9/6/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

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”.





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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK / AM)