TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
03/16 06-07.01.2016
1. Bozkir:
Very important developments await the “TRNC” and Turkey in 2016
2. Bozkir:
“2016 is an important year”
3. Talat
met with Turkes in Ankara
4. Turkes
will visit the breakaway regime
5. Ozersay
established the People’s Party in the breakaway regime
6. The
water from Turkey has started flowing in the occupied Panagra Dam again; The
political crisis on the water management still goes on
7. A land
of 16.5 km2 belonging to Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus has come into Turkish possession since 2006
8. The
“ombudsman” has launched investigation against the so-called council of
ministers’ decision
9. Ankara
looks to strengthen ties with EU during the Dutch presidency
10.
Davutoglu: Ball in Parliament’s court on new Constitution
1. Bozkir:
Very important developments await the “TRNC” and Turkey in 2016
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 06.01.16), Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator
VolkanBozkir paid illegal visits to “ government officials” in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus on Wednesday morning.
First, he met with the Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci. Self-styled foreign minister EmineColak, the illegal
Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of LefkosiaDeryaKanbay, Turkish Cypriot
negotiator OzdilNami, Akinci’s undersecretary GurdalHudaoglu, self-styled
foreign ministry undersecretary ErhanErcin, Akinci’s spokesman BarisBurcu and a
delegation that accompanied. Bozkır to the occupied area of Cyprus were all
present at the meeting.The press were only allowed to record some footage
before the meeting that took place behind closed doors.
After Bozkir concluded his visit with
Akinci, he met self-styled parliamentary speaker SibelSiber.
In a statement he made during the visit,
Bozkir said that as the EU Affairs Minister of the 64th government of Turkey he
was very pleased and honoured to be visiting the “TRNC” (editor’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).
Noting that
very important developments awaited the “TRNC” and Turkey in 2016, Bozkir said
that in respect to the solution process on the island a very important phase
has been reached in Cyprus and added that Turkey’s EU membership negotiations
process has also reached a new platform.
Pointing to the importance of visiting the
“TRNC” prior to his visit to Europe, the Turkish Minister said that he first
wanted to exchange views in the “TRNC” before going to Europe and expressed the
hope that the expectations of the “TRNC” are met in the near future.
He also
voiced his desire for the “TRNC” to take part as a new founding partner in a
bizonal, bicommunal new Cyprus State based on political equality.
Siber, for her part, said that important
developments in 2016 are a joint desire of the two “countries”. “We want to
reach a bizonal, bicommunal solution based on political equality. Despite the
negative remarks made by the Greek Cypriot Parliamentary Speaker (editor’s
note: as he refers to the House Speaker of the Republic of Cyprus) regarding
the Cyprus issue, we generally use the language of peace”, Siber argued.
“We expect the Greek Cypriot Parliament and
other Greek Cypriot officials to show respect to our rights”, said Siber and
added that the Turkish Cypriot “people” want a solution where they will not
feel as though they are a minority. “We want a solution where we will feel
safe. That’s the only time we will say yes to a solution”, Siber noted.
Bozkir also met with self-styled prime
minister Omer Kalyoncu. During his visit with Kalyoncu, the Turkish Minister
said that he wants to show the importance he gives to Cyprus before he goes to
Europe and touches upon Turkey and “TRNC” EU harmonization workings. “Over 250
EU reform laws have been prepared and we are prepared to give every kind of support
to the ‘TRNC’ during their EU harmonization efforts”, said Bozkir.
Kalyoncu, for his part, pointed to the
infrastructure workings that are taking place regarding the European Union and
added that what is important is to find a solution to the Cyprus problem first.
Bozkir then paid a visit to Colak and held
a meeting with her during a working lunch.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
YeniDuzen (07.01.16) reports that during her meeting with Bozkir, Colak
expressed her pleasure to meet with the EU Minister Bozkir and his delegation,
adding that their meeting will consist of three main headings. Colak stated
that they will discuss the role of the EU in the ongoing negotiation process,
as well as the committee which is established under the umbrella of the
negotiations, adding that they will engage in an exchange of views regarding
what sorts of legislations are necessary from the “TRNC government and
parliament” to expedite the process. Stating that she will also inform EU
Minister Bozkir regarding the issues which may potentially arise during the
settlement and post settlement processes, Colak thanked Minister Bozkir and his
delegation for their cooperation. Colak concluded by saying that she wants to
be briefed by Bozkir on his contacts in the EU.
In the afternoon he further met with the
self-styled public works, environment and cultural minister KutluEvren and
self-styled communications minister TahsinErtugruloglu respectively.
Bozkir also gave a conference titled
‘Political Science and International Relations’ at the illegal Girne American
University (GAU), where he received the title of honorary PHD from “GAU’s
senate”.
(DPs)
2.Bozkir:
“2016 is an important year”
Under the front page title: “2016 is an important year”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.01.16) reports that Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator VolkanBozkir, in
statements to illegal Bayrak television, expressed the view that 2016 will be an important year not
only for the Cyprus problem but also for Turkey’s EU negotiation process.
Stating that Turkey’s ties with the
“TRNC” are based on healthy conditions,
Bozkir added that their first priority is to support the “TRNC” in all matters.
“There were a lot of important developments in 2015, our expectations continue
for this year as well. The Cyprus problem exists for 50 years now and for
various reasons it was not possible to be solved. Even the Berlin wall has
fallen; it is not right for Cyprus to be divided”, Bozkir said.
Supporting
that the Cyprus problem has reached to a point that is possible to be solved,
Bozkir added that the natural gas and the water transferred from Turkey are
important factors as well.
Stating
that many hopes exist that the Cyprus problem will be solved this year, Bozkir
recalled that if the two leaders agree on a final text, this would be set to a
referendum.
Bozkir
also pointed to the importance of reaching to a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution
based on the political equality of the two communities in the island and reiterated
Turkey’s full support to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Evaluating Turkey’s EU negotiation
process and its connection with the Cyprus negotiation process, Bozkir alleged that the Cyprus problem and
Turkey’s EU bid are two separate matters in spite of the fact that the Greek
Cypriot side exerted efforts to connect them.
He
further said that if the Cyprus problem is solved, then Turkey’s EU negotiation
process will progress as well. Bozkir also added that the solution of the
Cyprus problem is amongst Turkey’s priorities and said that the solution will
please Turkey.
(AK)
3. Talat met with Turkes in Ankara
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (06.01.16) reported that the leader of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat paid a one day visit to Ankara
on Tuesday in order to participate in a round table meeting on the Cyprus
problem organized by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV).
Talat met
during his visit to Ankara with Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and Responsible
of Cyprus Affairs TugrulTurkes. Speaking to YeniDuzen after the meeting, Talat
stated that they discussed with Turkes the developments on the Cyprus problem,
the issue of the administration of the water transferred from Turkey and the
economic reforms that are needed to take place in the breakaway regime.
Reporting
on Talat’s visit to Ankara, Kibrisli (06.01.16) reported that Talat also met
with the former Speaker of the Turkish Assembly CemilCicek.
(CS)
4.Turkes will visit the breakaway regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.01.16) reports that Deputy Prime Minister
of Turkey and Responsible of Cyprus Affairs TugrulTurkes, will visit the
breakaway regime next week.
Turkes made
this statement during a meeting he held with the leader of the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat in Ankara.
(CS)
5.Ozersay established the People’s Party in the breakaway
regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.01.16) reports that KudretOzersay established
a new political party in the occupied area of Cyprus under the name “the
People’s Party” (HP).
The motto
of the new party is “New policy with the will of the people”.
Speaking
during a press conference Ozersay stated that the new political formation was
born out of the need for a new political understanding. “The aim of the
People’s Party is to create a democratic, secular, open and accountable party
which protected people’s basic rights”, he stated.
Refering to
the Cyprus problem, Ozersay stated that the party will support a solution “that
will be accepted by the two peoples on the island”. “A balanced solution that
protects the rights and interests of the two peoples on the island and where
there are no losers is what the People’s Party supports”, he added.
(CS)
6.The
water from Turkey has started flowing in the occupied Panagra Dam again; The
political crisis on the water management still goes on
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(07.01.15) reports that BirolCinar,
“director of the water transferred project in the TRNC”, in statements to the
paper, said that all technical problems
appeared recently with the flowing of the water from Turkey to the occupied
Panagra dam were solved and as of last Monday, the water flowing continues
constantly in the dam.
Stating
that in case no other technical problems appear, the dam will totally fill up
in four months, Cinar said alleging that Turkey’s State Water Affairs Department
(DSI) will cover all the cost until the filling up of the dam and also all the
electricity cost expenses.
Meanwhile,
the paper adds that although the technical problems were almost overpassed, the
political crisis towards the issue of the water management continues.
In statements on the water management
crisis, so-called minister of
agriculture, natural resources and food, ErkutSahalli, said that their efforts
towards solving this issue has not yield to a result yet. He proposed the issue
to be solved thought a mechanism envisaging cooperation and partnership of the
private-state sectors and clarified that it is out of question for them to
accept any impositions towards the water management.
(AK)
7. A
land of 16.5 km2 belonging to Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus has come into Turkish possession since 2006.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.01.16)
reports that the “immovable property commission” established by Turkey in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus announced that land of 16.5 km2 belonging
to Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has come into
Turkish possession since 2006.
AyferErkmen, “vice president” of the
“commission” announced that since 2006, 6,250 persons have applied to the
“immovable property commission” and only 730 cases of them have been concluded.
Noting that until today 220 million British
sterling were paid to the applicants as compensation by the “commission”,
Erkmen added that around to 50 more cases that have been concluded will also be
compensated. He explained that there is a delay due to some works in the
“finance ministry” and added that the payments are around to 50 million British
sterling.
Erkmen said that during the meetings the
Greek Cypriot property owners have with the “ministry of interior” under the
name of “friendly settlement”, in case there is an agreement on the price
issue, the “immovable property commission” starts its investigations.
Erkmen explained that in case the
“commission” considered it appropriate, then the process starts at the “land
registry office. He added that with the signature of the documents, the Greek
Cypriot property becomes automatically a Turkish property and at the same time,
the person who lives inside this property becomes the owner of the property.
Erkmen announced that 16.5 km2 of Greek Cypriot immovable property
has passed into Turkish land property.
Erkmen concluded by saying that 5,520
applications are still pending.
(DPs)
8.The
“ombudsman” has launched investigation against the so-called council of
ministers’ decision
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi
newspaper (07.01.16) reports that the
so-called council of ministers has decided to provide to a foreign company the
control-inspection services of the T&T airport company.
The
above foreign company will carry out inspections and controls to the T&T
airport company which undertook the management of the illegal Tymbou airport
with the build-operate transfer (BOT) model.
The
foreign company will provide services for a period of 50 months and this will
cost 11 million 250 thousand US dollars, writes the paper.
According to the paper, EmineDizdarli “ombudsman” in the occupied
area of Cyprus, reacted strongly over the decision of the “council of
ministers” to assign a foreign company for this matter and announced that they
had decided to launch an investigation since no tenders took place.
Dizdarli further said that the control
services could be provided by the “attorney general”, the “ombudsman” or other
organizations in the “TRNC”.
(AK)
9. Ankara
looks to strengthen ties with EU during the Dutch presidency
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 07.01.16)
reports that Ankara is hopeful that its
EU accession process will accelerate during the Netherlands' term in the
European Council presidency. The Dutch envoy to Ankara says that the
EU-Turkey summit held in Brussels last November restored trust and brought
fresh impetus to relations.
Dutch Ambassador KeesCornelis van Rij spoke
to officials in Ankara on Tuesday evening at an event organized by the Dutch
Embassy to commence the start of the Netherlands' term in presidency over the
European Council, which they will hold for the first half of 2016. Cornelis van
Rij said that the Dutch presidency is significant for the credibility of the EU
enlargement process and that the Netherlands anticipates the speeding up of
Turkey's accession process. "The EU-Turkey summit held in Brussels last
November restored trust and brought fresh impetus to relations between the two
countries," the newly appointed Ambassador said.
Turkey's EU
negotiation process began in Ankara with the previous Dutch presidency in 2004,
with officials now planning to open five additional policy chapters in the
first half of 2016. The Netherlands' work program focuses on four key areas,
including migration, international security, sound finances and a productive
Europe. These areas will focus on innovation, job creation and climate
and energy policies that focus on the future. "We welcome the European Commission's commitment to completion of
preparatory efforts in the first quarter of 2016 to open additional chapters,
including the crucial Chapter 23 and 24 on justice and fundamental
rights," van Rij said.
Ambassador Hansjörg Haber, head of the
European Union Delegation to Turkey, emphasized in his speech that Ankara and
the EU are committed to meeting deadlines and succeeding in the process with
emphasis on the implementation of standards and criteria rather than deadlines.
"Our plan is sincere, and so far [we are] convinced that the timeline we
have agreed on can actually be met. What we need under these conditions is very
close and trustful cooperation in both directions," he said.
Underlining that their government is aiming
to achieve reforms in various fields, including EU-related reforms, EU Minister
and Chief Negotiator VolkanBozkir said that the government has announced more
than 250 reform packages and reiterated its determination to achieve these
goals. "We take these steps for the European Union to make important
progress in many aspects in Turkey. Making progress according to the chapters
also affects the daily lives of Turkish citizens. Of course, what we will be
able to achieve in terms of reform will be one of the most important elements
to potentially change the negative concept of Turkey in the Western
world," Bozkir added.
10. Davutoglu:
Ball in Parliament’s court on new Constitution
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 07.01.16), the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) and two other opposition parties have
reached a consensus on a number of key issues necessary to produce a new
Constitution and now the Parliament is responsible for moving the process
forward, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated on Dec. 6.
“I think six months will be enough [to
write a new Constitution] when the current acquis on the matter is also
considered,” Davutoglu told press members.
“A new constitution was a priority among
our election pledges,” he said after meeting with Parliament Speaker Ismail
Kahraman earlier in the day.
Davutoglu
said that the Parliament Speaker would now be inviting the opposition parties,
including the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), to found commissions to conduct
work for a new charter.
The current number of seats of the AKP does
not allow it to produce a new Constitution on its own and so the text should be
a product of all parties in Parliament, he recalled.
As
expected, all three opposition parties expressed their objection to the adoption
of a presidential system and proposed instead to correct malfunctioning and
weaker parts of the existing parliamentary system.
The commission is planned to be composed of
members from all four parties equally, like similar previous commissions, but
uncertainty continues over whether it will have to take decisions unanimously
or by a simple majority vote.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AM)
