TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
66/15 09.04.15
1.Cicek
describes the occupied area of Cyprus as “a half-open prison”
2. Olgun argues that the target is to hold a
referendum for the solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of 2015
3. Eroglu: I will not sign an agreement that does not
provide for Turkey’s active and effective guarantees and the staying of all
Turkish settlers
4. Akinci: “They cannot put any paper in front of me”
5. Turk Metal Trade Union launched initiatives to open
a new “university” in the occupied area of Cyprus
6. EP’s President held contacts in Turkey; The Cyprus
problem among the matters of discussion
7. Erdogan: The Muslim world faces the risk of
disintegration”
1. Cicek describes the occupied area of Cyprus as
“a half-open prison”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (09.04.15) reports that Cemil Cicek, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA),
has described the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus as “a half-open prison”. In statements during a meeting
in Ankara with the President of the European Parliament (EP), Martin Schultz,
Cicek reiterated the Turkish allegation that the EU has not lifted the
so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in spite of the promises it had
given in 2004 and claimed: “Our
expectation from you is primarily to lift the isolations and exert an effort
that will encourage the Greek Cypriots to negotiate”.
Cicek argued
that the Cyprus problem has not been solved for 50 years and this situation
negatively influences the Turkish-EU relations. He alleged that Turkey and the
“TRNC”, as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus,
had supported the solution plan in 2004, and that the problem became
“unsolvable” with the accession of the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the
Republic of Cyprus, in the EU.
Cicek alleged that what he called as “steps taken for
unilateral use of the resources in Eastern Mediterranean” have shown a new
security problem and added that the Turkish side expects a “more just and
objective approach” by the EU. He claimed: “Because of the
isolation policies, northern Cyprus has been turned into a half-open prison.
Those who said no to peace are being rewarded and those who said yes are being
punished. This distorted situation should be overcome the soonest”.
Referring to
Turkey’s EU accession course, Cicek said that uncertainty is not a pleasant
situation and added: “There is no chapter to be negotiated. The opened chapters
have no criteria for being closed. There are also no opening criteria for the
chapters to be opened. […] We are burning fuel waiting at the red light for 52
years expecting to become a member […]”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Olgun argues that the target is to hold a
referendum for the solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of 2015
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (09.04.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Ergun Olgun met yesterday with UN
Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide in the
buffer zone. In statements to Kibris after the meeting, Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side is planning negotiations with
the target of holding a referendum by the end of 2015.
Olgun argued that the solution is urgent because of
the situation in the island and the surrounding area and added that this is
valid for the Greek Cypriot sideas well and the sides should reach together the above target.
Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side agrees with
Eide’s statement that 2015 will be a critical year and added that the date of
the resumption of the talks depends on how prepared the leader who will be
elected during 19 April’s “elections” in the occupied area of the island will
be. Noting that some candidates are more prepared
than others, Olgun said that the date is flexible and that this will be
determined according to the results of the “elections”. “There will be a period
during which the person who will be elected and his team will sit and prepare
themselves”, he added pointing out that Eide will undertake an initiative in
this direction after the “elections” determining a date with the agreement of
both sides.
Commenting on the criticism against Eide by the Greek
Cypriot side because of some of his statements, Olgun said that Eide has undertaken the role to facilitate
the achievement of a bi-zonal, federal partnership and that the necessary
conditions should be formed for this. He argued that this is a process which
could advance by protecting the rights of both sides.
He added: “And there is a responsibility given to Eide
for this. It is not right to criticize him because he is doing this. How we
will prepare the future if we look at the issues unilaterally? The preparation
of the future could happen with political equality. I believe that those who criticize Eide for this reason are circles
which are trying to protect the status quo”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Eroglu: I will not sign an agreement that does
not provide for Turkey’s active and effective guarantees and the staying of all
Turkish settlers
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (09.04.15)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu has said that the Turkish side has some red lines during the negotiating
process for the solution of the Cyprus problem and added: “No concessions can be given from Turkey’s
guarantees and from all TRNC citizens of Turkish Republic origin staying in the
island”. Eroglu said that he will not sign an agreement that does not
provide for Turkey’s active and effective guarantees and the Turkish settlers
to remain in the island.
In statements during a visit to Diyalog TV, Eroglu was asked what he will do if he
loses in the “elections” and his successor makes concessions from these red
lines. He replied: “I will go around every village and try to prevent this. In
the end the agreement text will be submitted to a referendum. I will explain to
the people why Turkey’s active and effective guarantees should continue.
[…] If a solution leads peace to conflict in time, this is not a solution. A
solution in these circumstances will turn peace into conflict in time. This is
what I will explain to the citizens. […]”
Referring to the public opinion polls published before
the “elections”, Eroglu argued that even those who conduct these polls do not
believe the results as these surveys are held in return for money. He noted that no survey showed his
percentages lower than 40% andexpressed the belief that he could be elected
from the first round, something for which he currently needs another 5%.
Referring to the money he will spend during the campaign, he said that he
assumes that this amount will exceed one million Turkish liras. He finally
said that he is sure that he will win the “elections”, even if a second round
is needed.
(I/Ts.)
4. Akinci: “They cannot put any paper in front of
me”
Under
the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.04.15) reports that
the independent “presidential candidate”, Mustafa Akinci in statements
yesterday to a TV program broadcast by the illegal BRT, said that he is a
candidate in order to reflect the Turkish Cypriot’s voice and will at the
negotiating table.
Replying to questions of journalists during the
program, Akinci said that the “president”, whilst as a candidate and after
being elected, must be the conscience of the people.
Asked
what it will be his stance towards the solution agreement since his views are
different to that of Turkey, Akinci said that Turkey supported the framework
that the Turkish Cypriot side had been defending for years which envisages two
federal states with political equality and sovereignty which derives by the two
communities.
Asked
to reply what he will do in case that a paper is presented in front of him and
tell him to sign it like it happened with Eroglu, Akinci said:
“I will not allow putting in front of me any paper”. He went on and explained
that he will be in consultation with Turkey but added that the Turkish Cypriot
people come first.
(AK)
5.Turk Metal Trade Union launched initiatives to
open a new “university” in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.04.15)
reports that the chairman of the Turk
Metal Trade Union, Pervun Kavlak, in statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency
has said that the trade union has launched initiatives so as to open a
“foundation university” in the “TRNC”.
Stating that they have received an initial permission
by the “TRNC’s government” and that they are waiting for the Higher Education
Council’s (YOK) final decision, Kavlak
stated that they pay great importance to the field of education.
Kavlak
explained that in the first phase, they will establish a department related
with the metallurgy sector and afterwards departments related with industry,
mechanical engineering, tourism, and communication.
(AK)
6.EP’s President held contacts in Turkey; The
Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.04.15) reported
that the President of the European
Parliament Martin Schulz and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) President Anne Brasseur visited Ankara on April 8, amid a bid
to intensify dialogue and increase the visibility of relations
between Turkey and European bodies.
The
issue of the freedom of expression topped the agenda of Schulz’s visit to
Turkey.
Schulz met separately with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
the Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, the Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, theTurkish
EU Minister Volkan Bozkır, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair
Selahattin Demirtas.
Officials told the Hurriyet Daily News that during his
meeting with Schulz, Foreign Minister Cavusoglu expressed satisfaction over the
recent mutual visits between Turkey and the EU. He also reiterated his expectation that Chapter 17 of Turkey’s stalled
EU accession process, on economic and monetary policies, would be opened, after
Ankara submitted a position paper to Brussels on March 13.
Also,
reportedly on the agenda, were the issues of visa liberalization, the
resumption of talks for the reunification of Cyprus and the negotiations
expected to start in 2015 for upgrading the customs union between Turkey and
the EU.
Schulz also met with pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic
Party (HDP) leader Selahattin Demirtas and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)
Deputy chairman Oktay Vural.
Vural urged Schulz to bring the worsening media
freedom onto the agenda of his meetings with government officials. In return,
the EP President said that media freedom is always on his agenda and he brings up
the subject whenever he meets with his counterparts.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) President Brasseur met with top officials from the government
and opposition parties to hold talks on Turkey's stalled EU negotiation process
on Wednesday.
Brasseur met separately withBozkır, Cicek and
Kilicdaroglu. She met also with Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and
afterwards she held contacts with leaders of opposition parties in Turkey
before attending a conference in Bilkent University.
7.Erdogan: The Muslim world faces the risk of
disintegration”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.04.15) reports
that Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan Erdogan, in statements on board to a group of journalists while
returning to Ankara following a one-day visit to Tehran on April 7, said that
the Islamic world faces the risk of disintegration amid sectarian tensions
and added: “The main thing for us is Islam, not Sunni nor Shiite. You may have
a sectarian understanding, but if you impose that on another sect, you cause
the disintegration of [Muslims]. At this time, the Muslim world is facing a
risk of disintegration. The steps needed to be taken are to stop those efforts
[to cause it to crumble]”.
International organizations and institutions, including
the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), should act accordingly “if they
are sincere,” according to Erdogan.
“But if some are acting with the logic of creating a
market where they can sell more weapons, it is not possible to solve this,” he
said. “It looks like there are people in efforts for such a market. We will
hopefully prevent this. Last Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
visited us and we discussed the subjects. I’m planning a trip to Indonesia and
Malaysia as soon as possible to share my thoughts. Then we will have another
visit to Saudi Arabia and have an influential process”, Erdogan added.
Erdogan said that this subject was also on the agenda
during his visit to Tehran and his meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Referring to the situation in Yemen, Erdogan said: “The
countries that can have an active role in the region are obvious: Turkey, Saudi
Arabia and Iran. First of all, the
groups in Yemen should come together and work on a possible solution. Saudi
Arabia, Turkey and Iran should be in efforts for such a diplomatic solution,
and they are positive about it. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince [Mohammed bin] Naif
was in Ankara [on April 7]. We discussed these issues and shared our thoughts
on Yemen. We agreed and conveyed our thoughts to Iran both orally and in
writing. Now the process will continue with meetings to be held by our Foreign
Ministers.”
Erdogan also reiterated his support for the ousted Egyptian
President Mohamed Morsi.
When
asked about Egypt and Turkey following similar policies vis-a-vis Yemen, and
whether this was a sign of improving ties between the two countries, President
Erdogan said: "I, as a politician who believes in democracy, can openly
say that I cannot consent to a coup d'état. Mohammed Morsi is a President who
was elected with 52 % support."
Erdogan
also listed four preconditions for Turkey to normalize ties with Egypt. He said
Morsi needed to be released, followed by annulling all the capital sentences
given to Muslim Brotherhood supporters. Erdogan said that thousands of
political opponents of the coup regime faced execution in Egypt. Thirdly, Egypt
needed to release all political prisoners, which currently number close to
18,000. Lastly, all bans on political parties needed to be lifted in order to
allow a normal democratic process to flourish.
Following a warm reception by Iranian President
Rouhani, President Erdoğan stressed that Turkey wants to double the trade
volume with Tehran and a discount for Iranian gas.
(…)
Erdogan stated further that the Turkish investments in
Iran had reached $1.1 billion and Iranian investments in Turkey were valued at
only $100 million. He expressed the belief that the Iranian automobile sector
could benefit significantly from Turkish expertise, and said that he hoped Iran
would be a huge market for automobiles produced in Turkey. "I believe
there is some trouble with transferring funds due to the sanctions," he
said and added that he wanted investments between the two countries to
increase, but the current priorities were a natural gas discount and trade in
local currencies.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AC/
AM)
