TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
21/15 31.01-02.02.15
1.
Eroglu urges Greece to change policy on the Cyprus problem
2.
The Turkish Cypriots have low expectations on revival of the Cyprus talks
3.
The “foreign ministry” evaluates UNSC’s Decision to extend the mandate of the
UNFICYP
4.
Arinc: Turkey will restore all Evkaf foundation’s properties
5.
TDP will give a lecture at the British Parliament
6.
32 thousand foreign workers in the occupied area of Cyprus
7.
The breakaway regime is being represented at a tourism fair in London
8.
31 parties eligible to participate in June 7 elections
1. Eroglu
urges Greece to change policy on the Cyprus problem
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(01.02.15), Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu called on Greece’s newly
elected Prime Minister to change its country’s Cyprus policy “radically,” as
negotiations on the divided island stalled last October.
“If Greece’s new Prime Minister Alexis
Tsipras really wants to have a positive and peaceful contribution to his
country and to the region, he should change their Cyprus policies radically,”
claimed Eroglu.
“Tsipras should accept that there is also a
Turkish community in Cyprus as sovereign as the Greeks,” Eroglu alleged.
2. The
Turkish Cypriots have low expectations on revival of the Cyprus talks
Under the title “Expectations low in
revival of Cyprus talks as Tsipras visits island”, Turkish daily Sabah (online,
02.02.15) reports that ahead of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visit to
the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish officials on the island expressed their hopes
that Tsipras would give solution-oriented messages on the Cyprus issue and
convince Greek Cyprus to return to the negotiating table
Speaking to Daily Sabah ahead of Tsipras'
visit to Cyprus, Turkish officials on the island said that Tsipras should
convince Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table in order to continue
the stalled talks over the reunification of the island.
Self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami said
that there is no huge expectation from Tsipras' visit and added: "What we
expect from Tsipras' visit is to convince Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades
to return to the negotiating table unconditionally".
Ergun Olgun, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator,
said that there is no huge expectation regarding the Cyprus issue, but
Anastasiades should show determination over returning to negotiations to
continue the stalled talks and added: “There is need of stability and peace on
the island. We are here at the negotiating table as the Turkish side. There are
two equal publics on the island – Turks and Greeks. There is a need to have
equal rights and equal administration to live in unity. There were pledges
given by Tsipras before the elections in Greece. He said that he would be
respectful to everyone's rights so Tsipras should give fair messages
acknowledging the Turkish Cypriots' rights.”
Professor Dr NiyaziKizilyurek said that
Tsipras would give positive messages during his visit. He expressed his hopes
that Tsipras would give peaceful and solution-oriented messages during his
visit. He further said that when the Cyprus issue is solved, Turkish-Greek
relations would take one step further.
"I must say that unlike other Greek Prime
Ministers, Tsipras' visit will not escalate the tension on the island. In his
busy schedule, he will also hold talks with four Turkish Cypriot NGOs and
listen to their expectations," Kizilyurek added.
3. The
“foreign ministry” evaluates UNSC’s Decision to extend the mandate of the
UNFICYP
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 31.01.15), the self-styled foreign ministry of the breakaway regime
has issued the following statement regarding the UN Security Council’s decision
to extend the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus for another 6
months until the 31st of July:
“The United Nations Security Council
Resolution (2197/2015) dated 29 January 2015, which extends the mandate of the
UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2015, states that it
welcomes the Report of the UN Secretary-General on UNFICYP. In the said Report,
the UN Secretary-General makes reference to the isolation imposed on the
Turkish Cypriot people and emphasizes the necessity for the removal of such
restrictions and barriers. The omission of the UN Security Council to make a
clear reference to the unfair and illegitimate isolation which is still imposed
on the Turkish Cypriot people, has rendered the Resolution inconsistent and
lacking. Similarly in the said Resolution, the customary reference to the
so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus’, as well as the lack of reference to the consent
of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP,
is not an acceptable approach and is contradictory to the historical, legal and
political realities of the island of Cyprus.
It is amply clear that the call made in the
Resolution towards the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations
in the shortest possible time is aimed at the Greek Cypriot leadership who
withdrew from the settlement talks. The fact that the Resolution refrains from
using a language which could be interpreted as a precondition for the commencement
of the negotiations, clearly indicates the expectation of the Council in this
regard.
Our expectation from the Greek Cypriot side
is to act in line with this call by displaying a sincere approach and returning
to the negotiation table as soon as possible without any preconditions in order
to reach a settlement based on equality and compromise. The Turkish Cypriot
side maintains its decisive stance towards the immediate resumption and
conclusion of the negotiation process based on the established UN parameters,
convergences achieved between the two sides and the Joint Statement of 11
February 2014 within a specific timeframe under the auspices of the United
Nations Secretary-General’s Good Offices Mission.”
4. Arinc: Turkey will restore all Evkaf foundation’s properties
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi Daily News (online, 02.02.15), Turkish Minister for Cyprus and Deputy
Prime Minister BulentArinc has indicated that the Turkish Evkaf administration
is looking after all their cultural heritage from the Yemen to the Middle East
and noted that the restoration work on all of these regions is continuing.
Arincsaid that Turkey will restore all EVKAF religious foundation’s
properties in the occupied area of Cyprus. “We have signed a protocol in
Cyprus, we will do [the restoration] of all the Evkaf’s monuments”, Arinc said
yesterday.
According to the paper, this statement came
after the self-styled prime minister Yorgancioglu told media that only two
mosques were going to be restored by the Turkish Evkaf administration – the
Lala Mustafa Pasa (editor’s note: the cathedral of St. Nicholas in occupied
Famagusta) and the Selimiye Mosques (editor’s note: the cathedral of St Sophia
in the occupied part of Nicosia).
The Turkish Cypriot Building Contractors’ Union postponed
their protest at the last minute when Yorgancioglu announced that only two
cultural buildings (the mosques) were going to be restored. Arinc’s statements
now contradict this, according to the paper.
The chairman of the association Cafer
Gurcafer said that Yorgancioglu has taken a step back on it and he believes
that the issue will be resolved. Gurcafer said that the association has given
to Yorgancioglu 15 days and they will under no circumstance accept the
restoration of all the heritage buildings. He warned that if the protocol is
implemented fully, the contractors will protest in the streets.
5. TDP
will give a lecture at the British Parliament
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam
(02.02.15), a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot political party Social
Democracy Party (TDP), consisting of by its leader CemalOzyigit, the “deputy”
HuseyinAngolemli and the Foreign Relations Secretary of the TDP DenizBirinci,
will carry out contacts and meetings in London between 3-7 February.
According to the paper, the delegation will
give a lecture at the British Parliament on February 3 and will held meetings
with different groups of Deputies. On February 4, the TDP delegation will
participate in an event on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem
organized by the London Support association of TDP.
6. 32
thousand foreign workers in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (01.02.15)
reported that there are around to 32 thousand foreign workers, who reside and
have working permission at the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to information by the self-styled
ministry of labour and social security, the workers of Turkish origin are 27
thousands and there are also 4,500 workers from third countries. According to
the “ministry”, the number of the foreign workers changes every day.
Some foreign workers from Turkey, speaking
to the paper, said that the majority of the employers prefer the “illegal
workers”, who don’t have a working permission, because they accept to work with
much less money and more hours. Most of these illegal workers are citizens from
Pakistan, Nigeria, Vietnam and Turkmenistan. They prefer them.
7. The
breakaway regime is being represented at a tourism fair in London
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 30.01.15), the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus was represented at the “Destinations: The Holiday and Travel Show
2015” tourism fair in London.
According to the self-styled deputy prime
ministry and the ministry of economy, tourism, culture and sports statement,
the “TRNC” was promoted by “ministry representatives” as well as tour operators
operating in London at the fair which lasted until the 1st of February.
Over 50 thousand travel professionals were
expected to attend this year’s fair. General information brochures in English,
road maps, tourist guidebooks, posters, CDs, promotional bags and fabrics were
distributed at the “TRNC stand”. Food and drinks reflecting Turkish Cypriot
culture were also offered to visitors.
8. 31
parties eligible to participate in June 7 elections
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online,
02.02.15), Turkey's High Election Board has announced the political parties
that have been found eligible to take part in the June 7 parliamentary
elections, in accordance with the legislation. Accordingly, 31 political parties
can join the elections.
Political parties need to be organized in
at least half of Turkey's provinces six months prior to the Election Day, or
they have to have a parliamentary group in Turkish Grand National Assembly,
which requires a minimum of 20 Deputies.
The High Election Board has also announced
the election calendar. Voter lists will be announced by neighbourhood headmen
on March 14. The sorting of political parties on voting tickets will be decided
by the Board on April 3. The deadline for applications for independent
candidacy to the provincial election board is April 7. As of April 24, definite
candidate lists will be announced by the Official Gazette and media. Voting
will begin at customs and consulates on May 8. Electoral prohibitions will begin
at 6:00 p.m. on June 6.
With
a 2007 constitutional change, Turkey changed the election periods to every four
years from five years. In the last general election, which was held in 2011,
the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) received nearly 50% of the votes,
followed by Republican People's Party (CHP) with 26% and Nationalist Movement
Party with 13% of the votes.
The
political parties eligible to join the elections are as follows (in Turkish
alphabetical order):
1-
AdaletveKalkinmaPartisi (Justice and Development Party, 312 MP's)
2-
AlternatifParti (Alternative Party)
3-
AnadoluPartisi (Anatolia Party, 1 MP)
4-
BagimsizTurkiyePartisi (Independent Turkey Party)
5- BuyukBirlikPartisi
(Great Union Party)
6-
CumhuriyetHalkPartisi (Republican People's Party, 125 MP's)
7-
DemokratParti (Democratic Party)
8-
DemokratikGelisimPartisi (Democratic Improvement Party, 1 MP)
9-
Demokratik Sol Parti (Democratic Left Party)
10-
DogruYolPartisi (True Path Party)
11-
EmekPartisi (Labor Party)
12-
GencParti (Young Party)
13-
HakveAdaletPartisi (Rights and Justice Party)
14-
HakveEsitlikPartisi (Rights and Equality Party)
15-
HakveOzgurluklerPartisi (Rights and Freedoms Party)
16-
HalkinKurtulusPartisi (People's Salvation Party)
17-
HalkinYukselisiPartisi (People's Rise Party)
18-
HalklarinDemokratikPartisi (Peoples' Democratic Party, 27 MP's)
19-
HurDavaPartisi (Free Cause Party)
20-
IsciPartisi (Workers' Party)
21-
Liberal DemokratParti (Liberal Democratic Party)
22-
MerkezParti (Center Party)
23-
Millet Partisi (Nation Party)
24-
Millet veAdaletPartisi (Nation and Justice Party, 1 MP)
25-
MilliyetciHareketPartisi (Nationalist Movement Party, 52 MP's)
26-
MuhafazakarYukselisPartisi (Conservative Rise Party)
27- OzgurlukveDayanismaPartisi
(Freedom and Solidarity Party)
28-
SaadetPartisi (Felicity Party)
29-
ToplumsalUzlasma Reform veKalkinmaPartisi (Social Compromise Reform and
Development Party)
30-
TurkiyeKomunistPartisi (Communist Party of Turkey)
31-
Yurt Partisi (Homeland Party)
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