C
O N T E N T S
No. 87/15 13.05.15
1. Akinci expresses the belief that the efforts of
both leaders will be in the direction of having a “good result” in the Cyprus
talks
2.
Cavusoglu and Kotzias express decisiveness to encourage the leaders in Cyprus
to find a solution
3.
Greek Foreign Minister interviewed by Sabah on his Turkey visit and the Cyprus
problem
4. Bozkir: The Cyprus problem will be solved this
year
5.
MikisTheodorakis wants to meet with Akinci
6.
Ozyigit: The issues of Varosha and hydrocarbons could be discussed at a
technical level in parallel to the negotiations
7.
Ulucay to act as “foreign minister”
8. Kerry to meet with
Cavusoglu on the side-lines of a NATO meeting
9. Deputy PM Arinc says AK
Party failed to establish justice
10. Turkish scholar
evaluates how Turkish Parties’ vow to alter Turkey's foreign policy
1. Akinci expresses the belief that the efforts of
both leaders will be in the direction of having a “good result” in the Cyprus
talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (13.05.15)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci has expressed the belief that the efforts of both leaders will be in the
direction of having a “good result” in the end of the negotiations aiming at
finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Replying to questions yesterday
after one of his meetings, Akinci said that the dinner they had recently with President Anastasiades was a “good
start” for the negotiating process, but underlined the importance of having a
good end as well.
He noted that at the lunch they discussed the future
and how they will proceed. He said: “I think that it really started in a
positive climate, it was a good start. Good
starts are important, but having a good end is more important. My effort, and I
believe the effort of Mr Anastasiades also, will be in this direction. I am
sure that he also has the mentality of ‘we have made a good start, let’s finish
it well’. Therefore, I am hopeful for Friday. On Friday we will take the
second step of the beginning we made last night. […] And let us find a solution
to the Cyprus problem that remains unsolved for years, a solution during which
both sides could be happy and protect the rights of both sides […]”
Asked from which point the negotiations will resume,
Akinci said: “Leave it in the manner we have stated until today. In the
following stage, when we proceed step by step, we will be definitely briefing
you. You know how they (the negotiations) have been interrupted. Last night you
saw how they started now. How they will proceed from now on is important.
Therefore, let us go step by step and at every step we will inform you and the
public opinion”.
Akinci argued that the media both in the occupied and
the government-controlled area of Cyprus have an important duty on the issue of
informing the public and added that if they positively contribute in the
procedure, they will be very useful for the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek
Cypriots, Greece and Turkey.
Akinci met yesterday with SibelSiber, self-styled
speaker of the assembly, who wished him success in his duties.
Akinci said that the time for solving the Cyprus
problem has come and that political will
from both sides is needed for ending in 2015 the negotiating process which has
started in 1968.
He described the period of his election as a
“difficult one” as the “people” have high expectations, something which makes
his responsibility heavier.
(I/Ts.)
2. Cavusoglu and Kotzias express decisiveness to encourage the
leaders in Cyprus to find a solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.05.15) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister MevlutCavusoglu
and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias have expressed their satisfaction with
the resumption of the negotiating process in Cyprus and said that they are
determined to encourage the leaders for finding a solution.
In statements at a joint press conference with Kotzias in Ankara,
Cavusoglu said that Turkey and Greece should help the two community leaders in
the island and added:
“We are more determined than ever on the issue of the two sides, the two
leaders in the island continuing the negotiations and finding a solution within a federal system formed by two founding
states on the basis of the joint declaration of 11 February 2014. I want to
say that if the Greek Cypriot sector and
Greece have the same determination, we could reach a lasting peace and solution
in the island within this year. […]”
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Kotzias
said that an opportunity for a solution exists now and added that the
rights of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots should be secured. Noting
that they wish for Cyprus having relations of friendship and cooperation with
all countries, he underlined that an
island which does not need guarantor powers and has good relations with Turkey
and Greece should come up from the Cyprus talks.
(I/Ts.)
3. Greek
Foreign Minister interviewed by Sabah on his Turkey visit and the Cyprus
problem
Daily Sabah (13.05.15) publishes an interview with the
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotziasby the paper’s correspondent
StelyoBerberakis in Athens. Kotzias, the
newly appointed Greek FM, visited Istanbul on May 11 and held meeting with Prime
Minister Davutoglu. During the closed-door meeting, the Aegean issue and ways
to empower bilateral ties were discussed.
The paper writes that Kotzias also spoke on the
resolution of the Cyprus problem, saying that he reacted positively to the
election of Turkish Cypriot new leader Mustafa Akinci and added the following:
“I
once came across him in the past. He gave an impression to me that he felt
himself to be a Cypriot. He also has the responsibility and obligation to serve
the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. He is probably familiar with the
structure and cultural codes of the Greek Cypriots since he knows Greek very
well. Hope should always be kept alive. Our philosophy should be the historic
philosophy of optimism. This requires efforts from all of us to find a real
resolution to the Cyprus issue. We are obliged to work to enable the integrity,
sovereignty and independence of the island and to preserve all the rights of
both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Also, we should not forget the rights of three
other minority groups on Cyprus, the Maronites, the Latins and the Armenians.”
4. Bozkir: The Cyprus problem will be solved this year
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.05.15) reports that Turkish
EU Minister and Chief Negotiator, VolkanBozkir has argued that the Cyprus problem has become more easily
solvable than the problems in Syria and in Ukraine.
Addressing the general assembly of Turkey’s Ship Building
Industrialists’ Union, Bozkir said: “The Cyprus problem is more easily solvable
than the problem in Syria, the problem in Ukraine, because its parameters are
known. The intention has for the first time come side by side. I think that within this year this problem
will be solved”.
(I/Ts.)
5. MikisTheodorakis
wants to meet with Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.05.15) ciding
information writes that the famous Greek
composer MikisTheodorakis wants to come to Cyprus and hold a meeting with the
new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. The paper writes that this was
learned by a close friend of Akinci in Athens and the visit is expected to take
place soon.
(CS)
6. Ozyigit: The issues of Varosha and hydrocarbons could be discussed
at a technical level in parallel to the negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (13.05.15) reports that CemalOzyigit, chairman of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP), has saluted the
decision announced by the two community leaders for the resumption of the
Cyprus negotiations on 15 May and added that their expectation is to reach
a just and lasting solution the soonest.
In statements after a meeting of his party’s council the night before
yesterday, Ozyigit noted that “the
parameters of the solution, as it is stated in the 11 February declaration, is
a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation including a single sovereignty, a single
identity and a single citizenship”.
Noting that the issue of the confidence building measures is also
important for them, Ozyigit said that, in
parallel to the negotiations, issues such as the occupied fenced off city of
Varosha and the hydrocarbons could be discussed at a technical level and this
will contribute to the comprehensive solution.
Ozyigit reiterated the support of his party to the opening of more crossing
points between the occupied area and the government-controlled area of the
island.
At the meeting, the TDP decided to hold a congress for amending its
statute on 28 June.
(I/Ts.)
7. Ulucay
to act as “foreign minister”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.05.15)
reports that following the appointment of OzdilNami as the new Cyprus
negotiator, TeberrukenUlucay will act as
“foreign minister” on his “post”. Ulucay is the current “interior minister” of
the breakaway regime and will act as
“foreign minister” until a new person is appointed to the “post”.
(CS)
8. Kerry to meet with
Cavusoglu on the side-lines of a NATO meeting
Turkish
Today's Zamannewspaper (13.05.15) reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with Turkish Foreign
Minister MevlütCavusoglu on the side-lines of a NATO meeting to take place in Antalya
today.
The
event, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will commence on Wednesday
and continue until Thursday under the chairmanship of NATO Secretary-General
Jens Stoltenberg.
Diplomatic sources said
Kerry and Cavusoglu will hold a separate meeting to discuss bilateral relations
with a focus on joint efforts to train moderate Syrian rebels.
9. Deputy PM Arinc says
AKP failed to establish justice
Turkish
Today's Zamannewspaper (13.05.15) reports that in strong words of self-criticism, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister BulentArınc
has questioned whether the Justice and Development (AKP) managed to establish
justice in its 13 years of single-party rule in the country, saying it has more
to do to boost trust in the judiciary.
“I
like the name of my party. We are very good at development but are we good at
justice? I once said we constructed courthouses, now it is time to establish
justice […], he said during a live television interview on Monday night.
Arınc
is among the founders of the AK Party together with President
RecepTayyipErdogan and former President Abdullah Gul. The politician, who
earlier announced that he will quit politics after the June 7 parliamentary
elections, has recently struck a critical tone against Erdogan and some actions
of the government.
10. Turkish scholar
evaluates how Turkish parties’ vow to alter Turkey's foreign policy
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (13.05.15) reports thatTurkey's
foreign policy will see few changes if the Justice and Development Party (AKP)
remains in power after the June 7 general elections, but it may radically alter
if opposition parties form the government, Marmara University scholar BehlulOzkan
has told the paper.
Considering
the election manifestos of the major parties, Ozkan distinguished between the
"imperial" foreign policies of the ruling AKP and the Nationalist
Movement Party's (MHP) and the more modest visions of the main opposition
Republican People's Party's (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).
Ozkan
stated that the AKP is still not facing reality. “Turkey has no ambassadors in
Yemen, Libya, Syria, Egypt and Israel. But there is no recognition of this fact
in the manifesto. There is no mention of Egypt, Libya, Iran, or Greece. The
party has gone from "zero problems with neighbours" to a point where
it doesn't even talk about those neighbours. There is mention of countries that
Turkey has less problematic relations with, but there is no mention of the Arab
uprisings, no vision about this issue. Turkish foreign policy seriously failed
in the Arab uprisings, but the AKP doesn't admit this”, he stated and added
that there is no mention of EU on AKP election manifesto: “There are just general
views. The EU's importance in the AKP's manifesto is no bigger than any other
country”.
On
CTP, Ozkan says that the party believes that Turkey has reached a point of
dangerous loneliness and therefore Turkish foreign policy should be more
cautious. It sees Turkey's current foreign policy as a national security
problem. The EU is at the centre of the CHP's foreign policy. Just as the AKP
positions Turkey as the leader of the Islamic world, the CHP positions Turkey
as part of Europe. “The CHP is still in
search of a vision, just like all the other left-wing parties in Europe. We see
this in the case of its position on Armenia and Cyprus. There is no new
opening. The classic line of the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic school is
endorsed. There is also only a slight mention of Kurds. But there is a Kurdish
reality in the Middle East. Will the Kurds beyond our borders be our allies or
not? There are no answers to this question from the CHP”, he stated.
On MHP's rhetoric he stated
that the party’s is based on the "Turkish world." The MHP is a
Turkish nationalist party, so it has the rhetoric of leadership of the Turkish
world. “What is striking is that MHP seems to have endorsed some of Davutoglu's
rhetoric: Being a regional leader, a global power. Just
as the constituencies of the two parties are similar, there are also
similarities in their foreign policy visions. They both have an imperial
vision: Putting Turkey at the centre, placing the neighbours around it and
establishing hegemonic relations with them. The Kurdish issue is a serious
source of concern for the MHP. It talks about maintaining the territorial
integrity of Iraq and Syria. There is not one mention of the word
"Kurdish" in the MHP's manifesto. This is another version of the same
problem in the AKP: Turning a blind eye to reality. The Kurds are today the
biggest power beyond Turkey's borders, but the MHP has no answer to the
question of how it will conduct relations with them. Rather, there is an
emphasis on the Turkmen presence in the region. The party also pledges
normalization with Egypt.
Interestingly, the MHP sees
Cyprus as a national issue, but also accepts a solution based on a union of
federal states. You would perhaps expect more radical rhetoric in terms of
supporting the independence of Turkish Cyprus.
On HDP, he says that one can
see the reflection of internal politics on a foreign policy vision. While the
MHP ignores the Kurds outside Turkey's borders, the HDP in contrast uses the
rhetoric that all people in the Middle East should decide freely on their
political future. This is a veiled message: If the Kurds want to establish
independent states, they should be left to do it.
The
HDP is a party that positions itself to the far left of the others. It often
uses the word "peoples." It defines foreign policy through the word
"peoples." The classic socialist or communist idiom of "longlive
the brotherhood of peoples" seems to have affected
the HDP's vision.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
