TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
122/15 02.07.2015
1. Akinci continues his contacts in Brussels
2. Turkish Foreign Ministry undergoes major reshuffle;
Turkey replaced its “ambassador” in the occupied area of Cyprus
3. French
Minister of State for European Affairs who is visiting Cyprus will meet with
Akinci
4. CTP launched contacts in the occupied area of
Cyprus searching for coalition partners
5. Reduction in hotel occupancy
is the breakaway regime
6.
Illegal universities represented the “TRNC” in conferences in Russia and the
Netherlands
7. AKP candidate IsmetYilmaz became Turkey’s
Parliament Speaker
8. Turkey’s exports decrease by 8 % in first half of
2015
1.Akincicontinues his contacts in Brussels
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (02.07.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akincicontinued yesterday his contacts
in Brussels and met with the President of the European Parliament (EP) Martin
Schulz, who told him that the EU is ready to offer every possible support
for a solution in Cyprus and that the solution will be in the benefit of the EU
as well. Akinci met also with the Presidents of the EU Commission and the
European Council.
Speaking at a
joint press conference with Schultz, Akinci argued that the Turkish Cypriots do
not approve the continuation of the current situation and want a solution for
the future generations. He expressed the
belief that they are on the right track for the solution [of the Cyprus
problem] adding that the Turkish Cypriots want a solution because they have
been outside the international law for many years.
He noted: “We have another reason for the solution.
This is the fact that the Turkish Cypriots remained outside the international
law for many years. We want our community to be a part and a partner of the EU.
We want to be a part of the international law and order. Therefore, we are
struggling for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality
which will protect the interests of both communities”.
Arguing that they are approaching a result in the
negotiations, Akinci said: “We are approaching the final target which is the
comprehensive solution, I believe that the EP will support this process like it
did in the past”.
In his
statements, Schultz said that the
negotiations are being held in an “intensive, friendly and open to new ideas
environment” and expressed the EP’s satisfaction with the steps taken towards a
comprehensive solution wishing success to Akinci in his new duties. “We
will do everything we can for the successful conclusion of the negotiations”,
he noted describing as an opportunity
the fact that both leaders are in favor of a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution
based on political equality. “Both
communities are being administrated by leaders who have supported the Annan
solution plan [submitted to referendum in 2004] and these persons are struggling for the reunification of the country”,
he said adding that “we want to see a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution”.
In his meeting with the President of the European
Council Donald Tusk, Akinci discussed the further advancement of their
relations [the EU relations with the Turkish Cypriots] in all fields so that
the Turkish Cypriots are prepared to join the EU. They discussed also the contribution of the
comprehensive solution in Cyprus to the regional stability. It was also argued that the advancement of
the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with the EU will contribute to the
solution process.
Meanwhile,
within the framework of his contacts in Brussels, Akinci met yesterday with
Syed Kamall, President of the European Conservatives’ and Reformists’ Group in
the EP, Rebecca Harms, Co-Chairperson of the Greens’ Group, Fank Engel,
Luxembourgian MEP with the European People’s Party and Henry Malosse, Chairman
of the European Economy and Social Committee.
It was noted that at a working breakfast with Malosse
they discussed the development of the committee’s relations with the Turkish
Cypriot civic organizations and the benefits of their participation in the EU
institutions.
In the meetings
with the representatives of the groups in the EP, the Turkish Cypriots asked for their support in the solution process
and the participation of the Turkish Cypriots as observers at the EP.
(I/Ts.)
2.Turkish Foreign Ministry undergoes major
reshuffle; Turkey replaced its “ambassador” in the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(01.07.15) a major reshuffle of some 40
Ambassadors has gone into effect, with OzturkYılmaz, the former Turkish
consul general to Mosul who was taken hostage last year along with 48 others by
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants for 101 days, appointed
as Ambassador to Tajikistan’s capital of Dushanbe.
With
a decree published in the Official Gazette on July 1, a veteran career
diplomat, Ambassador DeryaKanbay, has been “posted” to Nicosia shortly after
the long-stalled U.N.-brokered peace talks, which are seen as the best chance
in years to reunify Cyprus after four decades of division, were launched on May
15.
Kanbay’s
predecessor, senior economy bureaucrat Halil İbrahim Akca, was “posted” to the
island specifically at that time because of the Turkish government’s strong
desire for the implementation of austerity measures aimed at a dramatic reform
of the Turkish Cyprus economy.
Kanbay,
who served as Ambassador in Iraq and Slovenia in the past, was most recently
working as the head of Board of Audition at the Foreign Ministry headquarters.
As for Yılmaz, with this reshuffle, he has been
promoted to the title of Ambassador. It is the first time that he will
represent the Republic of Turkey as its top diplomat in a capital city,
Tajikistan’s Dushanbe.
With the decree, 16 Ambassadors have been posted to
the Ankara headquarters, while 24 Ambassadors have been posted to various
countries, either as Ambassadors or permanent representatives to international
organizations.
Among them, Ali Sait Akın, who most recently served as
Turkey’s consul general in Libya’s Benghazi, has been appointed to a key post,
becoming the country’s Ambassador to Afghanistan.
ÇağatayErciyes, outgoing permanent representative of
Turkey to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has been posted
as Ambassador to Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
(02.07.15) reports that Akca, who will be replaced by Kanbay, will be appointed
at the Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). It is
expected to start his new duty on August 14, 2015.
The paper reports that it is estimated that Kanbay
will start his new duty in the occupied part of Nicosia at the beginning of
August.
(AK/
DPs)
3. French
Minister of State for European Affairs who is visiting Cyprus will meet with
Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.07.15)
reports that Harlem Désir, French Minister of State for European Affairs is
conducting an official visit in Cyprus between 2-3 of July.
According to the paper, Desir will meet today with the
President of the Republic of Cyprus NicosAnastasiades and later he will meet
with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Commenting on the issue, Akinci’s spokesman BarisBurcu
stated that the meeting between Akinci and Desir is taking place following the
high level contacts of Akinci in Brussels and added that this meeting is
another addition towards safeguarding the efforts for the solution of the
Cyprus problem.
(CS)
4.CTP launched contacts in the occupied area of
Cyprus searching for coalition partners
According to illegal Bayrak television (01.07.15) the Republican Turkish Party United Forces
(CTP-BG) is paying visits to political parties with seats in “parliament”
today, as part of the efforts for forming a “coalition” government.
The
CTP delegation visited first the National Unity Party (UBP). Making a statement to the press before the meeting,
Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of CTP-BG said
that the coalition “government” would hand in its resignation to the Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı, after his return to the island.
“We are
searching for a coalition partner that can assist us in overcoming the problems
of the country” said Talat and expressed the need for the new “government” to
be formed and be shaped around a federation instead of a confederation.
The
leader of the National Unity Party HuseyinOzgurgun expressed the need for a
reform “government” to be established and said: “As the opposition we tried to
fulfill our duties. If a reform government is going to be established we will
give our support regardless of whether we will be a partner of the government
or remain as an opposition party”.
The CTP
delegation’s next visit was to the Social Democratic Party (TDP).
Speaking there, Talat said that during the meeting
they will exchange views on the issue of a new “government” and other issues on
the agenda with TDP officials.
For his part, the
leader of TDP CemalOzyigit expressed readiness for taking part in a structure
which will lead the country to early “elections” by passing the vital “laws”.
He also added that the current structure of the “parliament”
was not suitable for a reform “government”.
In the afternoon the delegation visited the Democratic
Party-National Forces.(DP).
On
the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (02.07.15) reports that during the
meeting with the CTP delegation, the leader of the Democratic Party – National
Forces (DP-UG) SerdarDenktas said that he thinks because they know each other
they should not prolong this process for a long time. He added that although
this is a troubled period they can overcome the problems. Denktas concluded by
saying that they will discuss the issue and they will brief them soon.
(AK/
DPs)
5. Reduction
in hotel occupancy is the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (02.07.15) reports
that the hotel occupancy in the breakaway regime is 53% and notes that there is
a 25% decrease compared to the same period (June 2014) last year.
According to information by the “Turkish Cypriot
hoteliers union” the occupancy for the five starts hotels is 65% which is 31%
decreasecompared to the same period last year. However, the occupancy in small
hotels is 41% while it was 15% in the same period last year.
The “union” also stated that the number of British
tourists who visit the breakaway regime was reduced from 19% to 13%.
(CS)
6.
Illegal universities represented the “TRNC” in conferences in Russia and the
Netherlands
Turkish
Cypriot daily DemokratBakis (02.07.15) reports that the academic member of the
faculty of communications from the “Keryneia American University” (“GAU”)
Assist. Prof. Dr GuvenArikli attended the International Educational Surveys Conference
which was held in St. Petersburg between 25-29 June.
Arikli,
who represented the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) presented a notice in the conference
and had bilateral meetings with academicians from USA, Japan, Russia, Turkey,
India, Korea, Italy, Bulgaria, Kirgizstan, Azerbaijan and Moldova. He briefed
them regarding his “university” and the “TRNC”.
The
paper reports that the educational specialist from “GAU” SerdalIsiktas
accompanied Arikli during the conference.
Meanwhile,
the paper also reports that the so-called vice head of department of finance
and banking of the faculty of economics and administrative sciences of illegal
Near East University (“YDU”) Assist. Prof. Dr TurgutTursoy, represented the
“YDU” at the 25th International Business Information Management Association
(IBIMA) Conference titled as: “Innovation Vision 2020: from Regional
Development Sustainability to Global Economic Growth” in Amsterdam,
Netherlands. It is also reported that this was the first time that someone had
attended this conference from Cyprus and that Tursoy discussed issues related
to the crises that occurred in Turkey in 2000; causing reforms to be made
involving dynamic relationships of the stock certificate market and
macroeconomic variables in the short and long run, alongside improvements in
the irregularities.
It
is reminded that the accepted articles in the IBIMA Conference are issued as
Conference Proceedings in Thomson Reuters (ISI) and Elsevier-Scopus.
(DPs)
7.AKP candidate IsmetYilmaz became Turkey’s
Parliament Speaker
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.07.15) reported
that Turkish Defense Minister
İsmetYılmaz of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) was elected as the
country’s new Parliamentary Speaker in the fourth round and with the covert
support of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on July 1 in a sign of possible
coming coalition between the two.
Yılmaz
received 258 votes while Deniz Baykal, from the Republican People’s Party
(CHP), garnered 182 votes in the last round, as none of four candidates from
four political parties could attain a simple majority in the third round on
July 1st.Only Yılmaz and Baykal remained in the last round as
Ekmeleddinİhsanoglu from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Dengir Mir
Mehmet Fırat from the Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) were eliminated in the
third round.
In his first remarks delivered in Parliament after being
elected to his new post, Yılmaz said: “Our nation has been expecting a new Constitution
soon from the 25th term of Parliament. The economic and democratic level that
our country has reached today makes a new Constitution an obligation for all of
us”.
The
AKP group provided full support to its candidate in both the third and fourth
rounds, but the victory came thanks to the MHP’s decision not to vote for
Baykal. The support of the
CHP group as well as around 50 votes from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)
was insufficient to elect Baykal, the temporary speaker of the parliament, for
the country’s number two place in the state protocol.
The
MHP’s indirect support to the AKP’s candidate drew fierce criticisms from both
the CHP and the HDP, which accused the nationalist party of acting like the
crutch of the ruling party. The two opposition party executives also implied
that such a composition revealed the potential partners of a coalition
government.
“The result has
been presented to the AKP on a golden plate by the leader of a party,” said
HalukKoc, Spokesperson for the CHP.
Extending congratulations to Yılmaz, Koc said that he
expected that the new Parliamentary Speaker’s conduct would be “in line with
rules of democracy,” unlike the previous Parliamentary Speakers.
“Some debates took place after the election. This
manner shows that the message given by people on June 7 could not been
interpreted. Narrow-sighted and cowardly politics will not resolve problems,”
Koc said. “Partners for the coalition showed up.”
HDP co-chair SelahattinDemirtasechoed Koc’s summation
of the MHP’s stance and the results. “One more time, there is a Speaker who has
been elected by a single party’s votes. I wish the opposition could accomplish
this, but the MHP has presented the seat of the Parliament Speaker as a gift to
the AKP. I say ‘congratulations’ to the MHP,” Demirtaş said in bitter remarks.
Demirtaswent further by describing a potential
partnership in forming a government between the AKP and MHP as a “war
coalition” because of their similar rhetoric and lines over the developments in
Syria. The HDP’s co-leader said the HDP would perform its duty to oppose the
match.
Prime Minister AhmetDavutoglu, however, dismissed the
opposition’s claims that Parliamentary Speaker’s election was a sign of a
coalition between the AKP and the MHP, saying: “This election has nothing to do
with coalition scenarios. Everything took place in legitimacy. There was not
even a tiny discussion while some tensions were obviously expected,” Davutoglu
said.
(…)
Referring to the upcoming process of negotiations for
forming a coalition, Davutoglu said that he will be holding talks with all
three parties. “For us, the parliamentary Speaker election is not the same as
the coalition process. If I would have said that this is a signal, then I would
have opposed what I have earlier alluded to. However, today’s environment has
actually offered opportunities for an assessment of different coalition
options”, Davutoglu stated.
Who is İsmetYılmaz?
Yılmaz, 54, graduated from the Department of Machinery
of the Istanbul Maritime Academy (now Maritime Faculty of the Istanbul
Technical University).
Yılmaz studied at the World Maritime University in
Sweden where he was granted an MSc on “Technical Management of Shipping
Companies” and an MA from Marmara University’s Institute of Social Sciences.
Yılmaz also holds a PhD in private law from Ankara University’s Institute of
Social Sciences.
Yılmaz was elected to Parliament for the first time in
the June 2011 election as a Deputy representing his hometown of Sivas. He was
appointed as Defense Minister of the 61st Turkish government in July 2011.
8.Turkey’s exports decrease by 8 % in first half of
2015
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.07.15) reported
that the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly
(TİM) announced on Wednesday that Turkey’s exports decreased 8.1% in the first
half of the year to $73.26 billion from the same period of 2014, due to the
negative effects of parities on exports and geopolitical risks in neighboring
countries.
The country’s exports decreased by 6.4% to $11.7
billion in June compared to the same month of 2014. The year-on-year exports
stood at $150.8 billion, according to the TİM data.
“A decrease of some 18% in euro-U.S. dollar parity in
June from the same month of 2014 led to around a $1.2 billion loss in Turkey’s
monthly exports. The loss upon the forex changes reached $6.8 billion in the
first half of the year,” said TİM President Mehmet Buyukeksi.
He said that the country’s exports decreased by 6.4%
in June on the dollar basis, but increased by 5.4% on the amount basis compared
to the same month of the previous year.
He
also noted that Turkey’s exports to the European Union regressed by 5.5% on the
dollar basis, but increased by 14.7% on the euro basis.
Buyukeksi
said that exporters expected better results in the second half of the year.
“The Greek crisis’ effect on our exports will be limited. If the crisis,
however, spills over into some other European countries with high debt levels,
such as Italy, Portugal or Spain, the situation will be worsening”, he said.
The
highest level of exports was made to Germany, Britain, Iraq, Italy and France
in June, but the exports to these countries regressed by 8% on average,
according to the TİM data.
The automotive sector made the highest exports in
June, with around $2 billion worth of exports, but the export volume of the
sector decreased by 2.7% compared to the same month of 2014. Other champion
export sectors were the ready-made textiles sector and the chemical products
sector.
In the first half of the year, the highest exports
were also made by the automotive sector, which made $10.5 billion worth of
exports.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AC/ AM)
