TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 28/16 11.02.2016
1.
Cavusoglu reiterated that the current opportunity in
Cyprus is the last chance for the solution of the Cyprus problem
2.
Evaluation of the contacts of Siber and the “assembly delegation” in Ankara
3. The debate on the water issue still continues
4. Ozgur: Bringing electricity with cable from Turkey
will trigger peace in Cyprus
5.
Ozgurgun argues that if there is a Cyprus settlement under the current
conditions, there will be a conflict in Cyprus
6. The Dutch Prime Minister expressed hopes towards
the developments on the Cyprus problem
7.
Incentive certificates in 43 investment projects in 2015
8.Illegal GAU university signed a cooperation
agreement with Kirgizstan’s State Law Academy
9. Erdogan to the US: “Hey America, you cannot make us
recognize neither the PKK nor the PYD and the YPG”
10. Erdogan and Davutoglu condemned the UN over the
refugee crisis
1.Cavusoglu reiterated that the current opportunity
in Cyprus is the last chance for the solution of the Cyprus problem
According to illegal Bayrak television (11.02.16) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
has said that the natural gas to be extracted in Cyprus has no other route than
Turkey and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side and Israel also shared the same
view. “Therefore all agreements signed in the past have no meaning”, he
alleged.
Touching
upon the Cyprus issue during a presentation he gave at the Plan and Budget
Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly yesterday, Cavusoglu stated
also the following: “Hopefully, this year will be a solution
year in Cyprus. We keep saying that the current opportunity in Cyprus should
not be missed. This is the last chance”.
Noting
that the negotiations process had been continuing in Cyprus, he said although
the two sides made progress on many issues, thorny issues like property and
territory still existed.
“The Immovable
Property Commission in the TRNC was established following the European Court of
Human Rights’ decision against Turkey. Thanks to this commission we have
managed to solve pretty much of this problem. If it had a better budget, more
cases could be solved. Especially after the economic crisis in south Cyprus,
the Greek Cypriot citizens wanted to take their money. We are also contributing
to the solution of the problem. We started to give water to the TRNC in
October. We want to increase the capacity of the water so that we can provide
water to south Cyprus and even to other countries in the region in the future.
Discussions over the management of water still continue”, Cavusoglu said.
“We
have registered Turkey’s rights on natural gas reserves in the region at the
United Nations. Therefore, no one can claim a right in the Eastern
Mediterranean without the existence of Turkey. We did this to defend the rights
of the TRNC when the Greek Cypriot side started bilateral drilling activities”,
Cavusoglu alleged.
Reiterating
Turkey’s full support for a solution in Cyprus which will be based on the UN
parameters and within the framework of a new partnership of two founding
states, Cavusoglu added:“Hopefully, 2016 will be a solution year in
Cyprus. We keep saying that the current opportunity in Cyprus should not be
missed. This
is the last chance”.
2. Evaluation of the
contacts of Siber and the “assembly delegation” in Ankara
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris (11.02.16) reports that the so-called assembly bureau
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus issued
yesterday a written statement evaluating the contacts that a delegation headed
by self-styled assembly speaker Sibel Siber carried out in Ankara. The
so-called assembly bureau announced that the Cyprus issue, the registration of
halloumi/hellim, the “law on citizenship” and the water issue were discussed
during the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
According
to the written statement, during the bilateral meetings of the Turkish Grand
National Assembly and the “TRNC assembly”, the issue of sharing information and
experience was discussed, as well as the need for increased cooperation. The
statement stated that they agreed also on the in-service training and enabling
information sharing of some committees. It also noted that an agreement was
taken towards enabling the information sharing between the EU Commission of the
Turkish Grand National Assembly and the “EU committee of the assembly”.
During
the meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey’s Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also participated. They exchanged views and evaluated
the issues of terrorism and refugees regarding the neighbourhood region. On the Cyprus issue, it was stressed once
more that the Turkish side continues to do its part on reaching a just solution
in Cyprus and this determination will continue.
The
statement added: “It is pleasing to see the positive reflection of the current
positive atmosphere on the peoples of the island towards reaching a viable,
comprehensive solution in Cyprus”.
During
the meeting with Erdogan, where the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National
Assembly Ismail Kahraman accompanied also the delegation, many issues were
discussed and particularly the Cyprus problem.
Emphasis was given on the point reached at the Cyprus talks and on the
issues of property and territorial adjustment, which are the most difficult of
the negotiation process. “During the meeting it was stated that the Greek
Cypriot side’s emphasis that the Annan Plan is not on the table naturally
involves the territorial adjustments. The importance of a solution to be found
in Cyprus should be based on the two founding states was also stressed”, the
statement read.
Discussing
the geographical protection of halloumi, it was explained that there are a lot
of difficulties in the exportation. It was also mentioned that the “citizenship
law” is in the agenda now of the “related assembly committee” and with this
“law” many people will gain the “citizenship right”. The statement said that
“it was stressed that giving citizenship to the rightful people is a major
human right”.
In
the meeting, Erdogan said that the water project is a huge project and the
water can be given also to “South Cyprus” (translator’s note: the government
controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) as a peace project.
(DPs)
3. The debate on the water issue still continues
Under the title “Harsh debate on the water”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (11.02.16) reports thatthe four self-styled ministers, who had visited Turkey to discuss the
issue of the water administration, returned to the occupied area of Cyprus with
two proposals, which they presented yesterday to the “cabinet”. First the “cabinet’ decided that they should
agree, but the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Mehmet Ali Talat
put forward the precondition that the “municipalities” should be persuaded,
something which, according to the paper, caused a “serious crisis” between the
CTP and its “coalition partner”, the National Unity Party (UBP).
The chairman of UBP, Huseyin Ozgurgun hastily convened a meeting of his “ministers”.During
the meeting, a briefing was asked by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister
responsible for Cypriot Affairs, Tugrul Turkes. They also called Talat, who told the UBP “ministers” that he
has no objection to the “government’s’ decision and that “if the municipalities
approve it by majority, they will have the authority”. This calmed down the
situation, but the chairmen of the two parties are expected to meet again today
to prevent the crisis from getting bigger.
According to the paper, two proposals came up during the four “ministers’” contacts in Turkey:
The one is the proposal that the
“ministry of finance” will guarantee the purchase of the water so that the cost
of the water not to be burdened by the consumers and the other is a proposal which ignores the powers of the
“municipalities” over the water and transfers the administration to the
“government” with an “international agreement”.
The CTP “ministers” totally rejected the second
proposal and the UBP “ministers” were not positive to the proposal providing
for the abolition of the “municipalities’ law” and powers on the water
administration.
A “purchase guarantee” was demanded by the “ministry
of finance”, because some “municipalities” rejected using the water and the
increased cost from the reduction of the demand would be loaded on the
shoulders of the population of the “municipalities” which will use the water.
Therefore, the water from Turkey will be
distributed to all areas which are included in the system and if the sales of
water are below the guaranteed quantity, the difference will be covered by the
regime’s “ministry of finance”. It is said that the “municipalities” of occupied
Nicosia, Gonyeli and Dikomo are not positive for being included in the system.
The crisis within the “government” was temporarily
overcome upon mediation by the self-styled ministers of interior, Asim Akansoy,
finance Birikim Ozgur and education Kemal Durust.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(11.02.16) reports that the four
“ministers” who had held contacts in Ankara on the issue of the water
administration briefed 28 “mayors” last night on the result of their
effort. After the meeting, the ‘mayor” of the occupied part of Nicosia, Mehmet Harmanci wrote in his social
media account that “in brief the
privatization of the administration of the water was accepted” and that the
choice given to the “municipalities” is “only on paper”.
Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper
(11.02.16) reports that according to information from “reliable sources” the agreement reached in Turkey provides
for the distribution and the collection of revenues in the water administration
by a private company or companies and “control” by the “TRNC state”.
The paper cites a statement made by the chairman of
the “Water Committee”, Bektas Goze who said that the water from Turkey stopped
flowing into the dam in the occupied Panagra village for the last one week,
because of “technical reasons”. Goze noted that the water will not flow into
the dam for a few more days.
(I/Ts.)
4. Ozgur: Bringing electricity with cable from
Turkey will trigger peace in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.16)
reports that the self-styled minister of finance of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of Cyprus, Birikim Ozgur
has recalled that Cyprus, Israel and Greece have recently launched a
cooperation on the issue of the use of energy in Eastern Mediterranean and
expressed the belief that the newly discovered energy resources will “seriously
contribute” in peace in the area.
In an interview with Anatolia news agency, Ozgur
evaluated the contacts which four self-styled ministers recently had in Ankara
regarding the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of the island
through undersea pipelines.
Recalling that Israel and Cyprus have launched a
project of interconnecting their electricity lines, Ozgur said:
“It is very
well known that the export way is not only for the natural gas, but it is at
the same time fertile with some developments such as turning the natural gas
into electricity and transferring it to Europe through Turkey. I can say the
following on this point: If an electricity cable project starts immediately
between Turkey and the TRNC and at the same time an equivalent step is taken,
we will seriously contribute in the project launched between south Cyprus and
Israel.It will also be a step which will help us entering into the
interconnected system in Eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, we want an
electricity cable which will be installed between Turkey and the TRNC”.
Arguing that this cable will contribute only to peace,
Ozgur alleged: “The electricity cable
between our countries will trigger the solution in the whole of Cyprus and
peace. We want this. Launching and completing this project is a matter of
prestige for our countries. Just like the water project”.
Ozgur
claimed that the only alternative of the Greek Cypriots on the energy issue is
cooperating with Turkey now and alleged that the Greek Cypriots realized that
“this is the way of reason”.
“With the electricity cable between the TRNC and Turkey, it will be possible to
transfer Eastern Mediterranean’s gas to Europe”, he argued pointing out to the
“serious energy import problem”, which Turkey and the regime are facing. He
said that with the electricity cable they will save a lot from the “national”
wealth.
Referring to the preparation of the Turkish Cypriots
for a possible solution of the Cyprus problem, Ozgur said that their motivation is very high for preparing for a
solution, but “we are working for a structural transformation in the economic
field with the aim of standing on our own feet either there is or there is not
a solution in Cyprus”. He noted that in case of a solution, the so-called
embargoes implemented on the “TRNC” will be lifted and they will be able to
benefit from more EU funds.
Referring
to the water issue, Ozgur said that within the forthcoming days an “agreement”
will be signed with Turkey that will be determining the rights and the
responsibilities of the enterprise which will be assigned with the duty of
administrating the water after the build-operate-transfer bid.
Ozgur argued that Turkey has fulfilled its obligations
as regards the project for transferring water to the occupied area of Cyprus
and pointed out that “this is the first time that water is transferred from one
country to another with undersea pipelines”.
Referring to the so-called economic program between
Turkey and the regime for the period 2016-2018, Ozgur argued that because of
the so-called isolation implemented on the “country” for many years, Turkey’s
donations and credits are important. Arguing that they need radical reforms, he
called on Turkey to conditionally support them in these reforms and after some
years to fully stop supporting them, as a result of establishing a system that
could stand on its own feet. “I think
that this will be an important move which will contribute to the solution and
peace in Cyprus”, he added.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Ozgurgun argues that if there is a Cyprus settlement under the current
conditions, there will be a conflict in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes (11.02.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the
National Unity Party (UBP), claimed that in case there is a Cyprus settlement
under the current conditions, then there will be a conflict in Cyprus. He
further said that the responsibility for the conflicts will be those who will
make the agreement, adding that this is clear that they are not
themselves.
Speaking
at a television programme, Ozgurgun noted that the Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci and his negotiating team have remained passive, adding that they
should give answers to all the statements that esteemed Anastasiades has made.
Commenting
on the issue of Turkey’s Cyprus policy, Ozgurgun said that if Turkey is removed
from them, then the course would become even much worse. He added that Turkey
has a lot of investments here (translator’s note: in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus) and one of them is the water project. He further said that
he has close contact with high officials in Turkey.
Furthermore,illegal
Bayrak television (online, 11.02.16) broadcast that Ozgurgun, referring to
their “government partnership”, said that they are not thinking about their
party interests but the interest of the public.
Touching
upon the “government workings”, Ozgurgun said that if the continuation of the
“current government” is desired then the mechanism must be more efficient.
“Both parties must show that they are here for the people and not for their own
interest. We are on the same page with our partner on this issue. We have 39
‘MP’s’ that means we have 75% of the sole of the ‘government’, meaning we can
do everything for the benefit of the ‘people’”, Ozgurgun added.
On
the water project, the UBP leader claimed that the water problem has been
solved by Turkey. “Turkey invested 1.5 billion Turkish liras and solved the
problem. This island is barren but we are lucky that Turkey realised such a
project” said Ozgurgun and added to waste such a thing would be a pity.
(DPs)
6.The
Dutch Prime Minister expressed hopes towards the developments on the Cyprus
problem
Under
the title: “A step by step progress has been achieved”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.16)
reports that the Dutch Prime Minister
Mark Rutte has stated that his country which holds the EU term Presidency,
follows closely the developments on the Cyprus negotiation talks, adding that
the process proceeds step by step.
Speaking
during a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Hague, Rutte replied to a
question concerning the solution of the Cyprus problem and said: “We are
hopeful towards the developments on the Cyprus problem. The ongoing process
proceeds step by step. And of course, as the EU term Presidency we follow
closely the developments. There are positive developments in Cyprus in this
period. We will together follow how this will proceed on in the following
months”, Rutte said.
(AK)
7.
Incentive certificates in 43 investment projects in 2015
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (11.02.16), the so-called state planning
organization (DPO) announced that incentive certificates were given to 43
investment projects in the fields of industry, tourism and education in 2015
within the scope of the “incentive law 47/2000”.
The
self-styled director of “DPO” Odul Muhtaroglu said that the number of incentive
certificates which were given in 2012 were 17, in 2013 21 and in 2014 22. He
explained that with the investments that will be completed as a result of the
43 incentive documents in 2015 approximately 1 billion 454 million 331
thousands 835 TL of fixed capital investment will be materialized. Fourteen of
the 43 investments will take place in the part of occupied Lefkosia, 10 in
occupied Famagusta, 8 in occupied Keryneia, 6 in occupied Morphou and 5 in
occupied Trikomo.
(DPs)
8.Illegal GAU university signed a cooperation
agreement with Kirgizstan’s State Law Academy
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.16)
reports that the Illegal American
University of Keryneia (GAU) has signed a cooperation agreement with
Kirgizstan’s State Law Academy (KSLA) which is one of the biggest and pioneer
universities of Kirgizstan.
According to the paper, the agreement envisages common work in the fields of academy and
culture.
The agreement was signed by the “rector” of the
illegal GAU Prof. Dr. Kutsal Ozturk and the rector of the KSLA, Prof. Dr. Kanat
K. Kerezbekov.
(AK)
9.Erdogan to the US: “Hey America, you cannot make
us recognize neither the PKK nor the PYD and the YPG”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.16) reported that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has publicly raised questions over the nature of bilateral
relations with the United States, as Washington has not categorized Syria’s
Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) as a terrorist organization.
“Are
you on our side or the side of the terrorist organizations?” Erdogan asked the
U.S. on Febryary 10, as
tensions between the two NATO allies have flared over the PYD, which Washington
supports in its struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) in Syria.
Turkey regards the PYD and its military wing, the
People’s Defense Units (YPG), as an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’
Party (PKK), which is designated as a terror organization by Turkey, the European
Union and the United States.
“Hey
America, you cannot make us recognize neither the PKK nor the PYD and the YPG,”
Erdogan said.
“We know these
[organizations] very well. We know Daesh very well too,” he said, using an
Arabic acronym for ISIL. “But since you haven’t been able to recognize them up
to this day, the region is drenched in blood,” Erdogan said, adding: “What kind of partnership is this? They are
keeping silent in front of us but in our absence they say ‘We don’t look it
that way’”.
10.Erdogan and Davutoglu condemned the UN over the
refugee crisis
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.16) reported
that the United Nations’ demand from
Turkey to open its border to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees massed on its
border has prompted a stern response from Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, who accused the world body of being ineffective over the refugee
crisis and not shouldering the burden like Turkey.
“The
event taking place in Syria has now turned into a deportation, genocide. It is
exemplary that those who regard refugees as bogeymen have turned a blind eye
and a deaf ear to the [Syrian President Bashar al-]Assad regime, which is the
reason for this problem. What does the United Nations say? ‘Open your door to
those massed at your door.’ What are you for then? What is your use? Is it that
easy?” Erdogan asked on February 10.
“We
have taken 3 million Syrians and Iraqis into our home. How many did you take?
Which country took them in?” he asked, adding that the U.N. had provided $455
million to Turkey compared to the $10 billion Turkey had spent on the refugees
since 2011.
Without openly naming them, Erdogan quoted foreign
officials as saying, “Bring your project, we will give support.”
“The project,
the income, the camps, everything is in the open. They are personally coming,
seeing and visiting and still saying ‘Bring a plan, bring a project.’ Give it
up, are you mocking us?” Erdogan asked.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (10.02.16) Turkish PM Ahmet
Davutoglu has lashed out at the United Nations after it demanded the country
open its borders to tens of thousands of more Syrian refugees, accusing it of
being “two-faced.”
“I
see calls by several parties including the United Nations Security Council that
do not move a finger to solve the crisis in Syria and that are not able to say
‘stop, that’s enough’ to Russian bombardments as two-faced,” Davutoglu said
during a press conference with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte in Hague.
Davutoglu underscored that no third party had a
bearing on Turkey’s decision to open its borders to tens of thousands amassing
on the Turkish border.
“The
Turkish-Syrian border as well as our hearts and our home are all open to
Syrians,” Davutoglu added.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/AM)
