincyurek
said that they will continue to follow the issue closely despite the fact that
the current “government”is against nuclear energy in principle.
He, however, added that the environmental impact
report had been approved and accredited by some of the most reputable
universities in the US, Europe and Russia.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi (27.12.14) the “No to Nuclear
Plant Platform” has started a petition to stop the construction of the Akkuyu
Nuclear Plant.
According to the paper, the members of the Platform
gathered in theoccupied part of Lefkosiaon Saturday and then the group opened
petition desks at Ledras street check-point, Buyuk Han and Sarayonu.
A petition desk opened on December 28th at occupied
Lefke as well. The Platform plans to open petition desks in other towns in order
to reach as many people as possible.
Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası on behalf of the Platform, Nazen
Sansal urged everyone to sign the petition and said: “Yes, economic and social
rights are very important but these would not mean anything if we don’t have a
healthy environment to live”.
Sansal said the petition will end on the 17th of January
with the Platform taking the signatures to the so-called Turkish embassy in the
occupied area of Cyprus.
12. Per capita income decreased in the breakaway
regime during 2014
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (29.12.14) reports that the
breakaway regime’s per capita income was 14,132 US dollars in 2014, comparing
to 14,797 US dollars in 2013. According to the predictions of the “ministry
of finance” for the 2014 budget’s results, the “budget’ income will be three
billion and 531,5 million Turkish liras in the end of the year and the “budget”
deficit 62 million TL. The “budget”
expenditures as a percentage to the GDP are expected to be 43.94% and the
“budget” income 43.18% of the GDP. The growth for 2014 was predicted to be
2.9%. Inflation reached 8.8% for the first eleven months of the year.
According to data
acquired by the “state planning organization”, the imports reached one billion
699 million and 400 thousand dollars in 2013 and increased by one million and
758 thousand dollars in 2014. The exports increased to 140 million and 200
thousand dollars in 2014 from 120 million and 700 thousand dollars in 2013. There was a slight decrease in the
unemployment rate which fell to 9.6% in 2014 from 9.7% in 2013.
Accordingly, the employment increased from 45.3% in 2013 to 45.8% in 2014.
The GDP increased by 2.6% in 2013 and by 2.9% in
2014.The total bed capacity of the accommodation facilities was around twenty
thousand and in the first ten months of 2014 their occupancy rate reached
49.2%.The number of the tourists who accommodated in the occupied area of
Cyprus in the first eleven
months of 2013 was 674,046 and increased
by 9.5% in the same period of 2014 reaching 738,090. During the same period
of 2014, 325,327 foreign tourists, not including Turkish and “TRNC” citizens,
entered into the occupied area of Cyprus through its “seaports” and “airports”.
The number of
students from Turkey who registered in the illegal universities of the occupied
area of Cyprus reached its highest level of the past four years. In 2010 this
number was 3,940 and in 2014 reached 7,925.
(I/Ts.)
13. The water will start to
flow to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus next May
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (28.12.14) reported that
Ozdemir Cakacak, Governor of Mersin, accompanied by the Vice General Director
of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) Guven Karacuha and
the Director of the Anamur Department of DSI Ali Cakmak, inspected the sea
water pipe of the Alakopru dam for the water supply of the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus at Anamur district.
Karacuha stated that the terrestrial part of the
project has been completed and when the works of piling water pipes in a
distance of 10.5 km in the sea is finished, then the water will start to flow
to the “TRNC” on May 2015.
Meanwhile, during the inspection works, the people,
who have evacuated their houses, for the construction of the dam, made a
protest asking for new houses free of charge.
14.Erdogan congratulates EC’s
President; He invited him to Turkey
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.12.14) reported
that sources from the President’s office told the state-run Anadolu Agency on
December 22 that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has extended an invitation to Jean-Claude Juncker to visit
Turkey.
Erdogan held a telephone
conversation with Juncker and congratulated him for taking over as President of
the European Commission and wished him success.
The sources said thatboth Erdogan, who served as
Turkey’s Prime Minister from early 2003 until being elected President in
August, and Juncker, Luxembourg’s former Prime Minister, underlined their
“friendship”.
Erdogan and Juncker also
emphasized the importance of making progress in Turkey’s EU membership process
in the future, according to the same sources.
Recalling that Turkey considers the
EU membership a strategic choice, Erdogan extended an invitation to Juncker to visit the EU membership
candidate country, the agency reported. In response, Juncker said he would be happy to pay such a visit, while noting that
he would try to do so in the spring of 2015.
15.Erdogan speaks about media
freedom in Turkey; No one in Turkey was jailed for journalistic activity
Turkish daily Sabah (27.12.14-online in English)
reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in statements while delivering a speech
at the Great Turkey Symposium in Ankara on Friday said that the media in other countries around the world is not as free
as in Turkey.
Touching on claims of censorship on media in Turkey, Erdogan
spoke about the journalists who were arrested and said: “There are only seven arrested journalists in Turkey and I should make
it clear that the reason behind their arrest has no relevance to journalistic
activities, but rather their connection to terrorist organizations”.
“If journalists
commit a crime, they should pay the price for it”, Erdogan added supporting
that "it is not possible to say 'they are innocent' when they have
committed a crime”.
Erdogan said that the country has
progressed in the area of press freedom since the previous century.
(…)
Erdogan criticized the
"double standards" of Western countries against Turkey, referring to
the Ferguson riots, saying that journalists were detained during the Ferguson
riots and a reporter of the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) was detained and
tortured.
He described the stance of
Western countries toward the freedom of press issue as a "double
standard," and brought up
the closure of British tabloid News of the World, which was in circulation for
168 years, in 2011 due to wiretapping activities and the censorship against the
British daily Guardian when National Security Agency official Edward Snowden
published documents regarding the surveillance activities carried out by the
NSA.
Erdogan further urged the West to
self-criticize and added: “When they fail to self-criticize, they only harm
their own reputation”.
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