TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
82/16
05.05.2016
1.
AKP to hold extraordinary congress on May 22 Davutoglu not to run for
leadership
2.
Bozkir said 72 criteria asked by EU on the visa lifting issue had
already been met
3.
Izcan said that Turkey’s decision for lifting visa requirements for
EU citizens should be evaluated with political reality
4.
CTP: The normalization is only possible with the Cyprus settlement
5.
Ozgurgun claims that his “government” supports the Cyprus
negotiations
6.
Atun: The economy protocol with Turkey will be signed within a month
7.
Sinirlioglu carries out an illegal visit to the occupied area of
Cyprus
8.
Siber met with the Federation of European Microbiological Society
9.
YKP, BKP and KTOS are seeking for a left-wing cooperation
10.
Cypruvex Ltd Company in the occupied area of Cyprus has re- launched
exports after 15 years
11.
Demirtas on the lifting of immunities; AKP to hold a referendum if
the lifting of immunities is not accepted
1.
AKP
to hold extraordinary congress on May 22 Davutoglu not to run for
leadership
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (05.05.16) reports that the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) will hold an extraordinary congress on May
22, with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu not running for the party
leadership. The move comes after a crucial AKP Central Executive
Board (MYK) decision on May 5.
The
meeting ended at around 12.50 p.m., with Davutoglu now expected to
hold a press conference to announce an extraordinary party congress.
A
key meeting between Davutoglu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan at the Presidential Palace lasted for one hour and 40 minutes
on May 4.
Relations
have reportedly been tense between the President and the Prime
Minister amid rumors that Davutoglu would resign after saying on May
3 that he would not hesitate to “walk away from any job position.”
In
pointed remarks before the May 4 meeting, Erdogan said “you should
not forget how you got your post.”
2.
Bozkir
said 72 criteria asked by EU on the visa lifting issue had already
been met
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (04.05.16) reports that Turkey’s Minister for
EU affairs, Volkan Bokzır commented on the step taken by the EU in
recommending the lifting of travel visas for Turkish citizens inside
the visa-free Schengen zone.
As
part of a Turkey-EU migrant deal reached to curb the flow of migrants
into the bloc, the EU pledged visa-free travel for Turkish citizens
by July on the stipulation that Turkey met all 72 required criteria.
Bozkir
stated speaking during a press conference in Ankara that he believes
all 72 criteria had already been met.
“The
Commission confirms this to a large extent,” Bozkır said, adding
that he hoped the process could be completed on schedule by the end
of June.
3.
Izcan
said that Turkey’s decision for lifting visa requirements for EU
citizens should be evaluated with political reality
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.05.16) reports that Izzet
Izcan,
leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), said
that Turkey’s decision for lifting visa requirements for EU
citizens should be evaluated with political
reality and not with nationalist and chauvinistic approaches.
In
a written statement, Izcan stressed that this decision shows that
Turkey acts with concern for its own interests and benefits in its
international relations.
Commenting
on the issue that with the decision all Cypriots who own a passport
of the Republic of Cyprus will enter Turkey without a visa, Izcan
said that there are important lessons to be drawn from this for the
Turkish Cypriots.
(DPs)
4.
CTP:
The normalization is only possible with the Cyprus settlement
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (05.05.16) reports that the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP), commenting on the latest
developments, said that the “normalization”, which will be in
favour of all sides in Cyprus, is possible only with the final
solution of the Cyprus problem. CTP added that for this reason it is
time for everyone to put aside
the searching for utilization from an exception which cannot be
continued and to direct their efforts for a comprehensive solution as
soon as possible.
In a
written statement issued by CTP on the proposal by the European
Commission to lift the visa requirements for the citizens of Turkey,
it reminded that accordingly the Turkish citizens will be able to
travel to “south Cyprus” (translator’s note: the government
controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) without a visa.
(DPs)
5.
Ozgurgun
claims that his “government” supports the Cyprus negotiations
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (05.05.16) reports that the self-styled prime
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun said that his “government” supports the
reunification talks with Greek Cypriots.
"The
UBP [National Unity Party] government will not fall in a difference
of opinion in an apparent way when it comes to reaching solution for
anything in Cyprus," Ozgurgun said in an interview with AA.
"The
obstacle in the way of solution has always been the Greek side. It is
not possible for the president [Mustafa Akinci] to face any obstacle
from the government side," he claimed all the while praising
Turkey's "effective and active" role as guarantor of the
breakaway regime.
Ozgurgun
also added that as the UBP placed great importance on positive and
strong relations with the "motherland", noting that fresh
water provision from Turkey to the breakaway was a "very
important milestone" in the history of Cyprus.
"We
hope that the water will reach the Turkish Cypriots as soon as
possible. Our work has started on that matter," said Ozgurgun.
In
addition, illegal Bayrak (04.05.16) broadcast that during his first
interview
to
BRT after the new “government” received a “vote of confidence
in parliament” last week. Ozgurgun stated that their efforts will
be concentrated on removing difficulties experienced in the
“country”.
He
also touched upon the economic protocol to be signed with Turkey and
stated: “We do not think the difficulties which have been a source
of various disputes cannot be overcome. I think the protocol will be
signed soon” he said.
He
also denied claims that 25 thousand new “citizenships” will be
granted.
6.
Atun:
The economy protocol with Turkey will be signed within a month
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (05.05.16) reports that the self-styled
minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun stated that the three-year
economic protocol between Turkey and the breakaway regime will be
signed within a month.
Atun
made these statements during a meeting he held with the so-called
ambassador of Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Derya Kanbay.
Atun
stated that the protocol will be signed by the self-styled prime
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun after a meeting that Atun and the “minister
of finance” Serdar Denktas will have with the Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister, responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Tugrul Turkes.
Atun
further said that cooperation between Turkey and the breakaway regime
will continue as always.
(CS)
7.
Sinirlioglu
carries out an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (05.05.16) reports that the
Undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioglu
arrived last night to the occupied area of Cyprus to have a series of
“contacts” with “state” and “government officials”.
Sinirlioglu
will meet today with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the
so-called prime minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun and the so-called foreign
minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu.
(AK)
8.
Siber
met with the Federation of European Microbiological Society
Illegal
Bayrak television (04.05.16) broadcast that the Federation of
European Microbiological Society-FEMS is to hold a series of meetings
in the breakaway regime for the first time.
The
board of directors of the “federation and the president of the
Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association” Filiz Besim visited the
“speaker” of the “assembly” Sibel Siber together with the
President of FEMS Enrico Reginato.
Speaking
during the visit, Besim said that representatives of 27 medical
associations will be participating in the meetings. She added that a
health conference will also be held within the framework of the
organization.
Siber
said that the international community could and should not ignore the
Turkish Cypriots “who have their own organizations, democracy and
culture of peace”.
9.
YKP,
BKP and KTOS are seeking for a left-wing cooperation
Under
the front-page title: “Seeking
of a left wing cooperation”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(05.05.16) reports that officials from the New Cyprus Party (YKP) and
the United Cyprus Party (BKP) visited yesterday the “Turkish
Cypriot Teacher’s Trade Union” (KTOS) in order to exchange views
as regards their cooperation for the establishment of a union on the
basis of contributing to the communal struggle.
In
statements during the meeting, Sener
Elcil general secretary of KTOS, stated, inter alia, that they had
decided to undertake their responsibilities in the political sense
and added that “There is an alternative for the Turkish Cypriots”.
Elcil
pointed out that taking into consideration that the “communities’
identity, culture, religious perception and existence is under
Turkey’s threat”, he stated that it is inevitable the need for
them to establish a wide-principled union for their salvation. He
added that the Turkish Cypriots have no alternatives right now and
added that the trade union has undertaken the initiative to unify the
patriotic powers.
Elcil
expressed also the view that the unification of the patriotic powers
will reflect positively to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the
peace process in Cyprus.
Also
speaking, Izzet
Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) stressed the need
for the establishment of a widely-extended union and explained that
its aim will be to protect the existence of the Turkish Cypriot
community, to defend the worker’s rights and to contribute for the
peace and democracy in the “country”.
In
his turn Murat
Kanatli, “organizing secretary” of the New Cyprus Party (YKP)
said, inter alia, that they took the responsibility to build a common
path.
Supporting
that the establishment of widely-extended unions is necessary for the
solution of the Cyprus problem, Kanatli added that the establishment
of an organization such as that called “This Country is Ours’
Platform” [Translator’s note: Bu Memleket Bizim Platformu] is
necessary in order to produce mechanisms for the solution of their
daily problems.
“It
will be a political movement aiming to change the system”, Kanatli
added.
(AK)
10.
Cypruvex
Ltd Company in the occupied area of Cyprus has re- launched exports
after 15 years
Under
the front-page title: “If
there is quality there is no embargo”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (05.05.16) reports on statements by Ugur Kemal Saygili,
“chairman” of the “administration board” of the Cypruvex Ltd
Company [Translator’s note: fruit and vegetable export company in
the occupied area of Cyprus], who in exclusive statements to the
paper, said that after 15 years, they exported oranges to the UK and
the Netherlands and alleged that if the products are of high quality,
the embargoes have no influence.
Saygili
said also that the company’s works go well due to their good
cooperation with the “administration board” and added that no
products will be left in the stock this year.
Explaining
that they experienced difficulties in finding markets due to the
deterioration of ties between Turkey and Russia, Saygili explained
that their harvest was concentrated 99% on grapefruit production. He
added also that they exported 25 thousand tons of mandarins to Iraq
and other Arab countries while on the other hand he added that they
have sent king mandarins and Valencia oranges to the Netherlands, the
UK, Spain and Switzerland.
Saygili
stressed also that their goal is for the export of their products to
Europe to reach the 40% of the total exports.
He explained that in order to be able to sell their products in the
European markets they need the “global export permit document”
and claimed that if their products are of high quality, they will be
able to export them in every place of the world.
(…)
(AK)
11.
Demirtas
on the lifting of immunities; AKP to hold a referendum if the lifting
of immunities is not accepted
Turkish
daily Cumhuriyet (04.05.16) under the title: “HDP
is looking for support from abroad” reported that the Peoples'
Democratic Party (HDP) is preparing to undertake steps in order to
mold public opinion on the issue of the lifting of Deputies’
immunity after the proposal was accepted by the Constitutional
Committee at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBBM).
According
to the paper, Selahattin
Demirtas, co-chairman of the HDP who held recently contacts in the US
on the immunity issue, met with his party’s Deputies in order to
determine their policy towards this issue.
Meanwhile,
according to the paper, HDP’s central committee is expected to
convene today in order to take crucial decisions.
The
paper adds that Figen Yuskedag, co-chairwoman of the HDP has sent a
letter to several European MPs against the lifting of the immunities.
At the same time, a delegation from the party is expected to have
contacts with several foreign Ambassadors to discuss the issue. The
HDP will point out during the meetings, that the aim of the lifting
of the immunities is to leave the HDP party outside politics,
describing this move as a political coup.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Sabah (05.05.16) reports on the issue and writes that
the AKP party asked
from all its Deputies to be present at the Assembly’s meeting which
is to take place on May 16, where the 1st
round of voting on the lifting of immunities will take place.
According
to the paper, if
the AKP won’t secure the necessary votes for the proposal to be
approved as a constitutional amendment, then it would lean towards
submitting the constitutional amendment on the lifting of immunities
to a referendum.
(…)
(AK)
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
