TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 133/15 17.07.2015
1. Junker
meets representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties; Statements by
Akinci and Junker
2. Sucuoglu:
The views of UBP and CTP on the Cyprus problem are very close
3.
EmineColak will contribute to the efforts for peace in Cyprus as the new
“foreign minister”
4. Mungan
said that he turned the “state budget” into a “surplus budget”
5. Erk said
that he is uncomfortable with the presence of a “fascist” in the government
6.
Davutoglu: AKP supporters lean towards MHP partnership; Deputy PM: Coalition
talks between AKP and CHP at more advanced stage
7. Turkey
expects $100m from near-bankrupt Greece after arbitration court case
1. Junker
meets representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties; Statements by
Akinci and Junker
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(17.07.15) reports that the President of
the European Commission, Jean Claude Junker and his delegation met yesterday in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with the Turkish Cypriot leader,
Mustafa Akinci and representatives of the Turkish Cypriot political parties
which have “seats” in the “assembly” of the breakaway regime.
In statements after the meetings, Akinci
described both of them as “very productive”. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that progress has been achieved
in the negotiations and if the same determination continues, finding a solution
will be possible within months. He noted that the EU cannot replace the UN and that the process is and will continue
to be a UN-led one. On the other hand, he added that they will be glad to have the assistance of the EU and the inclusion of
an EU official in the process as regards the technical matters.
Akinci said that they have discussed with
Junker the issue of the preparation of the Turkish Cypriots for the period
after the solution and for joining the EU. He further referred to the
importance of increasing the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with the EU
within this framework and of their harmonization with the EU rules and the
acquis. Akinci said that they expect the EU to show understanding and provide
the necessary support for the preparation of the Turkish Cypriots. Noting that
he is certain that the Turkish Cypriots will enter into the EU, Akinci added
that even if they remain outside the Union, the Turkish Cypriots are Europeans
and believe in the European principles and respect the European values.
Pointing
out to the importance of balancing the European values with the principles of a
bi-zonal, bi-communal structure, Akinci argued that on the one hand the
European values and rules exist and on the other the principle of bi-zonality
and bi-communality should be respected. He underlined the importance of having
derogations in the solution as regards this issue and the harmonization with
the acquis. He
claimed that the agreement which will be reached should not have legal
deficiencies and no one should be able to take it to court. “We want a legally
definite agreement and this agreement to become a part of the EU law”, he
added.
Meanwhile, Junker said after meeting the two leaders that he is very optimistic
that a solution will be reached in Cyprus and added that the Cypriots
should leave the past behind because they have two leaders who look at the
future. He noted that after “tough” negotiations during the joint lunch he had
with the two leaders, they reached a
common understanding as regards the geographical protection of halloumi/ hellim
cheese under the EU rules. He also said that he has reappointed Pieter Van Nuffel as his personal special
representative for the Cyprus problem.
(I/Ts.)
2. Sucuoglu:
The views of UBP and CTP on the Cyprus problem are very close
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper
(17.07.15) reports that the newly appointed “minister” of tourism, FaizSucuoglu, who comes from the National
Unity Party (UBP), has said that there will be of course “different voices” in
the newly established “coalition government” with the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP), but “especially on the Cyprus problem it came up that very close views
exist”. In statements to KanalSim, Sucuoglu noted the following on the
Cyprus problem:
“[…] Different
voices will of course exist, but especially on the Cyprus issue it has come up
that there are really very close views. You know the 11 February document. This
was something supported by the UBP and signed by Mr DervisEroglu and
Anastasiades. The issue of what is being
discussed now is not very transparent. We are somehow receiving information
from southern Cyprus […] However, they say that we, as the two negotiating
delegations, have agreed on the condition of secrecy. Like it always happens,
our southern neighbor does not comply with this and therefore the information
published in the press is conveyed to us. Of course, these are issues which the
two parties will sit and discuss within the following days. […] It seems that no problem exists for the time
being. Especially on the Cyprus issue,
both parties are taking as basis the 11 February decisions. No difficulty
seems to exist at this stage on this issue. […]”
(I/Ts.)
3. EmineColak
will contribute to the efforts for peace in Cyprus as the new “foreign
minister”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (17.07.15)
reports that the newly appointed “minister of foreign affairs” in the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) – National Unity Party (UBP) “government”
EmineColak took over the duty from TeberrukenUlucay.
Ulucay wished Colak success in her new duty
while handing over the duty.
In her speech at the ceremony, Colak said
that in her duty at the “foreign ministry”, which plays an important role in
the Cyprus talks, she will try to be active in order for the Cyprus problem to
reach a solution.
(DPs)
4. Mungan
said that he turned the “state budget” into a “surplus budget”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (17.07.15)
reports that the newly appointed “minister of finance” Hasan Basoglu took over
the duty from ZerenMungan.
During the handing over ceremony, Mungan
wished Basoglu success in his new duty, adding that he brought the treasury to
a better point than what it was when he took over two years ago. He explained
that they inherited a deficit of 19 million TL, and they left a surplus budget.
In a written statement, Mungan said that
the results of the overall performance budget during January-May 2013 were as
follows:
Revenue: 1.161.941.746,54 TL
Expenses: 1.227.720.892,60 TL
Deficit: -65.779.146,06
The treasury accruing and cash situation on
June 14, 2013 was as follows:
Current cash: 40.250.000,97 TL
Current liability: 60.1000417,37 TL
Deficit: -19.850.416,40 TL
The results of the overall performance
budget during January-May 2015 were the following:
Revenue: 1.674.311.643,22 TL
Expenses: 1.634.923.909,82 TL
Surplus: 39.387.733,40 TL
The treasury accruing and cash situation on
July 10, 2015 was as follows:
Current cash: 91.467.987,45 TL
Current liability: 84.010.734,10 TL
Surplus: 7.457.253,55 TL
(DPs)
5. Erk
said that he is uncomfortable with the presence of a “fascist” in the
government
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi Daily News (online, 16.07.15), the former general secretary of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP), who was a guest on a programme at Ada TV,
evaluating the CTP-UBP “coalition government”, said that he was “uncomfortable”
with the presence of “a fascist” in the “cabinet”.
Erk had previously called “deputy” of UBP
and now self-styled transport minister TahsinErtugruloglu a “fascist”. He added
that if this “government” is going to be successful, he will be happy with
that.
Erk said that he is not one of those who
believed the party had to stay in power; he said this coalition is a problem
for him but it is better than being ‘sentenced’ to the DP party. Erk added that
the party they held accountable is now their coalition partner; accountability
is now ‘on holiday’ he said.
Erk said they needed to be careful as the
economy driving ministries are not in the CTP hands; for example the “transport
ministry”. The tenders’ process is a risky issue he added.
6. Davutoglu:
AKP supporters lean towards MHP partnership; Deputy PM: Coalition talks between
AKP and CHP at more advanced stage
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.07.15), Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday night that the
grassroots of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) favours a coalition
government with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) despite the latter’s
reluctance to help form a government,.
In a late night interview with private news
channel NTV, Davutoglu said: “There has been more of a tendency towards the
MHP; they have no strong reaction against the CHP but not much inclination
towards the HDP".
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (online,
17.07.15) reports that Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister YalcinAkdogan said that
the AKP is currently at a more advanced stage with the main opposition
Republican People's Party (CHP) on a possible coalition partnership.
"After the first round of coalition
talks, comparing with the other two parties' attitudes, CHP is more likely to
be in a potential coalition partnership." Akdogan told broadcaster 24 on
Thursday, adding that AKP will proceed into the second round and the
negotiations have not started yet with any political parties.
Pointing out that the statements from the
pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and the MHP did not show any desire
to be a part of the coalition government; Akdogan said that CHP have been more
open on showing its intentions.
7. Turkey
expects $100m from near-bankrupt Greece after arbitration court case
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online,
17.07.15), the arbitration case, which has been continuing for four years
between Turkey and Greece over an energy conflict, has ended in Turkey's favour,
Energy and Natural Resources Minister TanerYildiz announced on Thursday.
Yildiz said that he would like to give some
news, which was good for Turkey but bad for Greece. He said that the
arbitration case between Turkey's state-owned energy company BOTAS and Greece's
Energy Company DEPA ended in Paris on Wednesday and that the court of
arbitration ruled in favour of Turkey.
From now
on, BOTAŞ and DEPA authorities will figure out a formula among themselves, said
Yildiz, adding that the decision, which was in favour of Turkey, would also be
announced in figures, which would be around $100 million. "Although we
would like to help Greece in this difficult situation it is facing, we have to
prioritize our citizens’ and country's interests and our duty is to protect
these interests."
After the figures are calculated and
announced, we will present the issue to President RecepTayyip Erdogan and Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, said Yildiz. He noted that they would follow the
upcoming developments on this matter and that he wanted to share this good news
with Turkey before the Ramadan Festival.
Turkey had taken Greece to the court of
arbitration in Switzerland for a $300 million debt, which DEPA owed to BOTAŞ
from an agreement that was signed in 2007 and that started in 2008, involving
the sale of natural gas that Turkey brought from Azerbaijan to Greece.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
LF)
