TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
15/16 23-25.01.2016
1. Akinci:
“We participated in Davos having a state and without paying any cost”
2. Akinci:
“I felt the international support in Davos. It is the first time that a Turkish
Cypriot president comes here”
3. Akinci:
“Even if the International community does not recognize the TRNC it recognizes
the existence of Turkish Cypriots”
4. Akinci
evaluated his contacts in Davos to TRT; He met with Cameron
5. Akinci
met with CHP foreign relations committee
6. Siber
addressed the 11th Conference of PUOICM
7.
Delegation of the so-called assembly carries out contacts in Brussels
8. Biden
appreciates Turkey’s critical role on the Cyprus issue
9.
Davutoglu on the Cyprus problem
10. Commentary:
Political resolve fuels hope over Cyprus
11. Turkish
Cypriot columnist: “Great progress has been achieved on the property, the
chapter will be closed within a month”
12. Izcan
described the meetings at Davos as an important development for the solution of
the Cyprus problem
13.
Turkey’s MFA press release regarding Greek Defence Minister’s statements
14.
Seventeen thousand foreigners bought property in the breakaway regime during
the last sixteen years
15.
SerdarDenktas called the Turkish Cypriots to evaluated well the text of the
agreement to be for the solution of the Cyprus problem
16. Ozersay
started visiting occupied villages in the breakaway regime spreading his
political views
17. Caglar
due to Strasburg for PACE’s meeting
18. Colak
met with the Vice President of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities
19. Legal
action may be taken against academicians in the occupied area of Cyprus who
signed the “Academics for Peace” initiative
20. CHP
delegation to pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus as peace deal
on the horizon
21. Omer
Nasit the new chairman of DEV-IS trade union
22. Biden
highlights the need for freedom of speech in Turkey; Erdogan: “Terror
propaganda beyond limits of free speech”
23.
Demirtas and Yuksekdag re-elected as HDP co-chairs
1. Akinci:
“We participated in Davos having a state and without paying any cost”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(25.01.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has alleged that they have participated in the World
Economic Forum in Davos having a state and without paying any price for this.
In statements at the illegal Tymbou airport last night after his return from
Davos, Akinci noted that they had the
opportunity to convey the Turkish Cypriot community’s “peaceful, modern and
rational messages” at an international platform in Davos. “The few days we have
spent there were useful for the Turkish Cypriot people and Cyprus”, he
argued.
Noting that he had heart some evaluations
regarding Davos, Akinci claimed: “That
place is not a place where you go by paying a price, by paying a cost. We have
participated there having a state. We did not go by paying any cost”.
Pointing out that participating in the
Economic Forum in Davos was an “important experience”, he added that “value and
respect’ was shown towards him and the Turkish Cypriot “people”. He said: “I do
not perceive it as a personal matter. In
my self the Turkish Cypriot people and their elected leader were valued and
respected”.
Arguing that in all the platforms they have
participated they had the opportunity to once more express the Turkish Cypriot
“people’s” pro-peace identity and determination for a solution, Akinci said: “The will for a solution which we have
exhibited in the negotiating process by protecting our legitimate rights is
known and appreciated in the world. I beg for evaluating the invitation to
Davos within this framework”.
Recalling
that they had a tripartite meeting with the UN Secretary-General and evaluated
the situation in the negotiating process, Akinci noted that “we have tried to
make a plan for the future”. Noting that this tripartite meeting was
something in which he was participating for the first time, Akinci added: “Going to Davos in the name of the Turkish
Cypriot people was something that happened for the first time […]”
Akinci also said that he met with the US
Vice President Joe Biden and the UK Prime Minister David Cameron and
participated in a meeting under the title “The expectations from 2016”.
Akinci was asked whether he had met with
the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. He
replied that he had the opportunity to talk on foot with the Greek Prime
Minister and added that this meeting was not like the other meetings. He added:
“We shook hands, we saluted each other, he said he wished for the Cyprus
problem to be solved and we wished for Greece to overcome its problems”.
Asked about the issue of the guarantees and
his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Aknci said that they conveyed to
Cameron the situation in which the negotiating process is and expressed their
views on the issue.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci:
“I felt the international support in Davos. It is the first time that a Turkish
Cypriot president comes here”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(24.01.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the interest exhibited in Cyprus during
the Economic Forum in Davos was remarkable. In statements to Kibris’
correspondent to the Forum, Akinci noted
that in his meetings with many heads of state and CEO’s of leading world
companies he felt “effort and support” for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Akinci said that in a possible solution the
support of the IMF and the World Bank will be needed and added that he met with
the Heads of these organizations and both gave him positive replies.
Akinci
argued that 2016 is a year during which all sides will come face to face with
the reality and added that they are exerting efforts for the process to end
positively.
Wishing for
the Cyprus problem to be concluded in the first half of 2016, Akinci
argued that because of the parliamentary elections and the election campaign in
the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, the process will come
to a “sensitive point”. “If a solution
cannot be found in May, it is not the end of the world”, he said adding
that after the parliamentary elections
in the government-controlled area of the Republic they could continue from the
point they were left and end this journey within 2016.
He noted: “We are tired of disappointments.
All Cypriots, both in the south and the north, are tired of hoping every time
and of these hopes not being materialized. We have to secure that these are
left behind. This is what is expected from us by the young generations”.
Noting that he does not expect the world to
create the solution in Cyprus and that the
Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots are those who will create the solution,
Akinci said: “We are the main actors in the country. We will create the
solution”.
Referring to his meetings in Davos, he
argued: “The contacts in Davos were
positive from the point of view of some things happening for the first time. It
is the first time that a Turkish Cypriot president came here. Even though the
world has not recognized the TRNC, the Turkish Cypriot people are an entity.
Everyone realizes this. Everyone knows that no result could be achieved in
Cyprus without the contribution of the leader elected by the Turkish Cypriot
people and without the contribution of the people. Whether is recognized or
not, these people have been represented here. It is something happening for the
first time from this point of view”.
Referring to the UN Secretary-General’s
Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, Akinci said that Eide is a member
of the Administrative Council of the World Economic Forum and Head of
Geopolitical Relations. He described as an advantage for Cyprus the fact that
such a person is the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser.
(I/Ts.)
3.Akinci: “Even if the International community does not recognize the TRNC it recognizes the
existence of Turkish Cypriots”
Turkish
daily Milliyet newspaper (24.01.16) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci stated that the
international community has seen that without the contribution of the Turkish
Cypriots and their leaders, the Cyprus problem cannot be solved. He also stated
that the International community may not recognize the “TRNC”, but recognizes
the existence of the Turkish Cypriots.
Akinci made
these statements to Milliyet upon his return from Davos.
“This is
the first time that a president of the Turkish Cypriots came here. Even if the
international community does not recognize the TRNC, it recognizes the
existence of the Turkish Cypriots. Everyone knows this. Everyone knows that
without the contribution of the Turkish Cypriot people and the leader they have
elected, the Cyprus problem cannot be solved”, Akinci argued.
He went on
and said that both the international community and the two communities in
Cyprus got tired of the Cyprus problem and added that it must be solved in
2016.
He also
said that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would be as happy as the
Cypriots in case the problem is solved and added that because of the
non-solution of the Cyprus problem the young people of Cyprus have been induced
to behave negatively. “All these must stay in the past. This is what young
people expect from us. This was one of the main issues of my candidacy. We must
safeguard the youth from the uncertainty of the future, he stated.
(CS)
4. Akinci
evaluated his contacts in Davos to TRT; He met with Cameron
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 23.01.16), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has reiterated the
importance of technical and financial support for a settlement in Cyprus.
Speaking in an interview to Turkish State
Television-TRT in Davos, Akinci said that the world which is rigged with
conflicts and wars needs a good example which the settlement of the Cyprus
problem can provide.
Highlighting the importance of his
participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Akinci said that he found the valuable opportunity at the summit to
meet with heads of state and governments to convey the Turkish Cypriots’ strong
determination and will for a settlement on the island.
Touching upon the issue of hydrocarbons,
Akinci reiterated that transporting the natural gas discovered in the Eastern
Mediterranean through a pipeline from Turkey to Europe via Cyprus is a serious
alternative that should be considered. He
also said that there is an alternative energy project planned to bring
electricity from Israel to Cyprus through an underwater cable.
On the issue of the water pumped to the
occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey, Akıncı said that the project can be
expanded to supply water to the whole island.
Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side
continues to remain committed and determined in reaching a settlement on the
island, Akinci hoped that the Greek Cypriot side too will continue to remain
committed to achieving that goal. Pointing out that it is their aim to
transform Cyprus into an island of peace in 2016; Akinci underlined the
importance of reaching a viable and sustainable settlement.
Responding
to a question as to whether or not a referendum is in sight for June this year,
Akinci said that he does not know if that will be possible. However he said
that the goal is to reach a settlement as soon as possible.
“The upcoming elections in South Cyprus
(editor’s note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus) as well as the current
Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis’ candidacy for the chairman of
the UN General Assembly could impact the process. That is why we were wishing
for an early solution”, he said.
Stating
that there still remain obstacles in the talks that need to be overcome, Akinci
said that it will be wrong to say that everything is picture perfect in the
negotiations process. “Nevertheless we are cautiously optimistic” he said.
Meanwhile, Akinci met with the British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday
within the framework of the Davos World Economic Forum Congress. Although no
statement was released after the meeting, Akinci,
who spoke to the press later, said that the meeting was conducted in a friendly
atmosphere and they had exchanged views with regards to the negotiation
process.
He added
that the British Prime Minister extended the UK’s support to the talks.
5. Akinci
met with CHP foreign relations committee
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 25.01.16), the Turkish
Republican People’s Party (CHP) has expressed support to Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci in the Cyprus negotiations process.
A delegation from the CHP’s foreign
relations committee, which is currently in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus for a series of contacts, met today with Akinci.
The chairman of the committee OzturkYilmaz,
who is leading the delegation, presented Akinci with a letter from the CHP
leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu conveying his best wishes. Yilmaz said that they are
in the “TRNC” to personally see the level of progress in the ongoing
negotiations process.
Stating that the Cyprus issue is a national
cause for his party, Yilmaz expressed the CHP’s support to Akinci in the
ongoing talks.
Akinci, for
his part, stated that Kilicdaroglu in his letter had reiterated his support for
a settlement in Cyprus which safeguarded the freedom, political equality and
security of the Turkish Cypriot “people”. “We hope that all parties within the
Turkish Grand National Assembly express the same kind of support. The time for
a solution in Cyprus has come”, said Akinci, claiming that the Turkish Cypriots
had laid the foundations of a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation in Cyprus in
1974.
He however
pointed out although the physical boundaries of such a settlement have been
created, the legal basis and its international acceptance have not been
achieved.
Stating that important progress has been
achieved in the talks, Akinci expressed the hope that 2016 will be the year a
settlement will be reached on the island. Expressing the wish that Turkey too
will benefit from a settlement on the island, Akinci said that Turkey is the most important country in the region and
that any settlement to be reached on the island will reshape the Eastern
Mediterranean’s energy policies.
Akinci also said that he is happy to see
that the Cyprus problem ceased to be exploited for domestic politics in Turkey.
6. Siber
addressed the 11th Conference of PUOICM
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 25.01.16), the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus is being represented at the 11th Conference of the Parliamentary
Union of the OIC Member States (PUOICM).
The self-styled speaker of the parliament
SibelSiber and an accompanying delegation from the “parliament” are attending
the meetings in Bagdad.
The “TRNC
parliamentary delegation” headed by Siber and which consists of the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) “deputy” HuseyinErcal, the Democrat Party National Forces
(DP) “deputy” FikriAtaoglu and the Social Democratic Party (TDP) “deputy”
HuseyinAngolemli travelled to Bagdad together with the Speaker of the Turkish
Grand National Assembly Ismail Kahraman and a delegation from the Turkish
Parliament.As part of her contacts, Siber delivered a
speech at the conference today.
The
delegation, who attends the PUOICM meetings as an observer, will also hold meetings
with the Speakers of Parliament of the participating countries.
7. Delegation
of the so-called assembly carries out contacts in Brussels
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 25.01.16), a delegation from the so-called assembly of the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus is in Brussels for a
series of contacts with EU officials.
The delegation is made up of Republican
Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) “deputy” ArmaganCandan, the National Unity
Party (UBP) “deputy” Ergun Serdaroglu, the Democrat Party-National Forces
(DP-UG) “deputy” Hasan Tacoy and the Social Democratic Party (TDP “deputy”
ZekiCeler.
The delegation, which will be holding
contacts at the European Parliament and Commission, will be meeting with
representatives and MEPs from the Christian Democrats, the Socialists and
Democrats, the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists, the Liberals, the
Freedom and Direct Democracy and the Greens groups.
The
delegation is expected to take up issues such as the ongoing Cyprus
negotiations process, the EU’s financial and technical contributions to a
settlement in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots’ harmonization process to the EU.
Efforts to
make Turkish an official EU language in line with an initiative launched by the
Greek Cypriot side is also expected to be discussed during the meetings.
Candan will also be participating a meeting
of the Socialist Democrats as an observer.
8. Biden
appreciates Turkey’s critical role on the Cyprus issue
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(23.01.16), U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, during a joint news conference with
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul on Saturday, commenting also
on the Cyprus problem, said: “How much I appreciate your commitment to try to
end years of deadlock, conflict in Cyprus”.
Biden said that he had separate meetings in
Davos this past week with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Cyprus
President Nikos Anastasiades. He added that both parties are heading toward a
negotiation agreement and appreciated Turkey's "critical role". Biden also thanked Davutoglu for his strong
support for the solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that the solution of the
Cyprus problem will strengthen the energy security of Europe.
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 23.01.16)
reported that Davutoglu, for his part, thanked Biden for visiting Cyprus,
adding that the United States will have an important role in the Cyprus peace
talks. He also said: “We hope to reach a permanent solution in Cyprus in the
following days, weeks or months. I thank the US Vice President Joe Biden and
his team for their fruitful meetings”.
Biden also met Turkish President
RecepTayyip Erdogan. The meeting was closed to the press.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 25.01.16) reports that Turkey
and the United States are singing the same tune on a number of key regional
issues including a Turkish military camp on Iraqi soil and the total closure of
a key stretch of the Turkish border with Syria, but they remain in disagreement
over the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in northern Syria, following Biden’s
official visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Turkey.
Washington recognized the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey was as much of a threat to Ankara as
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Biden said.
9. Davutoglu
on the Cyprus problem
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 23.01.16), the Turkish Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who has reiterated his country’s desire to join the
European Union, said that Ankara is fully aware of the obstacle the Cyprus
problem poses in achieving that goal.
Speaking in an interview to the German
Press Agency, Davutoglu said that becoming a full member to the European Union
is a strategic objective for Turkey. “Yes. This is not only a desire. This is a
strategic objective for us. Of course, we know the difficulties like the Cyprus
question. There will be a positive
development in the Cyprus question to find a final resolution. There has been a
very positive momentum in EU-Turkish relations in the last three months.
And at the end of all these improvements, I am sure, Turkey, one day, will be a
member of the EU”, he added.
10. Commentary:
Political resolve fuels hope over Cyprus
Columnist SelinNaci, writing in Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.01.16), reports in her following
commentary that 2016 marks a critical year for Cyprus:
“Turkey has made a diplomatic jumpstart to
2016.
The settlement of dormant conflicts gained
momentum with the Nov. 24, 2015, downing of a Russian jet as Turkey felt the
urge to enhance its security ties with NATO and reinvigorate negotiations for
EU membership while seeking ways to mend the broken ties with countries such as
Israel and Egypt in order to diversify its economic markets and energy
resources.
In this
context, the Cyprus issue, which continues to loom over Ankara’s potential EU
membership, has regained importance. The settlement of the Cyprus conflict is
crucial in terms of maintaining security in the Mediterranean during such a
tumultuous period. It will also provide a healthier ground for energy
cooperation between Turkey and Israel and thus contribute to Europe’s energy
security.
Will peace find a chance?
Long-stalled peace talks have been
reinvigorated following Mustafa Akinci’s election as northern Cypriot president
(editor’s note: Turkish Cypriot leader) last April. Akinci’s goodwill and faith
in the reunification of Cyprus found resonance with his Greek Cypriot
counterpart, Nikos Anastasiades.
The synergy between the two has even
enabled them to set a timeline for the resolution of the Cyprus conflict by
March. Indeed, as a result of intense negotiations, the parties have reached a
common understanding on the main issues – even if they are still short of full
agreement.
In this respect, the declarations made by
Akinci and Anastasiades at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week were
encouraging. (…)
Amid the good news from Davos, Turkey
hosted last week U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who is known for his close ties
with the Greek lobby and his efforts for the resolution of Cyprus. During a
joint press meeting, Turkish Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu thanked Biden for visiting Cyprus in 2014 and said the
U.S. would play an important role in Cyprus peace talks.
Indeed, with the wind at his back following
the Iranian nuclear deal, the settlement
of the Cyprus issue presents an opportunity for U.S. President Barack Obama to
build on his legacy before he leaves office.
Just as diplomatic efforts over Cyprus are
accelerating, Istanbul Kultur University’s Global Political Trends Centre
organized a roundtable meeting last week hosting Andros Kyprianou,
general-secretary of the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), who was
scheduled to have a meeting with both the Prime Minister and the Foreign
Ministry the next day.
When asked about the current state of the
peace talks, Kyprianou said he remained hopeful, while underlining three focal
points requiring settlement: power sharing, property rights and security.
According to Kyprianou, the sides have
largely reached a consensus on how to share executive power. However, little
progress has been made regarding the property rights of refugees.
The people who lost their homes have three
options ahead – return, resettlement or compensation.
Kyprianou said the amounts of compensation
proffered by the leaders are an exaggeration, and claims that without knowing
the number of people who would apply for the compensation option; it is not
possible to determine the exact amount to be paid as compensation.
Since neither the Greek nor the Turkish
side are able to undertake the financial burden of compensation, they have both
turned to third parties such as the EU and the U.S. for financial assistance –
something that Kyprianou describes as the cost of peace in Cyprus.
As for the most troubling part of the
negotiations, security, Kyprianou particularly emphasizes the future positions
of the guarantor states.
Despite the sincere commitment of the
parties, it would seem unlikely that a settlement will be reached before the
Greek Cypriot parliamentary elections in May. However, shared economic and security interests in the region create a
strong incentive for all parties to benefit from the resolution of the Cyprus
issue. Particularly, diplomatic resolve of the parties presents an
unprecedented window of opportunity that shouldn’t go wasted.
Thus, 2016 marks a critical year for
Cyprus.”
11. Turkish
Cypriot columnist: “Great progress has been achieved on the property, the
chapter will be closed within a month”
Writing in her column in Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (25.01.16), columnist EsraAygin reports that great progress has been achieved in the property
chapter during the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem
and that “it seems that this chapter has come to the point of being completed
within a month the most”.
Under the title “The last level in the
negotiations”, the columnist writes, inter alia, the following:“[…] The sides, which started the
negotiations in the property chapter with positions very different from each
other, are in a consensus now on how the
property problem should be solved. In the negotiations, in parallel to criteria such as that the property should be vacant in
order for being included in the properties to be returned and that no
development should have been made on it, the criterion that the person who
demands the return should have an emotional bond with the property has been
decided, that is, he should have considered this property as ‘home’ for a
period. The experts agree that the
number of the Greek Cypriots who will gain the right of return within the
framework of the emotional bond [criterion] does not exceed the few thousands.
The day when Property Commission to be
established with the solution solves all the property applications on the basis
of the criteria set by the sides, it has
become definite with the conditions of the agreement that the majority of
population in the Turkish Cypriot founding state will belong to the Turkish
Cypriots.The fact that majority of property in the Turkish Cypriot founding
state will belong to the Turkish Cypriots is guaranteed by leaving the power of
regulating the rules of acquiring a property to the founding states. […]
Meanwhile, in case of a solution, Turkey will be treated before federal
Cyprus as an EU member state, but in case of granting citizenship it is noted
that the 4 to 1 Greek-Turkish balance will be protected. […]
It is noted
that one month period is mostly needed for the property chapter coming to the
point of being closed. […]
How the
process will advance from now on depends very closely on the signal which the
Greek Cypriot side will take from Turkey on the issue of guarantees. […]
Actually, neither the Turkish Cypriot side
nor the Greek Cypriot side are expecting for the issue of guarantees to endanger
the negotiations. The continuation
without a change of the 1960 guarantees’ structure is not realistic, when
it is taken into consideration the fact that the political equality of the
Turkish Cypriots is guaranteed and reference is made to a Turkish Cypriot
entity that will be much stronger and equal in the new federal Cyprus, and will
possess the one of the two federal states of a federation which is member of
the EU. However, the Turkish Cypriot
side is not expected to totally abandon Turkey’s guarantees. Among the
formulas which could be found are alternatives such as guarantee structures
which do not have armies and include sanctions and embargoes or temporary
unilateral guarantee structures. […]”
(I/Ts.)
12.
Izcan described the meetings at Davos as an important development for the
solution of the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (25.01.16) reports that IzzetIzcan,
chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), evaluated in a written statement the
results of the Davos summit and said that important steps were taken at Davos
for the peace in Cyprus.
According to Izcan, in the framework of the efforts exerted for “2016 to become the year of
peace in Cyprus”, very important steps were taken at Davos and at the same time
a lot of important meetings towards the Cyprus problem had taken place. “Our
duty is to evaluate the opportunities arisen in front of us”, said Izcan and
added that his party will continue supporting all the steps towards the peace and
solution.
Evaluating
as a very important development for the solution of the Cyprus problem all the
meetings that took place at Davos between the two leaders, as well as with the
UN’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Izcan said: “An early solution would be for
the benefit and interest of the other side as well”.
Referring to the issue of the natural
gas, Izcan stressed the need for the revenues of the natural gas to be used for
the economic development of Cyprus to be after the solution and not for
military purposes.
Stating that they are pleased from the
fact that a remarkable progress has been achieved on the 4 out of the 6
chapters of the Cyprus problem at the negotiation talks, Izcan stressed the
need for the two leaders to continue the negotiation progress with the same
decisiveness and good will, in order as he said, to be able to achieve progress
at the remaining chapters.
(AK)
13. Turkey’s
MFA press release regarding Greek Defence Minister’s statements
According to the official website of
Turkey’s MFA (http://www.mfa.gov.tr), the
following press release was issued on January 23. 2016 regarding the statements
of the Greek Defence Minister Kammenos:
“We regret the statements of Mr Kammenos,
Minister of National Defence of Greece, at a press conference held on 18
January 2016, following his meeting with the Minister of Defence of the Greek
Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (editor’s note: as they refer to the
Cyprus Defence Minister), who visited Athens.
We condemn
his baseless and unethical expressions uttered after the meeting concerning our
country and the Cyprus issue.
At a
time when a positive atmosphere prevails in Turkish-Greek relations and in
Cyprus towards a comprehensive settlement, the
improper statements of the Minister of National Defence of Greece at the press
conference, give the impression that he is uncomfortable with this positive
atmosphere. We strongly reject his ill-considered statements constituting a
paradigm of irresponsibility.
We
expect the Greek authorities to act with a befitting sense of governmental
responsibility and refrain from statements that may damage the atmosphere of
collaboration that we are trying to cultivate between our countries.”
14.Seventeen thousand foreigners bought property in the
breakaway regime during the last sixteen years
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.01.16) reports that according to information
by the “ministry of interior”, the immovable property sold to foreigners in the
breakaway regime has been increased in the last 16 years and notes that between
2000-2015, almost 20,000 Turkish and foreign citizens have applied to buy
property in the occupied area of Cyprus and property was sold to 17,000
foreigners.
According
to the paper, there was an extreme rise in selling properties to foreigners
especially after 2003-2004. In the period 1974-2002 only 1,859 foreigners
applied for buying property in the breakaway regime, while the applications
between 2003 and October 2015 rose to 16,453.
The paper
writes that the total number of foreign buyers is 16,927 and adds that they
prefer to buy are apartments, building plots and fields.
(CS)
15.SerdarDenktas
called the Turkish Cypriots to evaluated well the text of the agreement to be
for the solution of the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Democrat Bakis
newspaper (25.01.15) reports that SerdarDenktas,
chairman of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG), in statements during
a visit he paid in the occupied villages of Limnitis and PotamostouKambou,
evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and called all the
“Turkish Cypriot citizens” to evaluate very well the text (plan) of the final
agreement to be for the solution of the Cyprus problem and then decide whether
to say “yes” or “no” to the referendum.
Reminding
of the fact that the whole international community respected the “no” vote of
the Greek Cypriot side at the referendum for the Annan plan, Denktas stressed
the need for the decision of the Turkish Cypriots in a possible new plan to be
respected as well.
Reiterating
that the “TRNC citizens” would reject any solution which would not envisage the
existence of Turkey’s effective and active guarantees,
Denktas argued that the principle of the “political equality” and “sovereignty”
are not protected well at the negotiating table.
On the property issue, Denktas alleged
that those who will lose their properties will become poor.
Also, on the territory issue, Denktas
said that the approach that the Turkish Cypriots would become refugees again
should be abolished. “All these are sensitive issues for our people. Nobody should expect from the Turkish
Cypriots that they would approve a solution which would not take into
consideration their sensitivities”, Denktas added.
(AK)
16. Ozersay started visiting occupied villages in the breakaway
regime spreading his political views
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (25.01.16) reports that KudretOzersay, the
chairman of the newly established People’s Party (HP) heading a delegation
started visited various villages in the occupied area of Cyprus informing the
inhabitants about the party’s positions in various issues.
The
delegation launched its visits in the occupied villages of Zodia and Potamos
and the persons who live in the villages asked
Ozersay what will happen to the villages in case a solution is reached
and the area would be under Greek Cypriot administration and the inhabitants
would have to abandon the area, as it is said.
“We must come to a decision. This area is a part of our country
and we without taking a stance against the solution we should try to create the
structure of its development”, he stated and added that people should not
listen to speculations and work to improve their lives and the area.
(CS)
17.Caglar
due to Strasburg for PACE’s meeting
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspaper (25.01.16) reports that Mehmet
Caglar, “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), has
departed for Strasburg in order to attend the winter session meeting of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The
meeting with take place between January 25-29.
Caglar is expected to return to the
occupied area of Cyprus on January 30 after completing his contacts in France.
(AK)
18. Colak
met with the Vice President of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (23.01.16)
reported that self-styled foreign minister EmineColak met with the Vice
President of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Gaye Doganoglu and her accompanying delegation.
“The President of the Turkish Cypriot
association of municipalities (KTBB)”, so-called mayors of the occupied village
of Gunyeli mayor Ahmet Y. Benli and occupied Morphou mayor MahmutOzcinar were
also present at the meeting.
In her speech during the reception, Doganoglu expressed her pleasure for being
in the “TRNC” and also stated that the status of delegation and representation
was given back to “KTBB” last year at the Council of Europe Congress of Local
and Regional Authorities, adding that this is a welcoming development.
Colak, for her part, referring to the
return of the status back to “KTBB” last year at the Council of Europe Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities, said that this will provide more active participation of the “Turkish Cypriot
local administrators” in the meetings and added that this is a gratifying
development.
19. Legal action may be taken against academicians in the
occupied area of Cyprus who signed the “Academics for Peace” initiative
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (24.01.16) reported that legal action may be taken for academicians in the occupied area of
Cyprus and signed a petition of the
“Academics for Peace” initiative.
Legal
action against the Turkish academicians who signed the petition was taken in
Turkey.
The
petition was signed by more than 1,000 Turkish and international academics
calling on the Turkish government to end the security operations being
committed in southeastern Anatolia and to return to table for talks to resolve
the Kurdish issue.
Afrika noted that the academicians in Turkey lost their jobs anf
faced criminal accusations and wonders what actions will be taken for the
Turkish Cypriot intellectuals, academicians, writers and artists who also
signed the petition.
(CS)
20. CHP
delegation to pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus as peace deal
on the horizon
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 24.01.16), a delegation of the
main opposition party Republican People's Party (CHP) is to have talks at the
start of the week with leading political figures in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus as expectations for a deal between the Turkish and Greek
Cyprus sides on the divided island are on the rise.
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci,
self-styled parliament speaker SibelSiber, self-styled prime minister Omer
SoyerKalyoncu and former Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu are among the
figures the delegation will meet with during their illegal visit, which is to
start early on Monday.
Both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots have
spoken positively about the ongoing peace talks that restarted several weeks
after Akinci was elected “president”, in April last year.
The main opposition party delegation,
composed of the party's members on the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs
Commission, will be headed by OzturkYilmaz, Turkey's former Consul General in
Mosul. Ahmet Akın, MevlutDudu, SerkanTopal, ErenErdem and OguzKaanSalici are
other CHP Deputies who are part of the delegation for the two-day visit.
Yılmaz, who was held captive for more than
three months in 2014 by the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) when it captured Mosul, is the only person who had a diplomatic career
among the CHP Deputies in the Foreign Affairs Commission.
The delegation is to return to Turkey on
Tuesday evening.
21.
Omer Nasit the new chairman of DEV-IS trade union
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(24.01.16) reported that DEV-IS trade
union in the occupied area of Cyprus held its 18th ordinary general
congress during the week-end.
According to the paper, Omer Nasit has been elected as the new
chairman of the union.
(AK)
22. Biden
highlights the need for freedom of speech in Turkey; Erdogan: “Terror
propaganda beyond limits of free speech”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
23.01.16) reports that U.S. Vice
President Joe Biden highlighted the need for freedom of speech and press in his
address in Turkey to NGOs and reporters on Jan. 22, as he also backed a group
academics who are under fire after a petition. “Two of the most important
basic rights we Americans believe and your Constitution says are basic,
fundamental rights,” Biden said.
“If you don’t have an ability to express
your opinion, to criticize a policy, to offer competing ideas without fear of
intimidation or retribution, the country is robbed of opportunity and the
country is being robbed of possibilities,” he said.
Biden said that free expression and a
strong Turkish democracy matter “not only to Turks but to America as well”.
During his speech, Biden mentioned Turkey’s
occasional moves to restrict social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
“When internet freedom is curtailed and social media sites like YouTube or
Twitter are shut down and more than 1,000 academics are accused of treason
simply by signing a petition, that’s not the kind of example that needs to be
set in the region,” he said.
On the same
issue, HDN (online, 24.01.16) reported that conducting terrorist propaganda is beyond the limits of free speech,
President RecepTayyip Erdogan has stressed during a meeting with Biden, a day
after the latter emphasized the need for freedom of speech and press in Turkey
in an address to NGOs and reporters.
During their 2.5-hour meeting in Istanbul, Erdogan reportedly called for more
“sensitivity” from ally countries in Turkey’s “fight against terror”, and asked
that they avoid statements in support of groups that “try to undermine”
Turkey’s efforts.
23.Demirtas
and Yuksekdag re-elected as HDP co-chairs
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(24.01.16), Selahatin Demirtas and Figen
Yuksekdag have been re-elected as co-chairs of opposition Peoples’ Democratic
Party (HDP) during the party’s general congress held on Sunday in Ankara.
Yuksekdag and Demirtas managed to secure
the votes of 624 delegates out of the 626 who voted. There are a total of 1049
HDP delegates. The election also saw 76 members of the 100-seat party council
replaced. Founded in 2012, the HDP has 59 Deputies in the 550-seat Turkish
parliament.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (online,
23.01.16) reported that Demirtas, speaking
at the sixth Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), said on Saturday that he is “proud to be a traitor”, amid ongoing
criticism against him and his party for failing to put distance between
themselves and the PKK terrorist organization.
"We would be proud to be regarded
as traitors in such a fascist state," Demirtas told the audience.
Moreover, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 24.01.16) reported that Demirtas
said that the HDP will be part of a commission that will be set up with the participation
of the political parties represented in Parliament for talks to reform the
current Constitution.
Speaking at his party's second ordinary
congress on Sunday, Demirtas emphasized that despite the fact that the HDP has
radically different ideas from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) about the principles to be included in the new Constitution, such as the
definition of equality and justice, his political party will take its place in
the planned commission.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
