TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 12/15 20.01.15
1. Ertug
accused the Greek Cypriot side of carrying out a blame game against the Turkish
side
2. Sibel: The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side
at the current phase of the talks is Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriot side
3. The
breakaway regime will participate at the 10th Parliamentary Union of
the Islamic Union (OIC) Member States in Istanbul
4. Akinci
announced the website and the logo of his election campaign
5. The “Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association” backs
Eroglu candidacy
6. “Turkish
Cypriot hotel owners union” calls for opening to religious tourism
7. The occupation regime attended two tourism fairs
abroad
8. A culture centre will be constructed in the
occupied part of Nicosia
9. A memorial Rauf Denktas Park was inaugurated in
Izmir
10. Erdogan chaired an eight hour Cabinet meeting for
the first time as President
11. Davutoglu due to London to boost bilateral
relations
12. Erdogan to tour African countries
13. Kilicdaroglu criticized AKP government’s foreign
policy; He urged it to change its Syria policy
1. Ertug accused the Greek Cypriot side of carrying
out a blame game against the Turkish side
Turkish Cypriot
daily Vatan (20.01.15) reports that self-styled presidential spokesman Osman
Ertug claimed that the Greek Cypriot side tries to camouflage its escape from
the negotiating table with a campaign against the latest UN Report regarding
the UNFICYP activities in Cyprus. Ertug called the Greek Cypriot side to comply
with the Joint Statement of February 11 2014, adding that the initiatives to
overcome the deficiencies of the Report are continuing.
In a written statement
issued yesterday, Ertug noted that the Cyprus Government Spokesman Nikos
Christodoulides had strongly criticized the report and at the same time the
Greek Cypriot side is carrying out a blame game against the Turkish side.
Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side with Christodoulides’ criticisms aims to
influence the decision that the UN Security Council will take by the end of the
month regarding the report and the extension of UNFICYP in their favour, Ertug
alleged that regardless its claims, the Greek Cypriot side cannot suppress the
realities.
Referring to
paragraph 26 of the UN Report, Ertug claimed that it contains for them the most
important omission. It is not referred in the paragraph that the NAVTEX issued
by Turkey was issued upon the request and on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot
side. Ertug added that they will continue their initiatives in order this
mistake to be corrected.
2. Sibel: The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot
side at the current phase of the talks is Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriot
side
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper
(20.01.15) the “speaker” of the
so-called assembly and “presidential candidate” of the Republican Turkish
Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) Sibel Siber visited yesterday the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Trade (KTTO).
According to the paper, during the meeting, Sibel
briefed the chairman and the members of the Chamber about her candidacy.
Speaking
during the meeting, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem and said that
in order for a positive result to be reached on the Cyprus problem, they need a
leader at the negotiating table who would be in favor of peace.
Supporting
that the current status quo had increased the lack of trust in politics and
politicians in the “country”, she added that only the Turkish Cypriots can change this disorder and
pointed to the need for reforms and a policy that will renew trust.
Touching
on the Cyprus negotiation talks, Siber said that Anastasiades had left the
table unfairly but unfortunately due to the lack of effective politics, the
Turkish Cypriot side was unable to prove to the international community their
“legitimacy”.
Stating
that especially in this period and at the current phase of the negotiations,
the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriots is not the Turkish Cypriot side but
Turkey, Sibel said that some statements should not have been made by the
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but from the “presidency office”.
AK
3. The
breakaway regime will participate at the 10th Parliamentary Union of
the Islamic Union (OIC) Member States in
Istanbul
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (20.01.15)
reports that a delegation of the “assembly” headed by its “speaker” Sibel Siber
is going to Istanbul to participate at the 10thParliamentary Union
of the Islamic Union (OIC) Member States.
According to the paper, the delegation which consists
of the “deputy” with the Republican Party Armagan Candan, the “deputy” with the
National Unity Party Izlem Gurcag, the “deputy” with the Democratic Party Fikri
Ataoglu and the “deputy” with the Socialist Democracy Party Zeki Celer” will go
to Istanbul on Thursday, January 22 for the one-day conference which will be
held on the same day. The paper also writes that Siber will deliver a speech at
the conference.
4. Akinci
announced the website and the logo of his election campaign
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.01.15)
reports that the candidate for the April “presidential elections” Mustafa Akinci announced the website and
the logo of his election campaign.
The address of the website ishttp://www.mustafaakinci.com/ and the words “peace”, “production”, “take roots”,
“togetherness”, “devotion”, will be some of the main logos in campaign.
The
paper also writes that Akinci’s campaign will be separated in four dimensions:
“1. Politics focused on solution, 2. Sensitivity on the problems faced by the
country, 3. Relations with Turkey based on individual and mutual respect
independent and 4. Objective
presidency”.
5. The “Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association”
backs Eroglu candidacy
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(19.01.15-online in English) the
chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association” (İSAD) Metin Sadi criticized
the “Turkish Cypriot governments” so far for not dealing with issues of the
“country” seriously and said that he
agreed with Eroglu's candidacy and his views about the “presidential system”.
Sadi who paid a visit to the paper, criticized the Republican Turkish
Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) for not nominating the “person who could solve the
Cyprus problem” as their “presidential candidate”.
According to Sadi CTP-BG’s choice of candidate
revealed the party authorities insincerity regarding their party program in
which CTP-BG states the party’s dedication to solve the Cyprus problem.
6. “Turkish Cypriot hotel owners union” calls for
opening to religious tourism
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (20.01.15)
reports that the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot hotel owners union” Huseyin
Aktig stated that the breakaway regime must make an opening to religious
tourism.
Aktig stated to the paper that Cyprus hosted many
religions in the past and the time has come to take advantage of this for
touristic purposes since it can prove that it can be holly destination for many
religions. He said that in 2015 the breakaway regime must put forward a
strategy to attract religious tourism which he noted is a new huge market.
7.The occupation regime attended two tourism fairs
abroad
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (19.01.15)
reported that the so-called prime
ministry, “ministry of economy, tourism, culture and sports”, participated at
the “Belfast Telegraph Holiday World Show 2015” tourism fair which took place
between 16-18 January in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
According to the information given by the “ministry”,alongside the delegation from the
“ministry”, representatives from the tourism sector also participated at the
fair where they carried out a series of promotional activities for “north
Cyprus tourism”.
Also,
the occupation regime’s tourism has been promoted at the 46th Düsseldorf Boot
Messe fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.
According to the information given by the “ministry” during
the fair which will be open till 25th of January, the promotion activities for “north
Cyprus” is being carried out by the “tourism promotion and marketing department”
office in Germany.
During this year’s fair, 1,650 participants from 60
countries are taking part, apart from the host country Germany.
8. A culture centre will be constructed in the
occupied part of Nicosia
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (20.01.15),
the self-styled assembly speaker of the breakaway regime Sibel Siber announced
that an old hotel building, belonging to the EVKAF administration, in the road
of the Paphos Gate at the occupied part of Nicosia, will be converted into a
modern, culture, tourism and art centre.
Siber, in a meeting with the “committee of founding a
modern art museum”, said that the non-existence of a museum in the occupied
part of Nicosia is a great deficiency.
9. A memorial Rauf Denktas Park was inaugurated in
Izmir
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (20.01.15) reports that a
memorial park in the name of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas was
inaugurated yesterday in Izmir. Rauf Denktas bust is also displayed in the
park.
Former leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CHP)
Deniz Baykal, who attended the ceremony, said that Denktas is one of the most
important state persons, who has a place in history.
10.Erdogan chaired an eight hour Cabinet meeting
for the first time as President
Ankara Anadolu news agency (19.01.15) reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chaired for
the first time as President the Turkish government’s Council of Minister’s
meeting.
The Council’s meeting took place at the Presidential
Palace in Ankara on Monday and reviewed a host of internal and international
issues.
The meeting began with Erdogan’s opening remarks
during which he said that he and the Turkish government led by Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu were all working together towards the aim of being at the
service of the Turkish people.
"Security
and public order were the first items on the agenda”, the Deputy Prime Minister
Bulent Arinc said. He added that the council discussed security and public
order, including the country's Kurdish solution process and efforts in the fight
against the "parallel state".
(…)
The
meeting also evaluated last year’s foreign policy and focused on the latest
developments in Iraq, Syria and Palestine along with global terrorism threats.
Arinc said that the Deputy Prime Minister responsible
for Economy Ali Babacan and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci also briefed the
council about economic developments at home and abroad during 2014.
The
meeting also discussed the latest developments regarding Turkey's accession to
the European Union.
Arinc
also dismissed claims in the media that Turkey had switched to a presidential
system because of the Cabinet meeting being chaired by Erdogan. "The parliamentary system is still functioning
in Turkey. We have a President and a Prime Minister both of whom are working within
their realms of authority", he said.
Arinc
added that by chairing the Cabinet meeting, Erdogan had only exercised an
authority given to him by the country’s constitution 40 years ago.
Arinc
said the next Cabinet meeting on Monday will be chaired by Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu as usual, adding that no "periodic" Cabinet meetings under
Erdogan were planned.
Erdogan
is the sixth President who headed a cabinet meeting after the country's
transition to a multi-party system in 1946.
Before
him, former presidents Cemal Gursel, Fahri Koruturk, Kenan Evren, Turgut Ozal
and Suleyman Demirel have all chaired cabinet meetings in the past.
Turkey's 8th President Ozal headed the meeting seven
times and the 7th President Evren four times.
The 4th President Gursel, the 6th President Koruturk
and the 9th President Demirel each chaired cabinet meetings twice.
The last meeting was chaired by the 9th President
Demirel on May 12, 2000, four days before his presidency came to an end.
11.Davutoglu due to London to boost bilateral
relations
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (19.01.15) reported that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is to visit
Britain on January 19-21 to meet with senior British officials for talks on
bilateral relations and regional issues, including international cooperation on
counterterrorism.
According to a written statement released by the Prime
Ministry on Monday, Davutoglu will meet
his British counterpart, David Cameron.
During his visit, Davutoglu will also join a series of
meetings about economic developments in Turkey and economic relations with the
UK.
Relations between Turkey and the UK were strained
following allegations that Turkey handed over British jihadists to terrorist
group the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in a hostage swap in
2014.
Following
his visit to the UK, Davutoglu is scheduled to visit Sweden on January 21-23
and then to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2015, becoming
the first Turkish Prime Minister to attend the gathering since his predecessor,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in 2009.
(…) Davutoglu will attend the WEF meeting as the head
of the G-20 group of countries and will address the participants as the sole
speaker at a session on January 24, according to Prime Ministry sources.
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (19.01.14) reported that President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to go to Addis
Ababa on January 22 as part of his scheduled visits to several African countries,
including Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Erdogan is to be accompanied by large group of Ministers,
bureaucrats and businessmen.
According to a recent statement issued by the office
of the President, during his visit to
Addis Ababa, Erdogan will meet with the Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome
Wirtu and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
Erdogan
is also scheduled to visit Djibouti the following day, and meet with Djiboutian
President İsmail Omar Guelleh. The visits will help businessmen from Turkey and these African nations
to establish close ties, the statement said.
Erdogan's
office also pointed out that Turkey has close historical and cultural ties with
the countries of the Horn of Africa and that these countries are the strategic
gateways to Middle Eastern and world markets.
The
visit will also be an opportunity to discuss regional developments in Africa,
the statement said.
Erdogan is
expected to return to Turkey on January 24.
According to reports by the President’s office,
Erdogan plans to travel to 12 African countries this year.
(…)
13.Kilicdaroglu criticized AKP government’s foreign
policy; He urged it to change its Syria policy
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.01.15-online in
English) reported that the leader of the
main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu has said
that Ankara’s Syria policy must change, stating that Turkey must no longer be a
route for foreign fighters.
“Ankara’s regional policy should remain at an equal distance
from all religions and sects in the Middle East”, Kilicdaroglu said at the
fifth Istanbul Forum in Istanbul on January 19.
“Turkey
can contribute to sustainability in the region only with such a policy. In this
regard, its Syria policy should certainly change.The passage of foreign
fighters should not be allowed by Turkey, which must take the required
measures,”stated Kilicdaroglu, adding that the current policy had led to
Ankara’s severe “isolation.”
“A majority of the society is concerned about both the
future of Turkey and of the world. People are afraid that their children will
grow up fearing terrorist groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
[ISIL]”, he said.
The CHP leader also argued that Turkey’s continued
“intervention in the internal business of Syria” is helping the formation of a
counter-bloc of Iran, Russia and China. “The international community has a
widespread view that the Justice and Development Party [AKP] government is
supporting al-Nusra and ISIL, with the resources of Gulf countries being used
in this process. This has caused a serious uneasiness not only in Syria but
also in Iraq, Iran and Russia”, he argued.
“All
we want is Turkey to be the source of peace and stability in the region, as it
was in the past. The government’s
zero problems with neighbors policy has turned into one of many unsolved
problems”.
“Today, Turkey is an isolated country that has no
effect in the region,” Kılıcdaroglu added, referring to current Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu’s much publicized “zero problems with neighbors policy,” which
has been badly compromised by tensions with Syria.
He warned that all democracies would face the problem
of terrorism if they do not diagnose the problems properly, and said that there
are “sleeping” cells of radical ideologies in Turkey, which is a “serious, open
and close threat.”
Referring
to Turkey’s EU bid, he said: “Turkey is moving away from the European Union
membership, but we consider it a necessity for the country’s democracy and
economy,” he added.
The
AKP is trying to implement an understanding that collapsed at the start of the
20th century, rebranding it under the name “neo-Ottomanism,” Kılıcdaroglu also
said, adding that this had received a mixed reaction in Arab countries and took
Turkey away from its historic allies.
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