TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 143/15 31.07.2015
1. Akinci: Those who have been living in properties for 41 years have rights too
2. Akinci discussed with Eide the latest developments in the Cyprus talks
3. Burcu: Akinci will carry out a series of meetings for briefing on the Cyprus talks
4. Self-styled foreign ministry evaluates the extension of the UNFICYP mandate
5. Serdar Denktas: “AKP forgave Ocalan but does not forgive me”
6. Izmir Chamber of Commerce chairman” Let's go swimming in Varosha on September 1st
7. Annual print media circulation in Turkey falls by 7.6%
1. Akinci: Those who have been living in properties for 41 years have rights too
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (31.07.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci referred to the property issue and stated that not only those who hold a title deed for a property but those who live there for 41 years have also rights.
Akinci made these statements during a meeting he held with the TURKONFED (Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation) which is visiting the breakaway regime upon an invitation by the Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association (ISAD).
Akinci stated that his recent statements that the problem, which according to his words “has been going for 47 years now”, can be solved in only a few months has shocked the world; however he said there is nothing that has not been discussed as regards the Cyprus problem all these years. He reiterated that he indeed believes that a solution can be reached in a few months as long as political will and determination is shown.
Referring to the property issue, he said that it is discussed during the negotiation but details of the talks are not known and cannot be shared, adding that this is the reason that caused some worries on the issue. He stated that the issue is discussed at the technical committees who work on the criteria of how this can be handled since as he said not only those who hold a title deed but those who live there for 41 years also have rights on the properties.
Akinci said that the EU can contribute to the solution procedure; however he said that the negotiations are under the auspices of the United Nations. EU’s Representative in Cyprus is in a position to offer his assistance to the technical committees if he is asked on an issue; he said.
He also said that the halloumi issue reached a very important point and it will be referred with both the Greek and the Turkish name as halloumi and hellim.
Referring to news on the Greek press as regards the progress of the negotiation, that the two leaders reached an agreement and the problem is solved, Akinci stated that the problem is not solved until the agreement goes to a referendum and the people of the two communities agree upon it.
(CS)
2. Akinci discussed with Eide the latest developments in the Cyprus talks
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 31.07.15), the UN Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci this morning.
The latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process were discussed during the meeting attended by the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, the self-styled foreign ministry undersecretary Erhan Ercin and Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu.
Speaking after the meeting which lasted two hours, Eide said that the process is at a very dynamic phase. He said that bi-lateral meetings are extremely helpful in seeing and understanding how the two sides see the situation at the moment as well as planning for the months ahead.
“We had a very comprehensive, rich and positive discussion about where we stand right now as we go into the summer break and what we will do when we pick up after summer. As usual it was very pleasant, useful and honest conversation”, he said.
Eide also reminded that he had briefed the UN Security Council a week ago and that all its 15 members had expressed full support and strong encouragement to the leaders and the process. “They commended them on the excellent work they are doing. They also reminded them that time is of the essence and that this is a window of opportunity that must be grasped”, Eide said.
The UN Special Advisor pointing to the Resolution on UNFICYP said that it is very seldom that the UN Security Council is unanimous in something. “The fact that the two leaders have the support of the highest body in the world and that this support is unanimous is very unique and very positive” he said.
Eide however reminded that a solution in Cyprus is to be found by the two sides in Cyprus. “I don’t think that the two sides will get a better chance than the one they have right now to solve the Cyprus problem”, he reiterated.
Commenting on recent reports in the press that the bi-zonal nature of the settlement to be reached is being watered down, Eide said that this in no way reflects the truth. “The premise of our discussions is to create a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation that is in line with European values and principles as spelled out in the 11th February Joint Declaration. That has not changed at all…. Anyone who says otherwise has simply got it wrong. Nobody is giving up on those principles” he concluded.
3. Burcu: Akinci will carry out a series of meetings for briefing on the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.07.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci within the next week will have a series of meetings with the “council of ministers”, the political parties represented in the “parliament” and media institutions.
In a written statement by Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu, it is announced that Akinci will carry out intensive visits in the coming days to brief on the negotiation process.
According to the press release, Akinci will meet on Wednesday morning, August 5, with the representatives of the media institutions and later the same day with the “council of ministers” to exchange views on the Cyprus problem and domestic issues.
On Friday, August 7, Akinci will brief the representatives and the leaders of the political parties, which are represented in the “parliament”, on the negotiation process. It is also reported that Akinci plans to meet with all the self-styled deputies in the middle of September.
Burcu noted that the necessary efforts have been launched in order for Akinci to meet with all the non-governmental organizations believed to be an important part of the process. He also said that Akinci stressed once more that the two communities will give their final decision at the referenda. Burcu also explained that the reports in the Greek Cypriot media claiming that the agreement will only be approved by the two leaders and will not be given for a referendum are not reliable.
(DPs)
4. Self-styled foreign ministry evaluates the extension of the UNFICYP mandate
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.07.15) publishes the following written statement by the self-styled foreign ministry regarding the UN Security Council Resolution No: 2234(2015) dated 29 July 2015:
“The UN Security Council has approved unanimously Resolution S/RES/2234(2015) on 29 July 2015, renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 January 2016.
The Resolution welcomes the resumption of the negotiation process as well as the progress achieved so far and the ongoing efforts of the Leaders to reach a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. Moreover, the encouragement of both sides by the Security Council to grasp the current opportunity with determination will have a positive repercussion on the negotiations. In this connection, it is important to remind that the Turkish Cypriot side retains its strong commitment towards reaching a mutually acceptable agreement within the framework of the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary-General, and on the basis of the convergences reached between the two sides and the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014.
The Security Council Resolution urges the implementation of confidence building measures. As the Turkish Cypriot side, we attach utmost importance to taking steps which will improve the daily lives of the two communities living on the Island, bring them closer together, and pave the way for cooperation between the two sides in parallel to the current negotiation process. We strongly believe that confidence building measures will significantly contribute to reaching, as well as implementation of a final settlement on the Island.
The current Resolution, as a matter of common practice, welcomes the most recent Report of the UN Secretary-General on UNFICYP (S/2015/517). Our concerns pertaining to the mention of the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots in the ‘Observations’ section of the Report rather than the main body have been put on record before UN officials. This approach implies that the restrictions which directly and negatively affect the Turkish Cypriots in all fields of life are being overlooked. Moreover, reservations of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP have been transmitted to New York.”
On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 31.07.15) broadcast that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Emine Colak evaluated the extension of the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces’ Mission (UNFICYP) in Cyprus by the UN Security Council and the recent visit to the island by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to “BRT yesterday”, Colak said that the extension of UNFICYP’s mandate for another 6 months is a routine procedure that has been going on for years.
Stating that they examined the UN Security Council’s report on UNFICYP, Colak said that they are pleased to see the reference in the report to the positive atmosphere in the negotiations.
Pointing out that there has been various expressions used in the previous report regarding the reportedly isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots which the Greek Cypriots has objected to, Colak said that there is little reference to this in the current report. “It is as if little reference was made to the isolations which are still continuing, perhaps in a bid not to draw too much reaction from the Greek Cypriot side”, she added.
Also evaluating the recent visit to Cyprus by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Colak pointed out that the two countries have reached an agreement on expanding cooperation on natural gas and defence issues. She said the fact that Netanyahu carried out his first visit abroad to “South Cyprus” since his re-election is a strong message sent out to the world. “This however does not have a direct impact on the talks. Our only desire is that one of the two sides does not take any serious steps or actions that will upset the other side during the course of the negotiations” she concluded.
5. Serdar Denktas: “AKP forgave Ocalan but does not forgive me”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (31.07.15) publishes an interview with the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas who criticizes the stance followed by the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) against him and his family.
“They have even forgave Apo (Abdullah Ocalan) but they did not forgive me”, Denktas stated, adding that he is not aware for the reason that AKP holds this stance against him. He also accused the former “ambassador” of Turkey to the occupied part of Lefkosia Halil Inrahim Akca of showing a hostile behavior against him and spreading false rumors that he and DP received money taking advantages of various tenders opened in the breakaway regime. “I told him many times that these are severe allegations and he has to prove them”, Denktas stated.
Referring to the coalition “government” established by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the national Unity Party (UBP) Denktas said that it was formed under pressures exerted not by Turkey but by the “Turkish embassy” to the occupied part of Lefkosia and Akca himself.
(CS)
6. Izmir Chamber of Commerce chairman” Let's go swimming in Varosha on September 1st
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (31.07.15) reports that Ekrem Demirtas, the chairman of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce stated that the agreement on haloumi/hellim cheese is an important motivator in the Cyprus talks.
Demirtas said he believes that the Cyprus problem is going to be solved soon and called everyone to participate in ‘Let’s go swimming in Varosha; lets remove the wires that divide Cyprus’ campaign which is planned for September 1st. He said that he will be in Cyprus on that time to support the campaign.
Noting that he has never agreed with the production of halloumi in Turkey and that he had been criticized because of his statements on this matter, Demirtas said that excuses such as there was not sufficient milk in the breakaway regime were unacceptable.
Touching on the GSM operators cooperation in the island, Demirtas said they supported this initiative and said it was unbelievable that there were communication problems at a time when man is in space. He also congratulated Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce president Fikri Toros for his work on this project.
(CS)
7. Annual print media circulation in Turkey falls by 7.6%
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 30.07.15), the annual circulation of newspapers and magazines published in Turkey fell by 7.6% in 2014 compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUİK).
The number of newspapers and magazines dropped to 7,120 in 2014, with 58.7% of them magazines, according to the Print Media Statistics Report of TUİK.
The report said that the reason for the decrease in the total circulation was related to a relative drop in the volume of local newspapers.
Some 89% of the published newspapers in 2014 were local, 4.9% of them were regional, and 6.2% were national publications, the data showed.
The national publication share is much higher for magazines than for newspapers, according to the data.
At least 55% of the entire magazines were national, while 38.2% were local and 6.6% were regional out of all magazines published in 2014, according to the data.
More than half of the annual circulation of magazines came from monthly publications. Some 54.5% of all magazines were published monthly in 2014, while 16.9% of published magazines the same year were weekly publications.
TÜİK’s statistical data revealed that daily newspapers made up 90.2% of the entire annual circulation.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
(DPs/ AM)
