TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 54/15 20.03.15
1. Olgun explained the Turkish Cypriot’s vision in a
conference in Manchester
2.
The President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the British Parliament
worries about Cyprus’ agreements with Russia
3.
“Very important” developments are reportedly expected on the issue of “direct
flights” to the occupied area of Cyprus
4. So-called presidency: “Eroglu has sent five letters
to EU officials on the issue of hellim”
5.
Gurel: The companies will slow down their hydrocarbon exploration activities in
order to a give a chance for a solution in Cyprus
6. Ozyigit: Eide’s statements positive and hopeful
7. CHP boycotts Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Commission meeting; Cicek: “Ankara’s EU Ministry is almost non-functional”
8. CHP leader to run for primary elections in Izmir
9.A 28-years old journalist has been sentenced to
prison for insulting Erdogan
1. Olgun explained the Turkish Cypriot’s vision in
a conference in Manchester
Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis (20.03.15.)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergun Olgun gave a conference at
the Jean Monnet Centre in Manchester.
At the conference, Olgun shared with the participants
the Turkish Cypriot’s vision on the Cyprus talks and what they should do in
order for the negotiations to be concluded in success.
According to a press release by the “presidency”,
Olgun, in the conference, talked about the obstacles in the process, how these
obstacles can be overcome, how the current window of opportunity can be used
correctly and what kind of catalysts can contribute to the process.
Noting that the conference was quite productive, Olgun
said: “Our desire is that when we will return to Cyprus to be engaged in a
positive way to the process by using the ideas that we gained there to build a
health process which will result in a win-win outcome for both sides and to
share this with the UN”.
Referring to the hydrocarbons issue, Olgun said that
they should find a way to act with mutual understanding and unilateral
initiatives to be avoided. He added that the transformation of the hydrocarbons
issue from a curse to an opportunity for Cyprus, will contribute to the Turkish
and Greek Cypriot’s economies to gain acceleration.
Olgun also claimed that in case the Greek Cypriot side
returns to the negotiating table with a new perceptivity in a short time the
Cyprus time may be finalized.
Meanwhile, Olgun went afterwards to Brussels to
deliver a speech at the European Policy Centre.
(DPs)
2. The
President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the British Parliament worries
about Cyprus’ agreements with Russia
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.03.15)
reports that Richard Ottaway, President
of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the British Parliament, has said that they
are worried about the agreement recently signed between the Republic of Cyprus
and Russia.
Arguing that the European communities should convey
Russia and other regional players the message that the problems are solved
through diplomacy and not with the use of force, Ottaway noted that they are worried about some agreements
signed during President Anastasiades recent official visit to Russia which
include the use of Cyprus’ ports by Russian warships in return of making a
several-billion-euro discount in Cyprus’ debt to Russia.
He claimed that Europe should act in unity against
what he called as Russia’s aggressive stance in Ukraine and said that he finds
it difficult to understand this decision which gives Russia the opportunity to
anchor in the Mediterranean during such a period.
Ottaway alleged that this decision has showed the urgent need for a comprehensive solution
for ending the division between the sides which “further deepened with the
Greek Cypriot side abandoning the negotiating table”. He finally expressed
the hope for the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots returning to the table
the soonest and creating practical solutions to the problems.
(I/Ts.)
3. “Very
important” developments are reportedly expected on the issue of “direct
flights” to the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (20.03.15)
reports that Dr Muhammet Yasarata,
chairman of Britain’s Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, has referred to the
“direct flights” and “direct trade” to the occupied area of Cyprus during an
address at the House of Lords. He was invited last Wednesday by the President
of the House of Lords, Lord Sharkey and Baroness Hussein Ece, who is of Turkish
Cypriot origin, to address representatives of all parties.
During his speech, Yasarata reiterated the Turkish
views regarding the so-called isolation allegedly implemented on the Turkish
Cypriots and said that all countries which will trade with “north Cyprus”, as
he called the Turkish occupied area of the island, will benefit from the
lifting of the “isolation”.
Yasarata said that he exchanged views on the beginning
of “direct flights” to the occupied area of Cyprus and on paving the way for
“direct trade”. He noted: “Very
important developments will happen soon! Let Allah pave the way of the Turkish
Cypriot people!”
(I/Ts.)
4.So-called
presidency: “Eroglu has sent five letters to EU officials on the issue of
hellim”
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.03.15)
reports that the so-called presidency,
in a written statement, said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has
discussed several times with EU officials the halloumi/hellim issue.
The statement added that Eroglu, together with his recent letter, has sent in totalfive letters
to EU officials on the issue of hellim, mentioning also in the letters the
Turkish Cypriot “people’s rights”.
“Supporting
thoroughly and in every platform the Turkish Cypriot people’s rights, is among
the issues our president Dervis Eroglu pays importance and gives priority”,
the statement said, adding, also the following:
“Since Eroglu undertook duties,
he held several contacts not only with EU officials in Brussels and in other EU
centers but also in his “office”, where he conveyed the Turkish Cypriot
“people’s rightful demands”. Like in
all other issues, he paid attention and insisted on the issue of halloumi, as
well. Within the framework of our
efforts, our president held several contacts with related organizations. The
economic and cultural importance of this product for our people is obvious and
thus the monopolistic approach of the Greek Cypriot side on this issue is
unacceptable”, the statement said.
The statement said further that Eroglu has warned recently that a possible wrong step by the EU on the
issue of halloumi/hellim will constitute a big blow for the “TRNC’ economy”.
Eroglu
has underlined in all his letters to the EU that the halloumi cheese issue is a
common product of both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, he
explained the “realities” on this issue, he stressed that any steps to be taken
without taking into consideration the Turkish Cypriot “people’ rights” will
constitute an “injustice”, while at the same time, he stressed that any
decision by the EU against the Turkish Cypriots will be contrary to EU decision
of 26 April 2014, towards the “lifting of the isolations”.
(AK)
5. Gurel:
The companies will slow down their hydrocarbon exploration activities in order
to a give a chance for a solution in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.03.15)
reports that Dr Ayla Gurel, researcher
at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), has argued that the companies,
which carry out hydrocarbon explorations in the Republic of Cyprus’ exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) will slow down their work in order to give a chance for the
solution of the Cyprus problem.
In statements to Kibris, Gurel said that the
three-month period of laying up the Saipem-10000 platform by ENI/KOGAS
partnership and the possibility of extending this period will give time to the
solution of the Cyprus problem. “The
issue of Saipem’s maintenance was made up a little bit. ENI has two more
drillings to do, but due to economic reasons they want to extend these
drillings for the long term”, she argued claiming that Noble Energy has “immunity” because of the presence of the USA. “As far as I understood recently, the other
companies will slow down their activities”, she said.
Expressing
the view that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be difficult if the
international players leave the Cypriots alone when the negotiations resume,
Gurel said that the signs given by UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on
Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide show that the international community will force a
solution in Cyprus.
Arguing that the sides should mutually make sacrifices
for cooperating on the hydrocarbons issue, Gurel claimed that the Greek Cypriot
side uses the natural gas as trump card and expects the Turkish Cypriot side to
give concessions. That is why, she alleged, the Greek Cypriots do not discuss
the issue with the Turkish Cypriots and prevent them from taking their share
from the income which will be obtained.
(I/Ts.)
6. Ozyigit: Eide’s statements positive and hopeful
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (20.03.15),
the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit said that the
statements made by UNSG Special Advisor for the Cyprus Espen Barth Eide after
his meetings with the Cypriot leaders were positive and promising.
In a written statement, Ozyigit said that they, as
TDP, proposed the withdrawal of the war vessels from the territory by ending
the NAVTEX and the return of the Greek Cypriot leadership to the negotiating
table by stopping all the drilling activities. He reminded that they have made
several times a call that simultaneous steps should be taken in order to
overcome the crisis and deadlock in the negotiating table.
(DPs)
7.CHP boycotts Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Commission meeting; Cicek: “Ankara’s EU Ministry is almost non-functional”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.03.15) reported
that the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) boycotted the 76th Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Commission (KPK) meeting on March 19 in protest at the “autocratic rule” of the
Turkish government and its “insincere and oppressive” policies.
In a press conference, CHP Deputy Oguz Oyan cited
rumors that the government was planning to shut down their party and said that
a “systematic campaign” was being carried out to this end. Oyan particularly
referred to “slander” against CHP Deputy Umut Oran for the latter’s supposed
involvement in an alleged assassination plot targeting President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s daughter, Summeyye Erdogan.
Ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers have criticized the CHP’s
decision to protest the meeting, saying Oran had sent the relevant letter to European Parliament Deputies
but not to Turkish participants of the Commission.
At the meeting, several
European Parliament Deputies expressed concern about the state of freedom of
expression and freedom of the media in Turkey, along with concerns about
the under-discussion domestic security package. Greek and Greek Cypriot parliamentarians also reiterated the necessity
of Turkey’s “recognition of Cyprus and its economic zones in the Mediterranean
Sea.”
Speaking at the opening of Committee meeting, Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek
has stated that no chapters are currently being negotiated with the EU at the
moment, so Ankara’s EU Ministry was almost “non-functional.”
“We
established the Ministry for EU Affairs in order to show the importance we
attached to the process. But the Ministry has almost become non-functional,”
Cicek said.
EU Minister Volkan Bozkır, meanwhile, called on European Parliament members to
“avoid harming relations between Ankara and Brussels,” recalling the 442
motions given for a report prepared by the EU’s Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri.
Bozkır
stressed that the report is “not a report of the European Parliament,” but
rather a joint one.
Both Cicek and Bozkır also repeated Ankara’s line that
the European Parliament should “leave the issue of the 1915 incidents to
historians,” referring to the massacres of Ottoman Armenian subjects, which
most historians say amounted to genocide.
Cicek criticized attempts in the European Parliament
about the “Armenian claims for the 1915 incidents,” adding that these “biased
steps do not serve Turkish-Armenian friendship, but rather interrupt the
efforts of Turks and Armenians to jointly build their future.”
8.CHP leader to run for primary elections in Izmir
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.03.15) reports that Kemal Kılıcdaroglu,
chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has opted to run in party
primaries before the 2015 parliamentary polls, in response to calls from İzmir
as well as to emphasize the meaning of democracy. “I hope my decision to run
for internal elections will set an example for the wholeof Turkey to emphasize
the meaning of democracy at a moment when it has been losing its meaning,” said
Kılıcdaroglu, on his Twitter account on March 19. Kılıcdaroglu will run in İzmir, one of the strongholds of the CHP.
Answering to reporters’ questions while traveling to
Elazıg, Kılıcdaroglu explained how he took this decision, a rather rare move
given the political traditions of the country. “Our mayor in İzmir proposed to me that I run for primary elections
[from İzmir]. It was a surprise proposal for me, too. I said I would consider
it, and after listening to the calls of the city, I decided to run for
pre-elections,” he said.
Underlining that he was not worried by primaries, Kılıcdaroglu
said he would fully respect the choices of the CHP delegates who will vote in
pre-elections. Asked whether his move was also a message toward senior CHP
officials who tend not to compete in primaries but instead seek guaranteed
positions to enter parliament, he said: “A lot of things will change at the
CHP. Of course we respect the decisions of all of our members. However, forcing
someone to enter the pre-elections is as wrong as forcing quotas”.
Every political party should, of course, have a quota.
Pre-elections should be a chance given to everyone, especially those who are
starting up in politics. But we always favor those who have already been in
politics in pre-elections. I believed that this is what is right and what is
democratic. I do not know if some of our friends will drop out due to quota
issues,” he said.
(…)
9.A 28-years old journalist has been sentenced to
prison for insulting Erdogan
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.03.15) reported
that a journalist in southern Turkey has
been sentenced to a five-month suspended prison sentence, while the houses of
two more journalists from the same city were raided by police, all for
“insulting” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on their social media accounts.
Dogan News Agency reported that Mine Bekiroglu, a 28-year-old local journalist from Adana, was
sentenced to a five-month prison sentence by Adana 6th Criminal Court of First
Instance on March 19.
The cybercrime unit of the police detained Bekiroglu
and confiscated her computer to investigate her Facebook messages. Ignoring the
defense of Bekiroglu, who said her messages were “critical but not insulting,”
the court sentenced her to prison during the first trial session, but suspended
the ruling. The sentence will be executed if Bekiroglu repeats the crime.
Meanwhile, the police raided the houses of Abdullah Ozyurt,
a Cihan News Agency correspondent in Adana, and Aytekin Gezici, a former
journalist, early on March 19, according to the Cukurova Journalists Association.
“I don’t think that there is any insult in the
messages I shared on social media. I expressed my views, and I did not name
anyone in my criticism,” Ozyurt said.
Gezici, on the other hand, claimed that the police
raid was “illegal” and that he was not notified of its reason. “I did not
insult anyone. In this country, there are people who are being investigated for
sharing the Hadith [quotes from Prophet Muhammad],” he said.
More
than 70 people in Turkey have been prosecuted for “insulting” Erdogan since he
was elected to office in August 2014.
(…)
Beside
journalists, there are many other people from all professions, including a
former Miss Turkey, as well as children, who are being prosecuted for insulting
Erdogan. The Turkish President, through his lawyers, is involved in many of the
cases as plaintiff.
(…)
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