TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 140/15 28.07.2015
1.Akinci: “Cyprus problem’s solution can be reached
within months”
2. Cavusoglu to daily Milliyet: “The opportunity for
the solution in Cyprus should not be missed”
3. Colak: “We are hopeful of achieving a positive
result. If not in 2015 I foresee a settlement in 2016”
4. Bozkır: If the Cyprus issue is resolved, we will be
able to open 10 chapters in one year”
5.
“Dr Fazil Kucuk Movement” established in the breakaway regime
6.
So-called Turkish Cypriot football federation informed FIFA about the denial of
Turkey's teams to pay training fees to Turkish Cypriot teams
7.Turkish President Erdogan to visit China and Indonesia
8. Turkey blocks Kurdish and left-wing websites
1.
Akinci: “Cyprus problem’s solution can be reached within months”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (28.07.15)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci stated that the solution
of the Cyprus problem can be reached not only within a few years but within
months.
Akinci made these statements speaking to the press on
his return to the “presidential palace”, after the meeting he held with
President Nicos Anastasiades on the framework of the negotiations.
Akinci said that the months from autumn until the end
of the year will be very important and noted that if the same determination and
will is shown in the coming period, then the solution is possible to be reached
not within years but within months. He also expressed the wish that a solution
to be reached and a federal, bizonal solution to be established so that the two
communities in Cyprus to live in peace in their country.
Akinci stated that during the meeting they discussed
the issues of property and territory and added that they confirmed the
agreements they reached during previous meetings on the issues and exchanged
views on the criteria on property and territory.
He pointed out that the next leaders meetings are scheduled
for the 1st and 14th of September although the negotiators and technical
committees would continue to meet in August.
Akinci also said that the two leaders would be
attending a musical evening at Othello on Tuesday evening and that that UNSG
Special Advisor Eide will also be attending the event.
(CS)
2.Cavusoglu to daily Milliyet: “The opportunity for
the solution in Cyprus should not be missed”
Turkish
daily Milliyet newspaper (28.07.15-online in Turkish) under the above title
publishes an interview by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to the
paper’s correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, Sefa Karahasan.
Cavusoglu
stated, inter alia, that it is the first time they have been so hopeful for a
solution in Cyprus and underlined the need for this opportunity not to be
missed. “I hope that the Greek Cypriot side will not do something at the last
minute. Turkey is ready for a solution”, Cavusoglu added.
Referring to the wall which divides the two parts of
capital Lefkosia, Cavusoglu stated: “A
solution should be reached on the Cyprus problem, the wall of embarrassment
should be broken down. The existence of this wall is embarrassing for both
communities. The reason why this wall was established and under what conditions
it has been established, is something else”, Cavusoglu added.
Referring
to Turkish President Erdogan’s recent visit in the “TRNC”, Cavusoglu alleged
that there is ‘chemistry’ between Erdogan and the “TRNC President” Mustafa
Akinci, as he called the
Turkish Cypriot leader and added that both were similar in some aspects. He claimed
that both Erdogan and Akinci have a sincere and positive energy and both are open
minded and forthcoming. He also added that even if there were differences of
opinion this could be solved.
Asked to comment if Erdogan was disappointed since
Akinci did not welcome him at the illegal Tymbou airport upon his arrival in
the “TRNC”, Cavusoglu said they did not see this as a protocol issue, adding
that Erdogan understood this.
Cavusoglu
stated further that the leader of the “Greek Cypriot administration” as he
called President Nicos Anastasiades is his personal friend and said that
Anastasiades is determined towards the solution. Referring to the leader of the main
opposition party AKEL, Andros Kyprianou, Cavusoglu announced that he will
invite him to Ankara.
In
his message about Cyprus, Cavusoglu stated the following: “The Cyprus
negotiations talks progress well. This is the last chance and it must not be
missed. It is possible that there will not be another negotiation process in
the future. I do not say this as a threat. Let’s all support this process. If
another rejection comes [referring to a future plan], there will be another
alternatives. I consider that it is not right to speak about this at the
moment. What I say is that we should all be constructive. Greece supports this.
But Greece’s support should be stronger. The Greek Cypriot Church should also
provide support. Let’s see Varosha open,
so that peace and harmony can come to the island. Varosha is one of the main
issues of the negotiations and we should not consider it as a confidence
building measure”, Cavusoglu stated.
Pointing
out to the need for a conference between Turkey, Greece, the Turkish Cypriot
side and the Greek Cypriot side to take place, Cavusoglu said that this
conference is connected with the convergences or the agreement between the two
sides on the issues they discuss.
Supporting
that their wish is for a referendum to take place by the end of 2015, Cavusoglu
added that Turkey is prepared for this and said: “If this is not possible, in
spite of the fact that time runs out, 2016 should be the last deadline. We have
exerted efforts from 2004 to 2007 to explain to all platforms that we will not
sacrifice Cyprus. My duty is to explain and make it understandable that we will
not give up from our territories and that we will not bargain away Cyprus. Discussing
the issue of guarantees at this phase of the negotiation process would mean
more delay. There are a lot of issues on the table which must be solved”.
(AK)
3. Colak: “We are hopeful of achieving a positive
result. If not in 2015 I foresee a settlement in 2016”
According to illegal Bayrak (27.07.15) so called foreign minister Emine Colak has
expressed optimism regarding efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the
Cyprus problem.
Speaking
in an interview to the Turkish Anatolian News Agency, Colak said that the
political leadership on both sides of the divide was showing a strong stance
towards reaching a political settlement on the island. “We are hopeful of
achieving a positive result. If not in 2015 I foresee a settlement in 2016” she
said.
Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side’s political
will in the current talks is quite different, Colak said that the Greek Cypriot
leader Nicos Anastasiades made some harsh statements from time to time which
she added was understandable as he had to act according to his own community.
Stating
that she had personally witnessed how fast the negotiations process is moving
forward and how much progress had been achieved after resuming her post, Colak
added: “I truly see a chance and opportunity for a solution even though we have all lived with disappointment and
failed expectations for the past 50 years”.
Commenting
on reports regarding the new name of the partnership to be established, Colak
said that the most important thing was the content of a settlement.
“Nothing
is agreed until everything is agreed. In the end it will be something that both
sides will agree on. The important thing is that the new partnership will be a
bi-zonal and bi-communal federal partnership based on political equality”, she added.
Stating that once a settlement is reached, consequent
EU membership will bring responsibilities along with advantages, Colak stated
that it was important to derive lessons from experiences of other EU countries
such as Greece.
On
the issue of hydrocarbons, Colak underlined that any revenues to be derived
from the island’s resources should be used for the benefit of both communities.
She also added that there was a good possibility the
water from Turkey to arrive in the “TRNC” before a settlement and to be used
for the benefit of both communities.
4.Bozkır: If the Cyprus issue is resolved, we will
be able to open 10 chapters in one year”
Turkish
daily Sabah (27.07.15-online in English) published an interview by Turkey’s EU
Minister Volkan Bozkir who spoke to the paper about various subjects including
terrorism and refugees, the EU expansion process and the Cyprus issue, during
his visit to Luxembourg for the Ministers of European Affairs meeting.
Following is an abstract of Bozkir’s interview:
“DS: Cyprus
negotiations are continuing in a positive manner. How will this development
affect Turkey's EU process?
VB:
In our opinion, the negotiations on Cyprus are going well and, hopefully it
will yield a successful result. If this issue is resolved, we will be able to
open 14 chapters that are blocked due to this issue. During this eight-year
period we became able to open all of the chapters. If the Cyprus issue is
resolved, we will be able to open 10 chapters in one year. We have the
advantage to open these 10 chapters in just two months. Chapters 23 and 24 are
the most important ones. While Chapter 23 is about political criteria, Chapter
24 is about refugees and border security. At the moment, we are not able to
open these chapters. Whenever it is made possible, we will be able to open it
on the shortest notice. The EU, by not opening these chapters takes the EU's
right to criticize Turkey from them. If the chapters are opened, there will be
more meetings and there will be platforms to relay criticism. The current mode
of communication that is conducted by sending notices is problematic. They
should not expect us to bow our head because Turkey and the EU are equals. Even
if the EU does not have relations based on equality with the other countries,
this does not mean they can force Turkey into subordination.
DS:
You had criticized this year's EU progress report severely and did not accept
it. What was the reason behind your attitude?
VB:
The progress report is not a platform to punish or to make accusations. It has
to be constructive and it should be prepared together. It is not possible for
us to accept a report when they avoid communicating with us. While I believe that European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur,
Kati Piri, has good intentions, she was not able to utilize the mechanisms very
well when compared to the previous Rapporteur. A total of 85 out of 420 motions
suggested in the report came from the same person. This person is the President
of the Joint Parliamentary Commission. The Joint Parliamentary Commission along
with the Association Commission was established with the Ankara Agreement to
improve relations. The President of the Joint Parliamentary Commission is Greek
and his Vice President is a Greek Cypriot; they suggested 85 motions combined. This year when they submitted the report,
which was full of extreme criticism, we returned the report without accepting
it. If they refer to this action in the following reports, we will continue to
return the reports.
DS: In your previous statements you had said that
there were certain lobbies that work against Turkey. What kinds of measures
have been taken against these lobbies?
VB: This issue coincided with a period of time when
Turkey was occupied with internal affairs. Our Parliamentarians could not make
adequate contact with the European Parliament. During the preparation of the
report everyone was occupied with the election campaign. When there was a
reference to the 1915 incidents, we sent a committee, but the committee did not
suffice. Our Ministers were also in a similar situation. Unfortunately, I think
that we could not fight against these groups that try to harm Turkey's
reputation. I hope that in the coming term we will be able to establish more
mechanisms on this issue.
Referring to the issue of terrorism, Bozkir
highlighted that Turkey is doing its part in the fight against terrorism and
warned that it will spread unless EU countries collaborate on terrorism and
share the responsibility of sheltering refugees.
(…)
5. “Dr
Fazil Kucuk Movement” established in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (28.07.15)
reports that a new movement under the name “Dr Fazil Kucuk Movement” was
established in the breakaway regime aiming to keep the thought and the memory
of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Fazil Kucuk alive.
The new movement was established on June 9 and
conducted its first general meeting on July 24. The chairman of the movement is
Mustafa Caluda.
(CS)
6.
So-called Turkish Cypriot football federation informed FIFA about the denial of
Turkey's teams to pay training fees to Turkish Cypriot teams
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (28.07.15)
reports that the so-called Turkish Cypriot football federation's
("KTFF") sent a letter to the chairman of Turkey’s Football
Federation (TFF) Yildirim Demiroren on the issue of the denial of the teams in
Turkey's amateurs' league (BAL) to pay training fees to Turkish Cypriot teams
during the transfer of Turkish Cypriot football players, because
"KTFF" is not recognized and is not a member of FIFA and UEFA.
Speaking yesterday during a press conference, the
chairman of “KTFF”, Hasan Sertoglu
stated that they also included FIFA’s chairman Joseph Sepp Blatter to the recipients
of the letter asking for FIFA’s help on the issue. He also stated that they
wanted to inform FIFA on the matter.
(CS)
7.Turkish President Erdogan to visit China and
Indonesia
Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.07.15) reported that the Turkish Presidency said in a statement
on Monday that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit China between July 28
and July 30 for the first time since 2012.
"During
the President's meeting with his counterpart, all aspects of relations between
China and Turkey will be discussed," the statement said.
The
statement added that the leaders would exchange views on regional and
international issues that affect both countries.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and China, which
were established in 1971, have improved significantly especially in the last 10
years, through mutual high-level official visits. The two countries adopted in
2010 the “Joint Declaration on the Establishment and Development of the
Strategic Relationship of Cooperation”.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s official
website, the Turkish-Chinese bilateral trade, which surpassed $1 billion in
2000, has constantly expanded and has now surpassed an estimated over $24
billion.
According to the program, Erdogan will also meet Chinese Parliamentary Speaker Zhang Dejiang and
Prime Minister Li Keqiang.
A business forum is also scheduled in Beijing, and
some agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries, the
statement added.
(…)
Following
the China visit, Erdogan will also visit Indonesia between July 30 and August
1, the statement said.
He will meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo and also
participate in the Turkey-Indonesia Business Forum.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s official
website, Turkey and Indonesia aim to reach a trade volume of $5 billion in
2015.
8.Turkey blocks Kurdish and left-wing websites
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.07.15) reported
thatAnkara’s Criminal Court of Peace has
approved a decision by the country’s government-controlled internet watchdog to
block nearly 100 Kurdish and left wing websites on the ground of making
terrorist propaganda.
On
July 25, Turkey’s Telecommunications Directorate (TİB) blocked access to a
total of 96 Kurdish and left wing news websites, along with 23 Twitter accounts
due to “administrative measures” targeting not only websites based in Turkey
but also in northern Iraq.
The blocked websites included Rudaw, BasNews, DİHA,
ANHA, daily Özgür Gündem, Yüksekova Haber, Sendika.Org and RojNews.
The TİB’s decision had been presented to the Golbası
Criminal Courts of Peace in Ankara for approval, and it was evaluated on the
same day.
The
court ruled the TİB’s decision to block access to a total of 96 websites that
make or promote terrorist propaganda for organizations such as the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the
outlawed Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) and remove
content was legal.
Thanks to a law prepared by the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) and approved in Parliament on March 12, Turkish Cabinet
Ministers can remove or block an online publication for “defending the right to
live, securing property, ensuring national security and public order,
preventing crime or protecting public health.”
The TİB can enforce requests to impose blanket bans
within just four hours. The decision should then be approved by the judge of a
criminal court of peace within 24 hours. The judge would have to issue a ruling
in 48 hours. If no verdict is issued, the ban will automatically be revoked.
Currently,
more than 81,000 websites are blocked in Turkey, according to monitoring
website Engelli Web.
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