TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
233/14 12.12.14
1.Eroglu:
The effort in Cyprus is to bring the “two states” under a partnership roof
2. Davutoglu met with his Italian counterpart; The
Cyprus problem among the issues being discussed
3.
Akansoy: Nature does not recognize artificial boundaries in the island of
Cyprus
4.
The Environmental Platform against the construction of Akkuyu nuclear plant
5. A
Norwegian real estate businessman has sold 400 houses in the occupied area of
Cyprus since January
6.
Animals in the occupied area of Cyprus contracted from Lumpy Skin Disease
7. Yildiz: Turkey to search for oil and gas in Black
Sea with Shell
8. Davutoglu on Turkey’s economic figures
9. Erdogan to chair Cabinet in 2015
1. Eroglu:
The effort in Cyprus is to bring the “two states” under a partnership roof
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.12.14)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu has alleged that there is peace and stability in Cyprus because of the
presence of the Turkish [occupation] army, that two “states” exist side by side
and that their effort is to bring these two “states” under a common roof.
Addressing a conference yesterday at the illegal
Eastern Mediterranean University (“DAU”) in occupied Famagusta under the title
“The Cyprus issue with its international dimensions and its future”, Eroglu referred to a “diversification and
increase of the number” of players involved in the Cyprus problem, because of
the hydrocarbon resources in the area. He argued that this is “a turning point
for putting an end to the uncertainty which continues for 50 years”, but
expressed the view that the developments on this issue could be turned into
both opportunity and threat. He further claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side
has been exerting efforts for turning this issue into an opportunity for all
sides.
“The Turkish Cypriot side will not pay any price for
the Greek Cypriot side coming to the negotiating table”, he alleged and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side must
unconditionally return to the table, which “is the place for solving every
dispute”. “We say: Let us either
take steps together on the hydrocarbons issue or simultaneously stop our
activities and solve the Cyprus problem through negotiations within a short
period of time”, he argued.
Eroglu also alleged that the time has come for the
Greek Cypriot side to decide whether it is ready to share power and wealth with
the Turkish side and to establish a partnership within the framework of a
“bi-zonal federal vision”. “If it is not
ready, it should come out and say it sincerely”, he added.
Eroglu
expressed the view that the interests and the plans of international players
are behind the fact that the Cyprus problem has not been solved yet and the
Greek Cypriot “intransigence”.
(I/Ts.)
2.Davutoglu met with his Italian counterpart; The
Cyprus problem among the issues being discussed
Turkish daily Sabah (11.12.14-online in English)
reported that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in statements during a
joint press conference with Italian PM Matteo Renzi in Ankara on Thursday,
said: "Turkey's membership of the
European Union is a strategic target, since Turkey is a part of Europe
economically, socially and culturally".
Davutoglu
said that the EU and Turkey are struggling with the same problems and added
that if Turkey was a member of the union, both sides could have responded to
these problems more effectively. He also added that Turkey's full EU membership
would benefit both Turkey and all other member states.
For
his part, Renzi expressed his support for Turkey's bid for EU membership and
said: "We will continue to work so that the EU opens its doors more
decisively to Turkey”.
“I believe that the international community needs to
support Turkey more”, Renzi added, referring to Turkey's providing shelter to
1.6 million Syrian refugees.
Answering a question on the UN's plan to implement
a“free zone” in Syria and a possible cease-fire between opposition groups and
the Syrian regime, Davutoglu said: “The Syrian regime did not keep any of the
promises that have been made; establishing ‘free zones’ is not a lasting
solution for Syria but we are ready to cooperate on any proposal which will
stop the humanitarian tragedy in the country."
Davutoglu also touched on the reconciliation process
and domestic security reforms saying: "People have the right to
demonstrate, but the use of violence during protests is a crime, not a
freedom."
He also said that the autonomy for Kurdish people or
amnesty is not on the government's agenda.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.12.14) reports that the Cyprus problem
has been discussed in detail during Davutoglu’s meeting with his Italian
counterpart.
3. Akansoy:
Nature does not recognize artificial boundaries in the island of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.12.14) reports
that Asim Akansoy, self-styled
deputy with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), has said that the island of Cyprus is a
whole and nature does not recognize artificial boundaries. “From this point of view, avoiding
bi-communal activities, especially on the environment, and not cooperating with
civilian organizations on this issue is not understandable for a government,
whose expressed goal is the solution of the Cyprus problem under a federal roof”,
he noted.
Akansoy accused the regime’s self-styled government of
the regime of preparing a “National Physical Plan” for Nicosia perceiving the
city as being divided, not taking any step for the protection of the “National
Park” in occupied Karpasia Peninsula and not doing what is necessary on the
issue of the stone queries.
Furthermore, Akansoy
criticized the “government” for administrating the “country” with “plans
prepared by other centers” and not “through platforms” in which the Turkish
Cypriots participate.
Referring to the issue of the water which the regime
plans to bring to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey through undersea
pipelines, Akansoy said that except for some preparations that have been
carried out “just for show”, no road map has been shared with the civilian
organizations, the professional organizations and the “people” in general.
Acknowledging that the construction of the nuclear
power plant in Turkey’s Akkuyu area did not depend on the Turkish Cypriots’
will, Akansoy noted that, still, as their country would be affected more than
anyone else, it would not be right for them to remain silent.
(I/Ts.)
4. The
Environmental Platform against the construction of Akkuyu nuclear plant
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (12.12.14)
reports that the reactions against the construction of the nuclear plant on the
south coast of Turkey, in Akkuyu, 90 km from Cyprus, are continuing.
The Environment Platform, consisting of 18 civil
organizations and political parties, in an announcement yesterday, said that
the island faced the risk of destruction in case of an accident. The
announcement read: “The Turkish Cypriot
people should warn the AKP government on the construction of the nuclear plant
in Mersin and ask the cancellation of the project”.
The
Platform stressed that Turkey did not implement the international criteria on
the nuclear plant, adding that according to the EU’s environmental policy,
consultation with the people of countries, whose environment might be affected
by specific investments, was obligatory. The Platform pointed out that Turkey
avoided its obligations and did not harmonize with the EU’s environmental
policy.
5. A
Norwegian real estate businessman has sold 400 houses in the occupied area of
Cyprus since January
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.12.14)
reports about a Norwegian businessman under the name Michael Kristensson who
opened a real estate business office in occupied Kazafani village.
According to the paper, Kristensson has sold around 400 real estates in the occupied area of
Cyprus since January, when he started his activities in real estate business in
the breakaway regime. He has already opened offices in occupied Lefkosia and
Famagusta. In statements, he said that
retired people from Europe choose to buy a house in the breakaway regime and
added that the biggest demand for buying a house come from Norway, Denmark and
Sweden. “I live here for four years now. In the past, retired persons
preferred to buy a house in Spain, but now, due to the economic crisis, they
prefer to buy a house here”, he stated.
He
also said that a new real estate site under the name “New Cyprus magazine” has
been established which is visited by 2,500 persons daily.
6.
Animals in the occupied area of Cyprus contracted from Lumpy Skin Disease
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.12.14)
reports that 23 animals were slaughtered in occupied Agios Andronikos and Agia
Triada villages because they contracted from Lumpy Skin Disease.
According to the paper, experts from the European
Union arrived in Cyprus in order to examine the issue. The self-styled
veterinary department stated that the results of the EU experts’ examination would
be announced in two weeks and added that the area under quarantine was extended
from three to ten kilometers.
7. Yildiz: Turkey to search for oil and gas in
Black Sea with Shell
Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.12.14) reported that
the Turkish Ministry of Energy and
Natural Resources has announced on Thursday that Turkey will conduct research
for energy resources in the western Black Sea with energy giant Royal Dutch
Shell.
Speaking at a press conference at the Bosporus Energy
Club's third meeting in Istanbul, Minister Taner Yildiz said that Turkey is planning to conduct drilling activities for
oil and natural gas resources on its northwestern region, off the coast of
Sile, with Royal Dutch Shell.
"Our
seismic data indicate that drilling on this basin would be accurate, given the
indications," said Yildiz, adding that the Turkish vessel Barbaros
Hayrettin Pasa has conducted 3D seismic studies on a 1,540 square kilometer
area.
Yildiz said that Turkey
will have a 50% interest with Shell on the $300 million investment which is
planned to begin in January 2015.
Yildiz said that Iraq is conducting studies to produce
natural gas. He said that when it is extracted and after the country allocates
gas for domestic consumption, Iraqi natural gas will be transported to Turkey.
He added that the volumes involved will be dependent on Iraq's production.
8.Davutoglu on Turkey’s economic figures
Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.12.14) reported that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
praised on Wednesday Turkey's rising economic development, which was achieved
without needing to resort to foreign financial assistance
as it did in the past.
In statements in a plenary session at the Turkish
Parliament, where he made his remarks during the parliamentary discussions over
Turkey's 2015 budget, Davutoglu said: “Now we have a Turkey that can develop without
receiving external loans”.
Turkey liquidated its 52-year debt to the
International Monetary Fund, or IMF, when the Turkish Undersecretariat of Treasury
paid the last installment on May 14, 2013.
(…)
Turkey even took a seat at the executive board of the
International Monetary Fund in mid-July for the first time, as Ibrahim Canakci
-- undersecretary at the Turkish Treasury -- was appointed as executive director
to the Fund for the 2014-2016 term.
Ankara offered to give a loan of $5 billion to
contribute to efforts to increase IMF funds as agreed at the G20 Los Cabos
Leaders' Summit in Mexico back in June 2012.
Speaking on Turkey's macro-economic figures, Davutoglu
stressed that the Turkish economy has grown more than three times over, under
Justice and Development Party rule since 2002. “The economy scaled up from $230
billion to $822 billion”, he added.
He
also maintained that foreign exchange reserves climbed from $28 billion to $133
billion within the same 12-year period.
The Premier said that the 2002 export figure of $36
billion grew four-fold to $151.8 billion in 2013.
“When
we took over the government, the poverty threshold in terms of the daily expenditure
per capita was $4.20. Thirty percent of the Turkish population used to live
under that threshold. Now only 2.7% live under the threshold”, he added.
Davutoglu
described Turkey as a country that now has one of the strongest middle classes
in the world.
He further stressed that the ratio of public debt to
national income fell from 74%to 33% in the same period, which he said is a
figure better than all 28 EU member countries and well above EU standards.
He
added that direct investments rose from $1.1 billion to $12.9 billion in 2013.
While
direct foreign investment was $14.6 billion between 1984 and 2002, the figure
is now $145 billion in total since 2003.
Davutoglu
stated that Turkey now allocates $87.5 billion to education and $80.9 billion
to health.
As
for social services, he said the 2015 budget earmarked 26.5 billion Turkish
liras for this sector compared to 1.37 billion Turkish liras back in 2002.
9.Erdogan to chair Cabinet in 2015
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Hurriyet Daily News
(11.12.14), Binali Yildirim, Deputy with
the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Izmir, in statements yesterday
in an interview with the private NTV news station, has announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will begin
chairing meetings of the Cabinet in the upcoming year.
“Fifty-two percent of this nation voted for our President.
Although he doesn’t have a certain responsibility within the constitutional
framework, he is politically responsible to society”,Yıldırım said.
(…)
Recalling that Erdogan had recently signed a decree
that changes the institutional structure of the Presidential office, NTV asked
whether this would lead to a conflict of authority between the President and
the government, as it was considered a move aimed at establishing a “shadow
Cabinet” that will work under Erdogan and monitor the work of the Cabinet led
by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
“No, it won’t happen. If this happens, then weak
governance would occur,” Yıldırım replied, adding that the Constitution clearly
outlined all the authorities of the President.
“If acts are taken in line with those provisions, then
there will be no confrontation at all”, Yildirim said adding that “this is a
matter of style and the President announced his style of practicing the Presidency.”
Refuting suggestions that the institutional
reorganization of the Presidency was actually paving the way for “a second
Council of Ministers”, Yıldırım said: “When needed, the President gathers the
Cabinet anyway. I suppose he will begin this practice in the new year”.
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