TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 11/16 19.01.2016
1. Davutoglu discussed the Cyprus problem with Cameron in
London
2.
Akinci due to Davos; he will meet with Davutoglu and Biden
3. Havadis: President Anastasiades has launched an
initiative for including the Turkish language among the official EU languages
4. Britain has reportedly lifted the decision of
freezing bank accounts of Turkish diplomats in London
5.
SerdarDenktas: RaufDenktas’ proposal for federation was accepted
6. Former CTP “minister”: Anastasiades is dreaming on
the issue of the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army
7. A delegation of the “KTSO” carries out contacts in
Baku
8.
Australian Deputy of Turkish Cypriot origin held contacts in the occupied area
of Cyprus
9. A “parliamentary delegation” to attend the meeting
of the European Parliament in Brussels
10.Corendon Airlines to re-launch charter flights to
and from the the occupied area
11.
“Cyprus Santa Claus Peace Village” will come into service in August
12.
“TRNC” was represented for the first time in a tourism fair in Oslo
13. Prosecutor orders investigation on CHP’s
Kilicdaroglu over “insulting” Erdogan
14. Neo-nationalist Vatan party applies for closure
case against HDP
1.Davutoglu discussed the Cyprus problem with
Cameron in London
Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.01.16) reported that the Turkish Prime Minister AhmetDavutoglu
and the British Prime Minister David Cameron held a meeting in London in order
to discuss important issues concerning international terrorism, Cyprus and
Turkey-EU relations.
Both leaders gave brief statements to the press before
their meeting.
Davutoglu
thanked Cameron for Britain’s support on Turkey’s European Union membership bid
and said he also hoped the Cyprus issue would be resolved with Britain’s
support this year "after many decades."
Davutoglu further saidthat the two countries have “an
excellent cooperation” with a trade volume of $15 billion in 2015 and their
meeting would hopefully "accelerate all the economic and political
cooperation", pointing out that he has conducted intensive talks during
his London visit.
Cameron on his statements offered his condolences to
Turkey concerning Monday’s rocket strike on a school in southern Turkey that
killed one person and a recent suicide attack by a DAESH terrorist in Istanbul
which killed ten German tourists last Tuesday. "We face these challenges
together with you, the fight against terrorism, against DAESH, and also the
need to bring about change in Syria”, Cameron said, adding: "We’re going
to work very closely together on that, as on many other things as NATO partners
and allies with a very strong economic relationship and a very strong political
relationship that we’ve built up over the last few years".
(…)
Meanwhile, delivering
a speech at Bloomberg’s London offices to pitch his government’s reform program
to business leaders, Davutoglu said that Turkey’s economic reform agenda offers
the best hope for investors looking for opportunities in a problematic global
economy.
(…)
Touching on the regional political situation,
Davutoglu said: “[In our] neighborhood we have several collapsed states where
there is no functioning economy anymore. Despite these negative trends that are
affecting Turkey, we have some very positive developments as well, which makes
Turkey a safe port for investment as well as a safe haven for economic agencies
and institutions to work in.”
On
Turkey’s EU bid, Davutoglu said that Turkey is still unable to formally open
talks on membership negotiations in many areas of EU law, known as chapters,
because of the “Greek Cypriot administration’s” veto imposed in 2006.
Davutoglu
said that a resolution to the Cyprus problem, which he indicated could be in
place by the end of 2016, would help launch a new era in Turkey-EU relations as
more chapters will open.
He
pointed to the European Commission’s latest progress report, which said Turkey
had made progress in 27 chapters. They were now in a position to formally open
talks on all of them, he said, adding that work was so advanced in some
chapters that they could be opened and closed immediately.
2.
Akinci due to Davos; he will meet with Davutoglu and Biden
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (19.01.16), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci is flying to Switzerland, where he will attend the “World Economic
Forum” in Davos between January 20 and 23. Akinci will meet with the UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades, in a
trilateral summit. Akıncı will also meet with the Turkish Prime Minister
AhmetDavutoğlu and the US Vice President Joe Biden.
The
paper also reports that Akinci will participate in a panel as a speaker on the
Cyprus issue together with the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus
Espen Barth Eide and Anastasiades.
On
the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.01.16) reports that
Akinci highlighted the importance of attending the “WEF” in Davos, adding that
it is an important event that brings together the world’s leading political and
economic actors.
Speaking
at the occupied airport of Tymbou before his departure for Davos, Akinci said
that attending dignitaries will found the opportunity to hold bi-lateral
contacts on the side-lines of the summit. Reminding that he will be coming
together for a joint meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades
and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,
Akinci said that the meeting is of great significance in terms of evaluating
the progress reached so far as well as determining the course of the talks.
Stating
that he had scheduled meetings with Davutoglu and Biden, Akinci said that he
will be speaking at a panel regarding the future of Cyprus. He expressed the
view that important messages will be issued at the panel which will also be
attended by Anastasiades and Eide.
Akıncı
added that he wants to return from Davos with the best possible result. Akinci
and his accompanying delegation are expected to return to the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus on Sunday, the 24th January.
(DPs)
3. Havadis: President Anastasiades has launched an
initiative for including the Turkish language among the official EU languages
Under the title “Turkish language gesture by
Anastasiades”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadisnewspaper (19.01.16) reports that President Anastasiades has launched an
initiative in order for the Turkish language to be included among the official
languages of the European Union. Noting that the Turkish language is one of
the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus, the paper writes that
President Anastasiades has conveyed his intention to the Turkish Cypriot side
during the recent meeting between the two community leaders.
Pointing out that President Anastasiades has given
instructions to bureaucrats to launch the necessary legal procedure, the paper
reports that the application to be filed to the EU and the road to be followed
is being examined in the government-controlled area of the island.
“The Greek
Cypriot leadership will take a step within the good will framework on the
‘official language’ issue, which had been on the agenda for a long time but no
step was taken”, writes Havadis, which citing sources from the Presidential
Palace of the Republic of Cyprus reports that no step has been taken for 12
years on this issue because of objections raised by EU administrators and not
by the authorities of the Republic. The
Turkish language had not become an official EU language with the accession of
the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, because of the high cost of this development,
argues the paper.
(I/Ts.)
4. Britain has reportedly lifted the decision of
freezing bank accounts of Turkish diplomats in London
Turkish daily Milliyetnewspaper (19.01.16, online)
reports that the decision taken by a
British court to freeze bank accounts, which belong of Turkish diplomats in
Britain, has been lifted. Citing information by sources from the Turkish
Prime Minister’s office,the paper writes that the court decision was conveyed yesterday to Prime Minister
AhmetDavutoglu during his meeting with his British counterpart in London.
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (19.01.16) covers the issue under the title “The game
of the Greek Cypriots did not succeed”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily YeniBakisnewspaper (19.01.16)
reports that the Turkish Cypriots Living
Abroad Union (ATCA) protested against the freezing of the Turkish diplomats’
bank accounts by the British High Court, alleging that this was a move aiming at “putting pressure on the
Turkish side” and describing it as “ill-intentioned behavior and decision”.ATCA
has sent a letter to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron asking for
the decision to be reexamined.
(I/Ts.)
5.
SerdarDenktas: RaufDenktas’ proposal for federation was accepted
Turkish
Cypriot daily DemokratBakis (19.01.16) reports that the leader of the
Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG), in a written statement yesterday,
argued that his late father RaufDentkas’ proposal for a federation, which was one
of his “red line”, was accepted at the end. Denktas’ statement was a response
to the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who said that there was
no progress to the Cyprus talks with RaufDenktas because there were only his
“red lines”.
(DPs)
6. Former CTP “minister”: Anastasiades is dreaming
on the issue of the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalognewspaper (19.01.16)
reports thatAhmetUzun, leading figure of
the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and former “minister” of finance”, has
argued that 90% of the Turkish Cypriot “people” opposes to a solution which
excludes Turkey’s guarantees. “I am also against a solution which excludes
Turkey’s guarantees and I will never vote ‘yes’ to such a solution”, said
Uzun in statements to a television program.
Referring
to statements made by President Anastasiades on the issue of the Turkish
occupation army’s withdrawal from Cyprus, Uzun alleged that President
Anastasiades is “dreaming” on this issue.
He claimed: “Anastasiades says that they were informed
that the Turkish army will leave the island. Leaving is one thing and the
continuation of the guarantees is another. I consider myself to be a leftist
and I believe in this. I believe that I am a good leftist […] In spite of this,
I will never vote ‘yes’ to a solution which does not include Turkey’s
guarantees. […] Let it guarantee the northern part of the island. What do we
care about the south, what do we care about the United Cyprus? […]”
(I/Ts.)
7.A delegation of the “KTSO” carries out contacts
in Baku
Turkish Cypriot dailyKibris newspaper (19.01.16)
reports that a delegation of the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” (“KTSO”),
headed by its chairman Ali Cirali is visiting Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, for a
series of contacts and in order to look for investment opportunities.
The
delegation will hold contacts with the Ministry of Economy and Industry of
Azerbaijan, the Turkish Ambassador to Baku and with various Azeri foundations
and organizations like the Azerbaijan –Turkey Industrialists and Businessmen
Community.
Yesterday,
the delegation met with members of the Union of Azerbaijan and Turkish
Entrepreneurs (ATIB).
The “representative” of the “TRNC” in Baku, SadettinTopukcu was also present at
the meeting.
Speaking during the meeting, Cirali said that their aim is the establishment and development of
trade ties between the two “countries”.He added that the aim of the visit is
“to introduce to the world industrial and agricultural products of the TRNC”
and try to find ways for these products to be sold by Azeri firms. He further
said that they would like to export agriculture products to Azerbaijan such as
potatoes, cheese and citrus fruits and added that they are also thinking to
import some products.
Also speaking, CemalYangin,
businessman and chairman of the ATIB, said, inter alia, that the Turkish
Cypriots do not enjoy their “political rights” in the international world and
stressed the need to continue their path together in order to develop their
business ties. Pointing out to the example of the “Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic” in Azerbaijanwhich is also under embargoes, Yangin said that ATIB will provide any kind of support to the Turkish
Cypriot businessmen.
(…)
(AK)
8.
Australian Deputy of Turkish Cypriot origin held contacts in the occupied
area of Cyprus
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (19.01.16), the Turkish Cypriot descent
Australian Deputy at the Parliament of Victoria Natalie NazliSuleyman with the
Labour Party, who is currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,
visited yesterday the self-styled speaker assembly SibelSiber.
Speaking
during the meeting, Siber said that the connection bonds of the Turkish
Cypriots, who live abroad, to their own country, are very important and added
that every Turkish Cypriot who lives abroad is “representative and an honorary
ambassador for his country”.
Suleyman, for her part, said
that she will try to create a bridge between the Australian Parliament in
Victoria and the “parliament” of the breakaway regime. She added that in April
she will visit again the occupied area of Cyprus with some Deputies.
(DPs)
9.A “parliamentary delegation” to attend the
meeting of the European Parliament in Brussels
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.01.16)
reports that a delegation of the
so-called assembly composed by the so-called deputies ArmaganCndan, HasanTacoy,
ZekiCeler and Ergun Serdaroglu will go to Brussels on January 24-17, to attend
the meeting of the European Parliament.
According to the paper, their participation to the
European Parliament has been approved unanimously by the so-called assembly.
(AK)
10.CorendonAirlines
to re-launch charter flights to and from the the occupied area
Under the title: “Corendon
airlines returns”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.01.16) reports
that Corendon Airlines has announced yesterday that it will re-launch flights
to the “TRNC”.
The
decision of the company was announced by the coordinator of the CorendonGroup,
UrunMestan who said that the company will re-launch flights as of May 2016.
Corendon
Airlines, which belongs to the Corendon Group, was the first airline which
carried out the first charter flight to the “TRNC” in 2010. Corendon was
bringing approximately 10,000 tourists to the occupation regime per year, with
charter flights to and from the occupied area of Cyprus via Turkey, from the
Netherlands and Belgium. It, however, on 31st August 2015 announced
its decision to suspend its flights to the occupation regime due to several
bureaucratic problems.
According to the paper, several “government officials”
and officials from the Akmina Travel company which is Corendon’s partner, held
contacts with officials of the Corendon Group and exerted efforts to convince
them to return back to the “TRNC’s” tourism market.
Commenting
on Corendon’s decision, so-called minister of tourism FaizSucuoglu described
the decision as a positive and pleasing development for the “TRNC’s tourism
sector” and said: “Among our
goals was for Corendon to return back. We achieved this. With this move,
openings will be made to the tourism sector”, said Sucuoglu.
Referring als o to his recent contacts in the Netherlands,
Sucuoglu said that he met with the “chairman” of the “administration board” of
the Akmina Travel, Ismail Abidin with whom they verified their existing
agreement. He added that he held also contacts with tourist operators in
Stuttgart, that he visited fairs in the Netherlands and that they are planning
to make big openings in the fairs of Istanbul and Berlin.
(AK)
11.
“Cyprus Santa Claus Peace Village” will come into service in August
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (19.01.16) reports that the chairman of the council of
directors of the Santa Claus Peace village MuammerKarabulut announced that as
planned, the “Cyprus Santa Claus Peace Village” in the occupied village of
Akanthou, will come into service in August.
In
a written statement, Karabulut said that by the end of this month the
construction of this village will start. He
added that the “Santa Claus village” will be promoted for the first time during
the tourism fair “MITT Moscova” in Marchwhere the “TRNC”
will participate. It is expected that the majority of the visitors to be
Russians.
(DPs)
12.
“TRNC” was represented for the first time in a tourism fair in Oslo
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan (19.01.16) reports that the so-called tourism ministry
participated in the “Reiselivsmessden 2016” tourism fair, which was held in
Oslo, Norway, between January 15 and 17, for the first time.
The
paper reports that “ministry’s officials” and tour operators from the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus had the opportunity to carry out contacts with
tour operators from Norway and Scandinavia regarding the tourism sector in
“North Cyprus” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus).
(DPs)
13.Prosecutor orders investigation on CHP’s
Kilicdaroglu over “insulting” Erdogan
Turkish daily Sabah (18.01.16) reported that the Ankara Public Prosecutor's office has
opened an investigation into Turkey's main opposition leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu
for allegedly insulting President RecepTayyipErdogan over the weekend.
The
investigation was opened after remarks made by Kılıcdaroglu during the CHP's
35th General Congress in Ankara on Saturday.
Kilicdaroglu
used the Turkish expression "diktatorbozuntusu" [roughly translated
as 'sham dictator'] to describe President Erdogan.
Meanwhile, Erdogan
himself also pressed charges against Kılıcdaroglu over his remarks at the
congress.
In
the petition presented to the public prosecutor's office in Ankara by Erdogan's
attorney HuseyinAydın, it was said that Kılıcdaroğlu repeatedly insulted
Erdogan and asked for TL 100,000 compensation for mental anguish.
The petition
also asked a civil lawsuit to be launched against the CHP leader for insulting
the President.
According
to the Turkish Penal Code, Article 299, it is a criminal offense to insult the
President. The offense carries a jail sentence of between one to four years.
The CHP is the biggest opposition party in Turkey,
with 134 seats in the 550-member Turkish Parliament.
(…)
14.Neo-nationalist Vatan party applies for closure
case against HDP
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (18.01.16) reported that
the neo-nationalist Patriotic Party
(VatanPartisi) applied to the General Public Prosecutor's Office of the Supreme
Court of Appeals for a closure case to be opened against the Peoples'
Democratic Party (HDP) due to its actions violating the Constitution and
supporting the PKK terror organization.
The party's Vice Chairman Mehmet TurgutOkyay stated
that the HDP's closure has become 'a must' to act in accord with the Constitution
and keep the country united.
Okyay
further claimed that the HDP acts upon the directives and orders of the PKK. "This has been proven through [HDP's]
regulations, programs and actions. Finally, the HDP Chairman SelahattinDemirtas
confessed to it by saying 'This resistance will end with victory, everyone will
respect the people's will. Kurds will now become a political power in their own
geography. Perhaps Kurds will also have an independent state, federal state,
cantons and autonomous regions'", Okyay said.
The HDP continuing its activities will cause
'incurable wounds' for Turks and Kurds, Okyayalleged, and stated that the
General Public Prosecutor's Office should collect all evidences in that regard
and file a closure suit to Turkey's Constitutional Court.
(…)
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK / AM)
