TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 167/16
02.09.2016
1. The occupation regime reacts against the natural gas agreement
between Cyprus and Egypt
2. Turkish frigate harasses Greek Cypriot ship near occupied
Famagusta
3. Ertugruloglu to visit the United States for
contacts
4. Denktas held “contacts” in Ankara; He met with Turkes and
Agbal
5. Incidents after the Cypriot National Football Team U21 defeated
Turkey in Ankara
6. A sale of potatoes causes tension, threats and reactions
7. Twelve more persons were “granted” the occupation regime’s
citizenship
8. Tunali alleges that the TGNA wil decide whether the guarantees in
Cyprus will be abolished
9. Talat: “2016 could become the year of solution”
10. Yildirim met with Schulz; “We cannot change anti-terror
law”
11. Yildirim met with PACE’s Parliamentarians; He called PACE to
inform the world about the July 15 coup attempt
12. CHP calls on the EU to open Chapters 23 and 24
13. Turkey, Gazprom agree to accelerate Turkish Stream
project
14. Turkey and Russia to establish a Joint Investment Fund to be used
in Syria's reconstruction and Akkuyu Nuclear Plant
15. Hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus had a 64% occupancy rate in
August
16. “World Peace university” to be established in the occupied area
of Cyprus
1. The occupation regime reacts against the natural gas agreement
between Cyprus and Egypt
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (02.09.16)
reports that the self-styled foreign ministry of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has strongly condemned the further
advancement of the cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt on the
natural gas issue and the agreement signed between the two countries on 31
August 2016 for transferring gas to Egypt through a pipeline from Cyprus’
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In a statement issued yesterday, the “ministry” calls on the “Greek
Cypriot side” to revise its “unilateral stance” which is “harmful” for trust.
It also asks the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as it describes the Republic of
Cyprus, to immediately stop taking these “negative and unacceptable” steps which
“increase tension”. The “ministry” argues that it cannot tolerate any more the
fact that “rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are violated and
ignored”.
The statement further alleges that “instead of protecting the
sensitive balances, the Greek Cypriot side insists on taking steps which will
negatively influence the negotiating process in this critical
period, in spite of the suggestions made by both the UN and the
international community to all sides concerned to be moderate and
constructive”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish frigate harasses Greek Cypriot ship near occupied
Famagusta
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (02.09.16)
reports that the Greek Cypriot ship named “Royal Flash”, which had allegedly
been conducting researches without a permit in the so-called Turkish Maritime
Area of Jurisdiction in Eastern Mediterranean, has been warned and send away
from the area by a Turkish frigate.
“Royal Flash” was allegedly conducting researches for undersea
resources and mainly natural gas in the area between occupied Famagusta, Mersin
and Alexandretta on 21 August. A Turkish frigate which was carrying out reconnaissance, spotting
and patrolling activities in the area within the framework of the so-called
“Mediterranean Shield Operation” warned the Greek Cypriot ship to abandon
the area on 21 August, but Royal Flash did not stop and expanded its work in a
broader area. The Greek Cypriot ship was pursued by the Turkish frigate and
was forced to leave the area after being warned twice again on 25 and 26 August.
According to the paper, the “Mediterranean Shield Operation” started
on 1 April 2006 with the participation of frigates, corvettes, submarines,
assault boats and patrol vessels which continuously patrol in the area using the
ports of Aksaz, Mersin, Alexandretta and occupied Famagusta. The operation is
also supported from the air by airplanes and helicopters.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ertugruloglu to visit the United States for
contacts
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (02.09.16)
reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglu, self-styled foreign minister of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, will visit New
York within the forthcoming days for holding contacts and “participate” in the
meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC). It is said that in New York Ertugruloglu will meet with officials
from the OIC and the UN.
According to the paper, afterwards he is expected to visit
Washington where he will meet with high ranking US officials, some think tanks
and media representatives.
The announcement of Ertugruloglu’s “official program” is expected
within the forthcoming days.
(I/Ts.)
4. Denktas held “contacts” in Ankara; He met with Turkes and
Agbal
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.09.16) reports that
“deputy prime minister” and “minister of economy” Serdar Denktas who is
currently in Ankara for a series of “contacts”, met yesterday with Turkey’s
Deputy Prime Minister, Responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Tugrul Turkes.
Speaking during the meeting, Turkes expressed pleasure over the
meeting and stated that due to the recent incidents occurred in Turkey he was
not able to carry out frequent visits to the “TRNC”.
In his turn, Denktas said that the aim of the visit was to exchange
views on the intensified Cyprus negotiation process and generally about the
latest developments in the region.
Meanwhile, according to the paper, Denktas and his accompanied
delegation met also with the Turkish Finance Minister Naci Agbal.
Agbal stated, inter alia, that the “common projects” that the two
“ministries” will carry out will contribute to the development of the two
“countries” and especially to the development of “public finance”.
In his turn, Denktas said that during the last four months and after
their “government” assumed “duties”, they achieved to cover a lot of ground in
the field of economy and this is due to Abgal’s positive approach.
(…)
(AK)
5. Incidents after the Cypriot National Football Team U21 defeated
Turkey in Ankara
Under the title “Historic victory at Osmali”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (02.09.16) reports that the National
Football Team U21 of the Republic of Cyprus defeated 1-0 the National Team of
Turkey yesterday at Osmali Stadium in Ankara within the framework of the
European championship.
After the game incidents took place between the players of the two
teams, writes the paper noting that after the final whistle a Turkish player
named Enver Cenk Sahin kicked a Greek Cypriot player and tension increased
when other players were also involved in the incident. The security forces
entered into the pitch, interfered and escorted the Greek Cypriot players to the
locker room.
(I/Ts.)
6. A sale of potatoes causes tension, threats and reactions
Under the title “They shot trade”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Star Kibris newspaper (02.09.16) refers on its front page to
information published in Greek Cypriot “Alithia” newspaper according to which
a Greek Cypriot named Christos Christofi has been threatened because he had
“imported” potatoes from the occupied area of Cyprus and that among a group of
200 persons who protested against Christofi were seven members of the Cyprus
Parliament with the parties of DISI, ELAM and the Solidarity Movement.
Commenting on the issue, Nazim Cavusoglu, self-styled minister
of agriculture and natural resources of the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus, described as “unacceptable” the fact that a
“group of fanatics” protested against a Greek Cypriot merchant who had legally
purchased potatoes from the occupied area of Cyprus within the framework of the
Green Line Regulation.
Arguing that the incident saddened them and concerned them, Cavusoglu
wondered “how a mentality which does not accept even the potatoes of the Turkish
Cypriot people will be united with the Turkish Cypriot people”.
Addressing the Minister of Agriculture, Nikos Kuyalis, Cavusoglu
said: “We are concerned that these behaviors will continue even in case of an
agreement if you bring up generations which do not want even our potatoes. I
call on those who participated in this protest and mainly the members of the
Parliament to accept that two peoples live in this geographical area and change
their world views acting accordingly”.
Under the title “550 tons left over”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Diyalog newspaper (02.09.16) writes that the above-mentioned Greek
Cypriot merchant had agreed with the so-called “agricultural products
organization” to buy 700 tons of potatoes and that he has exported 150 tons of
potatoes to Europe. According to the paper, the Greek Cypriot will not buy
the remaining 550 tons of Turkish Cypriot potatoes.
In statements to Diyalog, Ragip Latif, “director” of the
above-mentioned “organization” said that they had signed an agreement to sell
700 tons of potatoes to Christofi and that they were pre-paid for a certain
quantity, according to the provisions of the agreement, but they will
suffer a loss because of the 550 tons of potatoes which will be left over.
(I/Ts.)
7. Twelve more persons were “granted” the occupation regime’s
citizenship
Under the title: “Twelve new citizens”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper (02.09.16) reports that the so-called council of ministers
in the framework of the “citizenship law” has decided in its latest meeting to
“approve the granting of the TRNC’s citizenship” to 12 more persons.
The decision of the “council of ministers” was published in the
occupation regime’s “official gazette” dated August 31.
The “TRNC’ citizenship” was “granted” to the following:
1) Aysel Ozbey, born in Kagimzan in 1981
2) Baris Polat, born Istanbul in 1994
3) Subhi Asilturk, born in Gerger in 1978
4) Hasan Yalcin , born in Altinozu in 1986
5) Berra Yemenici, born in Vakfikebir in 1998
6) Ridvan Yalcin, born in Antakya in 1991
7) Muhammed Al-Shanableh, born in Altindag in 1991,
8) Semih Zafer Guven, born in Mersin in 1972,
9) Nur Al Shanableh, born in the occupied part of Lefkosia in
1993,
10) Osman Polat, born in Istanbul in 1995,
11) Mehmet Emine Erdogan, born in Yeni-mahalle in
1997,
12) Ahmet Serdar Senay, born in the occupied part of Lefkosia in 1995.
(AK)
8. Tunali alleges that the TGNA wil decide whether the guarantees
in Cyprus will be abolished
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (02.09.16) reports
that Tozun Tunali, chairman of the Social Democrat Party (SDP) has said that
the Treaty of Guarantees as regards Cyprus had been signed in 1959 after being
approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and therefore the final
decision for its abolition could only be taken by the TGNA.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Tunali argued that “the
Turkish Cypriot people have absolutely no authority as regards the lifting of
the guarantees”.
Tunali expressed the view that a result could be achieved in a
five-party conference if the US undertakes an active role in the Cyprus problem
and that if no result is taken at the five-party conference the negotiations
will end. He further expressed the belief that no referendum will be held on the
island.
Tunali said that with their policies in favor of the non-solution of
the Cyprus problem, the politicians who administrate the occupied area of the
island for years led the “country” to the point of being bankrupted
today and the “people”, “who are punished because of the non-recognition”,
consider migration as the only solution to their problems.
(I/Ts.)
9. Talat: “2016 could become the year of solution”
Under the title: “We should protect peace”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Yeni Duzen newspaper (02.09.16) reports that the chairman of the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat, in statements in a message he issued on
the occasion of September 1st, World Peace Day, expressed hopes for
an urgent solution of the Cyprus problem that will bring a viable peace in
Cyprus.
Stating that the Cyprus problem has reached to a crucial point, Talat
recalled that the leaders will hold another 3-4 meetings and later on they will
hopefully hold a meeting in New York.
Underlining that while proceeding to New York, the discussion of
important issues and chapters will come to an end, Talat said that only the
chapters that will be discussed in one-two international conferences will be
left. “If this is achieved on September 2016, then 2016 could become the year of
solution. If we do not succeed for 2016 to become the year of the solution, then
probably we will be too late”.
(AK)
10. Yildirim met with Schulz; “We cannot change anti-terror
law”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.16) reported that Turkish
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on September 1 that he had made clear to
visiting European Parliament President Martin Schulz that Turkey could not ease
its anti-terrorism laws, a demand from Brussels in order for Turks to gain
visa-free travel to Europe.
“We have once again bluntly told the EU and Mr. Schulz that we
cannot bring in an improvement in the Struggle Against Terrorism Law due to the
current conditions. This is a matter of life and death for us. The issue of
Turkey’s security is also a must for the struggle against terrorism in Europe.
If this is left aside, we see no problem in solving other issues,” Yildirim
said.
(…)
Schulz said the two sides had not agreed on all issues during the
talks in Ankara on September 1 and that Turkey must protect basic rights.
Ankara argues that changing the terror law is impossible since the
country is fighting against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which
has escalated its attacks, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which
has perpetrated bloody bomb attacks in several Turkish cities, and the followers
of Fethullah Gülen, the main suspect behind the July 15 failed coup attempt.
Yıldırım’s words came hours after the European Union’s Migration
Commissioner said on Sept. 1 that Turkey had made progress in a deal to secure
visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the EU but that Ankara still had to
meet some benchmarks before implementation.
Speaking at a news conference in Ankara, EU Commissioner Dimitris
Avramopoulos said that the EU was ready to help Turkey fulfill the last details
of the deal to secure visa liberalization “very soon,” without giving a precise
timeline.
Ankara and Brussels reached a deal this year in which Turkey would
control the flow of migrants to Europe and gain visa-free travel to the European
Union for its citizens in return.
11. Yildirim met with PACE’s Parliamentarians; He called PACE to
inform the world about the July 15 coup attempt
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.16) reported that Prime
Minister Binali Yıldırım has called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) to tell everybody, including their national Assemblies, what
happened on the night of July 15, when Turkey put down a failed coup attempt,
and how the Turkish people embraced democracy.
“Today you are here as an indicator of support to Turkey, of
solidarity during these hard days. You came after giving an ear to the Turkish
Grand National Assembly. Our expectation from you is telling everyone what
Turkey has lived through, how the Turkish people protected their democracy that
night, not only to the Parliamentarian Assembly that you are representing, but
also to your National Assemblies,” Yıldırım said to Parliamentarians on Sept.
1.
Stressing that some countries immediately showed solidarity, Yıldırım
complained that “many countries that Turkey assumed were friends and brothers
remained silent” after the July 15 coup attempt.
“As a more accurate picture of the truth about the events leading up
to and including the coup attempt became clearer, receiving positive reactions
was still welcome, even if they came late, he added.
“Countries which criticize every minor case about democratic values
were unable to defend democracy in an attack which directly targeted democracy”,
Yildirim stated.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in a meeting with the
President of PACE Pedro Agramunt on September 1st, stated, inter
alia, that the Council of Europe had stood by democracy, the Turkish people and
the elected Prime Minster and government since the recent failed coup
attempt.
“The Council of Europe has always shared its frank opinions and
concerns in a sincere environment,” Cavusoglu said.
He added that the Council of Europe had always contributed to the
development of Turkish democracy and Ankara had never ruled out its
responsibilities to the body.
The Turkish government has repeatedly complained about the alleged
lack of solidarity from its Western allies in the aftermath of the botched coup
attempt, blamed on the followers of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah
Gülen.
For his part, Agramunt said they had a fruitful meeting with
Cavusoglu and would continue cooperation with the Turkish
government.
(…)
12. CHP calls on the EU to open Chapters 23 and 24
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.16) reported that
Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu has called on the European
Union to open Chapters 23 and 24 to strengthen judicial independence and
impartiality in Turkey.
Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party
(CHP), met with the former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, the head of the
European Council of Foreign Relations (ECFR), who has been holding meetings with
political leaders in Ankara over the last two days.
Deputy CHP leader Öztürk Yılmaz, who attended the meeting, informed
reporters after the meeting and said that the July 15 failed coup attempt and
its aftermath were discussed by the two men.
“Mr. Chairman [Kılıçdaroğlu] expressed our expectation for the
opening of Chapters 23 and 24 for making progress on judicial independence and
impartiality,” Yılmaz also told reporters.
Chapter 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on
justice, freedom and security are two key chapters in pushing candidate
countries to further align its laws and regulations with the EU on fundamental
freedoms, justice and other democratic norms.
The opening of these two chapters is blocked by the Greek Cyprus
side.
(…)
13. Turkey, Gazprom agree to accelerate Turkish Stream
project
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.16), Turkish
Energy Minister Berat Albayrak and a senior delegation from Russia’s Gazprom
headed by company CEO Alexei Miller have discussed in a meeting in Istanbul on
August 31, the upcoming moves to accelerate the Turkish Stream gas pipeline
project, as well as the latest situation in the arbitration process over Russian
gas.
Issuing a written statement, the Ministry said that “It was agreed to
finalize the required permissions to realize the Turkish Stream project as soon
as possible”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish Stream
project with Russia would be realized swiftly following a thorough review,
during a critical meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in
August.
The Turkish Stream pipeline is intended to deliver gas from the
Russian Black Sea coast to Turkey and on to Greece.
“In addition to the Turkish Stream project, the arbitration process,
which was initiated by Turkey in line with its rights from the gas contract with
Russia, and regional energy cooperation opportunities were discussed,” said the
statement.
“Both sides voiced their determination to resolve the problems which
have erupted, so as to pave the way to the arbitration process in a short term,”
added the statement.
14. Turkey and Russia to establish a Joint Investment Fund to be
used in Syria's reconstruction and Akkuyu Nuclear Plant
Turkish daily Sabah (01.09.16) reported that Economy Minister
Zeybekci announced that Turkey continue works with Russian on establishing a
joint fund.
The Turkish-Russian Investment Fund will be used in the
reconstruction of third world countries and particularly war-torn Syria and
building the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, according to Zeybekci.
In the aftermath of the jet crisis last year between Turkey and
Russia and following the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Aug. 9, a new corner has been turned
nine months after the incident.
The details of the Turkish-Russian Joint Investment Fund are becoming
clearer and the fund is to be used for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, the first
of three nuclear power plants Turkey currently plans to build in the southern
province of Mersin along with the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company
Rosatom, in addition to usage in underdeveloped
countries.
Speaking at the Turkish-Russian Media Forum organized in Antalya on
Wednesday, Zeybekci said that firms from both countries will assess the
investment opportunities in various third world countries in the context of the
Turkish-Russian Joint investment fund, which will be established soon.
Zeybekci noted that Russian and Turkish businesspeople will be
provided with capital support through the fund especially with regard to the
reconstruction of Syria and Iraq and an assessment of business opportunities in
Africa.
The model that Russia used in China and the United Arab Emirates will
be used for a Turkish-Russian Joint Investment Fund that will be worth several
billion dollars. Joint investments will be made in infrastructure, agricultural
and medical projects. Along with the 50-50 shared fund, the two countries will
be able invest in other countries as well.
Russia is getting ready to make nuclear power and space vehicle
investments, costing about $1 billion in Egypt with its joint fund with the UAE.
The size of Russia's joint fund with China has currently reached $2 billion.
With this equally shared fund, both countries have made various investments so
far.
Meanwhile, Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avcı said that they have
also taken steps to open a Russian-Turkish University in Antalya as well as back
various enterprises, such as TV shows and cinema projects, between the two
countries.
(…)
15. Hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus had a 64% occupancy rate
in August
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (02.09.16), the rate of
the hotel occupancy in the occupied area of the Republic Cyprus in August was
64%.
According to data by the "Turkish Cypriot hoteliers union" ("KITOB"),
the occupancy rate of the five-star hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus in
August reached to 71%, while of the smallest hotels to 56%.
Comparing with the same period last year, the occupancy rate of the
five-star hotels dropped by 7%. Also, comparing with last month (July 2016)
there is an increase of 13%.
(AK)
16. “World Peace university” to be established in the occupied
area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.09.16) under the title:
“World Peace University to be established”, reports that a new “university” is
to be established in the occupied area of Cyprus under the name: “World Peace
University”.
According to the paper, the establishment of the new “university” has
been announced by a group of “academicians”. The “academicians” announced
yesterday that having as a reference the World Peace Day, they have decided the
establishment of the “university” in the “TRNC” with the aim to provide support
to the struggle for “Peace in the World” and to the efforts for the continuation
of the global stamina.
(AK)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK /AM)
