TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 35/16 20-22.02.2016
1.
Erdogan “surprisingly” called Talat to Ankara; They discussed the water,
electricity, “citizenship” and illegal
Tymbou airport issues
2. UBP gives an ultimatum to
CTP
3. Atun argues that there is
an oil reservoir in the occupied village Syngrasi
4.
Angolemli: “There is no need for early elections”
5. Denktas: ““The solution will
not come up from the negotiating table; it is a practice guide that will come
up”
6. Cavusoglu believes that
there will be a Cyprus settlement around June
7.
The mosque in Deneia village was attacked
8. Akinci stressed the need for
the “lifting of the so-called embargoes” in sports
9. An AECR’s delegation met with
Akinci and Siber
10.
Chinese businessmen are visiting again
the breakaway regime
11. Turkish Cypriot
companies are taking part in the 2016 Dubai Gulfood Fair
12. IMF’s delegation held a
meeting with the “Turkish Cypriot contractors’ union”
13. Obama calls Erdogan to offer
condolences for Ankara bombing
14. Erdogan: “Turkey has the
right to conduct operations in Syria, elsewhere to combat terror threats”
15. Turkey calls for
unconditional US support against Kurdish YPG
16. Fruits and vegetables’
exports from Turkey to Israel increased dramatically
1. Erdogan
“surprisingly” called Talat to Ankara; They discussed the water, electricity,
“citizenship” and illegal Tymbou airport
issues
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.02.16)
reported that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan held the day before yesterday a surprising meeting with the
chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Mehmet Ali Talat in Istanbul.
Talat, who had been waiting for an appointment with Erdogan for some time now,
was informed about the meeting on Friday night, travelled to Istanbul on
Saturday morning and returned at night.
According to the paper, Erdogan told Talat that he was especially worried about the “water
crisis” and asked for this issue to be solved the soonest. “It was alleged that the Turkish government,
which is intensively working now on the crises of Syria and terror, does not
want to experience the slightest problem on the Cyprus negotiations or the
water issue”, writes the paper adding: “It was put forward that Erdogan conveyed to Talat his views
regarding the ‘chapters’ of the negotiations, the water issue, the
[transferring of] electricity with a cable, the citizenships and the Tymbou
airport. According to information obtained by reliable sources, Erdogan is not happy at all with the crises
on [the issues of] those waiting for citizenship and the Tymbou airport”.
The paper writes that Erdogan is satisfied with the course of the [Cyprus] negotiations and
asked for the self-styled government’s more active support to the [Turkish
Cypriot] negotiating team. “Because he was not expecting any crisis on the
water issue, he demands that this should be overcome and furthermore the issue
of bringing electricity with a cable to the TRNC to be taken up”, notes Kibris
adding that Erdogan is “sensitive” on the issue of the Turkish settlers waiting
to acquire the “citizenship” of the regime and is not happy at all with the
crisis at the illegal Tymbou airport and waits for initiatives to overcome all
the problems between the private company and the “state” and to complete the
project the soonest.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(22.02.16) reports that in statements upon his return to the occupied area of
Cyprus, Talat said that their only wish
is for the water from Turkey to start flowing into the island and alleged that
the “governments” are exerting efforts for the solution of the issue and for
the Turkish Cypriot “people” having clear water. Talat argued that he demanded from Erdogan his political support to the
process on the water issue which will allegedly be solved with the efforts
exerted by the “two governments”.
Talat claimed that a “pollution of information” exists
on the water issue and argued that without achieving an “official agreement” it
could not be possible for this information to be shared with the public. He said that the price of the water has not
been determined yet, because the period for which a right of operation will be
given is not known. He further noted that the local water resources will
continue belonging to the “state”. Talat added that the “governments” attach
great importance to the signing of the “economic protocol” between Turkey and
the regime.
He
further said that during his meeting with Erdogan they reaffirmed their hopes
for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and added that Erdogan also
attaches importance to the lack of problems after the solution and the Turkish
Cypriots being economically competitive. Talat noted that Erdogan closely follows the
solution process in Cyprus and he is informed about the developments.
Referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika newspaper (22.02.16) reports that Talat’s
statements after his return from Istanbul were not convincing. Under the
title “Instruction on the water from Erdogan to Talat: Sign it”, the paper notes that after Talat’s meeting
with Erdogan the attention is now turned to the CTP and to whether the party
will sign the water “agreement”.
Citing information from reliable sources, the paper
reports that Erdogan asked Talat the
signing of the above-mentioned “agreement” the soonest. Erdogan also demanded the materialization of the
“economic protocol” between Turkey and the regime.
Commenting on Talat’s statement that “the water
problem will be solved with efforts by the governments”, the paper notes that it is understood that the self-styled government
will not be dissolved and that the CTP will reach an agreement with the
National Unity Party (UBP).
(I/Ts.)
2. UBP gives an ultimatum
to CTP
Illegal
Bayrak television (20.02.16) broadcast that the National Unity Party (UBP) gave
an ultimatum to “prime minister”Omer Kalyoncu to resolve the water crisis by
Wednesday or resign.
The
UBP’s party assembly which convened to discuss the issue gave the National
Unity Party leader Huseyin Ozgurgun full authority to take necessary steps
unless the issue is resolved by Wednesday.
Ozgurgun
said that he will use his full authority and pull his party out of the “coalition
government” if the issue is not solved.
The
friction stems from disagreements between the two parties on the proposals
discussed with Turkey as regards the management of water distribution which
provides for the distribution by a private company or companies, under the
supervision of the “state”.
Kalyoncu
who evaluated the UBP’s decision said that his party had been trying to solve
this problem from the very beginning and that work will continue in that
direction. He said that they had taken the UBP’s call seriously and that they
have always attached importance to the views and positions of their “coalition
party”.
3. Atun argues that there
is an oil reservoir in the occupied village Syngrasi
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan (22.02.16) reports that the self-styled minister of
economy, industry and commerce Sunat Atun said that a joint research was
conducted in the occupied village Syngrasi with the Turkish Petroleum
Corporation (TPAO) and it was confirmed that there is oil reservoir. He added
that this means that there is oil and gas under the ground.
Speaking
at a programme in Kibris TV, Atun argued that “there is a high possibility to
have oil and natural gas both in their sea and land”. He further said that it
shows that the region is rich on this issue.
(DPs)
4. Angolemli:
“There is no need for early elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (22.02.16)
reports that Huseyin Angolemli, “deputy” with the Socialist Democracy Party
stated that there is no need for early “elections” in the breakaway regime.
Angolemli stated that while the negotiations for the
solution of the Cyprus problem are taking place, his party does not believe
that conducting early “elections” is the right decision. As he said in the past
the Turkish Cypriot side was accused of trying
to escape from the negotiation table because of such a decision and
added that if in 2016 the Turkish Cypriot side calls for early “elections”, it
may face the same accusation.
(CS)
5. Denktas: ““The solution
will not come up from the negotiating table; it is a practice guide that will
come up”
Under the above front-page title, Turkish Cypriot
daily Bakis newspaper (22.02.16) reports that the leader of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) Serdar
Denktas, evaluating in a written statement the Cyprus negotiation process,
argued that the solution of the Cyprus problem will not come up from the
negotiating table but from the mutual respect and understanding of the
“existence of two peoples” in Cyprus.
Supporting
that the path which is followed towards the solution will lead to the abyss and
that it will be harmful for both sides, Denktas argued: “The only way to reach
a possible solution, is by establishing coordination among the sides, and
through this coordination, the Turkish Cypriots should become integrated with
the world; only then the issue of the common administration should be
discussed”.
Denktas went on and argued that the “perception of the solution” in the “southern part” of the island
is completely different from the “perception of the solution” in the “northern
part” of the island.
Alleging that the solution of the Cyprus problem is
not possible with one-sided efforts and goodwill, Denktas accused the Greek
Cypriot leadership of showing an intransigent attitude at the Cyprus
negotiation talks and of still pursuing Enosis with Greece.
(…)
(AK)
6. Cavusoglu believes
that there will be a Cyprus settlement around June
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (21.02.16) reported that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed hopes that there
will be a permanent and just solution of the Cyprus problem around June,
adding that the maximum support has been given to the Cyprus talks.
Noting
that they also want to give water to the Greek Cypriot side, Cavusoglu argued
that they believe that the water will be delivered also to other countries in
the Eastern Mediterranean.
The
paper reports that Cavusoglu met with the self-styled minister of foreign
affairs Emine Colak in Istanbul. During the meeting, they exchanged views on
the latest developments of the Cyprus talks and the management of the water,
which has been transferred to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus from
Turkey.
According
to the paper, the meeting was behind closed doors.
(DPs)
7. The
mosque in Deneia village was attacked
Under the title “Deneia mosque was set on fire”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.02.16) reports that the historic mosque in Deneia village was
attacked yesterday morning by an unknown person or persons.
According to the paper, President Anastasiades issued a written statement strongly condemning
the attack and noting that such actions, regardless of where they come from and
of their aim, “only harm our efforts to end the occupation and reunite our
country”. The President emphasized that he has given instructions to the
Ministry of Justice and the Police to shed light on the incident the soonest
and to the Foreign Ministry to speedily repair the damages.
The mosque had been repaired within the framework of
the activities of the Technical Committee for the Cultural Heritage in
cooperation with the European Union and the UN Development Program.
Meanwhile, the paper reports also that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci condemned the
attack on the mosque, noting that a crime against humanity was committed and
should be punished “in the most severe manner”. In a written statement,
Akinci asks from President Anastasiades to exert every effort for finding the
perpetrators and these efforts not to remain only in words.
He argued: “This attack should not only be seen as an
attack against a place of worship belonging to the Muslims. This small and historical place is a value
which belongs to all Cypriots and humanity. Those who committed this act also
committed a crime against humanity and should be punished severely. Of
course there will be people who want to damage the process during a period when
we try to solve the Cyprus issue. It is
clear that people who committed this act do not want Cyprus to reach a peaceful
future. We should not let these people succeed”.
Finally, Talip
Atalay, head of the so-called religious affairs department of the regime, described the incident as an “action aiming
at extinguishing every hope for peace” and condemned the attack.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Atalay asked for the arrest and punishment
of the perpetrators and said that he was pleased with the statements made by
President Anastasiades, who said that those responsible would be found and
punished. He finally noted that he expects the competent authorities to show
the necessary sensitivity so that such attacks against places of worship are
not repeated, regardless of the religion to which these places belong.
(I/Ts.)
8. Akinci stressed the need
for the “lifting of the so-called embargoes” in sports
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.02.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci, in statements during the “1st international tour of north
bicycle race” which took place in the occupied area of Cyprus, referred, inter
alia, to the “embargoes” imposed in the field of sports and said that they pay
great importance on the issue of the Turkish Cypriot youth to be able to play
games in the arenas.
Supporting
that due to the “embargoes” that Turkish Cypriot youth are only watching sports
from the stages, he added that it is time for them to go to the fields.
Stressing the need for the Turkish Cypriot youth to be
“rescued” from the “embargoes”, Akinci said that it is high time for the
Turkish Cypriots to gain an international identity in Cyprus.
Referring
to the Cyprus problem, Akinci argued that an important progress has been
achieved in the Cyprus negotiation talks aiming to reach to a solution on the
Cyprus problem, he, however, stressed the need for the “TRNC” to work for its
strengthening and development in all fields, without expecting the last phase of
the solution.
Akinci
added that although positive developments are taking place in the Cyprus
negotiation process, there are still some problems that needed to be overcome.
(AK)
9. An AECR’s delegation met
with Akinci and Siber
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.02.16)
reported that a delegation of the
Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR), carried out contacts
in the occupied area of Cyprus where they held separate meetings with the
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the “speaker” of the so-called
assembly Sibel Siber.
The delegation was composed by the British MP Mark
Field, the Polish MP Anna Fotyga, the Irish MP Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, the
Councilor Julia Dockerill, the General Director of the New Direction-The
Foundation For European Reform, Naweed Khan, the Responsible for Projects of
the AECR, Leou Leskovec, and the Researcher Themistoklis Asthenidis.
No statements were issued before or after the
meetings.
(AK)
10. Chinese
businessmen are visiting again the
breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.02.16)
reports that a group of Chinese businessmen are visiting the breakaway regime
upon an invitation of the Astra Group.
According to a statement issued by Astra Group, the
Chinese businessmen have visited previously the breakaway regime and expressed
an interest to invest in the occupied area of Cyprus. They now want to make
more investments in construction and tourism. “They want to construct smart
buildings for the Turkish Cypriots. They want to make houses that have never
been made in Cyprus before”, Astra Group stated.
(CS)
11. Turkish Cypriot
companies are taking part in the 2016 Dubai Gulfood Fair
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan (22.02.16) reports that the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
industry” (“KTSO”) participates in the 2016 Dubai Gulfood fair for the 10th
time at the United Arab Emirates.
Nine
companies with the title “North Cyprus” are representing the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with the support of the
self-styled economy, industry and commerce ministry in the fair between 21-25
February 2016.
According
to a press release by the “KTSO”, the self-styled minister of economy, industry
and commerce Sunat Atun, who visited yesterday the fair, met with the
participants.
In
the stand, the Turkish Cypriot companies promote their products, which are
dairy products, like halloumi/hellim and cheese, coffee, halva, carob molasses
and sesame oil.
(DPs)
12. IMF’s delegation held a
meeting with the “Turkish Cypriot contractors’ union”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(21.02.16) reported that the new IMF
mission chief for Cyprus Rachel Van Elkan, accompanied by a delegation, visited
the “chairman” and the “administration board” of the Turkish Cypriot
contractors' union.
As the paper writes, during the meeting, IMF’s delegation exchanged views with the
chairman of the “union” Cafer Curcafer concerning the steps and measures which
are needed to be taken for the after the
solution period so that the “TRNC’s economy” not to be affected negatively.
The
IMF’s delegation underlined the results of a research they had prepared
stipulates that the after the solution period would affect positively the
construction sector and by taking actions on this sector, the “TRNC’s economy”
will be also affected positively. They also expressed the view that such arguments have a positive
reflection on the issue of financing the solution.
(AK)
13. Obama calls Erdogan
to offer condolences for Ankara bombing
Turkish
daily Sabah newspaper (20.02.16) reported that US President Barack Obama called
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to offer condolences for the bomb attack in
Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday that killed at least 28 people.
The
two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria during the phone call which
took one hour 20 minutes, Turkish presidential sources said.
During
the phone conversation, Obama told Erdogan that he called on the PYD/YPG to
immediately stop its provocative acts which are creating tensions with Turkey
and Syrian opposition and undermining the fight against Daesh, the Turkish
presidential sources said.
Obama
also told Erdogan that the US is determined to keep supporting its NATO ally,
Turkey against terror threats and said the US recognizes Turkey's right of self-defence.
The
Turkish presidency said Obama and Erdogan agreed to increase cooperation in the
fight against what it called terrorist groups, including the PKK.
14. Erdogan: “Turkey has
the right to conduct operations in Syria, elsewhere to combat terror threats”
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (21.02.16) reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan argued that Turkey has the right to conduct operations not only in
Syria but also any other places in which there are terrorist organizations that
target Turkey.
“Turkey
has every right to conduct operations in Syria and the places where terror
organizations are nested with regards to the struggle against the threats that
Turkey faces,” Erdogan said during the event “UNESCO City of Gastronomy:
Gaziantep,” which was organized to celebrate the inclusion of Turkey’s south-eastern
province of Gaziantep on the list of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the
gastronomy category.
Erdogan’s
remarks came one day after he and U.S. President Barack Obama talked on the
phone for more than an hour regarding the latest developments in Syria and
Turkey.
During
his address, Erdogan said that the situation had “absolutely nothing to do with
the sovereignty rights of the states that cannot take control of their
territorial integrity.”
“On
the contrary, this has to do with the will that Turkey shows to protect its
sovereignty rights,” he said. “We expect attitudes to prevent our country’s
right [to self-defence] directly as an initiative against Turkey’s entity – no
matter where it comes from.” Erdogan said
thatthe point Turkey has reached is a place of self-defence and that no one had
the right to restrict that right.
15. Turkey calls for
unconditional US support against Kurdish YPG
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (22.02.16) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
called on the United States to give unconditional support in the fight against
Syrian Kurdish militants, illustrating growing tension between Ankara and
Washington over policy in northern Syria.
Davutoglu
also said Turkey would tighten security across the country, especially the
capital, after a car loaded with explosives was detonated near military buses
in Ankara last Wednesday, killing 28 people.
Washington,
which does not consider the YPG a terrorist organization, has said it is not in
a position to confirm or deny Ankara's charge that the militia was behind the bombing.
"The
only thing we expect from our US ally is to support Turkey with no ifs or
buts," Davutoglu told a news conference following a five-hour security
meeting with members of his Cabinet and other officials."If 28 Turkish
lives have been claimed through a terrorist attack we can only expect them to
say any threat to Turkey is a threat to them."
16. Fruits and
vegetables’ exports from Turkey to Israel increased dramatically
According
to Turkish daily Milliyet (22.02.16), the President of the Turkish Union of
Agricultural Chambers (TZOB) Semsi Bayraktar said that due to Russia’s decision
to ban imports of many Turkish products and the difficulties to their exports
to Iraq and Bulgaria, they are trying to find new markets.
Noting
that their main export partners of the industry Russia and Iraq purchased fewer
products from Turkey in the first month of the year, comparing to January 2015,
Bayraktar said that the sector’s exports to Russia fell from $82.9 million to
$10.9 million while those to Iraq dropped from $44.8 million to $26.3 million
in the same period (January 2015 – January 2016).
However,
Bayraktar said that produce sales to
Israel went up 4,044%, Italy by 60.3%, Saudi Arabia by 49.7%, Poland by 40.3%,
Saudi Arabia by 38.5%, Netherlands by 36.5% and Ukraine by 26.9%. But such
increases are not enough to compensate for the losses stemming from its main
trade partners, Bayraktar said. The
paper reports that the exports to Israel increased from $66,000 to $2.7
million.
Bayraktar
further said that if the troubles in the sector continue, the producers will
face the danger of growing debts.
(DPs)
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
