TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 98/16
27.05.2016
1. Yildirim to pay his first visit abroad in the occupied area of
Cyprus
2. Akinci: “Abandoning the negotiations is unacceptable”
3. Akinci alleges that the Turkish Cypriots should have been able to
participate in the UN’s Humanitarian Summit in
Istanbul
4. “The limitation of the religious services has become
official”
5. Quarrel between Sahali and Ertugruloglu on the religious ceremony
issue
6. KTOS chairman accuses Akinci of becoming a tool in Erdogan’s
hands
7. More on the settlers’ new party
8. Turkish Energy Ministry introduces Turkey's giant energy
investment agenda
9. First National Security Council meeting of new Turkish government
held under Erdogan’s presidency
10. HDP, CHP MPs appeal to annul bill scrapping
immunities
11. Turkish columnist foresees problems with the EU with Erdogan in
charge of policies
12. The occupation regime was represented at the “SMIIC” general
assembly
13. The “mayor” of occupied Morfou due to Bosnia for a
summit
1. Yildirim to pay his first visit abroad in the occupied area of
Cyprus
Turkish daily Hurriyet (27.05.16) reports that the newly appointed
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, following the tradition, will pay on
June 1st his first visit abroad, in the “TRNC” after assuming his
duties. Afterwards, Yildirim will be visiting Azerbaijan where he is expected to
meet with the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.
(AK)
2. Akinci: “Abandoning the negotiations is unacceptable”
Under the title “Abandoning the negotiations is unacceptable”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.05.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci has once more described as “exaggerated and unmeasured”
the reaction of President Anastasiades to his visit to Istanbul and his meeting
with the UNSG. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Akinci expressed the hope
that President Anastasiades will reexamine his stance and argued that
“abandoning the negotiations is unacceptable”.
Expressing his sorrow for the postponement of the today’s meeting
between the leaders within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations, Akinci
said:
“We have come close to the days during which we will discuss the
issues of the territory and security. For this reason we should change the
format of the negotiations. We should pass into a new format of negotiations in
which we will discuss all these issues uninterruptedly for a week or ten days.
And when we finish these chapters, in the very end, a five-party meeting will be
needed in which the guarantor powers will also participate for concluding the
chapters of the guarantees and security”.
Noting that he had also met in the past with the UNSG in New York and
Davos, Akinci reiterated: “It should be very well understood that the Turkish
Cypriots cannot be squeezed only in the buffer zone in Nicosia. Our meetings
with UN officials cannot be confined only to the buffer zone. […] During our
meeting with the UNSG in Istanbul we evaluated what could be done for finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year”.
Asked whether it is possible for the Greek Cypriot side to have
withdrawn from the negotiations because it allegedly does not need a solution
any more, Akinci replied that he does not want to think that this is
possible, because the solution of the Cyprus problem is a procedure which
requires mutual understanding, will and political determination and both sides
will benefit from this together with the whole region. “The solution is possible
only through dialogue”, he said adding that time which passes works against the
process and reiterating that the current opportunity is the last one for
reaching a federal solution.
Furthermore, Akinci argued that as “president” of the Turkish
Cypriots, his primary duty is to protect their rights and to simultaneously
understand the “reasonable sensitivities” of the other community. He said
that he expects the same by President Anastasiades, who has the duty to show
empathy and put himself in the shoes of the Turkish Cypriots, who have
allegedly been excluded from the Republic of Cyprus and want their rights in a
new federal republic.
According to Akinci, the solution of the Cyprus problem will make a
better economic structure possible in a “united federal country” and many new
opportunities will be created between the new federal state and Turkey.
Replying to a question, Akinci said that the most fundamental
thing which the Turkish Cypriots want is the political equality and they
wish to live in safety as a free “people” without being threatened by any
community. He noted that the Greek Cypriots want the same things, adding that
freedom, equality and security are the most important issues.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci alleges that the Turkish Cypriots should have been able
to participate in the UN’s Humanitarian Summit in
Istanbul
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.05.16) reports that
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the negotiating processes
have their ups and downs and added that even though the Cyprus negotiations seem
to be in a descent now, he expressed the hope that this situation is
temporary.
Addressing a cocktail party of the “banking union” in the occupied
area of the island, Akinci referred to the reactions to his recent visit to
Istanbul to attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Erdogan for the heads of
states and governments within the framework of the Humanitarian Summit of the
United Nations and to meet with the UNSG.
He said that until a certain point he understands the fact that the
Greek Cypriots “raising a tempest in a teapot”, but it is not possible for him
to understand the criticism made in the Turkish Cypriot
community. He alleged: “Our place as Turkish Cypriots was in that summit.
We should be able to be in that summit”.
Akinci reiterated the allegation of the Turkish side that the Turkish
Cypriots have been excluded from the Republic of Cyprus for 53 years, that they
are one of the equal partners of the Republic and that they cannot take the
place they deserve. He alleged that it is not right for the leader of only
the one community to represent the whole of Cyprus, that non-UN-members
participated in the summit in Istanbul and that the “TRNC” could have
participated even though it is not recognized.
Akinci recalled that President Erdogan has invited him to dinner as
“president of the TRNC” and that he accepted the invitation. Noting that the
events had been evaluated as an effort to upgrade the status of the breakaway
regime and it was said that this cannot be allowed, Akinci claimed that they
are pursuing what is “reasonable and achievable” and they know that this is a
bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on the political equality of two “founding
states”.
“No one except for us can decide to which invitation for dinner
the president of the TRNC will reply positively, at which dinner he will attend
and whether he will meet with the UNSG”, he argued expressing his sorrow for
the fact that the Greek Cypriots are allegedly “raising a tempest in a teapot”.
(I/Ts.)
4. “The limitation of the religious services has become
official”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper
(27.05.16) reports that after a 3,5 hour-long meeting of the “cabinet”,
Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, referred yesterday to the issue
of the religious services in churches in the occupied area of the
island.
Ozgurgun alleged that the religious freedoms are respected in the
“TRNC” within the framework of the understanding of a “secular state” and that
the regime secures the necessary conditions for everyone exercising his
religious duties.
Arguing that there has been a “serious and deliberate increase” in
the demands made by Greek Cypriots for religious services in churches in the
occupied area, Ozgurgun said that for this reason the “government” reexamined
the process of granting “permit” for such services.
Noting that some churches have been turned into “political symbols”,
Ozgurgun alleged that “as long as the current non-solution exists the need for
taking measures on these issues emerges”. He claimed that this does not mean that the religious freedoms are
limited and added that the arrangements were implemented because the
religious freedoms have been used as a means for political exploitation.
Ozgurgun said that the new criteria according which “permit”
for religious services in occupied churches will be granted are the
following:
“The religious service to coincide with an important religious
day, the physical situation of the church for which permit is asked to be at
such level that the safety of the people is not threatened, the church is not
used for any other purpose and the church is not located in a military
zone”.
Furthermore, Ozgurgun claimed that the regime has never exploited
politically the limitations allegedly implemented by the Cyprus government to
the exercise of the religious duties of “TRNC citizens” in the
government-controlled area of the island and added that the issue “will
take the place it deserves on the agenda” in case the practices against the
“citizens” who cross over to the government-controlled area of Cyprus for
religious purposes, the limitations at places of worship and the political
initiatives continue.
He also described as “unacceptable” the correlation of the activity
which the regime will organize in occupied Kokkina village with the issue of the
religious services.
(I/Ts.)
5. Quarrel between Sahali and Ertugruloglu on the religious
ceremony issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (27.05.16) reports that
Erkut Sahalli, “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces
(CTP-BG) in occupied Famagusta, delivering a speech yesterday during the meeting
of the so-called assembly referred, inter alia to the “implementation of the
foreign affairs ministry of the government on the religious
places”.
Sahalli said that they pay a great importance on the efforts exerted
in the framework of the Cyprus negotiation process to implement the Confidence
Building Measures (CBMs). He added that it is also very important the two
communities to respect the religious and cultural activities of each other.
Commenting on the results of the parliamentary elections in the
government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus and of the entrance of
ELAM in Parliament with two seats; Sahalli said that every Cypriot who is a
supporter of the solution should feel distress from this development.
Sahalli went on and asked which is the “official state policy” on the
decision taken by the “minority government” in the “TRNC” towards the issue of
the religious ceremonies.
Sahalli explained that the Greek Cypriots’ applications to carry out
religious ceremonies in the “north” in 2015 was 128 and 96 out of them had
become accepted. He added that in 2016, 54 applications became accepted while 16
had been rejected. “A standard procedure should be followed on a technical level
and a decision should be taken, taking into consideration these figures”,
Sahalli said.
He also stressed the need to fall backward the decision taken to
implement criteria for the religious ceremonies which are taking place by Greek
Cypriots in the “north” and described it as a negative step for the solution.
Sahali expressed the hope that concrete criteria will be taken into
account in order for a decision to be taken and condemned the so-called foreign
ministry for his decision.
Meanwhile, delivering a speech in the so-called assembly, “foreign
minister” Tahsin Ertugruloglu replied to Sahali’ statements and said:
“There is a perception that every request coming for religious ceremonies in
the TRNC was accepted previously, but Ertugruloglu has come on duty and he
refused these requests. I disagree with such
perceptions”.
Ertugruloglu explained that a remarkable increase was observed on the
number of request for religious ceremonies and claimed that the decision was
taken in order to discipline these ceremonies. “We are not trying to prevent the
religious ceremonies”, Ertugruloglu alleged.
He further claimed that they will not allow the issue to be reflected
as if they are trying to take away the Greek Cypriots’ rights to their religious
ceremonies.
(AK)
6. KTOS chairman accuses Akinci of becoming a tool in Erdogan’s
hands
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (27.05.16) reports
that Senel Elcil, the general secretary of KTOS trade union, accused the
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling in Turkey Justice and
Development Party (AKP) for creating a crisis at the Cyprus
negotiations.
Elcil who issued a written statement said that Erdogan in provocative
way intents to create a crisis in the Cyprus talks and accused him of revealing
Turkey’s separatist policy in Cyprus.
Moreover Elcil also accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci
of becoming a tool in the hands of Erdogan noting that Akinci should not be an
organ to Turkey’s racist and separatist dreams for Cyprus.
(CS)
7. More on the settlers’ new party
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (27.05.16) reports that
Erhan Arikli, a settler living in the breakaway regime, commented on the
reactions created after the announcement of a new party under the name
“Re-rising Movement”
Arikli was commenting on statements that the new party is dangerous
and pro separatist. Arikli stated that despite the fact that the settlers
consist of the 30-40% of the population in the breakaway regime, they are
represented with only two “deputies” in the “assembly”. He also said that there
are parties that do not believe in the “TRNC” and no one accuses them for aiming
to hurt the “state”, but when the settlers try to establish a party, there is a
reaction by everyone. “Yes, we are dangerous. We are dangerous for the system
and dangerous for the parties that are fed by the system”, he
claimed.
(CS)
8. Turkish Energy Ministry introduces Turkey's giant energy
investment agenda
Turkish Sabah newspaper 927.05.16) reports that the Energy investment
agenda which can take Turkey to its 2023 goal of $2 billion of economic growth
has been set. Turkey’s energy sector will go into a change through projects
said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak. While the aim is to
reduce Turkey's external energy dependency along with seven basic energy
investments, investors will be encouraged to refined and produce domestic and
recyclable resources. There will also be a focus on alternative energy resources such as
wind power, solar energy, hydroelectricity and nuclear power. The projects in
the 65th Government Program aim for Turkey to reach a competitive energy system
that can strengthen its strategic position in the international energy
trade.
The main topics of the projects include concrete steps that will
facilitate the construction of nuclear power plants, and the maximization of
domestic and recyclable energy resources, and they will also be used in the
production of nuclear power.
Accordingly, concrete steps will be taken in nuclear power. In
addition to the agreements that were signed regarding the construction of two
nuclear power plants - the 4,800 megawatt plant in Akkuyu and the 4,480 MW plant
in Sinop, the construction of an additional third power plant will also kick off
during this period.
9. First National Security Council meeting of new Turkish
government held under Erdogan’s presidency
Turkish daily Sabah (27.05.16) reports that the National Security
Council (MGK) held a closed meeting under the presidency of Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential complex in Ankara. The meeting lasted
about 5,5 hours and was attended by Deputy Premiers, the Ministers of Justice,
Internal Affairs, National Defence and Foreign
Affairs.
The statement released after the first MGK meeting of the 65th
government, says that it was also attended by newly appointed Prime Minister
Binali Yıldırım, and the issues concerning ensuring and maintaining public
order, citizens' peace and safety were discussed comprehensively. The statement
also emphasized that the “terror organization” (PKK) had failed to gain support
from citizens living in southeastern Turkey and is far from representing any
segment in society.
“The Council also underlined that European countries' decision to
allow PKK's Syrian affiliate Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed People's
Protection Units (YPG) to open branches in Prague, Stockholm, Berlin and Paris
gives courage to terrorists who have shed blood in Turkey. The statement added
that Turkey expects those countries to reconsider the decision”, writes the
paper.
The MGK statement also said that the government was informed about
the latest developments in the Middle East and North Africa, especially Syria,
Iraq and Palestine. The statement also underscored the necessity of confidence
building and deterrent measures to be taken by NATO for all members of the
alliance, ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Warsaw.
10. HDP, CHP MPs appeal to annul bill scrapping
immunities
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (27.05.16) reports that lawmakers from
the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) have
applied to the Constitutional Court to annul a controversial constitutional
amendment that scraps immunities of many MPs on the grounds that it violates
fundamental aspects of the charter.
Lawmakers from the two political parties issued appeals to the top
court on an individual basis after the HDP’s efforts to garner 110 lawmakers for
a collective appeal failed due to CHP leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu’s strong
opposition.
11. Turkish columnist foresees problems with the EU with Erdogan
in charge of policies
Turkish Cumhuriyet newspaper (25.05.16) published the following
article by Asli Aydintasbas under the title: “Troublesome Summer with Europe”.
“[…] In the process ahead Tayyip Erdogan will be Turkey's one and
only face in terms of foreign policy and representation. Foreign policy will be
done in the White Palace.
It is not a secret that the good ties that he had established with
Europe have also been effective on the decision to remove Davutoglu from office.
There are strong signs showing that Erdogan viewed this situation as a "plot" or
an "operation" against himself.
As a result, just when the Turkey-Europe ties had stepped up, EU
Minister Volkan Bozkir and the negotiation process were sacrificed together with
Davutoglu.
With the exception of Volkan Bozkir who comes from the diplomatic
field, Omer Celik is the only name in the ruling party who can be appointed EU
Minister. There is no one else in the AKP's current parliamentary group who you
can place at the same table with the Europeans. Celik is not a heavy
conservative. Even though he is not very fluent in English, he has a
liberal-intellectual style and he is very familiar with the codes of the Western
world.
His advantage is his ability to speak to Erdogan with a sort of ease
that Davutoglu has failed to do. Davutoglu chose "to go around" Erdogan, whereas
Omer Celik can say directly to Erdogan's face "Let us do this in this
manner."
His disadvantage, on the other hand, is that we have reached the end
of the way in the Turkey-EU ties.
You should have no doubt that in the period ahead the ties with
Europe will continue as "bilateral ties" between two power blocs, rather than a
negotiation process. This is no linked only to the removal of Davutoglu from
office or to the growing authoritarianism in Turkey.
The Europeans see that Ankara has entered an entirely different path.
Look at the domestic problems that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing in
her country because of the support she has extended to Erdogan. Look at the
uproar in the European Parliament. If journalists are to be sent to prison, if
the Kurdish problem is handled with reciprocal killings and destruction, if
academics are to be targeted, and if an Islamic course is selected, it is
impossible for the European countries to convince their public to accept such a
Turkey. Period!
Therefore Erdogan's biggest difficulty in the period ahead will once
again be his own image. We know that the President wants to conduct "official
visits" to European countries. (Not just stopping by for attending a summit but
an official protocol as a "state leader".) It is not a secret that he especially
wants to visit the queen in England.
However Turkey has become a "poisonous" issue for Europe. The
Europeans are running hither and thither from the idea of an official visit --
especially England and Germany. A European diplomat said: "After the incidents
in Washington no one in Europe wants to host Erdogan. […]”
12. The occupation regime was represented at the “SMIIC” general
assembly
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (27.05.16) reports that the
occupation regime was represented at the 9th general assembly meeting
of the “Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries” (SMIIC) which
took place in Istanbul between May 23-25.
The occupation regime was represented at the meeting by the
“director” of the “trade department of the ministry of economy and energy”,
Nalan Nazli and also by Yudum Yorulmaz, member of the staff.
Participants from more than 64 countries attended the meeting, writes
the paper.
(AK)
13. The “mayor” of occupied Morfou due to Bosnia for a
summit
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (27.05.16) reports that the
“mayor” of occupied Morfou Mahmut Ozcinar will attend the “Eurasia Local
Administration Summit” which is to be organized by the Union of Turkic World
Municipalities (TDBB), between May 27-30 in Bosnia.
According to a statement issued by the occupied Morfou
“municipality”, Ozcinar will attend the summit as the co-chairman of the Union
of Turkic World Municipalities.
(AK)
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(CS / AM)
