TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 107/16
09.06.2016
1. Akinci denies that the Turkish side’s proposals provide for a
confederation in Cyprus
2. EU to pursue air traffic agreement with
Turkey
3. Elcil takes to international courts Turkey’s efforts to turn the
occupied area of Cyprus into its province
4. The occupied part of Lefkosia rejected the water transferred from
Turkey
5. Ataoglu continued his contacts in Turkey; He met with Turkes and
Avci
6. Ataoglu met with Veysel Eroglu; Eroglu: “Fire- fighting
helicopters are ready in Tasucu and wait”
7. Slogans on the wall of an occupied church are described as “abuse
of the freedom of religion”
8. Esergin on the establishment of the “youth coordination office”
9. Turkish Minister of Finance to participate in the inauguration of
the “international fair” in the breakaway
regime
10. Yildirim: “The murderer PKK is behind car bomb
attacks”
1. Akinci denies that the Turkish side’s proposals provide for a
confederation in Cyprus
Under the title “They will be meeting twice a week”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.06.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci has argued that the Turkish Cypriot side discusses
seriously a federal solution at the negotiating table. Upon his return
yesterday to the occupied area of Cyprus after his meeting with President
Anastasiades within the framework of the negotiations for finding a solution to
the Cyprus problem, Akinci was asked to comment on the allegation that the
positions of the Turkish side at the negotiating table aim at a
confederation. “The issue of the confederation has started coming before
us in an unnecessary and meaningless manner”, he argued noting that the
confederation could constitute a limited and narrow cooperation between two
separate, independent and recognized states. He added:
“The unitary state is the opposite of the confederation. We could
also come out and allege that the proposals of the Greek Cypriot side are close
to the unitary state. We did not do this. As Turkish side we preferred to
discuss these issues at the negotiating table. We want to continue behaving in
this manner. Saying that some thoughts we put forward aim at a confederation,
spreading this and ensuring that it is conveyed to the public in this manner is
not the correct stance. There is no such reality. Whatever we do is in harmony
to the Framework Agreement of the 11th of February 2014. Whatever we
do are proposals in harmony to the spirit of a federal structure. We are aware
of the fact that what is feasible on this island is a bi-zonal bi-communal
federation of two founding states based on political equality. The proposals we
submit should not be described as confederation. There is no such
intention and stance. We are aware of the fact that this is not possible.
However, the other side should stay away from unitary state approaches. We
will not establish a unitary state in Cyprus. We will establish a united federal
Cyprus”.
Akinci went on and said that the leaders will be meeting every
Tuesday and Friday in June and that during the meeting of the
17th of June they will discuss the authorities of the federal
government and look for convergences on remaining points of disagreement as
regards this issue. He noted that they will also meet on the 1st of
July and that they will prepare a similar program for July as well.
Referring to the issue of the Greek Cypriot negotiator, Akinci
recalled that the voting for electing the President of the UN General Assembly,
in which the Greek Cypriot negotiator Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis is a
candidate, will be held on 13 June and added: “If Mavroyiannis is elected
there will be an issue of appointing a new negotiator by the Greek Cypriot
side. If he remains at his duty, it will continue with him. Of course
this issue concerns the south. They will decide who their negotiator will be,
but this is also a part of the agenda. After the 13 [of June] we will see
what will happen”.
Akinci said that as a person who had many times underlined how
important the period by the end of the year is, yesterday he established that
all sides have the same sensitivity and expressed his satisfaction with
this. “I can say that both Mr Anastasiades and the UN exhibit the same
understanding on the issue of using this period of time in the most productive
manner, of finding a solution by the end of the year if this is possible and of
not transferring the problem to the future generations”, he noted describing
this common understanding as “extremely important” for him.
Replying to a question regarding the preparation of a joint document
with the points of disagreement between the two sides, Akinci argued: “There
was a common understanding that the preparation of such a document is not
needed. We know where convergences exist and where disagreements
exist. Of course, we could continue and prepare these by ourselves for
ourselves. However, it would be wise for us to concentrate on the points of
disagreement. This is what we decided to do. We will not attempt to
prepare a new document. This is not necessary”.
(I/Ts.)
2. EU to pursue air traffic agreement with
Turkey
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (09.06.16) reports that the European
Commission will pursue air traffic agreements with the United Arab Emirates,
Qatar, Turkey and countries in Southeast Asia.
Such agreements, now often done on a bilateral basis by individual
governments, would set out where and how often foreign airlines could fly into
the EU, and vice versa.
“Once agreed, these agreements will offer new business opportunities
to the whole aviation sector, new routes and better fares to passengers”, EU
Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc said.
According to the paper, the EU Commission asked EU-member governments
last December to give it a mandate to start talks on air transport agreement.
The paper notes that for the time being the Republic of Cyprus did not object
towards starting negotiations with Turkey on the issue.
(CS)
3. Elcil takes to international courts Turkey’s efforts to turn
the occupied area of Cyprus into its province
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.06.16) reports that
Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot teachers’ Trade
Union (KTOS), will take to international courts Turkey’s efforts to turn the
occupied area of Cyprus into its province.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Elcil likened the
National Unity Party (UBP) – Democratic Party (DP) self-styled coalition
government to the French government which cooperated with the Nazis when France
was under German occupation during the World War II.
“We will undertake any kind of initiative to take the members of
the government in front of the international justice”, he noted adding that
Turkey’s military intervention in 1974 was turned into invasion and
occupation by violating the international law.
Elcil said that actions such as privatizations and the
establishment of a “coordination office” [by the Turkish Ministry of Youth
and Sports] aim at hiding the occupation and added that the real aim
is the assimilation and integration in order to annihilate the Turkish Cypriot
community.
(I/Ts.)
4. The occupied part of Lefkosia rejected the water transferred
from Turkey
Under the title “The Lefkosia Turkish municipality rejected the
water”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (09.06.16) reports that the
“city council” of the “Lefkosia Turkish municipality” rejected yesterday the use
of the water transferred from Turkey.
According to the paper, the “city council” rejected the participation
to water distribution which will be sold for 2,30 Turkish lira during the
transition period. The “Lefkosia mayor” Mehmet Harmanci, who did not participate
in the voting, stated that this decision could contribute towards sending to the
“officials” the message to re-evaluate the thinking for the high-selling price
of the water.
(CS)
5. Ataoglu continued his contacts in Turkey; He met with Turkes
and Avci
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (09.06.16) reports that the
so-called minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu and his
accompanied delegation, within the framework of their contacts in Turkey, met
separately yesterday with Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus
Affairs, Tugrul Turkes and with Turkey’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Nabi
Avci.
According to the paper, during the meeting with Turkes, they
exchanged views on the Cyprus problem and the ongoing negotiation process.
The delegations writes the paper, agreed on the view that Cyprus
should take the place it deserves in the world the soonest possible and that
vibrant days will come in the island by the end of 2016.
In his statements, Turkes, inter alia, said that “Turkey will
continue to support the “daughter-land”, as it described the occupation regime,
in all its steps, giving priority especially to the steps taken in the sectors
of tourism and education, in order to be concluded positively”.
Arguing that “north Cyprus” number of bed capacity is growing
rapidly, Turkes supported that tourist investments should be broadened for the
occupation regime’s economic development and the tourism sector to become the
pioneer of the other sectors in the “country”.
Ataoglu in his turn, stated that several NGO’s and other
“organizations” in the “TRNC” have launched efforts for the promotion of the
“TRNC”. He explained that they have undertaken all necessary steps in order to
achieve the direct connection with flights to the “TRNC” with several districts
in Turkey and added that their goal is not only Turkey but also several other
markets such as Germany, where a huge number of Turkish Cypriots live, but also,
the UK where at least 150 thousand Turkish Cypriots also live.
During his meeting with Avci, Ataoglu stated that their goal is to
sign the soonest possible a protocol with Turkey on the further development of
the tourist sector.
Avci further said that Turkey will always support the “TRNC’s tourism
sector” and all its “marketing activities”.
(AK)
6. Ataoglu met with Veysel Eroglu; Eroglu: “Fire- fighting
helicopters are ready in Tasucu and wait”
Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis newspaper (09.06.16) reports
that so-called minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu, who is
currently in Turkey for a series of contacts, met yesterday with Turkey’s
Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu.
In statements during the meeting, Eroglu stated that Turkey
provides and will continue to provide in the future any kind of support to the
“TRNC” “Acting jointly with our brothers in Cyprus, is our biggest duty”, Eroglu
argued.
Stating that Ataoglu has asked for his support towards the issue of
fire-fighting in the “TRNC”, Eroglu said that a fire-fighting helicopter in
Turkey’s Tasucu district in Mersin is ready to provide any kind of support in
case of a fire in the “TRNC”. He also added Turkey will sent in August a
fire-fighting helicopter and emergency action vehicles in order to intervene if
necessary”.
In his turn, Ataoglu stated that they are getting strengthened from
Turkey’s support. He also condemned strongly the car bomb attacks in Istanbul
and Mardin.
(AK)
7. Slogans on the wall of an occupied church are described as
“abuse of the freedom of religion”
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (09.06.16) reports
that the worlds “EOKA”, “Omonoia”, “Agona” and “PEKA” were written on the
wall of the Saint George church in occupied Keryneia which is open to religious
services. Describing all these names as “known elements having fanatic and
fascist views against the Turkish Cypriots”, the paper writes that people who
saw the word “EOKA” on the wall of the church were surprised and one of them
took the picture of the wall and shared his on its Facebook account.
Halkin Sesi argues that “PEKA” is an organization established in 1956
for politically supporting EOKA and “Omonoia” is a football team during the
matches of which incidents happen very often.
These words on the wall of a church open for religious services have
strengthened the view that members of ELAM party are crossing over to the
occupied area of Cyprus among the Greek Cypriots who participate in religious
services in occupied churches, alleges the paper claiming that this fact was
evaluated as “abuse of the freedom of religion” by some circles.
(I/Ts.)
8. Esergin on the establishment of the “youth coordination office”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (09.06.16) reports that
Cemre Gunsel Esergin, “member of the executive board” of the People’s Party
(HP,) evaluating to the paper the “agreement” signed between Turkey and the
occupation regime for the establishment of a “youth coordination office”, argued
that the aim of this, is to “institutionalize” the existing “unhealthy ties”
between Turkey and the “TRNC”, instead of improving them.
Esergin argued that this development will be neither of Turkey’s
benefit nor of the “TRNC”.
Explaining that the HP supports the cooperation between Turkey and
the occupation regime in the fields of youth and sports, Esergin added, that
the party is also not contrary to the establishment of such an office, provided
that some “articles” and “regulations” in the “agreement” change.
(…)
(AK)
9. Turkish Minister of Finance to participate in the inauguration
of the “international fair” in the breakaway
regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (09.06.16) reports that the
“40th international fair” of the breakaway regime is starting
tomorrow with the participation of 112 firms from the occupied area of Cyprus
and 30 firms from Turkey.
The paper also reports that the Turkish Minister of Finance Nohat
Zeybekci will visit tomorrow the breakaway regime for a one-day visit in order
to participate in the fair’s inauguration.
(CS)
10. Yildirim: “The murderer PKK is behind car bomb
attacks”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.06.16) reported that Prime
Minister Binali Yıldırım stated that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is
behind car bomb attacks that hit Turkey on June 7 and on June 8 and pledged to
continue a “relentless struggle” against the outlawed group.
“PKK. It is the murderer PKK organization,” Yıldırım said in response to a reporter’s question inquiring
whether there were any leads on which terror organization was behind the attack
that killed 11 in Istanbul on June 7.
“This did not surprise us but the circle around them is gradually
tightening,” Yildirim said, adding: “We will continue our crackdown with
determination, both in cities and in rural areas”.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK / AM)
