TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
77/16
26.04.2016
1.
Akinci says that granting “citizenship” to 25,000 persons is not on their
agenda
2.
Clear messages on the “citizenships’ issue” by the new self-styled
government
3.
Opposition parties’ “deputies” evaluated the “government
program”
4.
The new appointments in the “immovable property
commission”
5.
“Kamu-Sen” asked the negotiation of the “structural transformation
programme”
6.
Ozyigit met with the US Ambassador to Cyprus
7.
Difference of opinion between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side on
the unification of the telephone lines across the
divide
8.
Turkish Minister stresses interdependence of EU and
Turkey
9.
Free court, free press important for EU investments in
Turkey
10.
Germany plans to build fixed location in Turkish air base for 65 mln
euro
11.
Former Turkish Chief of General Staff wrote a book about
Cyprus
1.
Akinci says that granting “citizenship” to 25,000 persons is not on their
agenda
Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (26.04.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci has said that granting “citizenship” to 25,000 persons is out
of the question. In statements yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus
after his 3,5-hour meeting with President Anastasiades within the framework of
the Cyprus negotiations, Akinci replied to a question regarding the information
published in the Turkish Cypriot press that the regime will grant “citizenship”
to 25,000 persons and noted:
“A
situation such as ‘let us give citizenship to 25,000 persons is out of the
question. Such a thing does not exist on our agenda. It is also out of the
question to have any approach which could blow up the negotiations in any
way”.
Noting
that they act in the negotiations according to the data provided by the
“interior ministry” regarding the “citizenship”, Akinci added that they did not
back step from any position and they do not intend to do so, because “we want a
solution”.
Recalling
a statement he made during his “election campaign” regarding the Turkish
settlers saying that “we are not going to load on ships anyone and send him
away”, Akinci said: “However, the citizenship issue is something different
than loading on a ship. There is space for all of us on these lands. It is
possible to find a way out for this problem without victimizing anyone […]
We are staying away from any behavior which could negatively influence the
negotiating process. We wish for the south as well to stay away from such
behaviors like we do”.
Akinci
noted that yesterday’s meeting was productive from the point of view of turning
into “a full agreement” the agreements and the convergences reached until today
on the first four chapters. He added that it is not possible to achieve progress
in every meeting, but there is an “accumulation” born by the discussions for
being able to achieve real progress. “I believe that there is an accumulation
which will facilitate the achievement of progress”, he
said.
Referring
to information published in the Greek Cypriot press that the Turkish Cypriot
side has stepped back from the agreements reached in the past, Akinci argued
that such a thing is out of the question, because their target is to advance and
reach a solution.
Akinci
said that his next meeting with President Anastasiades will take place on 6
May.
Recalling that parliamentary elections will be held in the government -
controlled area of the Republic on 22 May, Akinci pointed out that in spite of
this, the negotiators will be holding 10-15 meetings in May.
Arguing
that if the wish is to take a solution plan to referendum in 2016, the
negotiating process should be intensified, Akinci said: “It should be much
speedier, more productive [negotiating process] in the new period, if we say
that 2016 should be the year of the solution”.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Clear messages on the “citizenships’ issue” by the new self-styled
government
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (26.04.16) reports that the new “coalition
government” between the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party gave
clear messages regarding the “citizenships’ issue” during the presentation
yesterday of the “government’s program”.
The
self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun referring to the issue, stated that
this is a great shame and they do not take into consideration the voices of the
Greek Cypriots on the “citizenships”. “We will do whatever we consider to be
right, we will change the points which are not clear on the law”, he stated.
On
his part, self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas, stated that one of
the main goal of the new “government” will be to improve relations with Turkey.
“We shall be doing our best to achieve the goals we have set but there is one
thing we can promise. We shall be running the country much better than how the
CTP has been doing for the past three years. The main goal is bringing relations
with Turkey to the level that is required”, he stated. Refering to the
“citizenships issue” he stated that they would not undermine human rights just
so that the Greek Cypriots won’t be offended or be upset in the negotiating
table.
(CS)
3.
Opposition parties’ “deputies” evaluated the “government program”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (26.04.16) reports on statements by several
“deputies”, who evaluated yesterday during the discussion at the “assembly” the
“government program” of the newly established coalition “government” between
the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party-National Forces
(DP-UG).
Evaluating
the “program”, Zeki Celer, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP)
stated, inter alia, that the “government program” is very similar to that of the
previous “government” and wondered whether it will be possible for the
“coalition government” to implement it, taking into account that when the UBP
was alone in power, it couldn’t fulfil its commitments.
Describing
the “program” as a “document of gratitude”, Celer asked whether their goal is
for this “country” to become self-administrated or to be given to Turkey.
Reiterating
that the single purpose of the “government program” is the privatization of
several “organizations” in the “TRNC”, Celer added that his party will open a
lawsuit at the “constitutional court” against the privatization of the water.
Also
speaking, Mehmet Cakici, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP)
stated that the “government program” is full of contradictions and lacks of
vision.
Regarding
the reference in the program on the solution of the Cyprus problem, Cakici asked
what the program envisages about the solution, a two-state solution, “founding
states” or “constituent states”. He also expressed the view that if the
“government’s policies” towards the solution of the Cyprus problem come across
with Akinci’s positions, this will blow up the negotiation process.
Accusing
the “government” of avoiding using in the “program” the word “federal”, Cakici
argued that they are afraid to do so and added that the main reason for doing
this, is because both UBP and DP believe in confederation.
Also,
Birikim Ozgur, so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party-United
Forces (CTP-BG) in occupied Lefkosia and former “minister of finance”, argued
that the “government program” is an indicator of the “government’s” mentality
for integration with Turkey.
Supporting
that the “program” does not take into account the sensitivities of the Turkish
Cypriots, Ozgur added that the program lacks of vision and it does not include
much about the structural transformation in the “country”.
Evaluating
also the “program”, Dogus Derya, “deputy” with CTP, criticized the “program” and
wondered whether the alternative of this would be “their annexation to
Turkey”.
Supporting
that the “program” is full of references about “motherland Turkey” while no
reference is made about “federation”, Derya called also the UBP to openly say
that its real aim is about the “citizenship law”.
(AK)
4.
The new appointments in the “immovable property
commission”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (26.04.16) reports that Ayfer Said Erkmen has been
appointed as “president” of the “immovable property commission”, Romans Afif
Mapolar as “vice-president” and Sumer Erkmen, Gungor Gunkan, Hans Christian
Kruger, Daniel Tarschys and Saskia Yorucu as members.
The
appointments will be valid for five years.
(DPs)
5.
“Kamu-Sen” asked the negotiation of the “structural transformation
programme”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (26.04.16) reports that Mehmet Ozkardas, chairman of the
"civil servants' trade union" (Kamu-Sen) said that after the “structural
transformation programme”, including the years 2016-2018 as envisaged at the
signature between Turkey and the “TRNC”, is been discussed and digested well by
the political parties represented in the “assembly”, the NGO’s and the people,
should be negotiated.
In
a written statement, Ozkardas mentioned the disadvantages regarding the
“KIB-TEK” (the so-called electricity authority), the “telecommunications” and
the “ports”. He explained that according to the draft of the “structural
transformation programme”, “KIB-TEK” will be resolved to three companies by
separating the production, the transmisstion and the distribution, and its
operating right of the electricity distribution system will be
transferred.
Ozkardas
also argued that at the moment that the Cyprus talks are continuing, they should
not discuss about the occupied port of Famagusta, since the opening of the
fenced off city of Varosha could be excanged with the opening of the “Famagusta
port” to the international trade.
(DPs)
6.
Ozyigit met with the US Ambassador to Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (26.04.16) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, the
chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) held a meeting with the US
Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Ann Doherty.
According
to a statement by TDP, the progress of the Cyprus negotiations was the main
issue during the meeting.
(CS)
7.
Difference of opinion between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side
on the unification of the telephone lines across the
divide
Under
the title: “The Turkish side insists on the issue of the direct roaming”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.04.16) reports that due to the
difference of opinion existing between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot
side on the unification of the telephone lines across Cyprus, no progress was
achieved so far on this issue.
According
to the paper, the Greek Cypriot side proposes the telephone circulation
(roaming connection) to be made via a foreign company while on the other hand,
the Turkish Cypriot side insists on the direct roaming.
Invoking
reliable sources, the paper writes that the Greek Cypriot side proposed to a
specialized foreign company to sign separate agreements with the two sides
concerning the roaming connection. However, the Turkish Cypriot side which does
not approve this proposal insists on the issue of the direct roaming.
A
source from the Greek Cypriot side stated to the paper that there is an “issue
of sovereignty” if the Turkish Cypriot proposal is accepted and stressed the
need not to turn this disagreement into a political issue, otherwise, as he said
it would not be a Confidence Building Measure (CBM).
(AK)
8.
Turkish Minister stresses interdependence of EU and
Turkey
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.04.16), Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister
Mehmet Simsek, addressing a high-level economics meeting in Istanbul,
said: “Turkey needs a strong European Union. A strong EU is vital for global
peace and welfare. In order to solve regional problems, the EU is essential.
The European Union needs strong and stable Turkey. If Turkey is stable, the
European Union will get stronger and increase its welfare. Turkey and the EU
cannot be separated."
He
added: “Turkey is a very important member of the European
family".
Simsek
said that visa liberalization for Turkish nationals, which has been promised as
part of the refugee deal, would increase commerce in the EU and
Turkey.
Speaking
at the same event, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, head of the Turkish Union of Chambers
and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), said that his priority is visa liberalization
for Turkish citizens visiting the EU. “Visas are the one of the chief hurdles to
EU-Turkey business cooperation. Due to visas, we cannot take advantage of many
mutual business opportunities. Visa liberalization would facilitate more
communication and cooperation between the EU and Turkey,” he
said.
Commissioner
for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn
also spoke about the economic ties between the EU and Turkey at Monday’s
meeting. Hahn said that more than 20,000 companies owned by Europeans operate
in Turkey, while Turkish companies active in the EU provide employment to around
600,000 people in the 28-state bloc.
9.
Free court, free press important for EU investments in
Turkey
Columnist
Murat Yetkin, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 26.04.16),
under the above title, publishes the following interview with the European
Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs Pierre
Moscovici:
“‘The
immigration deal is very important for the European Union and relations with
Turkey; actually it has the highest importance now’, said
Moscovici
during an interview on April 25 in Istanbul. ‘We want to revitalize relations
with Turkey in every field, including [the] economy. But for that structural
reform, including fiscal policies, judicial reforms [and] freedom of press are
highly important as well’, Moscovici continued. ‘Investments need stability,
predictability and security, that is why we talk about reforms and that includes
free courts and free press, as I mentioned to Turkish ministers I talked to this
morning.’
‘German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, President of the European Council [Donald Tusk] and
[the] deputy head of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, were in Turkey
over the weekend,’ Moscovici underlined, ‘And our presence today also shows the
importance we give to relations with Turkey. It is not only for [the]
immigration crisis, not only for business, but for the values we share as well.
We want this country to stay what it was since the foundation of [the] republic,
as a secular democracy, no matter which party is in power, respecting its
popularly elected leaders President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu,’ Moscovici said.
About
the much debated visa-free EU travel rights for Turkish citizens as a part of
the Syrian immigration deal with the EU, Moscovici said that the Commission was
decisive to suggest the case to the EU Council of Ministers if Turkey fulfilled
the benchmarks by May 4. ‘It’s up to the Council to decide what kind of a
decision they are going to make,’ he said, amid reported discontent from a
number of EU members, including Moscovici’s home country of
France.
Turkey’s
desire not to be left out of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP) has been another subject in the Turkey-EU dialogue meetings in Istanbul.
Moscovici said that they promised the Turkish side to bring up the subject to
the Commission once again, since Turkey is a member of the EU Customs Union.
‘Everybody must cool down,’ he said. ‘The negotiations with the U.S. [have] not
ended yet and after that there are several years to be
concluded.’
Moscovici
also said that if the Greeks and Turks in Cyprus agreed on a reunification plan,
which he said he was hopeful for, then surpassing the obstacles in five more
chapters for membership negotiations, including chapters on Customs Unions,
judicial reform and rights and freedoms in Turkey, would be
possible.”
10.
Germany plans to build fixed location in Turkish air base for 65 mln euro
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.04.16), Germany is planning
on building a fixed location inside Turkey’s Incirlik Airbase, where it is
already deploying Tornado jets and an aerial refuelling jet along with hundreds
of soldiers, for around 65 million euro, Germany’s Der Spiegel reported on April
25.
Germany
is making plans on turning its temporary mission deployment at the İncirlik Base
to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) into a permanent
mission, according to the German magazine.
Reportedly,
a total of around 65 million euros will be spent on the construction of its
permanent stations inside the base in Turkey’s southern province of Adana.
The
German Air Force currently deploys six Tornado reconnaissance aircrafts, an A310
MRT aerial refuelling jet and 200 military personnel at the Incirlik base.
Germany
is also conducting negotiations with Ankara for longer deployment of the German
military staff, the report said.
11.
Former Turkish Chief of General Staff wrote a book about
Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (26.04.16) reports that retired Turkish General
Ilker Basbug visited the breakaway regime on the occasion of a book he wrote
about Cyprus under the title: “Cyprus: The forgotten
island”.
According
to the paper, Basbug, who served as the Chief of General Staff at the Turkish
Army, gave a lecture at the illegal Near East University about his book where
replying to a question stated that he wrote a book about Cyprus in order to
show how important the island is for the future of Turkey. He went on and argued
that due to mistakes followed on Turkey’s foreign policy, Cyprus have been
forgotten and added that the day will come Turkey to pay for this.
(CS)
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