TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 219/15 18.11.2015
1. Akinci meets the German Foreign Minister; He says he is invited to Germany
2. Akinci rebuffs dinner with German FM
3. Sibel to hold contacts for the establishment of a friendship group in the German Parliament
4. Colak holds contacts in London
5. Reactions to the recent attacks against Turkish Cypriots continue
6. KTOS sent a letter to Anastasiades regarding the attacks against Turkish Cypriots noting the need for “peace education”
7. Reference by the Turkish Cypriot press to peace and anti-occupation demonstrations by Greek Cypriot students
8. Occupied municipalities to apply for EU financing
9. Sertoglu: We are planning to buy a European football team
10. Turkish Cypriot member of CMP Plumer: Nine new excavation sites were identified
11. Erdogan gave mandate to Davutoglu to form the new government
12. Speaker of the Turkish Parliament declares Zana’s oath null and void due to ‘Turkish nation’ rewording
13. Turkish and EU leader agreed in principle on refugee action plan and acceleration of Turkish-EU negotiation process
14. Turkey’s MFA confirmed that Turkey and US have agreed on a “joint operation” for ISIL-free zone in Syria
1. Akinci meets the German Foreign Minister; He says he is invited to Germany
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.11.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met yesterday with the German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier at his office in the occupied part of Nicosia. The Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu and the “undersecretary” at the self-styled foreign ministry, Erhan Ercin, participated in the one hour meeting, after which Akinci said that Foreign Ministers of important western countries would subsequently visit the island these days, specifically the British and the American Foreign Ministers.
Describing as “useful and positive” his meeting with Steinmeier, Akinci said: “The esteemed Minister was mostly listening. There were issues which he wanted to know about. We have briefed him on the procedure. We told him where we are in the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem and conveyed to him our views on this issue”.
Akinci noted that Steinmeier was informed on the “sensitivities” of the Turkish Cypriot “people” and conveyed their “determination for a solution”. He added: “I told the esteemed Minister that the Turkish Cypriot people are the only example and that there is no other community in the world which said ‘yes’ to EU membership, but remained outside the union because another community said ‘no’. […] We have explained to the esteemed Minister that we are exerting efforts to reach a solution with good will by protecting the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, but not ignoring the rights of the other community […]”.
Akinci said that they have briefed Steinmeier on the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) and explained what they expect of the EU. “And they said that they will support this process until the end”, he added.
Akinci recalled that when he recently met with the British Secretary of State the latter had invited him to the UK. He further noted that following their meeting yesterday, the German Foreign minister also invited him to Germany. He argued that the development of a dialogue between the Turkish Cypriot community, as a future partner in Cyprus, and Europe’s and EU’s important countries will contribute to the efforts for finding a solution and “in no way hinder these efforts”.
Asked whether the economic aspect of the solution had been discussed, Akinci said that the topic was touched upon generally, not in detail.
Responding to another question, he said that Germany is experienced on the issue of the federation and that they discussed the German experiences, although the Germans experienced a different reunification process. He noted that they had been separated and later reunited as well. “They also have experience on the property issue. They said that they could provide us with technical assistance. We told them that we would be happy about this”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci rebuffs dinner with German FM
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 18.11.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci refused to attend a dinner given in honour of the visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the buffer zone.
Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu issued a written statement clarifying why the Turkish Cypriot leader did not attend the dinner.
“Despite President Mustafa Akinci requesting that the two sides be represented at the event on an equal footing, this was not met satisfactorily”, Burcu argued.
“The two communities’ equal status is a ‘known reality’, and this is also reflected in how the two sides are addressed. But despite reminding the German Embassy of this ‘reality’ in advance, a satisfactory response was not forthcoming”, said Burcu.
“The event was aimed at bringing the two sides together, the fact that Anastasiades would be addressed as President of the Republic, and Akinci as Turkish Cypriot leader was inappropriate and for this reason Akinci decided not to attend the event”, Burcu concluded.
3. Sibel to hold contacts for the establishment of a friendship group in the German Parliament
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.11.15) reports that the “speaker” of the “assembly”, Sibel Siber ,met with a delegation of the so-called Cyprus Turkish Businessmen’s Council (KTIAK) headed by its “chairman” Ilker Zugurt.
KTIAK has recently held contacts in Berlin and Hamburg and met with the German Deputy with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Karl Heinz Brunner. KTIAK also held meetings with the Berlin Association of Employers Entrepreneurs and the Business Life Association Federation with whom it discussed business and investments opportunities.
Siber noted during the meeting how important it is for the Turkish Cypriot side to hold foreign contacts, especially with EU member countries. She also stated that she would hold contacts for the establishment of a friendship group in the German Parliament and conduct the necessary correspondence. Siber also thanked KTIAK for its initiative and assistance on the issue.
(CS)
4. Colak holds contacts in London
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (18.11.15) reports that self-styled minister of foreign affairs Emine Colak, who is currently visiting London, attended a reception at the “representation office” of the breakaway regime on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. She also held a series of contacts.
Speaking at the reception, Colak said that the ongoing negotiation process is an important opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem and added that a possible solution will benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
During her visit in London yesterday, Colak held a meeting with the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Crispin Blunt at the Parliament. Colak briefed Blunt on the latest stage of the negotiations at the meeting which lasted for about an hour.
Noting that both sides are working hard to solve the problem, Colak said that the guarantor countries, the EU and the United States also support the process. Claiming that Turkey clearly continues to strongly support the process for a possible solution, Colak said that this process is an important window of opportunity due to the increasing importance of the continuation of the British support to the process.
In response, Blunt stated that the British support for the process will continue and that the solution will be for the benefit of all parties.
(DPs)
5. Reactions to the recent attacks against Turkish Cypriots continue
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.11.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said yesterday that the issue of the recent attacks against Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus should be discussed at Greek Cypriot schools. Responding to a question after one of his meetings, Akinci argued that the issue cannot be bypassed saying “damage has been caused to 2-3 vehicles, they will be repaired, and there was no serious injury”. He said that those who exhibited this violent behavior should be punished and the necessary measures should be taken so that such incidents do not happen again. He argued: “These issues should be discussed mainly at the schools. A reminder is made these days: ‘EOKA was also launched by students’. […] Therefore the incident should not be underestimated […]”
In her statement, Sibel Siber, “speaker” of the self-styled assembly in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, argued that “when we consider the average age of the attackers, I call on the Greek Cypriot leadership to question the education they offer to the young people with this orientation”.
Omer Kalyoncu, self-styled prime minister of the regime, said that such incidents were likely to increase if no dissuasive punishment is imposed.
Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) said that with these incidents it is understood how far the solution is. Denktas argued that the two sides are equally responsible for the attacks. “The Greek Cypriot side which has not taken measures and the Turkish side which has not demanded the prevention of the demonstration are equally responsible for what happened”, he said.
Suphi Hudaoglu, general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that those responsible for the attacks should be arrested and punished. He noted that the issue should not be underestimated and ignored. “We must not make generalizations and declare the entire Greek Cypriot community as guilty”, he added.
Abdullah Kormazhan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), condemned the attacks of “the neo-fascist ELAM organization” and asked for those responsible to be taken to court and punished very heavily. He also noted that ELAM must be banned.
Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (18.11.15) reports that the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat strongly criticized the police of the Republic of Cyprus. He told Diyalog that ‘if the Cyprus problem is solved and the stance of the Greek Cypriot police remains the same, this peace will not last”. He recalled that after the attacks against him in Limassol a couple of years ago, the police chief of had been removed from his duties adding that President Anastasiades should relieve the current the police chief of his duties after these incidents.
(I/Ts.)
6. KTOS sent a letter to Anastasiades regarding the attacks against Turkish Cypriots noting the need for “peace education”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.11.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot primary school teachers' trade union (KTOS) sent a letter to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, as regards the attack of nationalist groups in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus who are believed to be members of ELAM party against vehicles that belong to Turkish Cypriots.
KTOS noted in the letter that the incident stressed the need of peace education in both sides of Cyprus and added that measures must be taken so that the culture of peace be established in the island. “Ground must be created so that the two communities of the island approach and understand each other”, KTOS stated.
(CS)
7. Reference by the Turkish Cypriot press to peace and anti-occupation demonstrations by Greek Cypriot students
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (18.11.15) reports that in response to the racist attacks against the Turkish Cypriots the day before yesterday, Greek Cypriot students held a peace demonstration yesterday. “University students in the south held anti-fascist and anti-occupation demonstrations in four cities yesterday”, notes the paper adding that placards signs writing in Turkish and Greek that “Greek Cypriots – Turkish Cypriots, common country, common struggle” and “Peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented” were carried during the demonstrations. According to the paper, the demonstrations were held to commemorate the students who had died during the resistance at Polytechneio university in Greece and to condemn the “unilateral declaration of independence” (“UDI”) of the regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.11.15) reports that students from the Palyometocho lyceum in the government-controlled area of Cyprus have sent a message of peace aiming to protest in the light of the attacks against the Turkish Cypriots and the terrorist attacks in Paris. The students gathered in a manner forming the sign of peace and circulated this picture on the internet.
The same news is published by other Turkish Cypriot newspapers as well.
(I/Ts.)
8. Occupied municipalities to apply for EU financing
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (18.11.15) reports that the occupied municipalities of Trikomo, Lefkonoiko, Galatia, Rizokarpasso, Gialousa, Komi Kepir decided to jointly apply to the European Union for funding.
Speaking during a press conference where the decision of the “municipalities” to act jointly was announced, the “mayor” of occupied Trikomo Hasan Sadikoglu stated that the idea was conceived received during his recent contacts in Brussels. He said that during a meeting he held with European Commission's Cyprus desk Michaela di Bucci he asked why 70-80% of the EU funding is received only by Greek Cypriots. The reply he got was that the Turkish Cypriots do not apply for funding.
Speaking also at the press conference, Anil Kaya, coordinator of the project, stated that the European Union officials see the common initiative of the Turkish Cypriots “municipalities” favorably.
(CS)
9. Sertoglu: We are planning to buy a European football team
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.11.15) reports that Hasan Sertoglu, the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” (KTFF) stated that the “Cyprus Football Federation” proceeding very slowly so KTFF has a “plan B”.
He said that the procedure will pick up after the FIFA chairman elections to be held on February 2016.
Sertoglu stated that they are planning to buy a European football team but as he said they cannot announce the team’s name. “We will not allow people whodo not love us to work against this effort”, he said.
Reporting on the same issue, Diyalog (18.11.15) writes that Sertoglu stated that they want to buy the European football team in order to give the chance to young Turkish Cypriots to play football in Europe. He also said that the purchase will be financed by an unnamed Turkish Cypriot businessman.
(CS)
10. Turkish Cypriot member of CMP Plumer: Nine new excavation sites were identified
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 17.11.15), the Committee for Missing Persons in Cyprus is upgrading its work to international standards.
The Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee Gulden Plumer Kucuk, speaking to “BRT” regarding the work carried out, said that for the past 9 years the Committee has been working hard to locate and identify missing persons in Cyprus and that the time has come to upgrade their work.
Kucuk said that to this end the committee has come to an agreement with an Argentinean expert who arrived on the island in September with a Ground Penetrating Radar device to carry out scans in different areas. Following scanning in separate locations, 9 areas have been identified in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus where remains have been found.
Kucuk said that exploration work began yesterday in Ayios Georgios in the occupied Keryneia area which is one of the areas where remains were detected by the penetrating radar.
She also said that excavation work will be carried out in occupied Trikomo and Kythrea in the near future as well.
11. Erdogan gave mandate to Davutoglu to form the new government
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 18.11.15) reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan authorized Prime Minister and leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Ahmet Davutoglu, to form a government yesterday after the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected deputies.
After taking his oath before Parliament, Davutoglu went to the Presidential Palace and offered to President Erdogan his resignation from the interim cabinet. While the interim cabinet will continue to work until the new government is formed, Davutoglu is expected to form the government today, Nov. 18, which marks the 13th anniversary of the party's founding by former Chairman Abdullah Gul.
Before the new cabinet commences work, Deputies will choose the new Parliament Speaker and Bureau of the Assembly on Nov. 22. Its members will be determined in proportion with the parties' representation in Parliament, and it is expected that in the 18-seat assembly, 10 Deputies will be from the AKP, five from the Republican People's Party (CHP), two from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and one from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
Candidates for the position of Parliament Speaker will submit their applications after the first plenary session and the oath-taking ceremony. The deadline for applications is Nov. 21.
The process then will be followed by an announcement of the new government's agenda. The agenda of the new government is to be announced on Nov. 23 as discussions regarding the agenda are expected to be held on Nov. 26. With this timeline, after the finalization of the government agenda, a vote of confidence will take place on Nov. 28. Parliament will take recess then.
12. Speaker of the Turkish Parliament declares Zana’s oath null and void due to ‘Turkish nation’ rewording
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 17.11.15), Speaker of the Turkish Parliament has declared an oath taken by a leading Kurdish politician null and void due to the latter’s rewording of the oath.
“I swear upon my honour and integrity, before the great Turkish nation, to safeguard the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the country and the nation, and the absolute sovereignty of the nation; to remain loyal to the supremacy of law, to the democratic and secular republic, and to Atatürk’s principles and reforms; not to deviate from the ideal according to which everyone is entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms under the notion of peace and prosperity in society, national solidarity and justice, and loyalty to the Constitution,” says the oath.
However, Leyla Zana, Deputy of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), used the phrase “the great Turkey nation” instead of “the great Turkish nation.”
Deniz Baykal, Deputy of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), running the first session of the newly elected Parliament at the oath-taking ceremony on Nov. 17, declared the oath by Zana null and void, while inviting her to once more take the oath. However, Zana had already left the assembly hall. It was not yet clear whether Zana would repeat the oath during the session that was expected to last until the early morning of Nov. 18 or during an upcoming session.
Zana became a symbol of free speech across the world after serving 10 years in prison for speaking Kurdish while taking her parliamentary oath in 1991. She was ultimately released in 2004 and once again became an MP after the June 2011 elections, although a ban remained in place preventing her from joining the country’s then main Kurdish party, the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).
At the Nov. 17 session, Zana greeted the hall saying “Biji Asiti,” meaning “Long leave peace” in Kurdish before taking the oath.
13. Turkish and EU leader agreed in principle on refugee action plan and acceleration of Turkish-EU negotiation process
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 18.11.15), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday evening to discuss details of the agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the refugee issues and acceleration of Turkish-EU negotiation process on the side-lines of the G20 summit in Antalya.
Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Beril Dedeoglu were also present at the meeting alongside the Turkish and European leaders. Diplomatic sources told Daily Sabah that at the end of the meeting Turkey principally agreed with the EU refugee action plan and the EU assured Turkey it would accelerate accession negotiations by opening new chapters. The EU refugee action plan offers 3 billion euros to Ankara in return for systematizing the refugee flows to Europe. According to the plan, Turkey will use the EU's financial support for refugees and register refugees which EU countries will accept a certain number of refugees each year. The source also indicated that Turkey and the EU will hold a refugee summit in Brussels on Nov. 29 at which time the EU refugee action plan is expected to be sealed. Regarding the Turkey's EU negotiation process, the EU will hold an inter-governmental meeting in December to open Chapter 17 on economic and monetary policies. Chapter 22, which covers regional policy and coordination of structural instruments, was the last chapter opened in November 2013. Therefore, the opening of a new chapter following a two-year hiatus is considered a sign that accession talks are getting back on track.
In addition, sources added that Ankara also requested the opening of at least two more chapters, Chapter 23 on judicial and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on justice, security and freedoms to revitalize the negotiations process. The European Commission's 2015 Turkey Progress Report, which was released on Nov. 10, already proposed to open Chapter 17 and stated that the opening benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law still need to be defined so as to provide Turkey with a road map for reforms in these essential areas.
The issue of early implementation of Turkey's readmission agreement for third countries was also discussed in the meeting. Accordingly, Turkey accepted to implement the agreement by the end of 2016. In return, EU leaders agreed to speed up the implementation of the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens to the Schengen zone.
After Turkey and the EU side reach a final agreement on Nov. 29 in Brussels, this needs to be ratified by the governments’ leaders. Therefore European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, who visited Ankara last week, will present the agreement to the EU Council in December to seek unanimous approval.
14. Turkey’s MFA confirmed that Turkey and US have agreed on a “joint operation” for ISIL-free zone in Syria
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.11.15), Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu confirmed to Hurriyet on Nov. 17 that NATO allies Ankara and Washington have agreed to stage a “joint operation” along Turkey’s border with Syria, with sources saying that this is the start of a previously announced bid to establish an “ISIL-free zone”.
Sinirlioglu was responding to a question on earlier statements by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that the two countries would start an operation to complete the securing of the northern Syrian border, which has been used by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants.
Military and diplomatic sources told Hurriyet that Kerry was referring to “a cleaning operation” to be conducted in a 98-kilometer long zone on the so-called “Mare-Jarablus line”, underlining that the campaign would kick-off soon.
As the U.S. and Turkey together provide “air protection”, armed forces from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) will launch an offensive against ISIL.
Officials stressed that the Turkish Armed Forces will not put boots on the ground, though action will be taken against ISIL elements along the Turkey-Syria border. The Turkish military will launch strikes against ISIL targets in Syria by strikes launched from Turkish territory, they said. “We are pressing the button for the ‘ISIL-free zone’ that was publicly mentioned earlier”, a senior Turkish official speaking on condition of anonymity told Hurriyet.
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(DPs/ AM)
