TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 186/15 30.09.2015
1.Akinci met with Mammadyarov and
Hisarciklioglu in New York
2. Tsipras and Davutoglu
discussed refugee crisis and Cyprus
3.
A critical day for Deryneia crossing point on October 7
4. The candidatures for UBP’s congress submitted;
Candidates complain of not having the members’ names and the phone numbers
5. Eroglu’s daughter was relieved of duty; A bargain
has reportedly taken place prior to UBP’s congress
6.
The “dairy cooperation” exports halloumi to the Arab countries for 6 dollars
per kilo
7.
Turkish Cypriots living abroad want to participate in the “assembly”
8. Turkish
Cypriots who live in the UK will participate in the newly established “Turkic
World Solidarity Platform”
9. The breakaway regime cannot pay the salaries by the
end of the year
10. Birinci
will represent the breakaway regime in the Turkish Industry Businesswomen and
Businessmen Confederation
11. Erdogan: “PKK is an enemy of 'Kurdish brothers'”
12. Turkey’s YSK announced the final candidate lists
for November 1st elections
13. A new public survey in Turkey shows AKP regaining
the majority of votes in Parliament
14. Turkey to fully finance and build Crimea’s largest
mosque
15. Change on the implementation of the ending of
Daylight Saving Time in Turkey due to snap elections
1. Akinci met with Mammadyarov and Hisarciklioglu
in New York
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (30.09.15)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci met yesterday in New Yorkwith Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar
Mammadyarov and the chairman of Turkey’s Union of Chambers and Commodity
Exchanges (TOBB), Rifat Hissarciklioglu. Akinci’s meeting with the Turkish Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,which was planned for yesterday, is postponed for today at the Plaza hotel
where Akinci is staying.
Akinci’s meeting with Maymmadarov was held at the
Azeri Mission at the UN Plaza.
Prior to his meeting with Akinci, Hisarciklioglu said
that this was their first meeting after Akinci’s election. He noted that they
had suggested a Consultative Council on Investments for the occupied area of
Cyprus, similar to the one which contributed to the increase of the investments
in Turkey, but this could not be sustainable in occupied Cyprus. He argued that the obstacles which the
foreign investors are facing in the occupied area of the island and what should
be done for overcoming these obstacles must be addressed.
In his statements, Aknci said that they are working to
bring peace that will ensure the same tranquility in both sides of the island
and underlined the importance of economy. He noted that they want to make use
of Hisarciklioglu’s experience and that they attach great importance to the
Nicosia Forum, created by Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, Turkish and Greek
business circles.
Expressing the wish to meet with Hisarciklioglu more
often in the future, Akinci said that
the political solution must be economically supported. Noting that there is an
economic difference between the occupied area nd the government controlled area
of Cyprus, Akinci said that Hisarciklioglu’s experience would be useful for
overcoming this gap.
According to the paper, a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Yusuf Bin
Alawi Bin Abbas is included among Akinci’s contacts in New York.
Ozdil Nami, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, is
participating in the delegation which accompanies Akinci during his contacts.
At the same time, however, Nami is expected to also hold separate contacts and
meetings. Nami will meet with assistants
of the representatives of the UN Security Council’s members.
(I/Ts.)
2. Tsipras and Davutoglu
discussed refugee crisis and Cyprus
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper 930.09.15) reports that
the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held a meeting with his Greek
counterpart Alexis Tsipras.
The meeting, which was closed to the media, took place
on the margins of the United Nations summit in New York.
According to Turkish Prime Ministry sources the two
leaders agreed to enhance cooperation to implement projects aiming to ease the
plight of Syrian refugees. During the
meeting, Davutoglu expressed Turkey's readiness to offer every kind of support
to help Greece overcome its ongoing financial crisis, sources said.
Tsipras stated during the meeting that Greece supports
a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprusproblem based on UN Resolutions
and called Turkey to support talks in this direction.
Also on Tuesday, the Turkish Premier held face-to-face
talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif, Norwegian Prime Minister Arna Solberg, European Council President
Donald Tusk, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and former British Prime
Minister Tony Blair.
(CS)
3.
A critical day for Deryneia crossing point on October 7
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (30.09.15) reports that the “problem” regarding the
opening of Deryneia crossing point within the framework of the Confidential
Building Measures (CBMs) does not fall off the agenda. While some sources claim
that there is disagreement between the sides on the problem which is
continuing, the “presidency office” preserves its optimism regarding the
process. The paper reports that although the “military problem” with the
opening of the Deryenia crossing point has been eliminated, the works are
carrying out, the leaders have decided to accelerate the works on the current
route and the process is continuing positively, they have not reached a
solution yet.
Meanwhile,
the fourth meeting of the Technical Committees regarding the opening of the
crossing points will be held on October 7. The Turkish Cypriot side will submit
its views towards the Greek Cypriot proposal. It is also expected that a clear
result will emerge from this meeting.
Meltem
Onurkan Samani, the Turkish Cypriot coordinator of the Technical Committees, in
statements to the paper, said that instead of “ironing or not out the kinks”,
it is more correctly to say that the process is continuing positively. She said
that they took all the reports of all shareholders regarding the crossing
points and the technical committees will evaluate these reports by discussing
them in their meeting, which will be held soon.
(DPs)
4. The
candidatures for UBP’s congress submitted; Candidates complain of not having
the members’ names and the phone numbers Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (30.09.15)
reports that the seven candidates for
the post of the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP)during the
forthcoming congress of 31st of October submitted officially their
applicationsyesterday.
Huseyin Ozgurgun, Ersan Saner, Zorlu Tore, Ersin
Tatar, Nazim Cavusoglu, Unal Ustel and Oguz Ceyda submitted separately their
candidatures, but what is called as “crisis of the members’ list” is not
overcome yet. After submitting their
candidatures, the candidates who oppose to Huseyin Ozgurgun, the current
chairman, expressed their reaction to the fact that the members’ list and the
telephone numbers of the members were not given to them.
(I/Ts.)
5. Eroglu’s daughter was relieved of duty; A
bargain has reportedly taken place prior to UBP’s congress
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (30.09.15)
reports thatformer Turkish Cypriot
leader Dervis Eroglu’s daughter Gencay Eroglu was relieved of her duty as the
“director” of the so-called youth department. According to a statement
issued by the self-styled prime minister’s office, Gencay Eroglu is replaced by
Hatice Duzgun.
Afrika
reports that some allege that Gencay Eroglu will be appointed as
“undersecretary” at the self-styled ministry of education. Citing reliable sources, the paper writes that the former Turkish Cypriot leader called
Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the “minor coalition government partner” National
Unity Party (UBP), to his house and asked him explanations. It is argued that
Eroglu and Ozgurgun agreed on the appointment of Gencay Eroglu as
“undersecretary”at the self-styled ministry of education. Within the framework
of this agreement, Eroglu will remain “neutral in favor of Ozgurgun” during the
UBP’s forthcoming congress and he will even “slightly support” him to win the
post of the party chairman again. In return for this, Ozgurgun will not
reject the appointment of Eroglu’s daughter at the “ministry”.
It is said that the consent of the self-styled
minister of education, Kemal Durust has also been secured and the current
“undersecretary”, who is on leave, will be dismissed in order for Gencay Eroglu
to be appointed.
(I/Ts.)
6.
The “dairy cooperation” exports halloumi to the Arab countries for 6 dollars
per kilo
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli (30.09.15) reports that Omer Bahadi, responsible for the
financial and administrative affairs of the “dairy cooperation”, said that the
quality of their dairy products cannot be questioned. He added that they have
exported their dairy products since 1974 and 125 workers are processing 125
tons of milk every day.
Bahadi
further said that they export the 27% of the total agricultural products to the
Arab countries and some others. He also claimed that they used to even export
halloumi/hellim to Israel.
Meanwhile,
Bahadi said that they export halloumi for 6 dollar per kilo to the Arab
countries and claimed that the Republic of Cyprus exports halloumi products for
7 dollars per kilo.
(DPs)
7. Turkish
Cypriots living abroad want to participate in the “assembly”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.09.15)
reports that the workshop for demanding the right to participate in the
“assembly”, of the Platform of Turkish Cypriots living abroad, will come
together on October 6 in the breakaway regime.
According to the paper, the “proposal for TRNC
citizens who live abroad to participate in the assembly” workshops gave
information about the Turkish Cypriots living abroad claiming that there are 600,000 Turkish Cypriots
living abroad.
(CS)
8. Turkish
Cypriots who live in the UK will participate in thenewly established “Turkic
World Solidarity Platform”
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (30.09.15)
reports that persons originating from Turkic countries who live in the UK
gathered in order to organize a common organization. Representatives of the
breakaway regime will also participate in the organization.
According to the paper, the organization will be named
“Turkic World Solidarity Platform”, and representatives from Azerbaijan,
Northern Iraq and other countries will participate in it.
(CS)
9. The breakaway regime cannot pay the salaries by
the end of the year
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (30.09.15)
reports thatthe entire sum of the 216
million Turkish Liras (TL) granted by Turkey for the breakaway regime’s budget
this year was used. When the rest of the regime’s resources are added to
its income, these are not enough to pay
the salaries, notes the paper adding that the issue of making some payments
from resources planned to be used for 2016’s budget has come onto the agenda. The
total payment of salaries, including the 13th salary, reaches 680
million TL by the end of the year.
The amount separated in the regime’s budget for paying
the farmers, the livestock breeders and the producers was 135 million TL, while
the payments reached 200 million TL, notes the paper pointing out that the
producers are preparing to hold protests in the streets and that a dilemma
exists: either the producers will be
paid or the “civil servants”, as there is not enough money for paying both of
them.
Meanwhile, 180 million TL out of the 190 million TL
separated in the so-called “Turkey-TRNC sustainable economy transition program”
in 2015 were not spent and because no reform was made the money will return to
Turkey again.
The
paper writes that Turkey is the only source for the breakaway regime’s
“treasury” which faces a deficit of about 180 million TL by the end of the
year. However, it is said
that the self-styled prime minister of the regime, Omer Kalyoncyu denied meeting with the Turkish government to ask for resources
saying that there is nothing concrete yet on which he could base his demand for
money.
(I/Ts.)
10. Birinci
will represent the breakaway regime in the Turkish Industry Businesswomen and
Businessmen Confederation
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (30.09.15)
reports that businessman Ertan Birinci, chairman of the Birinci Media Group,
was elected as “TRNC” representative of the Turkish Industry Businesswomen and
Businessmen Confederation.
According to a statement by the chairman of the
Confederation, Ersin Duzyol, Birinci is a well trusted person and will
participate in the Confederation in the highest level.
(CS)
11.Erdogan: “PKK is an enemy of 'Kurdish brothers'”
Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.09.15) reports that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
accused the PKK of exploiting the “solution process” and the Kurdish people.
In a speech to village leaders in Ankara on Tuesday,
Erdogan asked: "Is it possible for an organization that shoots, ruins and
destroys ambulances, fire vehicles, mosques, schools, work places and homes to
struggle for the people in the region?"
Erdogan
said that the terrorist organization is not only "an enemy" of the
country but also of their "Kurdish brothers," adding that it wanted
to make Turkish and Kurdish people enemies of each other.
Erdogan
also said that the PKK is not a part of the nation and added: "Those who
attack our country's benefits and aim at its unity and integrity do not belong
to this nation, whatever title they have, even if they are in the
Parliament."
The
latter comment is thought to be a thinly veiled reference to the People’s
Democratic Party (HDP).
Without
naming HDP explicitly, Erdogan asked: "Those who backed the terrorist
organization, what did you do apart from digging [ditches]? While digging, you
disturbed the people there."
(…)
12.Turkey’s YSK announced the final candidate lists
for November 1st elections
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (29.09.15) reported that Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) has
published the final candidate lists that contain a total of 48 new names
compared to the lists unveiled on September 23
Turkey's Supreme Election Board has officially
announced candidate lists of all Turkish political parties who will run in the
upcoming snap elections on November 1.
The final candidate lists were published in the
official gazette late Monday.
The lists, approved by the Board, consist of
candidates from 16 political parties, who will run in the polls.
There are a total of 48 new names compared to the
lists unveiled on September 23. The Justice and Development (AK) Party changed
five of its candidates while the Republican People's Party (CHP) added 13 new
names to the list. The other two parties, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Peoples'
Democratic Party (HDP), changed 12 and 18 of their candidates, respectively, in
the final list.
The list also has 21 independent parliamentary
candidates from across Turkey.
Snap elections in Turkey will be held on November 1,
nearly five months after an inconclusive election on June 7 saw no single party
win an overall majority.
Coalition talks between AK Party and the other three
parliamentary parties had not produced any result.
A provisional government was established by Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on August 28 to steer Turkey to a rerun of June’s
polls.
The interim Cabinet includes representatives from
Davutoglu’s AK Party, one lawmaker from the MHP and two from the HDP.
Turkey is divided into 85 constituencies in 81
provinces for a total of 550 MPs.
The election board will print more than 75 million
voting papers for the snap polls.
13.A new public survey in Turkey shows AKP
regaining the majority of votes in Parliament
Turkish daily Sabah (29.09.15-online in English)
reported that a recent public survey by
the Ankara-based Objective Research Center (ORC) and MAK Consultancy found that
the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) would regain a majority in
Parliament following the November 1 early elections.
Speaking to a local news agency, ORC President Murat Posteki cited Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's
recent statements in New York, where he said that the support for the AK Party
had increased to 43%. Posteki said that the survey showed that the AK Party
will regain the conservative Kurdish votes that it lost in the June 7
elections.
He
also said the 2% of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supporters who voted for
the party are strongly expected to support the AK Party in the upcoming
elections.
In
the public survey published by MAK for the month of September, 43.72% of
participants support the AK Party, which would lead to it holding the majority
in Parliament after the elections. The survey, which was conducted through telephone interviews with 1,521
individuals and one-on-one interviews with 5,500 individuals, was done
throughout 30 cities and three regional towns. The results show that, according
to the support indicated by participants, the
Republican People's Party (CHP) would have 141 Deputies in Parliament, the
pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) would have 66 and the MHP would have
64. Posteki said that anything could happen in the November 1 elections and
that there are two key parties, the AK Party and the CHP. He said the
percentage of possible votes can increase within a day and that the messages
conveyed by political parties as well as how voters perceive those messages are
highly critical.
14.Turkey to fully finance and build Crimea’s
largest mosque
Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.09.15) reported that Crimea's
Grand Mufti said on Sunday that Turkey is going to fully finance the construction
of Crimea’s largest mosque.
Crimea Autonomous Republic’s Grand Mufti Emir Ali
Ablayev said that the Russian administration approved the project, which they
had been trying to implement for 10 years, from before Crimea joined the
Russian Federation.
The mosque will be constructed in Crimea’s capital,
which Crimean Tatars refer to as “Akmescit,” while Russians call it
“Simferopol.”
“The worship venue will be built in an area of 2,500
square meters and together with the courtyard and the fountain, it will cover
5,000 square meters Ablayev said, adding that “about 5,000 Muslims will be able
to worship at the same time.”
He said that the mosque would be named “The Friday
Mosque.”
Ercan Bekar, the owner of the Istanbul-based
construction company Erbek Insaat which will build the mosque, said that within
days the cornerstone of the mosque would be laid. He said that the construction
company has 36 months to build the mosque, but the aim is to finish the
construction within 24 months.
The Crimean Grand Mufti said that “Turkey’s Presidency
for Religious Affairs provided every kind of support for the implementation of
this project, which will be Crimea’s largest Mosque. Turkey will fully finance
the construction of the Mosque.”
The Grand Mufti said that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, former President Abdullah Gul, and the Head of Presidency for
Religious Affairs Mehmet Gormez have helped the project to receive approval
first from the Ukrainian authorities, and then from the Russian authorities.
15.Change on the implementation of the ending of
Daylight Saving Time in Turkey due to snap elections
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (30.09.15) reports that
the Turkish authorities have announced that the daylight saving time in Turkey
will end on November 8, instead of October 25, because of the upcoming snap
election on November 1st.
Clocks across the country will be switched back by one
hour at 4:00 a.m., which will then become 3 a.m. on November 8, Sunday.
The clocks across Turkey were last put forward to
Daylight Saving Time for an hour on March 29 to save electricity.
Turkey is estimated to save about 800 million-1
billion kilowatt hours of electricity through switching to Daylight Saving Time
for seven months; this amount is equal to that of the annual power production
of a middle-scale hydroelectric power plant.
Daylight Saving Time was first used in northern
European countries like Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom during World
War I to conserve coal, and was first introduced in Turkey by law in 1925.
Turkey adopted Daylight Saving Time to keep its clocks
in sync with those of European countries and to decrease the demand for
electricity in the early evening hours.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/ AM)
