TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
No. 46/16
09.03.2016
1. Davutoglu: We are very close to a solution both in the Aegean and
in Cyprus
2. Piri: The EU should do whatever is possible to support the
solution in Cyprus
3. Bulgarian MEP says that the EU has not undertaken an active role
in the occupied area of Cyprus until today
4. Talat: The “economic cooperation protocol” for the period
2016-2018 has been sent to Turkey
5. The breakaway regime is participating in the Tourism “ITB Berlin
Fair”
6. “National History Museum” to be opened in the breakaway regime
with the assistance of Cicek
7. Davutoglu: Turkey's game changing proposal, has the potential to
tackle the refugee crisis
8. Turkish columnists on Turkey’s refugee
plan
1. Davutoglu: We are very close to a solution both in the Aegean
and in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (09.03.16) reports that
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has given positive messages on the
issues of the Aegean and Cyprus after meeting with his Greek counterpart Alexis
Tsipras, who visited Izmir yesterday becoming the first Greek Prime Minister
who visited the above-mentioned city after 95 years.
In statements after the meeting Davutoglu said that they discussed
very sincerely and in a friendly way the problems in the Aegean and Cyprus as
well as the minority rights and added: “[…] I thank Mr Tsipras for the
understanding and cooperation which he exhibited in all consultations. We are
very close to the solution both in the problems in the Aegean and in Cyprus.
By showing strong will, we can overcome the problems accumulated for decades
and turn the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean into a center of attraction.
[…]”
According to the paper, the Greek Prime Minister said that they
agreed that the Cyprus problem should be solved in a just and lasting manner on
the basis of the UN resolutions and within the framework of the
EU.
(I/Ts.)
2. Piri: The EU should do whatever is possible to support the
solution in Cyprus
Under the title “Europe will support the solution”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (09.03.16) reports that the European Parliament’s
Reporter on Turkey, Kati Piri has said that the EP and the European
Commission should do whatever is possible for supporting the solution to be
found in Cyprus.
In joint statements to Havadis and the Cyprus News Agency, Piri noted
that she is certain that the EP will ask from the European Commission to
ensure the adequate financing for supporting a solution in Cyprus, adding
that an agreement in Cyprus would be a very important development not only
for the island but for Europe as well.
Replying to a question, Piri said that the fact that Turkey’s
accession talks are not advancing quickly and effectively during the past decade
has no relation with the developments in Turkey itself, but with the political
developments in European countries such as France and Germany.
(I/Ts.)
3. Bulgarian MEP says that the EU has not undertaken an active
role in the occupied area of Cyprus until today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (09.03.16) reports
that Ilhan Kucuk, Bulgarian member of the European Parliament and member
of the EP’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has argued that the EU has not
undertaken an active role in the occupied northern part of Cyprus until
today. In statements to Kibris Postasi in Strasbourg, Kucuk expressed the
hope that a positive result will come up in a possible referendum for the
solution of the Cyprus problem and after that more aid will be given and a more
active diplomacy and work will be conducted.
Pointing out to the two leaders in Cyprus, Kucuk argued that this
is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus in these conditions and alleged
that Turkey playing a bigger role in the EU would be positive for Cyprus.
He claimed that if a referendum for the solution in Cyprus is not held in
2016 it will not be possible to take a result, alleging that “Turkey’s
target is evident, what Turkey wants is the unification of the
island”.
“We want to see both Turkey and the other Balkan countries in the
EU”, said Kucuk adding that they support the Republic of Cyprus’ application
for the Turkish language to become an official language of the Union.
Referring to the concerns that this will be a costly and troublesome procedure,
Kucuk argued that “in any case democracy is not an easy and cheap thing”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Talat: The “economic cooperation protocol” for the period
2016-2018 has been sent to Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.03.16) reports that
Mehmet Ali Talat, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said
that the preparation of the “economic cooperation protocol” with Turkey for the
period 2016-2018 is completed and the “protocol” has been sent to Turkey.
In statements to Kanal Sim television yesterday, Talat noted that
some reforms are included in the package and support is to be provided for these
reforms. Talat said that he does not know how Turkey will reply on this
issue.
Referring to the self-styled electricity authority of the regime
(KIB-TEK), Talat recalled that Turkey wants “KIB-TEK” to be separated and the
distribution and the revenue collection to be privatized. Pointing out that
there will be a disagreement with Turkey on this issue, Talat noted that the
“government” argues that the “KIB-TEK” should be automated.
Talat said that he does not understand Turkey’s logic on this issue
and added: “What is the logic of the distribution and revenue collection being
privatized now? There is no problem in the revenue collection now. I do not know
whether they will insist again on this issue, because when the protocol in 2012
had been signed, the KIB-TEK could not collect the revenue
properly”.
Referring to the occupied ports and the self-styled telecommunication
authority, Talat said that different models could be considered on
them.
(I/Ts.)
5. The breakaway regime is participating in the Tourism “ITB
Berlin Fair”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.03.16) reports that the
breakaway regime is participating in the international “ITB Berlin Fair”
which according to the paper is the biggest tourism fair in the world.
The “ministry of tourism” along with travel agencies, the “Turkish
Cypriot hotel owners union” and the “Turkish Cypriot tourist guides union” are
taking part in the delegation of the breakaway regime which is headed by the
“minister of tourism” Faiz Sucuoglu who is expected to hold various contacts
in Germany and to participate in various meetings. He will mainly meet with
German tourist operators and exert efforts to increase German visitors in the
occupied area of Cyprus, writes the paper.
In statements to Kibris, Sucuoglu said that they have been prepared
for a month now for the tourism fair and noted how important their participation
to the fair is.
(CS)
6. “National History Museum” to be opened in the breakaway regime
with the assistance of Cicek
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (09.03.16) reports that
the “Keryneia University” and the “Near East University” will co-operate for a
common project aiming to construct “the biggest and more comprehensive historic
museum of Cyprus”.
The “National History Museum” will be constructed with the assistance
and encouragement of the Turkish politician and businessman Cemil Cicek who
served as Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA).
According to the paper, the museum will cover the 445 years of
Turkish Cypriot history in Cyprus and will be opened on July 20.
(CS)
7. Davutoglu: Turkey's game changing proposal has the potential to
tackle the refugee crisis
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (09.03.16) reports that the Turkish
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spoke to Turkish journalists on his way back to
Turkey from Brussels and stated that the negotiation process with EU leaders in
Brussels was productive and Turkey's game changing proposal, has the potential
to tackle the refugee crisis. He also indicated that there was an urgent
need for reaching an agreement to stem the refugee flow.
"It was a fruitful negotiation process," he said in reference to the summit, which ran into early hours of Tuesday.
Davutoglu said there will be a dramatic decrease in the number of
refugees crossing to Greece within a month. "Once they realize they will be sent
back, they will not even attempt to make the crossing," he said, adding: "This
does not mean Europe will stop taking in refugees just because the flow has
ended. Europe will continue to admit a designated number of
refugees."
Concerning the agreement on increasing the amount of EU funding for
Syrians in Turkey from 3 billion euros to 6 billion euros, Davutoglu said he
told the European leaders that the cost of hosting the refugees was constantly
increasing and that all the cost of the remittance process and sending migrants
back to their countries should be borne by the EU. "This means an extra 3
billion euros. [European officials] didn't mention it in their post-summit
remarks because they need a summit decision for approval. They need to prepare
for March 18. Europe will make 6 billion euros available, 3 billion euros for
2016 and 3 billion euros for 2017 and 2018. Additionally, we asked for the
opening of membership negotiation chapters 15, 23, 24, 26 and 31. Cyprus is
resisting. We will see how these will be finalized on March
18."
Davutoglu said Parliament needs to approve nine separate laws to
ensure Turkish citizens could benefit from the lifting of the EU visa
requirement. He also said European leaders had to pressure Cyprus to consent to
the visa plan.
8. Turkish columnists on Turkey’s refugee
plan
The issue of the Turkey’s refugee plan was the subject of some
columnists in the Turkish press today.
Under the title “Turkey’s move likely to shift balances within EU,
columnist Murat Yetkin writes the following in Hurriyet Daily News (09.03.16):
“[…] Turkey has raised its offers and demands regarding the plan to
secure control over the migration from Syria (and elsewhere) into the EU, thus
reactivating Ankara’s relations with the EU.
The original plan was initiated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel
during her Oct. 18 visit to Istanbul to meet Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu. The plan suggested the following:
1) A 3-billion euro fund to hold Europe-bound migrants in
Turkey.
2) Visa-free travel for Turkish citizens within the Schengen states
simultaneous with the implementation of a re-admission agreement between Turkey
and the EU.
3) Reactivation of Turkey’s EU membership negotiations by opening up
six new chapters, including those blocked by the Greek Cypriots.
4) Inviting the Turkish government back to EU summits as a candidate
country. […] There wasn’t even unanimous agreement within the EU on Merkel’s
original plan. Despite her realistic efforts, some EU countries declined any
agreement with Turkey that could reactivate Ankara’s practically frozen
membership process.
[…]
What Turkey was suggesting regarding the sharing of immigrants,
particularly those illegally using or having used the Aegean Sea between Turkey
and Greece, appears to have pleased not only Merkel but also European Commission
President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council head Donald
Tusk. […]
Bit if the EU leadership cannot convince all EU leaders, it could
mean fiasco for the union, with unpredictable consequences not only regarding
the flow of immigrants. […] Again, the consequences of this would not be limited
to the refugee problem.”
In addition, under the title “Turkey’s refugee plan offers
breakthrough”, Serkan Demirtas also writes the following in Hurriyet Daily News
(09.03.16):
“[…] the Turkish government surprised EU leaders with a new and
ambitious package of proposals.
Ankara’s proposals consist of its willingness to readmit all
irregular migrants crossing to the Greek islands from Turkey, to station
immigration and liaison officers to help facilitate the processing of
readmission cases. […]
In return, the EU will pay an additional 3 billion euros to Turkey by
the end of 2018, will realize the lifting of visa requirements for Turkish
citizens in the Schengen zone (by the end of June at the latest, instead of
October), will work to open new chapters, and will cooperate with Turkey to
create safe areas inside Syria for the future settlement of new refugees.
One of the most important differences between the action plan crafted
on Nov. 29, 2015 and the plan on March 7 is that while the former aimed to stem
the flow of refugees from Turkey to EU countries, the latter focuses on stopping
the flow of irregular migrants. This should be regarded as a very drastic and
bold change in Turkey’s position, which was appreciated by a number of EU
leaders during the summit.
[…]
However, there are serious questions before the full and efficient
implementation of the latest plan. The first is the legality of the agreement
to send people back to Turkey without guarantees for their protection, as cited
by international and European law. The U.N. and international organizations
immediately voiced their concerns about the fact that the agreement does not
underline the protection of asylum-seekers in their return to Turkey.
Another problem is the fact that it will not be easy to convince
Greek Cyprus to lift its veto on the five negotiation chapters that Turkey
demands to be opened from the EU.
A third problem is the serious disagreement between EU countries on
refugee quotas, with a number of countries - especially Central and Eastern
European countries - voicing opposition to the resettlement of Syrians.
[…]
If agreed to and implemented in an efficient way, this plan would put
an end to the growing tragedy of refugees by imposing a legal order on those who
want to be settled in EU countries, therefore saving the lives of thousands of
asylum-seekers and solving a tragic humanitarian problem. Equally important, the
successful realization of this plan would further increase the level of
cooperation between Turkey and EU states.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
