TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 12/16 20.01.2016
1. Akinci meets Davutoglu in Davos
2. Positive reactions to reported initiative by
President Anastasiades for including the Turkish language among the official EU
languages
3.
A MHP proposal in Turkey’s Parliament to investigate the Cyprus talks was
rejected
4. The German Ambassador to Ankara is hopeful for a
positive result in Cyprus this year
5.
Turkish Minister of Water Eroglu: “TRNC must decide on water”
6. Toros held contacts in Antalya; He called Turkish
businessmen to invest in Cyprus
7. The Islamic State members who conducted the
terrorist attack in Paris had acquired “visa” from the occupied area of
Cyprus
8.
Three thousand persons have gone to hospital within the last week due to the
flu virus
9. Bozkır to meet with European officials in Strasburg
to discuss Turkey’s EU bid
10. Turkey is reportedly close to a deal with Cairo to
normalize their ties and recognize Sisi in exchange for Brotherhood pardon
11. The ECHR fined Turkey for 2007 raid of Nokta
magazine
12. The weeks-long curfew in Turkey’s south-eastern
Silopi town has been partly lifted
1. Akinci meets Davutoglu in Davos
Under the title “Akinci: Turkey’s role in the solution
process is important”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.01.16)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci met yesterday in Davos with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
During their meeting that lasted more than one hour, Akinci and Davutoglu
exchanged views regarding the negotiating process aiming at finding a solution
to the Cyprus problem.
In statements to Kibris after the meeting, Akinci said that Turkey’s role in the
solution to be found is great and added: “Turkey’s support is always by our
side”. He noted that with Davutoglu they discussed the developments in the
negotiating process.
Cenk Gurcag, director of Akinci’s “office”, Ayda
Soylu, so-called representative of the breakaway regime in Geneva, Mehmet
Simsek, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Ali Babacan, Turkish former Minister of
Economy and Feridun Snirlioglu, Undersecretary at the Turkish Foreign Ministry
attended the meeting.
(I/Ts.)
2. Positive reactions to reported initiative by
President Anastasiadesfor including the Turkish language among the official EU
languages
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (20.01.16)
reports that Baris Burcu, spokesman
of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, has described as “good intentioned initiative” President Anastasiades
decision to launch an initiative for including the Turkish language among the
official EU languages. The paper notes that this initiative was welcomed with joy in the occupied area of the
island and writes that Burcu stated that the Turkish was one of the official
languages of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Turkish Cypriots were partners
in 1960. Noting that they are exerting efforts for a federal Cyprus now, Burcu said that Turkish will be one of the
official languages of the future united federation in case an agreement is
reached. He argued that the Turkish language should have been included
among the official EU languages with the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to
the Union 12 years ago and described the recent decision as “delayed step”, but
“we could say that it is a good intended initiative”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (20.01.16)
reports that the reactions to the
development are positive in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Armagan
Candan, self-styed deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) told the
paper that the issue is very important and a serious development for the
Turkish Cypriots. He noted that
next week they will raise the issue during their contacts with EU officials and
will have the opportunity to directly reiterate their view that the Turkish
language should become an official language of the Union without waiting a
solution to be reached to the Cyprus problem.
Furthermore, Hamza
Ersan Saner, “deputy” with the National Unity Party (UBP), argued that the
Greek Cypriots did what they should have done years ago, but in spite of this,
having good intention is positive. He claimed that this should have been
done since 2004 together with the accession of the “Greek Cypriots”, as he
described the Republic of Cyprus, to the EU.
Finally, Ali
Erel, chairman of the Cyprus EU Association, said that this step will have a
lot of benefits and Turkey will also benefit from this. He noted that both
Turks and Turkish Cypriots will have the opportunity to be employed in the EU.
(I/Ts.)
3.
A MHP proposal in Turkey’s Parliament to investigate the Cyprus talks was
rejected
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris (20.01.16) reports that a proposal of the National
Movement Party (MHP) in the Turkey’s Grand National Assembly to make an
investigation on the ongoing Cyprus talks was not accepted.
The
MHP Deputy Umit Ozdag argued that “the TRNC committee (translator’s note: as he
refers to the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team) discussed for a ‘federal state’
instead of a ‘founding state’ by creating a political and legal framework that
will lead the TRNC citizens to the minority position”. Ozdag reiterated his
view that the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team is weak and inexperienced in
certain issues. He added that the existence of a Turkish state should not be
sacrificed for Turkey’s EU full membership.
Replying
to Ozdag, the Deputy with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Yildiz
Seferinoglu said that the negotiation process has entered a critical stage and
added that diversity of views on the property issue is still continuing.
Seferinoglu noted that the negotiation process is followed by the Turkish
government in a sensitive way.
Ozturk
Yilmaz, Deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CHP), speaking in favour of
the proposal said that it is natural the issues regarding Cyprus to be
discussed in the Parliament. Explaining that a well-intentioned picture is
displayed that there will be a solution in Cyprus very soon, Yilmaz argued: “We
don’t have a road map on the Cyprus issue. I don’t recognize the Greek Cypriot
administration (translator’s note: he refers to the Republic of Cyprus), but we
don’t do the necessary for the non-recognition. Is there anybody who believes
that there will be a solution?”. Showing in a map the places that the Greek
Cypriots want, Yilmaz claimed that the issue is much behind of the Annan plan.
(DPs)
4. The German Ambassador to Ankara is hopeful for a
positive result in Cyprus this year
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (20.01.16)
reports that Martin Erdmann, German
Ambassador to Ankara, has said that they expect the Cyprus negotiations to be concluded
positively this year and that they are following the developments “with an
extremely optimistic approach”.
During a briefing at the Embassy, Erdmann was asked
whether Germany will exert any effort for lifting the blockade put by the
Republic of Cyprus in Turkey’s accession negotiations with the EU [Translator’s
note: Because of the island’s occupation by Turkey]. He replied: “We are
expecting with hope the Cyprus negotiations to be concluded positively this
year and we are following the issue with an extremely optimistic approach”.
He said that the EU Commission suggested the opening
of chapters 23 and 24 for Turkey and added that the final decision for this
belongs to the member states.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Turkish Minister of Water Eroglu: “TRNC must decide on water”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 20.01.16), Turkish Minister of Forestry
and Water Works Veysel Eroglu has called upon “TRNC officials” (editor’s note:
the officials of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus) to decide as to who will be managing the water being pumped to the
island from Turkey.
Speaking
to the Ankara Anatolia news agency on the water transfer project yesterday,
Eroglu said that “TRNC officials” had yet to decide as to who will manage the
water.
Stating
that they will solve the issue by next week, Eroglu said: “Together with Tugrul
Turkes and colleagues we will solve this issue. The water is ready and I feel
bad that we haven’t been able to put it to use. We could pump the water to Lefkosia
(editor’s note: the occupied part of Lefkosia) today but it is still unclear as
to who is going to manage the water. The ‘TRNC officials’ haven’t made a
decision yet. We are asking them to arrive at a decision as soon as possible.
This is the essence of the issue, there is no other problem”.
Also
providing information about the project, he said that the water is already
flowing into the Alakopru and occupied Panagra dams, adding that the potable
water treatment facility is also completed.
Eroglu
also said that one of the Turkish Cypriot political parties opposed the idea of
handing the management of the water to a private company through a tender.
6.Toros held contacts in Antalya; He called Turkish
businessmen to invest in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (20.01.16) reported that Fikri Toros, chairman of the
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), went to Antalya for a series of
contacts upon an invitation by a group of Turkish businessmen, academics and
lawyers.
Speaking during the meeting with the group of
businessmen, Toros informed them about
the latest stage of the Cyprus negotiation talks and evaluated the existing
investment opportunities.
Supporting
that Cyprus is in a historic critical point, Toros alleged that the solution of
the Cyprus problem is closer than ever before and expressed the belief that
numerous opportunities would arise for cooperation in several fields, such as
in tourism, construction sector, the communications, aviation, energy and other.
Toros
added further that investments prior to the solution would strengthen the
Turkish Cypriot side’s hand and position at the negotiation table. “A possible
solution in Cyprus will be beneficial not only for Cyprus but also for Turkey
and the countries in the region”, Toros said.
Meanwhile, according to the paper, Toros met also with the chairman and the
members of the Chamber of Industry and Trade of Antalya.
Speaking during the meeting, Toros informed the members of the Chamber about
the investment climate in Cyprus and the investment opportunities that exist in
Cyprus.
Expressing the Chamber’s positions towards the
benefits and the advantages of a possible solution in Cyprus, Toros said that
there is a ground for mutual cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot
businessmen and businessmen in Antalya in the fields of agriculture, tourism,
industry and the building trade sector.
Referring
to the issue of the launching of speed ferryboat lines between the “TRNC” and
Antalya, Toros said that this will bring synergy in the tourism sector not only
prior to the solution period but also after the solution.
(AK)
7. The Islamic State members who conducted the
terrorist attack in Paris had acquired “visa” from the occupied area of
Cyprus
Under the front-page title “TRNC route in the Paris
attack”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (20.01.16) reports that the members of the Islamic State who
conducted the terrorist attack in Paris had taken a “visa” from the “TRNC”, the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Afrika
cites information published in Turkish Aydinlik newspaper.
According to this information, reference to the breakaway regime is made in the indictment prepared by
Istanbul’s Attorney General’s Office within the framework of the investigation
as regards the Islamic State. From the tapes which have come to the light it is
understood that a false visa was taken from the occupied area of Cyprus.
In the telephone conversations, the following advice
is given for a terrorist named Musab: “Let him go to Cyprus. It is 100 Liras to
go and come back with a plane. Yes, upon my word, they are going to Cyprus to
have their passports stamped and come”.
It
is said that efforts had been exerted to send Musab to France from Turkey six
months before the Paris attack for holding surveillance and that he was granted
“visa” for a fake passport. It
is recalled that 153 persons had died in the Islamic State’s attack in Paris on
13 November 2015.
(I/Ts.)
8.
Three thousand persons have gone to hospital within the last week due to the
flu virus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (20.01.16) reports that the self-styled minister of
health Salih Izbul, in a press conference yesterday, said that within the last
week three thousand persons have gone to the hospital due to the flu virus,
adding that this number is increasing every day. Explaining that only 4 in 3000 patients with flu have been diagnosed
with H1N1, Izbul said that most patients have been treated without being
hospitalized. He further said that there is need to do the test for
everyone who has the flu virus.
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (20.01.16), Izbul announced also that they
have discussed with the illegal universities in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus that foreign students should register only with a valid health report
or they will have exams from the “health ministry”. He also said that since
September 2015, they have 7 cases of tuberculosis. Four of the cases were
persons from 3rd world countries and the rest three from Turkey.
(DPs)
9.Bozkır to meet with European officials in
Strasburg to discuss Turkey’s EU bid
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (19.01.16) reported that Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief negotiator
Volkan Bozkır will visit Strasbourg on Wednesday for meetings with officials
from the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Parliament (EP) to discuss
Turkey's reforms and accession process to the EU.
Bozkır
will meet with the CoE Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland, the President of
the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio and the EP rapporteur for Turkey, Kati
Piri.
The EU revived Turkey's membership bid on December 14,
2015, by opening Chapter 17 on economic and monetary policy in relation to
necessary reforms Turkey would need to make. In addition, the EU has conditional plans to open Chapter 23 on
judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and
security with Turkey.
However,
Piri said on December 15 that there were urgently needed reforms in basic human
rights and the rule of law in Turkey.
Following
his visit to Strasbourg, Bozkır will accompany Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
on his visit to Berlin to attend the first Turkey-Germany Intergovernmental
Strategic Consultations.
10.Turkey is reportedly close to a deal with Cairo
to normalize their ties and recognize Sisi in exchange for Brotherhood pardon
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (19.01.16) reported that according to a report in the Cumhuriyet
daily on Tuesday, the Saudi-mediated talks aim to re-establish diplomatic ties
between Turkey and Egypt, which broke down after Sisi, who was the leader of
the Egyptian military, led a military intervention ousting Morsi in 2013. Since
then, Erdogan's Turkey has refused to establish diplomatic ties with Sisi, who
was elected President a year later in an election.
According
to Cumhuriyet, Ankara and Cairo are working on a framework and officials who
are familiar with the content of deliberations and negotiations say they are
close to a deal.
Riyadh
has put all its clout behind reconciliation between Turkey and Egypt at a time
of a resurgent Iran, with which Saudi Arabia has severed diplomatic relations.
As part of the deal, Turkey will recognize the Sisi administration and Egypt
will not carry out executions of Muslim Brotherhood members who were sentenced
to death en masse last year.
“Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also
among countries that contributed to the mediation efforts”, the report says.
After
a sharp deterioration in relations with Russia after Turkey downed a Russian
jet in late November, Ankara has faced possible isolation in regional affairs
as Moscow has intensified pressure on third countries to downgrade ties with
Turkey. That has prompted the Turkish government to seek to forge new alliances
in the region and to end icy relations with a number of countries including
Israel and Egypt to multiply its diplomatic interaction.
Turkish
and Israeli officials are working to bring about reconciliation between the two
countries after five years of estrangement. The move has become publicly known
when President Erdogan announced the ongoing diplomatic efforts and even
praised them, saying that Turkey and Israel need each other in the region.
(…).
Observers
of the Turkey-Egypt talks have said that if the framework for a deal is
finalized before April, then Sisi could attend a summit of the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in İstanbul, where Egypt will hand over its term
Presidency to Turkey.
Relations
between Turkey and the UAE are also getting warmer, with the latter preparing
to assign a new Ambassador to Ankara, a position that has been vacant since
2013 in protest of Turkey's strong opposition to the military coup in Egypt,
which was supported by the UAE.
11.The ECHR fined Turkey for 2007 raid of Nokta
magazine
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.01.16) reported
that the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) has ruled for Turkey to be fined over a police raid on the office
building of Nokta magazine upon a military court ruling in 2007, stating that
the raid constituted a violation of human rights.
The
top Human Rights Court said that the search conducted in the office of the
magazine and the seizure of documents and computers upon a military court
ruling in 2007, violated Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights,
which deals with freedom of expression, in its ruling over the application
filed by the managers of the magazine at the time.
The
“principle assuring the confidentiality of the news sources of journalists was
also violated”, the ECHR said.
In 2007, the magazine highlighted on its cover a claim
that the Turkish military had categorized journalists in a list as pro-military
and anti-military groups, and that the magazine had obtained the list in
question. A police raid was conducted to seize all news sources afterwards upon
a military court ruling issued following an order from the Turkish General
Staff (TSK).
“The article published by the weekly newspaper Nokta,
on the basis of ‘confidential’ military documents about a system for
classifying the media on the basis of whether they were ‘favorable’ or
‘unfavorable’ to the armed forces, was capable of contributing to public
debate,” the ECHR said, citing Article 10 of the convention.
“The
interference with the journalists’ right to freedom of expression, especially
their right to impart information, had not been proportionate to the legitimate
aim sought, had not met a pressing social need and had not therefore been
necessary in a democratic society,” it added.
The
ECHR ordered the Turkish state to pay Ahmet Alper Gormuş, then-editor-in-chief
of Nokta, 2,750 euros and the magazine’s then-managing editors, Ahmet Hasim
Akman and Mehmet Ferda Balancar, 1,650 euros each.
Turkey was also ordered to pay Nokta’s then investigative
reporters Ahmet Sık and Banu Uzpeder 850 euros each in line in its judgment and
the magazine’s other investigative reporter, Nevzat Cicek, 500 euros.
12.The weeks-long curfew in Turkey’s south-eastern
Silopi town has been partly lifted
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.01.16) reported that the governor of Sirnak province announced
on Tuesday that the public order has been restored in the south-eastern town of
Silopi, following a weeks-long curfew and counter-terrorism operations carried
out against the PKK group.
The
curfew partly lifted early on Tuesday morning. The Turkish military said on
Monday that a total of 136 PKK members have been killed in Silopi since the
counter-terror operations began in December 15 -- one day after the establishment
of the curfew.
Governor
Ali Ihsan Su said that the operations against PKK members, who use ditches and
barricades to keep police and soldiers out of certain neighborhoods, had been
successful and public order had been restored in Silopi."All barriers and ditches have been removed,
terrorists have been neutralized, and peace has been restored," Su told
reporters, adding that a total of 518 barriers and 270 ditches had been removed
and 800 makeshift explosives defused in the town.
"The security forces also seized a large amount
of ammunition, long-barreled rifles, handguns, rocket launchers, hand grenades,
makeshift explosives as well as written documents," he added.
The
governor cautioned the public to stay "vigilant" and inform security
forces of "suspicious" activity.
The
governor's office announced on Monday that the ongoing military curfew in the
town was going to be lifted between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day as of Tuesday. The
curfew will still be in place from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m., the statement added.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK / AM)
