TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 211/15 06.11.2015
1. Illegal Turkish
“ambassador” reiterated that the Cyprus agreement should not endanger Turkey’s
guarantees
2. Sucuoglu said that they
are trying to add new destinations for charter flights
3.
The halloumi registration discussed at a panel in the breakaway regime
4. Occupied
Trikomo “mayor” is in Brussels for contacts
5. Davutoglu will make his
first trip abroad to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
6. Turkish Cypriot court
bans Adhan at three mosques
7. New cabinet revision on
the agenda, number of ministries may go up to 30 from 25
8. All eyes on G-20 Turkey
summit as pressure ravages government critics at home
9. No alcohol to be allowed
in New Year gift baskets in Turkey
1. Illegal Turkish
“ambassador” reiterated that the Cyprus agreement should not endanger Turkey’s
guarantees
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (06.11.15), the illegal Turkish “ambassador” to
the occupied part of Nicosia Derya Kanbay met yesterday with the board of the
Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Society.
Referring
to the Cyprus talks, Kanbay said that
they are conscious of their duties on the critical period of the Cyprus talks
and added that they are trying for an agreement which will not endanger
Turkey’s guarantees and the security which has been obtained.
Kanbay
also said that in their efforts to strengthen the bonds between the “TRNC”
media and Turkey’s media, they are planning to hold meeting of Turkey’s
Journalists’ Federation in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Within
this framework, a panel entitled “The press of yesterday and today” will be
held, he added.
(DPs)
2. Sucuoglu said that
they are trying to add new destinations for charter flights
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (06.11.15) reports that the self-styled minister of
tourism Faiz Sucuoglu, who is currently in London to attend the World Travel
Market 2015, met with the Turkish Ambassador to London Abdurrahman Bilgic.
Sucuoglu said that they are
trying to add new destinations for charter flights, which are organized in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He added that they discussed the issue
with the Turkish Airlines (THY) and they asked from them to add new flights.
During
the meeting, the “representative” of the breakaway regime in London Oya Tuncali
was also present. She expressed her satisfaction for the support of Turkey’s
Embassy in London to the “TRNC people”.
(DPs)
3. The
Halloumi registration discussed at a
panel in the breakaway regime
Illegal Bayrak (06.11.15) broadcast that the
registration of Halloumi/ Hellim as a Product of Designated Origin (PDO) and
its contribution to the island’s economy was discussed at a panel organized
yesterday by the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry”.
The chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Industry” Ali Çıralı, the “minister of food agriculture and natural resources”
Erkut Şahali and the “minister of foreign affairs” Emine Çolak delivered
opening speeches at the panel.
Çıralı underlined the importance of registering
traditional products as PDO in terms of preserving, conserving and protecting
its cultural value.
Stating that the number of companies producing
halloumi in Turkey had dropped from 70
to 10 once the traditional cheese had been registered, Çıralı said that the
process of registering halloumi as a PDO product in the EU is continuing.
“Sooner or later halloumi’s registration as a PDO
within the EU will take place. We need to be prepared for this” said Çıralı,
who called upon the relevant “ministries” to cooperate in eradicating all
livestock illnesses so as to raise the production of sheep’s and goat’s milk to
required levels.
He also said that efforts are underway to obtain PDO registration for other
traditional products such as Zivaniya, Şeftali Kebab, Walnut Macun (green
walnuts in syrup) and Tsamarella (dried meat).
Şahali in his speech said that the process of
restructuring is required in order to achieve healthy standard production of
halloumi with a high competitiveness rate.
Çolak for her part drew attention to the political
dimension of the halloumi issue. She also said that they were highly disturbed
by the Greek Cypriot side’s objection to the agreement reached between the
President of the EU Commission Jean-Cluade Juncker and the two leaders on
grounds that it had a negative impact on “south Cyprus’ sovereignty”, Çolak
said that they are expecting the EU Commission to make a fair assessment of the
issue by taking into consideration the demands and equal rights of the Turkish
Cypriots. “An agreement to be reached on
the issue of halloumi will with no doubt
have a confidence building effect on the two sides and will reflect
positively on the talks” she said.
She expressed the view that the registration of
halloumi will be to the benefit of both
communities, adding that they propose for the establishment of an inspection
committee made up by the relevant chambers and the EU Commission to oversee the
halloumi production in the north of the island.
4. Occupied
Trikomo “mayor” is in Brussels for contacts
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.11.15)
reports that the so-called mayor of occupied Trikomo Hasan Sadikoglu
went to Brussels for a three-day visit where he is holding various
contacts.
According to a statement by the “Trikomo municipality”
Sadikoglu met with Michaela Di Bucci,
head of the EU Commission Unit Task Force for the Cypriot Community and with
Normunds Poppens, Deputy Director General for Implementation in the Directorate
General Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission
(CS)
5. Davutoglu will make
his first trip abroad to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (06.11.15) reports that the self-styled prime minister
Omer Kalyoncu and the self-styled assembly speaker Siber Sibel of the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus called Turkey’s Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to congratulate him on Turkey’s poll results.
According
to a written statement released from the Turkish Prime Ministry Press Office,
Kalyoncu congratulated Davutoglu on behalf of the “TRNC government” and the
“TRNC people”, adding that Turkey’s stability and development will safeguard
the prosperity and stability of the “TRNC”. Davutoglu thanked him and added
that as soon as he establishes the government, he will visit the “TRNC”.
Siber
said that they expect Davutoglu in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
for the celebrations for the 32nd establishment of the breakaway
regime on Sunday November 15. Davutoglu replied that he will make his first
trip abroad to the “TRNC” as it is custom.
(DPs)
6. Turkish Cypriot court
bans Adhan at three mosques
Turkish
Sabah newspaper (06.11.15) reports that a court in the breakaway regime has
temporarily banned reciting the Adhan (Muslims' call to prayer) through
loudspeakers at three mosques on Thursday.
The
court prohibited the performance of Adhan at the Morning Prayer time as well as
other Arabic prayers after a lawyer named Feza Guzeloglu filed a “complaint”
saying that the noise bothers him.
According
to Guzeloglu's statement, the ban on Adhan at the Seyh Nazim, Pir Pasa and
Asagi Mosques in the occupied area of Lefka will continue until the “court”
concludes the case.
However,
the head of the Religious Affairs in the breakaway regime, Talip Atalay made a
statement and said the “court's decision is not binding on religious affairs
and the ultimate ban on Adhan in Cyprus is out of the question”.
Atalay
claimed that the Turkish Cypriots are very sensitive about preserving their
religious values and even though individuals can have their own opinions, no
such decision could be imposed “on the Turkish Cypriot nation”.
7. New cabinet revision
on the agenda, number of ministries may go up to 30 from 25
Turkish
daily Sabah (06.11.15) reports that the number of ministries could increase to
30 from 25 by a revision and a series of structural changes following the
November 1 general elections, where the Justice and Development (AK) Party was
able to regain a majority in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
According to reports, the new AK Party cabinet
will revise some ministries, including the Ministry of Customs and Trade,
Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communications, Ministry of Forestry and
Water Management, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of
Youth and Sports.
These
ministries may reportedly be divided into separate ministries, which would
increase the total number to 30. The Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communications
is one of the top three seats in the cabinet, alongside the Ministry of the Interior
and Justice.
8. All eyes on G-20
Turkey summit as pressure ravages government critics at home
Turkish
Today’s Zaman newspaper (06.11.15) reports that global observers expected
Turkey to promote an image of an emerging power and a safe haven for investment
during its G-20 presidency this year, however, a reckless political crackdown
on critical voices and businesses casts a shadow over an upcoming closing
summit in the country.
Turkey's
Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which reclaimed a single government following
its decisive comeback in election last week, prepares to host the leaders of
the world's 20 biggest economies in the sea resort of Antalya on Nov. 15-16.
The summit consists of the world's wealthiest nations and the European Union,
and will function as a forum for economic powerhouses to discuss global issues.
It
is a matter in question whether Erdogan and Ahmet Davutoglu perceive the
Antalya summit as an opportunity to convince G-20 leaders that the rule of law
is secured in Turkey, experts also note. According to professor of economics at
Turgut Ozal University, Ridvan Karluk, it is important that international
credit rating agencies Moody's and Fitch have already stressed the importance
of checks and balances as well as of pressure in markets ahead of the G-20
summit. “These, combined with the ongoing criticism from global monitoring
agencies, should encourage G-20 leaders to raise their voices at the summit,”
Karluk stressed.
9. No alcohol to be
allowed in New Year gift baskets in Turkey
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (06.11.15) reports that traditional “New Year baskets,”
gift packages of beverages and snacks sold at supermarkets during the last
weeks of the year, will not be permitted to include alcoholic drinks this year,
according to a ruling from Turkey’s alcohol and tobacco regulator. The decision, made public in the Official
Gazette on Nov. 5, has triggered contrasting reactions from the sector.
Bendevi
Palandoken, the head of the Confederation of Turkish Craftsmen and Tradesmen
(TESK), said some businesses without the required liquor licenses prepare the
baskets anyway and the regulation would put an end to this practice. Palandoken added that although stores may
face losses in the absence of such baskets, it would be “positive for public
health.” However, the Consumer Issues
Association head Aydin Agaoglu said the regulation “limited consumers’ right to
choose.”
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
