TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
55/15 21-23.03.15
1. Nami
said that he does not regard as possible the Greek Cypriots to earn 1,400,000
euro per day from natural gas
2. FIFA
rejected TFF application; Statements by Sertoglu
3. Bozkir:
“Turkey expects important steps to be taken on the Cyprus problem in the near
future”
4. Eroglu
said that settlers will be citizens of a partnership state after an agreement
is reached
5. Sibel
stated that illegal settlers will remain in Cyprus after a solution
6. Akinci
calls on Sibel’s supporters to vote for him in the second round of the
“presidential elections”
7.
Yorgancioglu evaluated the last five-month “government’s performance”
8. Olgun
said that there is a window of opportunity for resumption of the Cyprus talks
in April
9.
SerdarDenktas: “We will develop the intellectual tourism in North Cyprus”
10. Gulle
met with the President of AEMH
11. The
breakaway regime participated in a tourism fair in Sweden
12.
“International conferences” are hosted in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus
13. Report
about five abandoned hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus
14. Ocalan
renews call for PKK talks on ending armed campaign
15. A rift
between Turkey’s government and President Erdogan on the Kurdish issue
16. Turkey
to provide $50 million loan and $10 million grant to Ukraine
1. Nami
said that he does not regard as possible the Greek Cypriots to earn 1,400,000
euro per day from natural gas
Under the title “They exaggerate”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Diyalog (23.03.15) reports that the self-styled minister of
foreign affairs OzdilNami, in an interview to the paper, evaluated the decision
of the Greek Cypriot side to extend the natural gas exploration activities with
France’s Total and their target of revenue to be 1,400,00 euro per day from
Aphrodite plot. Nami said that it is evident that they have not discovered as
much hydrocarbon as they had estimated in the areas that exploration activities
were held.
Nami explained that it is not difficult to
estimate that the income, which will be gained in 2018-2020 period, will be
lower in comparison with the revenue of today’s energy markets, because the
diversity of the world energy sources as the discovery of shale gas will be
increased and will affects the prices.
Replying to a question on why thethe Greek
Cypriot side signs unilateral agreements with companies on the drilling
activities since both communities will profit by the revenue of the natural gas
found in the EEZ of Cyprus, Nami claimed that the rights of the Turkish
Cypriots are not limited only to the revenue of the hydrocarbons, but the
Turkish Cypriot side should be included to all stages of the involved processes
regarding the extracted and developed resources including the agreements with
the companies, adding that they voice this to every platform. Nami reiterated
that the Turkish Cypriot side has put constructive proposals on the negotiating
table regarding this issue.
Referring to the Cyprus talks, Nami said
that they, as Turkish Cypriot side, expects the return of the Greek Cypriot
side at the negotiating table without preconditions and the resumption of the Cyprus talks
without losing more time.
(DPs)
2.FIFA
rejected TFF application; Statements by Sertoglu
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper
(21.03.15) reported that FIFA, the
world’s top governing body on football, has rejected the application filed by
the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to open a “representation office” in the
“TRNC”.
According to the paper, FIFA wrote in the replying letter that it
has rejected the TFF’ application providing as an excuse that the “Turkish
Cypriot Football Federation did not see positively this attempt by the TFF”.
Commenting
on the decision to KanalSim yesterday, the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot
Football Association” (KTFF) Hasan Sertoglu said that FIFA’s response was the
expected one. “The reasons for the decision have not yet conveyed to us. We are
expecting them to come within the week”, Sertoglu said.
Sertoglu stated also the following: “Our struggle will continue, until we teach
the TFF a lesson to act together with us and our administration. They did not
think that FIFA would send us a letter to inform us; they were deceived. We do
not have a problem with the people of Turkey. Our fight is with the TFF
administration which insists on overlooking our existence”.
(AK)
3.Bozkir:
“Turkey expects important steps to be taken on the Cyprus problem in the near
future”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(21.03.15) reported that Turkey’s EU Minister VolkanBozkir, within the framework of his contacts in Brussels, met
with the first Vice-President of the European Commission FransTimmermans, the
Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Euro and Social
Dialogue, ValdisDombrovskis and the European Commissioner for Environment
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, KarmenuVella.
Replying to reporters’ questions after
his contacts, Bozkir referred, inter
alia, to the Cyprus problem and expressed hopes that important steps will be
taken in the near future towards the solution of the Cyprus problem. “If the
Cyprus problem is solved, 17 chapters will be able to open for negotiations. In
that case, Turkey’s EU negotiation process will be refreshed. Of course, we
will be able to understand at that point, whether the deadlock has been created
because of the Cyprus problem or because of the stance of some countries which
are hiding behind the Cyprus problem”, Bozkir said.
(AK)
4. Eroglu said that settlers will be citizens of a partnership
state after an agreement is reached
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.03.15) reports that DervisEroglu the Turkish
Cypriot leader and candidate for the “April 19 presidential elections”, stated
that an experienced politician must be seated at the negotiation table adding
that very critical days are ahead as regards the Cyprus talks.
Eroglu, who
made these statements in the framework of his election campaign, said that he
is the politician who knows “the people’s will and expectations”. Referring to
the “demands” made by the Greek Cypriots at the negotiations, Eroglu claimed
that the “demands” as regards property are “outrageous” and added that there is
no way the Turkish Cypriots to abandon any soil. “The Greek Cypriots does not
want the Turkish army to stay. They even make a distinction between those who
came from Turkey and those who are married with Turkish Cypriots. They desire
so many things”, he claimed, adding that bargaining is not made this way.
Eroglu also
claimed that some time ago the National Council conveyed and took a decision
which means that the Republic of Cyprus will continue after a solution.
“According to me this is so totally wrong and against the UN parameters”, he
claimed adding: “What is the purpose of making negotiations if we were to live
under the Republic of Cyprus?”.
Finally he
accused the Greek Cypriot side of saying that the (illegal) settlers who came
from Turkey 40 years ago, should go back and claimed that for the “TRNC” these
people are considered “citizens” and they will not go back in case of a
solution: “Our citizens will still be citizens of a partnership state after an
agreement is found”, he claimed.
In
addition, Gunes (21.03.15) reports that Eroglu stated that the negotiations
will be launched after the 19 April “presidential elections” and added that
President Nikos Anastasides will find Eroglu in front of him at the negotiation
table. He also said that one of the main
issues at a solution to be found will be “the equal status of the two founding
states” and added that common announcement of 11 February is at the table.
(CS)
5. Sibel stated that illegal settlers will remain in Cyprus
after a solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
922.03.15) reported that SibelSibel, the candidate of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) for the “presidential elections” to be held on April 19, made
statements regarding the illegal settlers in Cyprus saying that they will not
be sent back in case of a solution.
Sibel made this statement replying to
questions during a speech she delivered at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean
University.
She said that the settlers are “TRNC
citizens” and claimed that there is definitely no issue for sending them back.
She alleged that this is against any implementation of Human Rights and added
that the settlers who came to the occupied area of Cyprus after 1974 even voted
in the Annan Plan, adding that “the EU and the UN are aware of this”.
(CS)
6. Akinci calls on Sibel’s supporters to vote for him in the
second round of the “presidential elections”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.03.15) reported that Mustafa Akinci
independent candidate for the “presidential elections” to be held on April 19
said that he is certain that he will pass to the second round of the
“elections”.
Akinci who
was speaking at a television program at Kibris TV, stated that if there is
going to be a second round, DervisEroglu and Mustafa Akinci will pass to the
second round and added that those who will vote for the candidate of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) SibelSiber for the first round, will support his
candidacy in the second round.
(CS)
7.Yorgancioglu
evaluated the last five-month “government’s performance”
According to illegal Bayrak television
(20.03.15), so-called prime minister OzkanYorgancıoglu, announced in a press
conference the Republican Turkish Party- United Forces and Democratic Party-
National Forces “coalition government” (CTP-BG and DP-UG) performance over the
past 5 months.
(…)Speaking to reporters, Yorgancioglu
pointed to the investments and incentives increased for 2014 and explained that
totally 4,000 young people had been employed.
Referring
to the tourism sector, he said that there has been a record increase of 11% on
the number of tourists visiting the occupation regime in 2014 comparing with
last year and added that totally 795 thousand tourists have visited the “TRNC”
in 2014, while the hotel capacity has been increased to 49%, as he claimed.
Referring to the revenues from the
tourism sector, Yorgancioglu said that there
was an increase of 4.64%, compared with last year and added that the revenues
have reached to 644 million 700 thousand dollars.
On the economy, Yorgancioglu alleged that they have succeeded to bring the economy at a
point where it can stand on its own feet and noted that whilst the budget
deficit was 357 million TL in 2014, this was reduced to 32 million 400,000TL
for this year.
On the matter of Ercan airport’s
privatization, he noted that the only loss incurred there were the 4-5,000
trees which had to be cut down to build the new runway. “However 20,000 new
saplings are going to be planted in order to overcome this loss”, he said.
Yorgancıoglu also pointed out that a
number of restoration projects including the Othello Castle and the Apostolos Andreas Monastery are progressing
steadily.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (21.03.15) reports that commenting
of the works of the so-called foreign ministry, Yorgancıoglu said that most of
the “minister’s works” and diplomatic initiatives over the past five months
were concentrated on the resumption of the stalled negotiations process.
Pointing
out that they exerted efforts and held intensified diplomatic contacts with US
officials, the UK, the UN and other involved parts in order to persuade them on
the “wrong stance” of the Greek Cypriot side towards the issue of the
hydrocarbons, as well as its decision to leave the talks, Yorgancioglu added
that they also conveyed to the UN Secretary General`s Special Adviser Espen
Barth Eide, constructive proposals, regarding the return of the Greek Cypriot
side to the table without any preconditions.
Yorgancioglu also stated that their
efforts towards the directions of the resumption of the talks still continue.
He also referred to their intensified efforts together with the cooperation of
the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO) both in Brussels and in the island,
on the issue of halloumi/hellim.
Commenting on the water transfer project
from Turkey, Yorgancioglu said that the project is going as planned and added
that it is near of its completion.
(…)
(AK)
8. Olgun
said that there is a window of opportunity for resumption of the Cyprus talks
in April
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(23.03.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergun Olgun, who
delivered speeches at the Jean Monnet Centre at the University of Manchester
and at the European Policy Centre in Brussels last week, evaluated to the paper
the conferences he attended.
Olgun said that ways of better utilisation
the window of opportunity mentioned by the UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen
Barth Eide and how a future crisis can be averted was amongst the issues
discussed at the conferences. He added that the works on technical dimension
are continuing on when the Cyprus talks may resume and that they are
continually in contact with Eide. Olgun also said that they exchanged views on
what is needed to be done in order to get successful results from the Cyprus
talks. He noted that a Cyprus settlement will contribute to the solution of
economic problems of both communities.
Referring to the hydrocarbon issue, Olgun
said that they discussed in the conferences how both sides need to refrain from
unilateral actions on hydrocarbon exploration activities and how the
negotiations can be structured in the period ahead as to avert any future
crisis. Olgun explained that the international arena sees a window of
opportunity in Cyprus at the present time and supports this process. He
stressed that the resumption of the talks has nothing to do with the
“presidential elections” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Olgun claimed that there is an opportunity to
resume the Cyprus talks in April, reminding that the NAVTEX issued by Turkey
will end on April 5 as well as the second drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ plot 9.
(DPs)
9.SerdarDenktas:
“We will develop the intellectual tourism in North Cyprus”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(21.03.15) reported that the so-called deputy prime minister, “minister of
economy, tourism, culture and sports” SerdarDenktas
has stated that they want to develop the intellectual tourism in “daughter
country-Cyprus”, as he described the occupation regime.
Denktas attended for the first time the
Moscow International Exhibition Travel & Tourism (MITT).
In statements to AA’ correspondent, Denktas explained the plans they have
prepared aiming to promote the “tourism” in the “TRNC” and said: “We want the
development of intellectual tourism in North Cyprus and not a massive tourism.
Pointing out to the importance of
various cultural assets and the good weather climate conditions in Cyprus,
Denktas said that it is also important for tourists the fact that they provide
high level quality services in very low prices.
Denktas
alleged that the attraction of tourists in the “TRNC” will contribute to its
recognition.
(AK)
10.Gulle
met with the President of AEMH
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspaper (21.03.15) reported that the so-called
minister of health AhmetGulle met with the President of the European
Association of Senior Hospital Physicians (AEMH) Dr Joao De Deus, who is
illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus to attend a conference, upon an
invitation from the “Turkish Cypriot Doctor’s Union”.
According to information given by the
so-called ministry, Gulle informed De Deus about the works to establish a new
health system in the “TRNC”.
De
Deus will deliver a speech at a conference which will take place in the
occupied area of Cyprus about hospital’s administration and health systems.
Translator’s
note: The paper does not provide further information about the conference.
(AK)
11. The breakaway regime participated in a tourism fair in
Sweden
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.03.15) reports that the breakaway regime participated in the “TUR 2015 Tourism Fair” which
took place in Sweden between 19-22 of March.
According
to the paper information leaflets in English and Swedish were distributed by in
the pavilion of the breakaway regime.
(CS)
12. “International
conferences” are hosted in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
YeniBakis (22.03.15), the international Conference on “University of the
Future: University Cities and Health Tourism” will be organized by the European
Business Assembly (EBA) and hosted by the illegal near east university (“YDU”)
in the occupied part of Nicosia in Cyprus, with the participation of Rectors of
Oxford Academic Union (OAU) and Club of Rectors, between 25-26 March 2015.
EBA, which granted Dr SuatGunsel, founding
rector of “YDU”, with the Socrates Award, selected the “YDU”, as the University
of the Future for 2015.
According to a press release by “YDU”, the
opening speeches of the conference, will be delivered by the Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu, Prof. Dr John Netting, President of EBA, and Dr Suat I.
Gunsel.
Also, according to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibrisli (21.03.15), the 4th international education sciences
symposium was held at the illegal Girne American University (GAU) between 19-21
of March, 2015. Approximately two-hundred (200) local and foreign scientists at
the symposium from 19 countries attended the symposium.
(DPs)
13. Report about five abandoned hotels in the occupied area of
Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (23.03.15) writes about five hotels located in
occupied Famagusta and claims that despite belonging to the “state” the
government abandoned them and it is not aware of their value.
The paper
writes that these are the Seaside Hotel, the Mimoza Hotel, the Sea View Hotel,
the Majestic Hotel and the Rebecca Hotel which all together have a 1000-bed
capacity and worth millions.
Claiming
that the “state” is mourning over the hotels left in the fenced off city of
Varosha, but at the same time does not pay attention to the value of the hotels
mentioned above, Havadis writes that the Seaside Hotel has been out of order
for 15 years, Mimoza Hotel for 3 and adds that Sea View Hotel, the Majestic
Hotel and the Rebecca Hotel “have been left to die”. It also claims that
efforts for investments for these hotels failed due to “government’s” lack of
interest.
(CS)
14. Ocalan
renews call for PKK talks on ending armed campaign
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
21.03.15) with the above title reported that the jailed leader of the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, sought to maintain progress in Turkey's
precarious settlement process with the Kurds on Saturday, repeating his call
for a PKK congress to discuss laying down arms and begin an “era of peace”.
"History and our people are demanding
from us a democratic solution and peace in line with the spirit of the age,”
Ocalan said in a letter read out to a crowd of tens of thousands attending
Nevruz celebrations in the south-eastern province of Diyarbakır. “We are
entering an era of living in peace and brotherhood,” Ocalan said in the
message, read out both in Kurdish and Turkish by two politicians from the
pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
Ocalan said
that the PKK’s three-decade armed campaign was not in vain but added that it
has reached an “unsustainable” level, calling for a PKK congress to determine
its "political and social strategy in harmony with the spirit of the new
period”.
The PKK leader’s 2-page letter came as part
of a settlement process, which consists of secret talks between Ocalan in his
prison in Imralıisland off İstanbul and state officials, particularly
representatives from the National Intelligence Agency (MİT).
The message is a confirmation of a call by
Ocalan in late February on the PKK to convene a congress to discuss laying down
its arms on the basis of a 10-article declaration that sets out rather vague
steps for democratization of Turkey and resolution of the Kurdish issue.
15. A
rift between Turkey’s government and President Erdogan on the Kurdish issue
Under the title “Erdogan, gov’t differ on
Kurdish peace bid”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.03.15)
reported that a senior government official has reiterated his criticism towards
President RecepTayyipErdogan’s latest intervention into the government-led
Kurdish peace process, stating that even though the ruling party loves the
President, it should not be forgotten that there is a government in the
country.
“We love
our President, we know his power and are also aware of the services he will
give but please do not forget that there is a government in this country,” said
Deputy Prime Minister BulentArinc on March 22.
Arinc said
that as a Minister of the government he would defend Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu against threats which could wear him out as the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) is preparing for the June 7 general elections, adding
that the nation would want a strong government and a decision mechanism before
the elections.
Stating that Erdogan’s choices and the
issues he sent signals about are very important for them, Arinc added that the
government has a responsibility towards the parliament and the nation. “If it
is the government which rules the country then the government should surely be
very strong in its decisions and operations, and this strength needs to be
known by the public,” said Arinc.
This is
Arinc’s second criticism towards Erdogan, who said on March 20 he did not
approve the formation of a monitoring committee as part of the Kurdish peace
process, although the government and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) had
reached a deal on it.
Erdogan said that he reads the news in the
newspapers and expresses his obvious opposition to the development, although it
marks an important milestone in running the peace process.
Upon Erdogan’s remarks, Arinc said on March
21 that Erdogan’s words were emotional and personal. “His statements that ‘I
didn’t like it’ or ‘I don’t approve this and that’ are his emotional remarks.
The responsibility belongs to the government and we can regard his statements
as his personal views,” Arinc told reporters on March 21.
Arinc’s
statement constituted the first public and straight criticism against the
President by the government, signalling a disagreement between Erdogan and
Davutoglu.
Arinc made this statement on the very day
Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),
publicized a fresh call on the PKK to hold a congress as soon as possible to
discuss the disarmament of the organization.
(DPs)
16. Turkey
to provide $50 million loan and $10 million grant to Ukraine
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online,
20.03.15), in a joint press conference held in Kiev with his Ukrainian
counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, Turkish
President RecepTayyip Erdogan has announced that Turkey will provide Ukraine
with a $50M loan to help cover its budget deficit and give $10M as humanitarian
aid for the displaced Ukrainian people.
During his visit to the fourth meeting of
High Level Strategic Council between Turkey and Ukraine, Erdogan made exclusive
remarks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and economic relations with
the war-torn country. "Turkey is
ready to further improve its strategic partnership relation with its friend and
neighbour Ukraine" Erdogan said.
"We
have expressed our views on Ukraine's territorial integrity, including Crimea,
on every platform" Erdogan added, and expressed Turkey's support for
Ukraine to improve its relations with European institutions.
Erdogan wished for peace to be achieved
urgently and a solution to be found based on Ukraine's territorial integrity.
"We support the consensus signed in Minsk on February 12 and we wish for a
holistic practice of precautions package" Erdogan stated, referring to the
ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists along with
humanitarian issues and political and economic status of Luhansk and Donetsk
regions.
(DPs)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
