TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
116/15 24.06.2015
1. Akinci: Cyprus talks is a UN-led process; the EU
cannot replace the UN
2. Akinci met with Ambassadors
3.
Ozgurgun accused President Anastasiades of blowing up the positive atmosphere
4. Derinya crossing point could open before the Apliki
crossing point
5.
Toros: The use of mobile phones in the entire island will start in the
beginning of July
6.
Toros: The Greek Cypriots do not see Turkey as a threat, but as an
opportunity
7. Koenig paid farewell visit to the Turkish Cypriot Chamber
of Commerce
8. Ali Erel: The participation of the EU to the Cyprus
talks is inevitable
9.
CTP is preparing the “coalition draft”; It is expected to launch “unofficial
contacts for “coalition” next week
10. KTOS’ education secretary said that they have been
using the Greek Cypriot schools since 1974
11. CTP “deputy” criticized the Turkish Republic aid
delegation
12.
The results of breakaway regime’s banking sector for the first quarter of 2015
were announced
13. Speaker election first mission for the Turkish
Parliament
14. No changes if an early poll was to be held.
1.
Akinci: Cyprus talks is a UN-led process; the EU cannot replace the UN
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris (24.06.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that the EU
cannot replace the UN. He added that they gave their approval in order for an
EU representative to be in Cyprus, however, this process is a UN-led process.
In a meeting with a delegation from the
Socialist Democrat Party (SDP) headed by its leader TozunTunali, Akinci said
that they are at an important stage, where the substantive talks are going to
start and added: “We are going through an important process. This process is a
process that will be carried out together with the community”.
Referring to various speculative reports
that are published from time to time, mainly in the Greek Cypriot press, Akinci
said that these are exaggerated reports on how the EU will interfere at the
Cyprus talks. Akinci explained that when there is a Cyprus settlement, one
thing that they wish and desire is that North Cyprus will also become a part of
the EU acquiscommunautaire, adding that an EU representative has been present
since the past in Cyprus and that they have agreed to exchange views regarding
some problems while the Cyprus talks are processing.
Akinci noted that the Cyprus talks are a
UN-led process and there is no question of replacing the UN with the EU. It has
never been in the agenda, he added.
Commenting on the amendments of the
“political parties’ law”, which was approved by the “TRNC assembly” on Monday,
Akinci said that he will be evaluating the “law” within the framework of the
“constitution” and give his decision as soon as possible.
Noting that the %5 threshold in
elections is widely accepted as democratic practice in many countries, he said
there is no big reaction on this issue.
Tunali, for his part, wished success to
the difficult duty of Akinci and expressed his party support to the Cyprus
talks.
On the same issue, illegal Bayrak
television (online, 24.06.15) broadcast that Akinci, evaluating the ongoing
Cyprus talks at the meeting, said there are steps taken as part of the confidence
building measures and reminded that he will be holding his 4th meeting with the
Greek Cypriot leader NicosAnastasiades on Monday. He added: “Until now, we had
a scanning and review process to see where we stand because these wasn’t done
for a long time. There was a process where different proposals were shuttled
back and forth. Now, we are preparing documents which outline areas where we
have agreement and where there is a need for more convergence.” These are about
to be finalized. The negotiators met again on Tuesday. This process will be
fully completed before Monday’s meeting”.
(DPs)
2. Akincimet withAmbassadors
Illegal
Bayrak television (23.06.15) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akincimet
separately yesterday with the Israeli Ambassador to Lefkosia MichaelHarari and
the Brazilian Ambassador Claudio Acquarone.
The
latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process was discussed during the
meetings which were closed to the press.
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (24.06.15) reports that following his meeting with Akinci,
the Brazilian Ambassador stated to Kibris that Cyprus in entering a very
special period and that it is a privilege that he is serving at the island at
this period.
3.
Ozgurgun accused President Anastasiades of blowing up the positive
atmosphere
Under the front-page title: “He blows up the positive atmosphere”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (24.06.15) reports on statements by the chairman
of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun who accused the
President of the Republic of Cyprus NicosAnastasiades for blowing up the
positive atmosphere which was created on the Cyprus problem by making careless
statements.
Evaluating
President Anastasiades’ latest statements to CNN Turk and Hurriyet newspaper,
Ozgurgun said that the Greek Cypriot-Greek duo has presented first as a
precondition the issue of guarantor ship and afterwards the withdrawal of the
Turkish troops from the island. “This is a new version of the very well-known
Greek Cypriot-Greek game”, Ozgurgun said.
Ozgurgun alleged that there was no
positive development during the past half century towards the Greek Cypriot
side’s stance on the Cyprus problem and added that the Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) announced by the two leaders as well as the reciprocal visits
by the leaders, have been blown up with the latest careless statements made by
Anastasiades.
Ozgurgun
accused Anastasiades for showing a pseudo-heroism attitude and for insincerity
since it considers Turkey as his only interlocutor.
Ozgurgun
stated also that undoubtedly the UBP party will always remind Anastasiades and
those who think like him that no single Turkish soldier will leave the island
before any solution is found, that the Turkish Cypriots will never give up from
the Turkish guarantees in the island and that the “citizenship” of all those
who voted at the Annan plan referendum and who are “citizens” of these lands,
will be protected.
(AK)
4. Derinya crossing point could open before the Apliki
crossing point
Illegal
Bayrak television (23.06.15) broadcast that the “minister of interior and
acting foreign minister” TeberrukenUlucay has announced that the crossing point
in Derinya could open before the Apliki crossing point due to its physical
conditions.
Speaking
on BRT, Ulucay provided information on the opening of the two new crossing
points in line with a decision taken by the two Cypriot leaders last month.
Pointing
out that work to both crossing points are continuing full speed, Ulucay said
that work on technical infrastructure had been launched in Derinya. “The
relevant technical committee assigned to work on the crossing points will be
meeting tomorrow to discuss technical and infrastructural aspects of the
crossing points. We have completed preparations for the speedy completion of
infrastructures in the two areas. However it seems that it will take longer to
complete infrastructural work at Apliki” he said.
Ulucay
added that the current planning at Apliki was wide enough to allow two cars to pass
at the same time and that there might be a need to clear mines in the area if
the crossing is to be widened. “We want
to open the two crossing points as soon as possible” he said, adding that work
on the course of the road in Derinya was still continuing.
Ulucay
said that it was more likely that the Derinya crossing point would open first
due to the convenience of the landscape as well as the existence of certain
roads.
He
also provided information about the single entrance and exit system they were
planning for the crossing points. “We
are planning to introduce the single entry and exit crossing point. This means
that there will be only one control booth which will serve both those exiting
the TRNC from one side and those entering the TRNC on the other side. The
reason why we resorted to such a method is to lower spending on technical
infrastructure and to cut down on personnel costs” he said.
5.
Toros: The use of mobile phones in the entire island will start in the
beginning of July
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(24.06.15) reports that FikriToros,
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, has said that the efforts for using the mobile phones in the entire
island within the framework of the confidence building measures are at the
final stage and indicated that the system will be implemented in the beginning
of July.
In statements during visiting the premises
of Havadis yesterday, Toros explained how the system will work and said: “First
a message will be seen on the screen of the user. It will say that ‘you have
entered into the field of this or that operator, do you want to connect?’ This
will be optional. You will press the ‘yes’ or the ‘no’ button. After you are
connected, you will be able to use your telephone using the network of the
operator to which you have been connected”.
“We will clarify this issue after
completing some legal procedures”, he
explained adding that the operators in the occupied area of Cyprus will
continue to use the “90” international code, because the issue of not using
this code could come onto the agenda only in a comprehensive solution to the
Cyprus problem.
He said that there will be an
interconnection between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot operators
without any line or physical connection.
Toros noted that a great progress has been also achieved on the issue of the connection of
the electricity networks, adding that the chairmen of the two networks met
and are currently carrying out the necessary technical preparations. “According to information I acquired
yesterday, the preparations are at the final stage”, he said.
Pointing out that problems exist as
regards the marketing of the imported goods all over the island, Toros noted
that in order to solve this problem they
have developed some projects such as the opening of a joint market place in the
buffer zone. He said that they have taken the necessary political
permission for doing this and added that this project will come onto the agenda
within the forthcoming weeks.
Furthermore, Toros said that the obstacle on the issue of commercial
vehicles from the occupied area of the island crossing over to the government –
controlled area is at the point of partially being lifted. He added: “We
have initiatives for the heavy tonnage vehicles passing to the south and we
hope that they will be positively concluded, but we could not achieve any
progress as regards the vehicles carrying passengers, because of the political
pressure in the south”.
Moreover, Toros argued that the Greek Cypriots expect that the water which will
be brought from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with undersea pipelines
will give opportunity for an agricultural sector with modern irrigation in the
government-controlled area of the island. He said that they have received such
a request, explaining that there is no water problem in the
government-controlled area but the water is expensive. He noted, however, that
this is not an issue which is included in the framework of the cooperation of
the two chambers, as it is a political one.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Toros: The Greek Cypriots do not see Turkey as a threat, but as an
opportunity
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (24.06.15) reports that FikriToros,
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, has alleged that the Greek Cypriots do not see Turkey as a threat but
as an opportunity. In statements yesterday during a visit to YeniDuzen, Toros said that the Turkish Cypriots have
experienced “the pain of living outside the international law” and added: “We do not accept the division, the current
status quo, this abnormal structure”. He noted that they support the newly
started negotiating process and they have for the first time established a
“strong cooperation” with their Greek Cypriot interlocutors.
Toros pointed out that the Greek Cypriot
business circles also believe that the solution of the Cyprus problem will
create a good climate economically and argued: “The Greek Cypriots do not see Turkey as a threat anymore; they see it
as an opportunity”.
He noted that they are holding “very
intensive backstage activities at the level of the state” in the
government-controlled area of Cyprus and argued that the Greek Cypriots see
positively the implementation of the acquiscommunautaire in the occupied area
of the island.
He added: “We are expecting a dynamic
process both internally and externally within the forthcoming days. We are
closely interested in the negotiating process as well as in the efforts and the
developments regarding the establishment of a government in Turkey and in north
Cyprus”.
Toros
said that important steps will be taken on the issue of confidence building
measures in the negotiations and added that their chamber is actively involved
in the process together with their Greek Cypriot interlocutors.
Referring
to the economic situation in the occupied area of Cyprus, Toros said that all
the programs implemented until today did not solve the problems.
“All programs had only the effect of an
aspirin. The tumor remained in its place. The everyday headache was cured”, he
noted adding that the economic programs caused conflict between different parts
of the society and this is why they want to undertake a role in the preparation
of new programs. He said that they want the establishment of a new “government”
in the occupied area of Cyprus the soonest.
(I/Ts.)
7. Koenig paid farewell visit to the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (24.06.15) reports thatoutgoing US
Ambassador to Nicosia, John Koenig is conducting a series of farewell visits
across the island.
In
this framework, Koenig met with the TurkishCypriot Chamber of Commerce
president FikriToros. According to a statement from the Chamber, Koenig thanked
Toros for his cooperation and noted that he was pleased to have worked in
collaboration with the Chamber during his tenure. Toros thanked the Ambassador “for
his positive contributions to the Turkish Cypriot side and his impartial
positions”.
8. Ali Erel: The participation of the EU to the Cyprus
talks is inevitable
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.06.15)
reports that Ali Erel, member of the EU association and former chairman of the
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO), said that the participation of the EU
to the Cyprus negotiation process is inevitable.
Erel, evaluating to the paper the latest
developments in the Cyprus talks, said that the sides will accept a solution
based on the EU values and added: “The one, who excludes this, is Turkey’s
policy which does not accept it. The
Republic of Cyprus, Britain, and Greece want the interference of the EU. Turkey
has not accepted yet the interference of the EU”.
Referring to the statement of the Turkish
Cypriot negotiator OzdilNami that not even the EU itself can implement the
direct trader regulation, Erel said that these are just excuses and added:
“These are efforts, which derive from Turkey and exclude the EU. Turkey’s
approach influences our negotiating team, the negotiators and the president
(translator’s note: the Turkish Cypriot leader). Unfortunately the Turkish
Cypriot side has nothing to say. Turkey
speaks on this issue on behalf of us.”
Reminding Turkey’s President Erdogan’s
statement that Turkey will not accept the interference of the EU to the Cyprus
talks, Erel said that the European Parliamenthas given a clear message and put
it in a clear way in its report that any Cyprus settlement should be within the
EU values.
(DPs)
9.
CTP is preparing the “coalition draft”; It is expected to launch “unofficial
contacts for “coalition” next week
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (24.06.15) reports that the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) which has launched works after its “general
congress” for the preparation of the “coalition draft” related with the “new
government’s program”, continue its works.
According to the paper, CTP’s aim is to complete the “coalition
draft” by the week-end and to launch unofficial “coalition contacts” at the
beginning of next week.
According to information acquired by the
paper, the “current government’s plans”
is to continue the unofficial protocol contacts for some period and afterwards
to submit to the “president” its resignation.
CTP-United Forces will launch unofficial
contacts on Tuesday and is expected to carry out meetings with the National
Unity Party (UBP) the Democratic Party (DP) and the Communal Democracy Party
(TDP).
(AK)
10.
KTOS’ education secretary said that they have been using the Greek Cypriot
schools since 1974
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.06.15)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot primary school teachers' trade union’s (KTOS)
education secretary Burak Mavis said that besides the 120 primary schools, the
pre-school and the centre of the special education, the needs of the buildings
of the Ataturk teachers’ academy (AOA) and the “ministry education” are not
met. He warned that they will strike in case these needs will not be met until
September 15.
In a written statement issued yesterday,
Mavis said that the “ministry of national education” is responsible and sets
priorities in order to resolve schools’ needs in technology and substructure.
He accused the “ministry of education” of avoiding its responsibility since
1974 regarding the “public schools” and that it spends the 75% of its budget to
special schools and “universities” and not to the “public schools”, which it
should be its priority. Mavis explained:
“As we could not do the necessary changes while we have been using the school
buildings that we found ready from the Greek Cypriots after the forced
immigration in 1974, we were idle for nearby 80 elementary schools in villages,
which have been closed. The number of the new schools, which were built in the
north after the division of the island (translator’s note: after the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus in 1974) are not more than the fingers of one hand”.
(DPs)
11. CTP “deputy” criticized the Turkish Republic aid
delegation
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (24.06.15) reports that ErkutSahali
“deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) criticized the “Turkish
Republic Aid Delegation” for intervening with the internal affairs of the
breakaway regime.
“If
they are intervening with our affairs by by-passing our institutions, it means
they have deviated from their aim” said Sahali.
Speaking
during a TV program on Ada TV,Sahali touched upon several issues including the Turkish
Aid Delegation and CTP’s plan in the next period. Sahali said that following
last week’s general congress of his party, in which Talat was elected as the
party’s leader, CTP was working intensively in order to plan next steps. According to Sahali CTP has laid out all the
different scenarios for possible coalitions. “If our programs with potential
partners will not match up, we are not ambitious to form a government in that
case”, he argued.
12.
The results of breakaway regime’s banking sector for the first quarter of
2015 were announced
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(24.06.15) reports that the results of
the breakaway regime’s banking sector for the first quarter of 2015 have been
announced by the so-called central bank.
In the introduction of the bulletin, the
chairman of the “bank”, Bilal San said that 22 banks with 222 branches and
2,883 personnel offered their services in the sector, noting that the balance of the sector increased by 3,5%
comparing to the previous three months and by 15,52% comparing to the same
period of the last year, reaching 15 billion and 349,8 million Turkish liras
(TL).
The total deposits increased by 14,47%
in one year reaching 12 billion and 258,1 million TL. The gross credits incased
by 17,9% becoming nine billion and 969,9 million TL.
The proportion of the gross credits to
the total deposits and total assets is 81,33% and 64,95% respectively.
(I/Ts.)
13. Speaker election first mission for the Turkish
Parliament
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily news (24.06.15) reports that Turkey’s newly elected Deputies are
getting down to business after taking their parliamentary oaths in an effort to
elect a parliamentary Speaker despite the absence of a coalition government.
In
line with rules of procedure, the first sitting was chaired by the eldest Deputy,
Deniz Baykal of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), who has been tipped to run
for the job permanently. President RecepTayyip Erdogan also attended the
opening of the ceremony.
Those
who want to run for the number two position of the Turkish state have until
midnight on June 27 to apply.
Parliament’s
Board of Spokespersons did not lose time in setting the calendar for the
election of the parliamentary Speaker. According to a decision made by the board
on June 23, while the oath-taking ceremony was still continuing, the first and
the second rounds will take place on June 30. The third and fourth rounds, if
necessary, will be held the following day.
The Speaker
is elected by secret ballot. Contenders have to reach a two-thirds majority in
the first two rounds, while an absolute majority is sufficient in the third
round of voting. None of the four political parties have a simple majority and
in the highly likely case that an absolute majority is not obtained on the
third ballot, a fourth ballot will take place between the two candidates who
obtain the most votes. In the fourth ballot, the candidate receiving the
highest number of votes will be elected as Speaker. In such an event, a
candidate from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has the highest
number of seats, will be elected if the three other parties cannot compromise
and agree on a name.
President
Erdogan also attended the ceremony. But his entry to Parliament was marked by
the collective silent protest of all CHP, MHP and HDP Deputies who, unlike
their AK Party counterparts, chose to register their lack of respect for him by
refusing to stand and applaud his entrance.
The
paper writes that in past coalition governments, the prime ministry post was
allocated to the major partner in the coalition, while the parliament Speaker
was elected from among Deputies of the minor partner. However, Erdogan still
hasn’t given the mandate to form the government to the Justice and Development
(AKP), which lost its parliamentary majority but still holds the highest number
of Deputies. This situation has complicated the process of nominating and
electing the next parliamentary Speaker.
Because
of such ambiguity, and with Erdogan having already made clear he would give the
mandate only after the Speaker is elected, the election of the Speaker is
expected to be completed in the fourth round, giving the parties more time to
bargain on a coalition government. This could also grant them an opportunity to
build a bloc behind the candidate they favor.
14. No changes if an early poll was to be held.
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily news (24.06.15) reports that OzerSencar the head of Metropoll,
the polling company that made the closest voting predictions for the June 7
parliamentary election said that there would not be any changes if an early
poll was to be held soon.
“The
public stands very firmly behind the decision it gave on June 7; it does not
regret the votes it casted,” said Sencar, adding that the current elections
results would not change in the case of an early election.
He
said according to a recent survey conducted after the election, the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) would receive 41.6 %, the Republican People’s Party
(CHP) 25.1 %, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 16.2 % and the Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) 12.9 % if snap polls were to be held.
According
to the official results announced on June 18 by the Supreme Election Board
(YSK), the AKP received 40.66 % of the total, the CHP won 25.13 %, the MHP won
16.45 % and the HDP won 12.96 %.
Accordingly,
the AKP has 258 seats in the 550-seat parliament and the CHP has 132, while the
MHP and the HDP will have 80 seats apiece. The AKP, therefore, failed to secure
the majority in the 550-seat parliament required to rule alone.
In
its latest polls done before the June 7 elections, Metropoll predicted the
results to be 41 % for the AKP, 27.2 % for the CHP, 16 % for the MHP and 11.5 %
for the HDP.
Answering
a question on what the public wanted as a coalition, Sencar said the highest
possibility was the AKP-MHP coalition as this option received 22.8 % of the
surveyed vote, though this did not mean that the country had a specific
coalition model in mind.
“There
is no one coalition model that suits the public’s ideas. Therefore, any
coalition model, given that it is told
to the public truly and convincingly, can get the support of the public,” said
Sencar, adding that there was 20 % support for the CHP-MHP-HDP model and only 8
% for a AKP-CHP possibility. What voters
are saying is that parties should agree among themselves and form a coalition
government, says Sencar. Evaluating
President Erdogan’s rallies before the election under the title “meeting with
the people,” Sencar said the public had not approved of this action: Some 61 %
surveyed said they were negatively affected by these rallies, whilst 25 % of
the AKP voters also voiced this opinion.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/
AM)
