TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 29/15 12.02.15
1. Denktas: We are continuing lobbying activities to explain that halloumi cheese is Turkish Cypriot product too; Reference to the issue by foreign media
2. Turkish Cypriot political parties react to the deadline given by the “KTFF”; Sertoglu: I am ready to become a traitor of the country
3. Akinci and Ozersay on Turkish Cypriots relations with Turkey
4. Onurer supports that a solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should not necessarily concern a “federation” but a “unitary state” solution
5. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Arinc is illegally visiting the breakaway regime today
6. Former CTP “deputy” warns on the creation of problems between Turkey and the occupation regime
7. “Is it annexation to Turkey?”
8. Ustel: "The Turkish Cypriots who live in London are much more that those living in the TRNC”
9. Erdogan begins talks in Cuba to enhance bilateral ties
10. Turkey-EU parliamentary meeting delayed a month amid cool relations
1. Denktas: We are continuing lobbying activities to explain that halloumi cheese is Turkish Cypriot product too; Reference to the issue by foreign media
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.02.15) reports that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister responsible of the breakaway regime’s economy, culture tourism and sports, has alleged that the statement reportedly made by the Republic of Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture that the full authority on the issue of the inspection of halloumi-hellim cheese production will belong to the Republic of Cyprus, which will also control the Turkish Cypriots “does not comply with the realities”.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Denktas said that the self-styled government of the regime is actively exerting the necessary efforts in the direction of finding a common solution in which the Turkish Cypriots will also be included as regards the registration of halloumi-hellim cheese in the EU.
He argued: “Both political and legal efforts have been launched with the aim of looking out for our rights as regards this process and we are simultaneously continuing the necessary lobbying activities in order to explain that hellim is Turkish Cypriots’ ‘Traditional Product’ as well. Hellim is our traditional product too, like it is [product] of the Greek Cypriots. Therefore, it is not possible for south Cyprus to unilaterally establish an organization and control the Turkish Cypriot producers. The Greek Cypriot Minister of Agriculture has made an unfortunate statement before the geographical registration process is accepted in the EU. We are following the issue and our initiative on this issue will continue and increase”.
Meanwhile, according to Kibris Postasi (12.02.15, online), a report on the BBC Turkish Service says that halloumi-hellim cheese “is a unifier in Cyprus”. The report claims that whilst the island has been divided for the past 40 years, the issue of halloumi has become an unexpected joint basis for the two sides.
On its part, the French AFP news agency reports that Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot producers are facing fierce foreign competition and are looking for ways of pushing their differences aside.
The president of the Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry”, Ali Cirali has said that if they cooperate and find a solution to the halloumi issue, this will also help in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He noted that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot producers should come together as this is in the interest of both sides.
The report recalls that halloumi-hellim cheese is also being produced outside of the island now in countries such as the UK and USA, which are both producers and consumers of this cheese.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish Cypriot political parties react to the deadline given by the “KTFF”; Sertoglu: I am ready to become a traitor of the country
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.02.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot political parties have reacted differently to the so-called Turkish Cypriot football federation’s (“KTFF”) 45-day deadline to Turkey and the breakaway regime for solving the football clubs’ problems, which derive from the denial of the teams in Turkey’s amateurs’ league (BAL) to pay training fees to the Turkish Cypriot teams during the transfer of Turkish Cypriot football players, because “KTFF” is not recognized and not a member of FIFA and UEFA.
Ferdi Sabit Soyer, “deputy” with the “ruling” Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that the decision of the clubs is very important and their voice should be heard.
Sunat Atun, general secretary of the “main opposition” National Unity Party (UBP), said that the contacts of the Turkish Cypriot athletes abroad is an important issue and added that the problem should be solved through dialogue with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). He noted that the clubs’ taking money for training their football players during the transfers is something natural. “The problem should be solved between the federations. Otherwise, the road is closed for Turkish Cypriot youth”, he argued blaming the Turkish Cypriot side of not being able to explain its views to Turkey.
Serhat Kotak, general secretary of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), has argued that whatever the problem is, it is not a solution to join the Cyprus Football Association (CFA). “Our teams are totally right and this problem should be solved”, he said alleging that “solving this problem depends on us and it is wrong to say I will become a subordinate administration of the Greek Cypriot organization”.
Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that his party has always supported “KTFF’s” membership to the CFA and added: “There is hypocrisy of the Turkish government and officials. On the one hand they say that they are the only country in the world which recognizes the TRNC, but on the other they recognize absolutely none of its institutions, they ignore it and by-pass it. KTFF is an example for this”. Ozyigit said that Turkish teams play with Greek Cypriot teams at every level, but they do not play with Turkish Cypriot teams. He finally congratulated the “KTFF” for its reaction and expressed his party’s readiness to offer any support needed.
Serdar Denktas, self-styled prime minister responsible for sports, expressed his sorrow for the clubs’ decision and said that they should reexamine it. He noted that both his “ministry” and the so-called foreign affairs ministry are holding contacts with Turkish officials and last week the regime’s general coordinator on the issue, Orcun Kamali held meetings in Ankara with Turkey’s General Director on Sports, Mehmet Baykan, who is also vice president of TFF. He said that Baykan launched an initiative on the issue and soon they will solve it.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (12.02.15) reports that Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of “KTFF”, told Turkish NTV that they want to be registered in FIFA and that they can do this with the CFA. He noted that they had met with FIFA’s President and that their actions will be made in the light of the agreements. He said that the federation in Turkey tells them that they are unrecognized and not a member of FIFA and this is why it can do nothing on the issue of transfers. He added: “Then let us determine our own way. Let us become a member of the Greek Cypriot Federation and be recognized. I am ready to become a traitor of the country”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci and Ozersay on Turkish Cypriots’ relations with Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (12.02.15) reports that candidates for the “April 2015 presidential elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus Mustafa Akinci and Kudret Ozersay commented on the relations between Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.
Akinci stated that relations between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots should be neither of conflict nor of submission. “They should be relations of reconciliation”, he stated and added: “In the place of mother-daughter relations, brotherly relations should be established.
On his part, Ozersay has said that the most important and strategic ally of the Turkish Cypriots is Turkey but relations between the two however “are not healthy”. He also stated that the persons that will be elected will need to develop policies together with Turkey and have the knowledge and persuasive power to implement them.
(CS)
4. Onurer supports that a solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should not necessarily concern a “federation” but a “unitary state” solution
Under the title: “Eroglu is not the only responsible, Ozersay is responsible as well”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (12.02.15) publishes the second part of the interview by the so-called presidential candidate with the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP), Mustafa Onurer.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Onurer, said, inter alia, that the solution to be found should not be necessarily a “federation”, but a “unitary state”. Onurer said that this proposal does not mean that he opposes the model of a federation.
Referring to Kudret Ozersay’s “candidacy”, Onurer recalled that Ozersay was the negotiator during Denktas, Talat and Eroglu’s terms and added that Eroglu is not the only responsible for what it happened in the past, but Ozersay has also some responsibility.
(AK)
5. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Arinc is illegally visiting the breakaway regime today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (12.02.15) reports about the schedule of the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc who is illegally visiting the breakaway regime today. Arinc will participate in the foundation ceremony for the first stage of the new terminal building of the illegal Tymbou airport.
According to the paper, Arinc was reportedly expected to arrive in the occupied area of Cyprus at 10.40 in the morning through illegal Tymbou airport and then to hold contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the “speaker of the parliament” Sibel Siber and “prime minister” Ozkan Yorgancioglu.
In the afternoon Arinc will meet with representatives from “Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers Association” and “Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents Union”.
The Turkish Deputy Premier will continue his contacts on Friday and will meet with representatives from the Turkish Cypriot press. Arinc will leave the breakaway regime on Friday night.
6. Former CTP “deputy” warns on the creation of problems between Turkey and the occupation regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (12.02.15) reports that Sonay Adem, former “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), in statements to a televised program broadcast by ADA TV, evaluated several issues related to the forthcoming so-called presidential elections, the self-styled government’s works and the internal quarrels in the party.
Adem stated, inter alia, that they were informed about a protocol which was prepared by Turkey and the “TRNC” for the years 2016-2019, which includes, as he said a “strange article” and warned that in case this is signed, it will possibly create indignation in the “country”.
Explaining that at the moment a technical committee from Turkey carries out contacts in the “TRNC” for the preparation of the economic model to be implemented in the “country” for the years 2016-2019, Adem referred to an article of the protocol which envisages that the persons coming to the “TRNC” with working permission will be able to carry out any job they want. “In case this is imposed by Turkey, an important discrepancy will be created between the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey”, Adem said.
(AK)
7. “Is it annexation to Turkey?”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (12.02.15) reports that the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, is heading towards becoming Turkey’s 82nd province. According to the paper, those who heard about the “protocol” signed between the breakaway regime’s self-styled ministry of youth and sports and the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports have been astonished.
“The protocol transfers to Turkey almost all authorities in the field of youth and sports”, notes Detay recalling that this “protocol” was signed on 12 March 2014 and the agreement was published in Turkey’s official gazette on 3 February 2015. The step by step implementation of the five-year “protocol” started in the occupied area of the island after a decision of the “council of ministers” without securing the approval of the “parliament”.
Within the framework of the “protocol” a “youth coordination office” will be established in the occupied area of Cyprus and the employees of this “office”, who will come from Turkey, will be granted means and privileges equal to those of diplomatic missions. The activities of the so-called ministry of youth and sports as well as of the “youth department” will come to the point of being completely abolished with the “protocol”. With the “protocol” the activities in the field of youth and sports will be administered by a single center, like it happens with the activities of Turkey’s so-called “Aid Delegation” which functions under the Turkish “embassy” in the occupied part of Nicosia.
The “protocol” provides that it will be automatically prolonged for five more years every time it ends, unless one of the sides informs in writing the other side of its intention to annul the “protocol” six months before it ends.
(I/Ts.)
8. Ustel: "The Turkish Cypriots who live in London are much more that those living in the TRNC”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.02.15) reports that Unal Ustel, “deputy” with the National Unity Party (UBP), in statements to a televised program broadcast by Kibris TV regarding the tourism sector in the occupied area of Cyprus, said that Turkish Cypriots who live in London, are much more that those living in the “TRNC”.
Ustel said that if it is possible to bring those “people” back to the “TRNC”, then they would not need tourists.
Pointing out to the fact that ticket-prices are very expensive and that there are no direct flights with the “country”, Ustel stressed the need for these and other similar issues to be re-examined and underlined the importance of reviewing incentives for tourism.
Supporting that the most important problem of the former “government”, and of the current one as well, were the difficulties experienced with the British citizens who buy property in the “north”, Ustel added that because of these difficulties, these British citizens were selling up and moving away to southern Turkey and Antalya. “We should achieve to bring back those people, we should put to the table a system of incentives. Our people in London cannot come to north Cyprus, they go to south Cyprus and this is very disappointing. If there is a problem with our citizens in London, we should solve it”, Ustel said.
(AK)
9. Erdogan begins talks in Cuba to enhance bilateral ties
Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.02.15) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began talks for bilateral cooperation with his Cuban counterpart on Wednesday at the Cuban capital of Havana, the second stop of his Latin American visit.
Cuban President Raul Castro welcomed his Turkish counterpart at an official ceremony at the Cuba's presidential office. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mehdi Eker and Culture Minister Omer Celik are part of the Turkish delegation.
Cuban Ambassador to Turkey Alberto Gonzales Casals had told AA that Turkey and Cuba were expected to sign a cultural agreement. Also, Turkey's Ambassador to Havana Hasan Servet Oktem had told AA that Cuba's need for foreign capital was on the rise and the country was expecting investors from Turkey.
Reporting on the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (12.02.15) reports that Erdogan said after his meeting with Castro that the U.S. sanctions on Cuba were not right.
According to Sabah, Turkey seeks to build a mosque in Cuba's capital on its own as soon as a deal is settled between the officials. However, Cuban officials had already made an agreement with Saudi Arabia for a mosque construction in Havana.
10. Turkey-EU parliamentary meeting delayed a month amid cool relations
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (12.02.15) reports that a planned joint parliamentary meeting between Turkey and EU representatives was postponed for a month due to the lawmakers’ busy agenda, the Turkish co-chair of the joint commission has said, after a European lawmaker accused Ankara of delaying the event in order to avoid criticism.
Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission (KPK) Co-Chair Afif Demirkiran said a commission meeting planned to be held on Feb. 18 and 19 in Istanbul has been delayed to March because 25 KPK member lawmakers will have to attend debates for the much-debated security bill in Ankara.
A day before, one of the European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteurs, German Christian Democrat party member Renate Sommer, said the delay request from the Turkish side was “incomprehensible behavior.” In a statement, Sommer suggested that the Turkish government backed away from the meeting because it feared possible reactions from European parliamentarians, particularly over the issues of press freedom and the ongoing Cyprus tension.
In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (12.02.15) also reported that Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman of the European Commission's for neighboring policy and enlargement negotiations, Johannes Hahn, told the Hurriyet Daily News in a written reply to questions on the much-discussed government-drafted security bill that “measures to be taken to increase the security of citizens must be in full compliance with universal fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as European standards”.
“The 132-article ‘Home Security Package’ is expected to be brought to Turkish parliament next week after two postponements, amid strong criticism from the all three opposition parties that argue the draft law is another step to turning Turkey into a ‘police state.’ Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu defended the security bill in his parliamentary group meeting on Feb. 10, again stressing that the package is not in violation of EU standards”, Hurriyet writes.
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