TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 25/16 06-08.02.2016
1.
Burcu responds to President Anastasiades’ statements
2. Ozersay calls on Akinci to issue a statement after
President Anastasiades’ interview
3. Tacoy accused the Greek Cypriot side of
unwillingness towards the solution of the Cyprus problem
4. A delegation from the breakaway regime is
discussing the administration of the water from Turkey today in Ankara
5. Atun’s interview to AA; He reiterated the Turkish
Cypriot side’s red lines on the Cyprus problem
6.
Kalyoncu: The distribution of water in the occupied area of Cyprus will start
on March
7.
Sibel will meet with Erdogan and Davutoglu in Ankara
8.
Atalay said that with Davutoglu’s consultation a religious official was
appointed in the Greek Cypriot side
9.
A plan to increase the health tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus
10.
Merkel visits Ankara today over the Syrian refugee crisis; statements by Bozkir
11. Erdogan to US: “Is your partner Turkey or PYD?”
12. Davutoglu held contacts in Kazakhstan; “Turkey and
Kazakhstan to be central in Eurasia”
13. Nokta magazine’s author faces jail term for
insulting the President
1. Burcu responds to President Anastasiades’
statements
Under the title “The Greek Cypriot leader does not act
correctly, this stance will harm the process”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (08.02.16) reports that Baris
Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader’s spokesman, issued a statement last night
replying to an interview given by President Anastasiades to Politis newspaper.
Burcu argued that President Anastasiades
tried to create the impression that a “joint consensus” exists on issues on
which no agreement has been reached yet.
Burcu alleged that in spite of their prior “friendly
warnings” the pre-election propaganda
for the parliamentary elections to be held in May 2016 in the
government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus is being held in a manner, which harms the negotiating process.
Burcu claimed that when the Turkish Cypriot side
issues statements regarding its own positions, it always exerts the maximum
effort not to harm the negotiating process. “We have never created the wrong impression that the Greek Cypriot side
has adopted our views on issues on which we could not reach a consensus. We
would expect our interlocutor to behave in the same manner”, he argued and
added:
“Unfortunately it is seen that this is not happening. The interview published today in Politis
newspaper is evaluated in this manner by our side. In this interview, the Greek
Cypriot leader tried to create the impression that consensus exists on issues
on which no consensus has been reached yet. This is not correct. Moreover, the sides formally announce together the
issues on which they reach consensus. Approaches like this, which it is
very clearly seen that are repetition of the known Greek Cypriot positions and
aim at the elections, have absolutely no contribution to the negotiating
process. Our president Mr Mustafa Akinci and his team are committed to the
target of the solution of the Cyprus problem. He will continue to act with the
sense of responsibility within this framework”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ozersay calls on Akinci to issue a statement
after President Anastasiades’ interview
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (08.02.16)
reports thatKudret Ozersay, chairman
of the People’s Party (HP), has said
that some serious issues in an interview given by President Anastasiades to a
Greek Cypriot newspaper do not coincide with the statements made by the Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and called on Akinci to make a statement clarifying
the issue.
Writing yesterday on one of his social media accounts,
Ozersay argued that the statements made
by President Anastasiades show that “the situation is not pleasant at all”. He
said that Akinci should make a specific and detailed statement.
Pointing out that Akinci has been saying “you should
pay attention to what we are saying and not to what the Greek Cypriot press is
writing”, Ozersay noted that Akinci was right when saying that, but now the
interview given by President Anastasiades is not something made up by anyone
and could not be described as “speculations”.
“Anastasiades
announced at firsthand what has been agreed, not his own positions”, noted
Ozersay wondering whether the Turkish Cypriots could not get what they wanted
at the negotiating table, whether they have abandoned their positions, whether they
have other gains which they do not know or whether President Anastasiades is
lying.
(I/Ts.)
3.Tacoy accused the Greek Cypriot side of
unwillingness towards the solution of the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (08.02.16)
reports that the general secretary of
the Democratic party-National Forces (DP-UG) Hasan Tacoy, evaluating in a
written statement the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, accused the
leaders of the political parties of the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he
called the Republic of Cyprus of unwillingness to solve the Cyprus problem.
“For this reason, it is time for the Turkish Cypriot side to make a new
evaluation”, said Tacoy.
Stating
that the officials of the “Greek Cypriot administration” as well as the leaders
of the Greek Cypriot political parties are openly against the continuation of
Turkey’s effective and active guarantees and support the withdrawal of the
Turkish troops from the island, Tacoy said that they do not support a new
partnership to be, under these circumstances.
Tacoy
went on and called the Turkish Cypriot side to re-evaluate and make an assessment
of its strategy, taking into consideration the Greek Cypriot side’s positions on
the Cyprus problem. Tacoy called also the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci to brief the “assembly” and the people on the latest developments on the
Cyprus problem.
(…)
(AK)
4. A delegation from the breakaway regime is
discussing the administration of the water from Turkey today in Ankara
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.02.16)
reports thatthe issue of the
administration of the water which had been transferred from Turkey to the
occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey will be discussed in meetings in Ankara
today with the participation of four self-styled ministers of the breakaway
regime. The self-styled ministers of finance, Birikim Ozgur, economy,
industry and trade, Sunat Atun, agriculture, natural resources and food, Erkut
Sahali and transportation, environment and culture, Kutlu Evren are
participating in the delegation which will convey the Turkish Cypriot proposals
on the issue. In case the delegations reach a consensus, an agreement will be
signed, according to the paper.
In statements prior to their departure to Ankara, Ozgur said that they will give the final
shape to a model which is in harmony with the “laws” and could make use of the
efficiency of the private sector and the power of the “public” sector together.
He noted that the project has come to its final stage and that the
consultations with Turkey continue as regards the details of the
“public-private partnership” model for the distribution of the water. Noting
that they have created a model in which the risks that their “municipalities”
could face will be eliminated, Ozgur
argued that Turkey wants this model to function well.
Ozgur
described the project as the “biggest project in the history of the Turkish
Cypriots” and added that within a few weeks the water will start flowing from
the fountains.
In his statements, Sahali said that a joint understanding exists between the sides and
expressed the view that nothing will remain unsolved when understanding is
shown to the mutual sensitivities.
Finally, Atun
said that they had agreed in the past on a “protocol” regarding the
distribution and the use of the water resources and added that they will
discuss in more detail this “protocol” in Ankara.
(I/Ts.)
5.Atun’s interview to AA; He reiterated the Turkish
Cypriot side’s red lines on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (08.02.16)
reports that Sunat Atun, self-styled
minister of economy, industry and trade, in statements to Ankara Anatolia said,
inter alia, that a possible solution of the Cyprus problem will increase the
potentials in the island.
Referring
to the “water project”, Atun stated that four “ministers” of the breakaway
regime will carry out contacts in Turkey with their Turkish “counterparts” in
order to finalize the agreement on the distribution of the water. Atun
explained that the “four ministers” will meet with Turkey’s Minister of
Forestry and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu.
Stating that the “draft document”, which includes the
final views of the “government” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus on the issue of water management, was received
positively by Turkey, Atun said that he
predicts that a final agreement will be reached between the “TRNC” and the
Turkish government by Thursday the latest.
Referring to the natural resources in the Eastern
Mediterranean, Atun expressed the readiness of the Turkish Cypriot side to
cooperate with “south Cyprus”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus on this
issue. “We are ready to cooperate with
south Cyprus on the issue of the natural gas. Considering that we evaluate
together the oil and natural gas that we will obtain, we can explore it
together. Let’s pass it to Europe via Turkey”, Atun said.
Supporting
that a possible solution on the Cyprus problem will increase the potentials in
the island, Atun said: “I consider that the trade environment will be ease
through a bridge between south Cyprus, the TRNC and Turkey and that the trade
volume is possible to reach to 3 billion in the first year”. He added also that
with a possible solution, the fenced off city of Varoshia will be re-structured
and underlined that the benefits from the solution will increase the
investments in several fields such as in the tourism sector e.t.c.
Referring
to the Cyprus negotiation process, Atun said that although the talks continue
for half a century it is not easy to bring them to an end. “We have red lines
at the negotiations and this is the current active and effective guarantees of
Turkey. We will not accept the reconstitution of this. It is also out of
question for us as Turkish Cypriots to make concessions on the issue of our
equal status. Also, the existence of the Turkish troops in the island is very
important for us. Our borders are also extremely important on the territory
issue. (…)” Atun said.
(AK)
6.
Kalyoncu: The distribution of water in the occupied area of Cyprus will
start on March
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (06.02.16) reported that self-styled prime minister Omer
Kalyoncu, in an interview to the paper, said that the document “advanced
consultation”, which includes the final views of the “government” of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on the issue of
water management, was received positively in Turkey.
Kalyoncu
explained that the works for the distribution of the water coming from Turkey
will be concluded by the end of February, adding that on March the water
distribution will begin. He noted that the water distribution will be
administrated for a year by Turkey's State Water Affairs Department (DSI).
Kalyoncu
stressed that apart from the water issue, they have to discuss also the
economic protocol in Ankara. He reiterated that Turkey’s request is the
privatization of the ports, telecommunications and “Kib-Tek” (“Cyprus Turkish
electricity authority”), however, he added that they do not support the
privatization of “Kib-Tek”.
(DPs)
7.
Sibel will meet with Erdogan and Davutoglu in Ankara
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 08.02.16), the self-styled speaker of the
“parliament” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus Sibel Siber, who is currently in
Ankara, will hold separate meetings with
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu.
Siber
and an accompanying delegation are visiting Ankara as guest of the Speaker of
the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ismail Kahraman.
Siber
and the accompanying delegation will hold contacts on working principles of the
“Turkey-TRNC Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group” which maintains the
cooperation and consultations between the “parliaments” of the two “countries”.
According
to a statement released from the “assembly”, self-styled deputy speaker of the
“parliament” Huseyin Avkiran Alanli, self-styled “parliamentary administrator”
Erdal Ozcenk, “deputies” Armagan Candan, Hamit Bakirci and Dursun Oguz as well
as the self-styled general secretary of “parliament” Emine Sari are
accompanying Siber during the visit.
8.
Atalay said that with Davutoglu’s consultation a religious official was
appointed in the Greek Cypriot side
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (08.02.16), the self-styled head of the
religious affairs Prof. Dr Talip Atalay, commenting on the work regardiing “The
Cyprus Peace Process Religious Path”, said: “We are making peace based studies
for 5 years regarding, in particular, places of worship, the protection of respective
rights in religious matters. These studies attract serious attention in the
Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides and also in the international arena”.
Atalay,
in statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency, said that Cyprus is one of the
most strategic points of the region. Noting that there is no war situation in
Cyprus, Atalay claimed: “On the
contrary, there is a de-facto peace situation but we wish the peace to be
permanent and to reach an agreement on the grounds that the Turkish Cypriots’
rights and security can be guaranteed.”
Atalay
argued that after the “war” (translator’s note: Turkish invasion to Cyprus in
1974), the mosques in the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus,
and the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Churches, Latin and Armenian churches in the
occupied area of Cyprus could not be used easily, adding that in both sides
these religious sites were isolated. Atalay
explained that for the first time in 2011 with the consultation of the then
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, he started to have relations with the
Greek Cypriot side by appointing a religious official in the Greek Cypriot
side. He further said that with the Swedish Embassy’s support an initiative
with the religious leaders was launched.
(DPs)
9.
A plan to increase the health tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (08.02.16) reports that Ahmet Savasan, “chairman of
the Cyprus health tourism council”, said that a new strategic plan has been
prepared in order to increase the health tourism in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus.
Savasan
met with Emin Cakmak, the Founding Chairman of the Turkish Healthcare Tourism
Development Council during a Health Tourism meeting, which was held in
Istanbul. Cakmak said that Turkey’s aim is to be one of the 5 world countries
in the health tourism by 2023 and to gain 20-25 billion dollars. She noted that they will also place “North
Cyprus” as an alternative destination in the health tourism, adding that their
aim for 2016 is to introduce their tourism potentials in 54 country members of
the World Health Council.
(DPs)
10.
Merkel visits Ankara today over the Syrian refugee crisis; statements by
Bozkir
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.02.16) reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a visit to the Turkish capital
on Monday, to meet with the Prime Minister, as the European Union struggles to
cope with the more than one million Syrian refugees that have fled their
country due to an on-going civil war.
According
to her official program, Merkel will
hold talks with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara, with the main
focus of the meeting being the implementation of the EU-Turkey Action Plan.
Meanwhile, Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was also going to meet Merkel in Ankara on
February 8.
“I
will meet with her [Merkel] on Monday [Feb. 8] in Ankara. Prime Minister
[Davutoglu] will also hold a meeting [with Merkel. The main topic will most
probably be the refugee crisis,” said Erdogan on the way back to Turkey from
Senegal on Feb. 6, according to daily Hurriyet.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.02.16) reports that as Merkel visits Turkey for another round of talks about Syrian
migrants, Ankara calls on the European Union to open up a key chapter of
membership negotiations before the re-admission agreement concerning immigrants
comes into effect in June.
Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister
and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır told Hurriyet Daily News that it was the EU
Council’s responsibility to fulfil the commitment made by the EU Commission and
he believed “they would find a way to do that. Like they agreed to allocate a 3
billion [euro] package for hosting Syrian migrants in Turkey” Bozkır said. “The
EU has to open the 24th chapter before June when the re-admission [agreement]
comes into effect.”
Bozkır did not answer the question about how
Turkey could respond if the EU fails to open the 24th chapter, repeating that
Ankara believed the EU would have to find a way.
(…)
“The EU wants more cooperation on migrants,”
Bozkır says, adding, “It also wants judicial reform in Turkey and at the same
time, [it] does not open the 23rd and 24th chapters as legal grounds that we
can discuss and move on; it is really hard to explain that”, stated Bozkir.
11.Erdogan to US: “Is your partner Turkey or PYD?”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.02.16) reported
that Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has denounced a senior U.S. official’s visit to Kurdish-controlled
northern Syria, underlining the “mistrust” the visit has created in Ankara over
the nature of Turkey’s “partnership” with the U.S.
Erdogan
has also said that Turkey would not “make the same mistake it did in Iraq in
2003 vis-à-vis the creation of a de facto situation” in neighboring Syria,
voicing his country’s readiness in order to protect its national interests in
case of all kinds of developing scenarios in Syria.
Meanwhile, he also reiterated Turkey’s stance on the
Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military wing, the People’s
Defense Units (YPG). Turkey considers the party and its affiliates in the same
category as the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Speaking
to reporters en route from Dakar to Istanbul as he wrapped up a Latin America
tour that covered Chile, Peru and Ecuador, Erdogan said: “We will take this
issue to all international organizations. Each moment that we haven’t taken it
there is a loss for us. If steps are not taken for their [classification] as a
terrorist organization, we would be delayed. Look, [U.S. Vice President Joe]
Biden arrived with an assistant. He is a national security official whose name
has earlier been cited with Mr. Obama too. Just during the meetings in Geneva,
he travels to Kobane. He receives a plaque from a so-called general in Kobane.
How will we trust? Am I your partner or are the terrorists in Kobane?” Erdogan
asked.
The
U.S. envoy to the coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL), Brett McGurk, confirmed on February 1 that he visited
Kurdish-controlled northern Syria the previous weekend. McGurk said his trip
aimed to review the fight against the jihadist group that controls swathes of
Syria and Iraq.
He also said that it was long-planned and not “in any
way” related to Syria peace talks in Geneva that are seeking to end a nearly
five-year civil war that has killed at least 250,000 people and driven out more
than 10 million people from their homes.
(…)
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.02.16) reported that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
said on Saturday that Turkey and Kazakhstan will be two central countries in
Eurasia in the fields of energy, trade and transportation.
Davutoglu met Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev
during a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan to further develop relations in
the fields of transportation, energy and trade.
Speaking during a press conference in Astana, Davutoglu said that Turkey constitute a
gate to the European Union for Kazakhstan while the latter is a gateway to the
Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) for Turkey.
“As
soon as the Middle Corridor – a transportation network extending from the
Caspian Sea through Turkey and Azerbaijan to Central Asia and China – becomes
active, Turkey and Kazakhstan will be two central countries of Eurasia,”
Davutoglu said.
13.Nokta magazine’s author faces jail term for
insulting the President
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.02.16) reported
that Nokta Magazine’s author Perihan
Magden faces up to four years in prison for allegedly insulting Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in statements on a police raid on the magazine
in late 2015 that was published in Turkish news portal Diken.
Magden said in her testimony that she only replied to
questions from Diken reporter Tunca İlker Ogreten regarding the confiscation of
copies of the 18th issue of the magazine in September 2015 and that she told Ogreten
her opinions about the practice.
The
indictment, however, stated that Magden’s statements about Erdogan “went far
beyond criticism and clearly could be regarded as insults.”
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has
demanded up to four years in prison for Magden following a criminal complaint
that was filed by Erdogan’s lawyer Ahmet Ozel.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/AM)
