TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 221/15 20.11.2015
1. Akinci
welcomed Tsipras’ statements on the Cyprus problem
2. Kalyoncu
says that the talks for the “Financial Protocol” with Ankara are delayed
because the new Turkish government has not been established yet
3. Talat
will visit Ankara as soon as the Turkish government is formed
4. More
about the “water crisis” in the occupied area of Cyprus; Cinar: “The flowing of
the water has stopped due to testing works”
5. Talat:
ELAM should be shut down; I am not sure how sincere is the Greek Cypriot
administration for the solution
6. Akansoy:
“6,329 rural plots of land were distributed”
7. Izbul
met with Turkey’s Health Minister
8. The
“Mediterranean Municipality Union” visited the breakaway regime
9. “GAU”
participated in an IAU programme in Malaysia
10. “Karpaz
gate marina” participates in the contest “Marina of the year awards 2016”
11. Lavrov
to visit Turkey on November 25; Syria, Middle East and Cyprus will be in the
agenda
12. Erdogan
urges Muslim countries to unite against terror
13.
Erdogan: AKP could make new charter with CHP support
1. Akinci
welcomed Tsipras’ statements on the Cyprus problem
According to illegal Bayrak television
(19.11.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that their main aim
is to prepare a peace plan which will resolve the Cyprus issue, during a
meeting with a delegation from the Mersin Economy Platform on Thursday. He
added that their aim is to reach a federal solution in Cyprus.
Akinci also
welcomed the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ statements on Cyprus which he
delivered during a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu in Ankara on Wednesday.
“The Greek Prime Minister was in Ankara and
together with the Turkish Prime Minister they voiced that the time had come for
a solution in Cyprus. They expressed their determination for a solution in
Cyprus which made me feel so happy”, Akinci said.
Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot “people”
with their will for a solution had said yes to the Annan Plan 11 years ago and
now they have elected a “president” who is in favour of a solution with more
than 60% of votes, Akinci reminded that the intensified negotiations process is
continuing and that the leaders will hold six meetings in November. “The target is to solve the Cyprus problem
within the shortest time possible through a solution which will please both
sides. We will try to achieve this goal through determination and we hope
to reach a conclusion. If our collocutors continue to have the same
determination it will then be possible to reach a conclusion”, Akinci added.
Noting that he cannot say that everything
has been agreed so far, Akinci said that some positive developments have
occurred and added that he is conducting the negotiations with cautious
optimism. “If an agreement could be reached in Cyprus, if Turkey-Greek
relations could develop further and if stability comes to the Eastern
Mediterranean then the economic perspective will be widened”, he noted.
Asked how
the Greek Cypriot leader reacted to his decision not to attend the reception
given in honour of the German Foreign Minister, he said that this issue did not
come to the negotiations table and added that the racist attacks on Turkish
Cypriots in the government controlled are of the Republic of Cyprus was mainly
discussed during the leaders meeting yesterday.
Akinci also said that the Greek Cypriot
leader confirmed that the damages will be compensated. Reminding that both
leaders condemned the attacks with a joint statement yesterday, he said such
incidents should not harm the negotiations process and added that they will not
allow this to happen.
2.Kalyoncu says that the talks for the
“Financial Protocol” with Ankara are delayed because the new Turkish government
has not been established yet
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (20.11.15) reports that Omer Kalyoncu, the “prime minister” of the
breakaway regime stated that the “2016-2018 financial protocol” has not be
discussed officially yet with Ankara because the efforts for establishing the
new Turkish government are still in process. According to Kalyoncu this is the
reason why the talks on the “financial protocol” are delayed.
Kalyoncu stated that during the last days a delegation went to Ankara in
order to hold unofficial talks on the issue.
(CS)
3. Talat
will visit Ankara as soon as the Turkish government is formed
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 19.11.15), the performance of the “government” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus was discussed at a meeting of the “coalition partners” on
Wednesday.
The leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United
Forces (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat and the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP)
Huseyin Ozgurgun came together at the CTP-BG headquarters.
The General Secretary of the UBP and the
self-styled minister of economy, industry and commerce SunatAtun, the
self-styled minister of public works, environment and culture KutluEvren from
the UBP and self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu, CTP-BG General Secretary
TufanErhurman and the Organization Secretary of the party Erdogan Sorakın from
the CTP-BG were also present at the meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Ozgurgun said
that they had resumed their meetings with the CTP-BG following a break due to
the UBP party congress. He added that they mainly discussed the water issue and
exchanged views on the Cyprus issue during the meeting. He also expressed the belief that there will be no problems regarding
the management of the water transferred from Turkey. “We need to discuss the
issue with Turkey. There is not a big difference of opinion between us. I think
we will overcome the problem after our discussions with Turkey”, Ozgurgun said.
For his part, Talat said that they had
discussed the scheduled “government program” during the meeting and added that
they agreed that they only failed to address one issue which was the “law” on
the Eastern Mediterranean University. He also added that they had agreed to accelerate
the work of the “government”.
Noting that
the water issue, among many other things was also discussed during the meeting,
Talat said that some difficulties did exist with Turkey on the matter but that
this was something which could be overcome through dialogue. Talat also
announced that he will be visiting Ankara following the establishment of the
new government in Turkey.
4.More about the “water crisis” in the occupied
area of Cyprus; Cinar: “The flowing of the water has stopped due to testing works”
Under the
front-page title: “It is out of question
the closing of the penstock”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.11.15)
reports that the director of Turkey’s Water Affairs Department, responsible for
the water project in the occupied area of Cyprus, BirolCinar, issued yesterday
a written statement concerning the allegations that a crisis occurred between
Turkey and the occupation regime towards the water management.
Cinar said in the statement that it is out of question
for Turkey to close the penstock in Anamour Dam which permits the flowing of
the water to the dam in the occupied Panagra village and added that the water
has stopped flowing temporarily due to routine testing works.
Pointing out that the water from Turkey has started
flowing in the “TRNC” as of October 1st, Cinar denied allegations
published in the press that there is a crisis between Turkey and the “TRNC” for
the water management and that as a result of this, Turkey has suspended the
flowing of the water. Cinar described these allegations as untrue.
Cinar added that there is no technical problem in the
pipelines and the water pumps and alleged that the fact that there is no
flowing of water is under their control. He also added that the fact that the
flowing of water goes to the sea instead of the dams is also an issue which is
under their control. He clarified that the testing works will be concluded in
15 days.
Meanwhile,
Kibris newspaper writes that the “Water
transfer project in the TRNC” will be discussed tomorrow in Ankara during a
workshop that will be organized there.
So-called minister of agriculture, natural resources
and food, ErkutSahali, the undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Forestry
and Water Affairs, AkifOzkaldi, two Deputies of the Justice and Development
Party (AKP), SelcukOzdag and FeramuzUstun and the chairman of the
administration board of EkoAvrasya organization will attend the workshop.
Moreover, Turkish daily Havadis newspaper (20.11.15)
covers the issue of the water crisis under the title: “The project is in
danger”.
According to the paper, Cinar has warned in his
statements the politicians that in case the uncertainty towards the issue of
the management of the water is not clarified soon, then the project will be
jeopardized.
(AK)
5.Talat: ELAM should be shut down; I am
not sure how sincere is the Greek Cypriot administration for the solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (20.11.15) reports that the chairman of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, called on the
Greek Cypriot side to shut ELAM down. Talat was speaking to RadyoGuven
where he evaluated the attacks against Turkish Cypriots by ELAM and the
progress of the Cyprus negotiations.
Talat stated that in order for
the negotiations to come to a conclusion, otherization, hatred and racism
thought must be put to an end and laws must be prepared towards this direction.
He went on and said that ELAM tried in the past to silence him as well and
added that the organization must be shut down and be punished heavily. He also
said that ELAM should have not been given permission to open in the first
place. He also referred to some rumors according to which the police of the
Republic of Cyprus did not react while the Turkish Cypriots were under attack
and said that the police must be supervised better and be confronted on the
issue.
“We will solve the Cyprus problem and we will live together”, Talat said
adding that the concerns of the Turkish Cypriots will be increased while the
solution efforts are processing and this kind of incidents take place.
Replying to a question Talat said
that he is not sure whether the Greek Cypriot administration is sincere as
regards the solution of the Cyprus problem. “I do not know, I want to believe
it, I want to believe that there is hope for a solution, but unfortunately I
cannot be sure”, he stated.
Finally, referring to the issue of guarantees, Talat said that it is an
issue that interests not only the two sides in Cyprus but also Turkey, Greece
and the UK and added that an international decision must be taken for
abolishing of the guarantees in Cyprus. However,
he said that 95% of the Turkish Cypriots want the guarantee system.
(CS)
6.Akansoy: “6,329 rural plots of land were
distributed”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (20.11.15) reports
on statements by the so-called minister of interior AsimAkansoy who has said
yesterday during the meeting of the so-called assembly, that so far, the “TRNC”
has distributed totally 6,329 rural plots of land. He also said that totally 1,900
residences were constructed in these plots.
Akansoy further said that the “distribution of rural
plots of land” has been suspended temporarily.
(AK)
7.Izbul met with Turkey’s Health Minister
Turkish Cypriot
daily HalkinSesi newspaper (20.11.15) reports that the so-called minister of health SalihIzbul, who is visiting Turkey in
order to attend the 5th Health Minister’s Summit of the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation, (OIC) met with Turkey’s Health Minister Mehmet
Muezzinoglu.
In statements
after the meeting, Izbul said that
during the meeting, he discussed with Muezzinoglu the difficulties experienced
in the health sector in the “TRNC” and asked for Turkey’s support.
Stating that he conveyed to Muezzinoglu the problems
experienced at the Dr. OrhanNalbantoglu “state hospital”, Izbul said that they have launched works for
the construction of a new “state hospital complex” in the occupied part of Lefkosia
and added that the works for finding a plot of land for the construction of the
“hospital” are at the final stage.
Izbul referred also
to the Oncology Center which is will be come into operation very soon and asked
for Turkey’s contribution and support in the framework of sending oncology
experts to work at the center.
(AK)
8. The “Mediterranean Municipality
Union” visited the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (20.11.15) reports that the “Mediterranean Municipality Union” visited
the breakaway regime and met with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, “prime
minister” Omer Kalyoncu and “speaker” of the so-called assembly SibelSiber.
During the meeting they held with Siber, HakanTutuncu, the chairman of
the Union stated that they visited the occupied area of Cyprus last year and
held contacts with 41 “municipalities”. On her part Siber wished that the
cooperation and projects undertaken between the “TRNC municipalities” and the
“Mediterranean Municipality Union” have increased.
(CS)
9. “GAU”
participated in an IAU programme in Malaysia
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.11.15)
reports that the “chancellor” and “founding dean” of the illegal Keryneia
American University (GAU) SerhatAkpinar represented the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to a leadership programme entitled:
Leading Globally Engaged Universities (LGEU) organized by the International
Association of Universities (IAU) in the University of Malaya (UM), in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia from 15 to 20 November 2015.
(DPs)
10. “Karpaz
gate marina” participates in the contest “Marina of the year awards 2016”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (20.11.15)
reports that the “Karpaz gate marina” located in the occupied peninsula of
Karpasia, will participate in the contest “Marina of the year awards 2016”
organized by the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) among 150 TYHA accredited
Gold Anchor Marinas.
(DPs)
11. Lavrov
to visit Turkey on November 25; Syria, Middle East and Cyprus will be in the
agenda
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 20.11.15), Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov will pay a visit to Turkey on Nov. 25 to discuss issues
including Syria, the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) and Cyprus as part of a meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish
Cooperation Council’s (ÜDİK).
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria
Zakharova said that Lavrov would attend a meeting of the Joint Strategic
Planning Group, a sub-organ of ÜDİK, in Turkey, Anadolu Agency reported.
The situation in Syria, the Middle East and
North Africa, and the peace negotiations in Cyprus would be discussed in the
meeting attended by Lavrov, said Zakharova, adding that the main topic would be
the fight against terrorism.
12. Erdogan
urges Muslim countries to unite against terror
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(19.11.15), Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan has called on Muslim
countries to take a joint stand against terrorist organizations.
Addressing the closing session of the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Fifth Islamic Conference of Health
Ministers in Istanbul on Thursday, Erdogan
said: “We should, hand in hand, have a clear and principled stand against
organizations such as Daesh, Al Qaeda and Boko Haram that do the greatest harm
to Muslims by using the name of Islam”. He added that "notions of Islam,
Muslim, Mujahid and Shariah" must be saved from being abused by
terrorists.
Erdogan also maintained that the honour of
the entire world's Muslims should not be left to a “handful of terrorists”.
Meanwhile, Erdogan, speaking at an energy summit in Istanbul on Thursday, has accused Syria’s Bashar al-Assad of
supporting terrorism in the region. He also accused the Syrian regime of buying
oil from Daesh. “Now, all terrorist organizations in the region are serving
the Assad regime directly or indirectly,” he said, adding: “Daesh is supported
by Assad. Assad now is taking Daesh oil and turning it into money. One has to
be blind not to see this. It is obvious.”
Speaking on
integration with the European Union, Erdogan said that the EU needs Turkey as
the only country that can bring "social and economic dynamism" to the
Union. Erdogan also blamed the EU for not realizing the Nabucco pipeline
project which is aimed at carrying Iranian and Azerbaijani natural gas to
Europe through Turkey.
"It has been six years that we signed
on Nabucco. If you do not bring out the money, if you do not supply, this will
not work," Erdogan said.
Recalling
the Trans Anatolia Pipeline Project, TANAP, with Azerbaijan, Erdogan said they
were the first ones to sign up and that Iraq, Turkmenistan and Eastern
Mediterranean gas sources might be delivered through it. "There are
developments with the Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq and Caspian regions that can
strengthen Turkey's hand in becoming an energy hub," Erdogan said.
13. Erdogan:
AKP could make new charter with CHP support
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 20.11.15), Turkish
President RecepTayyip Erdogan has called on the country’s main opposition party
to lend support to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in its
renewed efforts to enact a new Constitution, suggesting such cooperation would
eliminate the need to take a fresh charter to a referendum.
Erdogan, however, also said that the people
of Turkey would definitely embrace a transition from the existing parliamentary
system to a presidential system if the matter is subjected to a referendum,
while underlining the utmost need for harmony with the Prime Minister in the
formation of a new cabinet.
In an interview aired on ATV and A Haber on
Nov. 18, Erdogan noted that the AKP, which he helped found, did not possess a
sufficient number of seats to take constitutional amendments to a referendum on
its own.
The President recalled that the
Parliament’s now-dissolved Constitution Conciliation Committee had reached a
consensus, in principle, close to 60 articles. “These 60 articles are not few
in number. What needs to be done here? Now, even with the support of the main
opposition party alone, these changes could be swiftly adopted by the
Parliament without the need to resort to the national will,” he said, referring
to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Following a
Nov. 1 election, the CHP made clear that it would extend conditional support to
the AKP’s call to draft a new Constitution while repeating clear-cut
reservations about a transition to a presidential system.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
