TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 192/15 09.10.2015
1. Burcu:
The negotiators will meet with the mobile network operators
2. Ozyigit:
“Turkish guarantees should be discussed after the solution”
3. Soyer
suggested that Akinci should have participated in the meetings on gas in New
York
4. BKP
evaluated the Cyprus problem and the property issue
5. Ozgurgun
criticized Kotzias’ statements
6.
Self-styled minister Evren attends ICEM meeting in Rabat
7. Erdogan and
Davutoglu to hold the inauguration ceremony of the “Water Transfer project” in
Anamour on October 15
8. Siber
re-elected as “parliamentary speaker”
9.
Signature gathering for making religious instruction in the occupied area of Cyprus optional
10.Afrika:
The Greek Cypriot side has not changed the names of the roads; let it be
example for our people
11. A Greek
Cypriot is arrested by the regime for “violating a military zone”
12. UFTAA
President visited the occupied area of Cyprus
13. Toshiba
ready for a nuclear plant project in Turkey; Erdogan and Abe focus on ways to
improve commercial ties
14. EU
seeks to accelerate Turkey’s stalled accession process
15. Survey:
50.1% support a single-party government
1. Burcu:
The negotiators will meet with the mobile network operators
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(09.10.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot
negotiator OzdilNami and Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis met
yesterday at the buffer zone to
prepare the meeting to be held between President Anastasiades and the Turkish
Cypriot leader Akinci on Monday. The negotiators discussed also the demand
of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with regards to the intensification of
the negotiating process and decided to
speed up their work.
The negotiators are expected to meet again
this morning and in the afternoon they
will hold another meeting with the mobile network operators both in the
government-controlled area and the occupied area of the island. During the
afternoon meeting, the issue of the
operation of the cell phones in the entire island will be discussed.
BarisBurcu,
spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, stated that the meeting with the
mobile phone operators is separated from the negotiating process and added:
“There are some technical proposals. The view of both sides’ operators will be
taken on this issue. We will see whether they will want changes or they will
accept them as they are”.
Referring to the meeting held yesterday, Burcu
said that it was held in a positive climate and, except for the preparation of
the meeting between the leaders, the negotiators exchanged views on how they
will meet more often within the forthcoming period.
Burcu
announced that the meeting between the leaders that was planned for Monday 12
October at 10.00 o’ clock in the morning has been moved for 18.00 o’ clock on
the same day.
Finally, he said that the negotiators
prepared for programing the intensification of the process and discussed the
productivity of the working system of the ad hoc committee established for
preparing the Turkish Cypriots for the EU.
(I/Ts.)
2.Ozyigit: “Turkish guarantees should be discussed after the
solution”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (09.10.15) reports that CemalOzyigit, the
chairman of the Communal Democratic Party (TDP) stated that the Turkish
guarantees should not be discussed at the time being at the negotiations.
Ozyigit made these statements speaking during a television program.
“We had painful experiences years before. It
is essential not to have this kind of experiences again. This is why we are
saying that the issue of guarantees should be discussed after a solution and
after the trust is established “, he stated.
He also
referred to the territory and property issue and said that the user of the
property has the same rights as the owner of the property because the person
who has been living in a house for 41 years has established a life there. “We
have to understand and to respect these people because they have created
another way of living during the last 41 years”, he said.
(CS)
3. Soyer
suggested that Akinci should have participated in the meetings on gas in New
york
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
(09.10.15) reports that the self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish
Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) FerdiSabitSoyer, speaking in the so-called
assembly of the breakaway regime, said that while the Cyprus talks are
continuing there are serious developments in the international community. He
added that the speech by the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration
Anastasiades (translator’s note: as Soyer refers to the Cyprus President
NicosAnastasiades) at the UN General Assembly sparked a debate, but the meeting
between Egypt, Greece and Republic of Cyprus in New York on the gas issue was
not even discussed. Soyer further said that Turkey has also a demand on the
exclusive economic zone in Eastern Mediterranean. Soyer stressed that the gas
supply through Greece and Turkey was also discussed, and Turkey’s private and
public institutions met with Anastasiades but they did not meet with the
Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci. Soyer noted that the only way to overcome this
is the Cyprus settlement.
Soyer further said that both the “TRNC”
(translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus) and Turkey should show sensitivity on the “immovable property
commission”, adding that if this does not happen then there will be more
problems. He said that the text that will be submitted for a referendum will be
formed by the signatures of both leaders, and the rejection of this text, in
which the main principles will be part, will cause distress within the Turkish
Cypriots.
(DPs)
4.BKP
evaluated the Cyprus problem and the property issue
Under the title: “The choice of the compensation in the property issue will ease the
solution”, Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (09.10.15) reports that
the United Cyprus Party (BKP), in a written statement said, that the discussion
on the property issue within the framework of the Cyprus negotiation talks is
in the most critical stage and added that the choice of the compensation in the
property issue will ease the solution.
Pointing
out to the importance of finding sources, the BKP stated that finding sources
is a precondition for the solution of the property issue as well as of the
others issues of the Cyprus problem.
Evaluating the latest stage of the
Cyprus negotiation process and the property issue, the secretary of foreign relations of the BKP SalihSonustun, said in
the statement, that the negotiation process has entered a critical period and
added that probably in the light of the developments on the Cyprus negotiation
process and of the international conjecture, more important developments may
occur in Cyprus after November.
Stating that to a great extent the
issues of the “Government and Power sharing” and the “Population” were agreed,
Sonustun added that in the current phase, the property issue is the most
crucial issue.
Sonustun stated also that the BKP is
optimistic towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, stressing the need for
both communities to be informed about the developments. He called also all the
powers in favour of the solution to brief and inform the people and added that
BKP will do all necessary towards this direction.
(AK)
5.Ozgurgun criticized Kotzias’ statements
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (09.10.15) reports that the chairman of the
National Unity Party (UBP Huseyin Ozgurgun strongly criticized the statements
of the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias who said that “the
Cyprus problem is an occupation problem”.
Ozgurgun
claimed that Kotzias’ statements prove that he has no knowledge of the Cyprus
history prior to 1974 and called on him to use his brain to solve the problems
that his country, Greece, is facing rather than to make such statements.
(CS)
6. Self-styled
minister Evren attends ICEM meeting in Rabat
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 09.10.15), the self-styled
minister of public works, environment and culture KutluEvren has attended the
6th Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers of the Organisation for Islamic
Cooperation in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
Evren, who attended the opening ceremony of
the meeting, distributed hand-outs outlining the “TRNC’s” (editor’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) views,
policies and vision on the environment.
According
to a press statement released by the “ministry”, Evren found the opportunity to
meet with the Moroccan Prince LallaHasna, the Moroccan Prime Minister
AbdelilahBenkirane and the Moroccan Tourism Minister El Hatile.
The text distributed by Evren drew
attention to the fact that the “TRNC” is struggling with numerous environmental
problems despite being a “small island nation”.
Evren pointed out that the aim of the
“TRNC’s” environment policies is to create a sustainable environment that
safeguarded the economic interests of future generations but also prevented the
exhaustion of natural resources.
“Our island, surrounded with seas, is
unique with its natural wealth and historical or cultural beauties. It is
amongst our top priorities in the name of achieving sustainable development to
both protect the island’s natural wealth and to make it an important tourist
destination” he said.
Commenting also on the Cyprus problem,
Evren said that the coming months are critical for the ongoing negotiations
process and that if both sides show the necessary will a settlement could be
possible not in several years but in a matter of months.
7.Erdogan
and Davutoglu to hold the inauguration ceremony of the “Water Transfer project”
in Anamour on October 15
Under the title: “Opening ceremony week for the Water Transfer project”, Turkish
Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (09.10.15) reports that Turkey’s President RecepTayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu will go to Anamour in Turkey on October 15 to inaugurate the Water
Transfer Project.
In
statements on the issue, the Mayor of Anamur, M. FeyzullahYilmaz has stated
that the Water Transfer project which envisages the transferring of water via
water pipe lines from the Anamur Dam in Turkey to the Gecitkoy Dam (Panagra) in
the “TRNC”, has been completed and thus both Erdogan and Davutoglu will go to
Anamur for the opening ceremony.
According to the paper, Erdogan and
Davutoglu will be accompanied by Turkey’s Minister of Forestry and Water
Affairs, VeyselEroglu, the Minister of Transportation and Communication Lutfi
Elvan, as well as other Cabinet members.
With this project, the occupation regime
will cover all its long-term water needs.
Also, under the title: “The water will be allocated to all the
water pipes by June 2016”, Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (09.10.15)
reports that the countdown has been launched for the water transferred project.
According to the paper, in spite of the fact that its been 15 days
since the water from Turkey has started flowing in the “TRNC”, due to the
calibration works in the pump station, the water has stopped flowing. The paper
adds that the waterworks are expected to be completed tonight and the water
will start flowing again by tomorrow.
In
statements on the issue, the “director” of the “state water affairs” in “north
Cyprus, BirolCinar, giving information about the process to be followed
regarding the water, said that after the opening ceremony which will take place
on October 28 at the plant, the water will be allocated first to the occupied
part of Lefkosia. He added that they aim to finish all the waterworks by the
end of the year in order for the water to be allocated to all the water
pipelines around the “TRNC” by June 2016.
(AK)
8. Siber
re-elected as “parliamentary speaker”
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 09.10.15), SibelSiber
Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) “deputy” has been re-elected as
the self-styled speaker of the assembly of the breakaway regime.
HuseyinAvkiranAlanli
from the Democrat Party-National Forces (DP-UG) was elected as the “deputy
speaker of parliament”.
“Elections” were held at an extraordinary
session of “parliament” today for the bureau which is composed of the “speaker
of parliament”, the “deputy speaker”, “quaestors” and “administrative heads”.
While SibelSiber was elected with 32 votes,
Avkiran was elected in the fifth round of voting after he failed to secure an
absolute majority in the first four rounds.
Yesterday
the so-called assembly had approved an “amendment” to “parliament’s charter”
which now requires the “deputy parliamentary speaker” to be from the main
opposition party.
9. Signature gathering for making religious instruction in the occupied area of Cyprus optional
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (09.10.15) reports that the chairman of the
Turkish Cypriot Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, TuncerOzbahadir, accused
Turkey of trying to assimilate the the Turkish Cypriots. The Association is an
Alevi faith group.
Ozbahadir
stated that the Association is gathering signatures in order for religious instruction
optional at schools and noted that 80% of the signatures gathered belong to
Turkish Cypriots. As he said in the past, religious instruction was an elected
subject at schools but since 2009 it has become compulsory.
Ozbahadir
also commented on the science book of the 5th grade which is used in
elementary schools both in Turkey and the breakaway regime and in which it is written that it is a book for
“primary and imam hatip schools” (TR. Note: religious vocational schools). As
he stated this is not acceptable as this phrase is an effort by Turkey to
impose Islamic believes on the Turkish Cypriots.
(CS)
10. Afrika:
The Greek Cypriot side has not changed the names of the roads; let it be
example for our people
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (09.10.15) publishes
six signs with names of streets in the government-controlled area of the
island and reports: “Behold, these are some to the road signs in the south. They have not changed even if the signs
have the name of a ‘martyr’. History cannot be changed by falsifying the
realities, isn’t it? They have not
turned the mosques into churches, like we turned the churches into mosques.
I wonder, will this be an example for our people?”
(I/Ts.)
11. A
Greek Cypriot is arrested by the regime for “violating a military zone”
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper
(09.10.15) reports that a 63-year-old
inhabitant of the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus was
arrested by the breakaway regime for “violating a military zone of first
degree” with his vehicle in occupied Lurudjina village area. The initials
of the arrested person’s name are A.K. The investigation is continuing.
(I/Ts.)
12. UFTAA
President visited the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily DemokratBakis
(09.10.15) reports that the United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations
(UFTAA) President Joe Borg Olivier visited the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus as a guest of the “Cyprus Turkish travel agents union” (KITSAB) between
October 3-6.
AhmetNecatiOzkan, the honour chairman of
KITSAB, in a written statement, said that they discussed with Olivier their
problems like the current situation of the tourism sector in the “North Cyprus”
(translator’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).
(DPs)
13. Toshiba
ready for a nuclear plant project in Turkey; Erdogan and Abe focus on ways to
improve commercial ties
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 09.10.15)
reports that Toyoaki Fujita, business
development executive of Japanese electronics giant Toshiba, stated Thursday
that they are willing to take part in a nuclear plant project in Turkey in case
of a demand from the country.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency reporters in
Ankara, Fujita said that there is an intense competition in the European energy
market and Turkey has an important place in Europe.
Fujita said that Japanese Mitsubishi
currently undertakes the construction work of Sinop Nuclear Power Plant in
northern Turkey, and Toshiba also wishes
to take part in Turkey's nuclear projects. "We would like to take part in
a new nuclear energy project in case Turkey asks for it. We support nuclear
energy in Turkey and the country needs nuclear energy, so we are ready to take
part in this way," Fujita said.
Furthermore, Sabah reports that the Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan in a
joint press conference held with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in
Tokyo, said that Turkey and Japan will establish a joint university in
Istanbul.
Erdogan stated that he and Abe were on the
same page regarding key international issues, especially terrorism, adding that
he and Abe will again come together on November 13 in Istanbul, before the G20
Leaders' Summit in Antalya on November 15 and 16.
Erdogan also noted that the infrastructure
works for the Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University were ongoing
and a 1,000 decare of land was spared in Istanbul for this project.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Erdogan spoke to
businesspeople at a seminar organized by the presidency's Investment Support
and Promotion Agency during his visit to Tokyo, Japan. Underlining that Turkey
is a safe zone for all investors, including Japanese investors looking to
initiate new projects, Erdogan cited the Marmaray Project as an example of
mutually beneficial projects undertaken with development loans with easy terms.
He also highlighted Turkey's mega projects such as light rail and metro systems
as well as renewable energy projects.
Erdogan emphasized new research and
development projects in nuclear energy, space technologies, advanced
communication and the defence industry, and added that he believes very
productive projects can be realized together with Japanese partners.
Describing Turkey as a safe harbour for
Japanese investors, Erdogan said that Turkey being in the middle of Europe,
Asia and Africa facilitates economic cooperation in the region. He also
underlined that as Turkey has been in the EU Customs Union since 1996, it is
integrated with European economies. He added that Turkey's G20 membership and
its current presidency of the G20 is an example of the responsibility it has
assumed in the management of global economy.
14. EU
seeks to accelerate Turkey’s stalled accession process
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 09.10.15), the European
Union is seeking to accelerate Turkey’s almost stalled accession negotiation
process by annexing a set of priorities and concrete recommendations to its
soon-to-be released progress report, seen as a short-term road map for the next
government to be formed after Nov. 1 elections.
These concrete recommendations cover an
implementation period of 12 to 18 months so that more negotiation chapters can
be opened as part of Turkey’s accession process, which started in 2005. Turkey
opened only 14 chapters out of 35 and closed only one of them. Croatia, which
began negotiations on the same day as Turkey, joined the EU in mid-2013.
As the EU is preparing to release its
annual report on Oct. 21 or Oct. 22 in which it will assess the state of human
rights and fundamental freedoms within the last 12 months period, it will, for
the first time, annex a document to outline its recommendations to Turkey’s
next government. This year’s report is expected to be made up of three main
parts.
The first
part will assess the state of Turkey’s accession process, as a sort of picture
of the point Turkey has reached so far. This
picture will also be important with regards to shaping Turkey’s next actions.
The second
part will assess Turkey’s last 12 months in terms of its performance on negotiation
chapters as well as its human rights and democratization process. It’s
expected that the report will highlight overall human rights violations as
Turkey’s number one issue as well as restrictions on freedom of expression,
freedom of press and the Kurdish peace process. The EU’s criticisms on the home
security package and internet laws would also be detailed in this part.
The third
part, however, will contain concrete recommendations for the acceleration of
the accession process, enabling Turkey to fulfill more criteria to open
negotiation chapters. This
set of priorities is envisaged to cover a period of 12 to 18 months, which
would be regarded as a short-term road map for Turkey’s next government after
the Nov. 1 polls.
According to diplomatic sources, this
year’s report is being written in a more political language compared to last
years’ technical format and therefore, will be more interesting and even
exciting. Using this language, the 2015 report will supposedly address Turkey’s
growing human rights deficiencies in a more direct way, sending a clear message
to the next government.
The reason for the postponement of the
progress report’s announcement by one week was because the EU wanted to have
better coverage and reflection on its findings, as the original date of the
release of the document coincides with the EU Council meeting on Oct. 13,
sources stressed.
In the
meantime, sources expressed their expectation for the opening of chapter 17 on
economy and monetary policies most likely before the end of this year. But it’s
too early to confirm this, sources said. President
RecepTayyip Erdogan has expressed Turkey’s expectations for the opening of
chapters 23 on judiciary and fundamental rights, 24 on justice and home affairs
and 15 on energy.
According to sources, a growing number of
issues to the concern of Turkey and the EU have the potential to create a new
momentum in Ankara-Brussels relations, as well as Turkey’s accessions process.
Turkey and the EU are currently talking about ways to cooperate in dealing with
the refugee crisis, security problems concerning Syria, counter-terrorism and
energy. Describing Turkey as a partner of the EU in dealing with these common
problems, sources highlighted the EU’s willingness to establish solid mutual
ground with Turkey in countering refugee issues.
The draft plan on dealing with the refugee
crisis to be negotiated between the two parties will also help Turkey’s efforts
to fulfill the required criteria of securing its borders as part of visa liberalization
process with the EU. Turkey hopes to accomplish the process by 2017 and allow
its citizens to travel in the Schengen area without visas.
15. Survey:
50.1% support a single-party government
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online,
09.10.15) a public opinion survey by ANDY-AR found that 50.1% of the
participants favour a single-party government following the elections with
87.4% of respondents replying that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is
the party most likely to achieve a majority.
The latest survey, which was conducted
between Oct. 3 and Oct. 6 with 1,764 participants in 29 provinces, found that
46.8% of the respondents believe that Turkey will get better within a year
while 35% indicated that they are pleased with Turkey's current situation.
ANDY-AR President FarukAcar, speaking to HaberTurk daily, said that if the
uncertainty changes in the country then the participants' hopes for the future
would also change.
When participants were asked whether Turkey
could be well governed with a coalition government, Republican People's Party
(CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) supporters responded similarly,
indicating that they are in favour of it, while AK Party supporters and
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supporters indicated that they prefer a
single-party government at 81.2% and 47%, respectively. While 50.1% of the
participants indicated they want a single-party government, nearly 55% also
believed the country could well be governed with a coalition. Acar described
the results as the public not wanting a third election after Nov. 1 and further
added that Turkey may face a new development.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)
