TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 182/16
23.09.2016
1. Akinci met with Biden and Steinmeier in New York; How he comments
on President Anastasiades address at the UN General Assembly
2. Akinci’s meetings in New York
3. Eide: This is the best opportunity ever for a solution in
Cyprus
4. Kibris Postasi paper reports that USA is ready to finance the
Cyprus settlement
5. Turkish daily argues that New York meeting helped to overcome
difficulties on issues of security and
guarantees
6. Izcan on the Cyprus problem
7. A panel on “financial opportunities and the Cyprus talks” was held
by KTTO and ESBA
8. Ertugruloglu addresses the meeting of OIC’s Foreign
Ministers
9. Turkey and Russia in deal over Syrian
airspace
10. CHP’s Kilicdaroglu met with Yildirim; AKP and CHP in dispute over
state of emergency extension; CHP to appeal to Turkey’s Constitutional Court over post-coup
attempt decree laws
11. Gul: “State of emergency should be ended”
12. Erdogan discusses Turkey-Israel relations with Jewish leaders in
New York; He met with American investors
13. Turkey’s Economy Minister described Turkey’s economic situation
after the coup attempt as a “miracle”
1. Akinci met with Biden and Steinmeier in New York; How he
comments on President Anastasiades address at the UN General Assembly
Under the title “He asked for support for the solution”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.09.16) reports that
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci held separate meetings yesterday in New
York with US Vice President, Jo Biden and German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter
Steinmeier.
Speaking to the press after the meetings, Akinci stated that the
solution to be reached in Cyprus should be supported with an international
effort and therefore he discussed the issue of financing the solution during his
meetings. Akinci reiterated the target of reaching a solution by the end
of 2016 and argued that everyone realizes the risks which exist in 2017.
Referring to his meeting with the German Foreign Minister, Akinci
said that he briefed him on the developments in Cyprus and listened to his
views, pointing out that Germany is an EU member state which is interested in
the negotiating process in Cyprus. Akinci recalled that he had visited Germany
upon Steinmeier’s invitation and that they held a meeting in Cyprus as well.
Noting that his meeting with Biden was planned to last for half an
hour but lasted for more than one and a half hours, Akinci described the meeting
as “very comprehensive and useful” adding that “America’s interest [in Cyprus]
continues at the highest level”. He argued that the US knows the contribution of the Turkish Cypriot
side to the negotiating process and said that they held a very useful meeting
during which they “understood each other”.
Pointing out that the US interest continues because the Americans
realize the importance of the procedure by the end of the year, Akinci reiterated that elections will be held in the USA and the
UNSG will change in the end of the year and “everyone understands the risks
which exist in 2017”. “For this reason both sides underlined how important
the 2016 target is. We are extremely satisfied with these contacts”, he noted.
Recalling that he will hold a meeting with the UNSG within the
forthcoming days, he expressed the hope that his meetings in New York will
significantly contribute to the process and wished for these efforts to
constitute a stage which “will lead us to the final target”.
Asked to comment on President Anastasiades’ address at the UN General
Assembly, Akinci alleged that in parallel to some positive points as regards
Cyprus, there were also some “wrong assessments”. When asked which mistakes were
they, he replied: “We do not need to enter into details. However, there are some
parts in which we saw that some agreements we achieved were not correctly
mentioned”.
Replying to a question as to whether he discussed the cost of the
solution during his meetings, Akinci noted that the issue came onto the agenda during his
meetings with the UNSG’s special advisor for Cyprus, the US Vice President and
the German Foreign Minister and added that the issue will be discussed during
his meetings with the UNSG. Noting that the economic aspect of the solution
is always on the agenda, Akinci said that the solution should be supported
by an international effort and this is why they always try to attract the
interest of the officials with whom they meet. “They anyway exhibit interest”,
he concluded.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci’s meetings in New York
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.09.16) reports that
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci held a meeting yesterday in New York with
Espen Barth Eide, the UN Secretary General Special Advisor on
Cyprus.
According to the paper, Akinci also met with the Turkish delegation
consisting of Feriden Sinirlioglu, deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey and with
Halit Cevik, Turkey’s permanent representative to the UN. The Turkish officials
informed Akinci about the contacts of Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan in New
York.
(CS)
3. Eide: This is the best opportunity ever for a solution in
Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.09.16)
reports that UNSG’s special advisor on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide has
underlined the importance of making use of the “momentum” which both sides have
for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. “Otherwise you will have
to give account to history why you could not make use of this opportunity you
had”, he argued in statements yesterday in New York to Turkish and Turkish
Cypriot journalists, after his one and a half hour long meeting with Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Eide expressed the view that we have before us “the best opportunity
which occurred until today for achieving a solution”.
Eide said that he is at least as optimistic as the Cypriot leaders on
the issue of reaching a solution by the end of the year and described as “good
news by itself” the meeting of the leaders with the UNSG on
Sunday. He recalled that this will be the second joint meeting of the
Cypriot leaders with the UNSG and added that they have prepared well for this
meeting and that they exert efforts to have the best result. Describing as
“very constructive” his meeting with Akinci, Eide noted that he holds meetings
with both sides so that the meeting of Sunday is prepared with the aim of having
the best possible results.
Replying to a question, Eide said he did not want to enter into the
details of his meeting with Akinci, but added that he feels “that both sides
realize the vital importance of this meeting [with the UNSG] for the future of
the process”. Arguing that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and President
Anastasiades achieved a progress which had not been achieved by other Cypriot
leaders in the past, Eide expressed the view that today we are at a more
advanced point than ever before in the negotiations and added that they
know the difficulties of the final stage and discuss how they can organize their
time in the best manner.
Asked whether he held meetings with representatives of the IMF and
the World Bank, Eide argued that thanks to the contacts he had held in the
USA last year, “a very big support” was secured from international financing
organizations within one year and that the IMF, the World Bank, the EU
Commission and the European Central Bank are in Cyprus and are “very deeply
involved in the process”.
Pointing out that financing the solution is important and they are
working on this issue, Eide argued that the most important thing is that the
solution will not only unite the country, but it will constitute the basis for a
better economic development, “because the money is not only something which you
take, but it is also something which you produce”. “And the economic
opportunities in Cyprus are very important”, he concluded.
(I/Ts.)
4. Kibris Postasi paper reports that USA is ready to finance the
Cyprus settlement
Under the title “Uncle Sam pushed the button on the issues of finance
and guarantees”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(23.09.16) on its front page reports that the USA conveyed to Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci through U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, that by making the
necessary arrangements they have mobilized their treasury on the issue of
financing the solution in Cyprus and moreover that they are preparing to mediate
in a way on the issue of guarantees and to share with them their international
experiences.
The paper reports that it has information regarding the meeting
yesterday between Akinci and Biden. According to the paper, the USA has
mobilized its financial system in order to finance the solution which will be
found in 2016. The paper adds that while the necessary allocation from the
budget has been prepared, instructions were given to the committees in order for
the US Congress to be able to take the necessary political decision.
According to the paper, this was the most important point at the
meeting between Akinci and Biden. “This commitment by the USA to finance the
Cyprus settlement relieved and satisfied Akinci”, the paper also reports.
Biden also conveyed to Akinci that Washington is ready to take
initiative in order to overcome the problem on the issue of “Security and
Guarantee”. After the decision of the USA to take steps on this issue, Akinci
said that “it is a constructive policy when the one side does not feel
threatened and the other side also feels secure”. It is reported that this
stance has been appreciated by the USA.
(DPs)
5. Turkish daily argues that New York meeting helped to overcome
difficulties on issues of security and guarantees
Under the title: “The solution is possible on guarantees”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (23.09.16) reports that the fact that the two
sides in Cyprus are holding meetings in New York where the guarantee countries
are also present on the highest level, created the necessary climate for
reaching a solution on the issue of security and guarantees.
The paper, citing diplomatic sources, writes that the public
statements made on the issue of guarantees are not the same as the statements
made “behind closed doors”. According to the paper, despite the fact that
President Anastasiades described the system of guarantees during his speech on
the UN General Assembly as “out of date and unacceptable”, developments giving
hope are taking place in the backstage. According to the same sources, during
the meeting between officials from the UK, Greece, Turkey and the UN, opinions
that could be accepted by both sides in Cyprus were discussed. Noting that the
ideas discussed must be further developed, the paper writes that the diplomatic
sources said that “a formula can be found if there is will”.
Havadis also reports that during the meetings Akinci held yesterday,
the schedule of the next phase of the negotiations was discussed, adding that
both Turkey and Greece “are open for creative ideas on the issues of security
and guarantees”.
The same diplomatic sources describes the statements made
by the Greek Cypriot side on the issue as aiming to ease the reactions
of the “rejection front” inside the Greek Cypriot community whıch worries that
negotiations are progressing“too fast”.
(CS)
6. Izcan on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (23.09.16) reports that
the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan, in a written
statement, argued that the AKP government and the “presidency” implement a
common policy on the issue of the solution of the Cyprus problem.
“Appearing as if they want an early solution, their aim is to put
pressure for a five-partite meeting to take place and paint a rosy picture”,
Izcan said, adding also the following: “There are various reasons for the
Turkish side to force for a five-partite meeting. But this does not mean that
there will be a solution or that they want a solution 100%. It could be
something similar with the policy of “being one step ahead”, they followed
during the Annan plan period. The months to come will clarify this situation”.
Supporting that the process is carried out in a framework “of
following a timetable but with no timetable” “, Izcan recalled that Presidential
elections will take place in the Greek Cypriot side in 2018 and that both the EU
and the UN have asked for important steps to be taken prior to this date.
Izcan went on and argued that in the months to come it will become
clear whether the two sides have shown the necessary determination and sincerity
for a solution.
Pointing out that the solution is possible only if efforts are
exerted with sincerity, Izcan called on both leaders to leave behind the
official policies and undertake sincere and brave steps.
(AK)
7. A panel on “financial opportunities and the Cyprus talks” was
held by KTTO and ESBA
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (23.09.16) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) with the cooperation of the
European Small Business Alliance (ESBA), in which it is a full member, organized
a panel on “The financial opportunities and the resolution process in
Cyprus”.
Fikri Toros, chairman of KTTO, Dean Mustafa Besim of the faculty of
Business and Economics of the illegal East Mediterranean University (“DAU”) and
Fiona Mullen, director of the economic consultancy company Sapienta Economics
Ltd, made presentations at the panel which was chaired by KTTO’s representative
in Brussels Lale Saner.
Addressing the panel, Toros argued that the possibility for a Cyprus
settlement is higher now compared to other negotiation processes in the past. He
added that the continuation of the Cyprus problem causes a considerable
negativity especially on the Turkish Cypriots, who are reportedly under
isolation. Toros stressed that the current condition from the point of the
business world is unacceptable and cannot be continued.
Toros further said that the Chamber is determined to continue its
support on the negotiation process for a just, lasting, bizonal, bicommunal
solution under a federal roof on the basis of an economic and political
equality. Toros added that he believes that such a Cyprus settlement will
benefit the whole region.
(DPs)
8. Ertugruloglu addresses the meeting of OIC’s Foreign
Ministers
Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak television (23.09.16, online,
http://www.brtk.net/ertugruloglu-iitde-konustu/) reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglou, self-styled foreign minister of
the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, referred to
the Cyprus problem during his address at the regular annual coordination meeting
of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC).
Ertugruloglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot “people”, who
have been allegedly unjustly isolated for 50 years, could not be condemned to
an uncertain future that contains endless negotiations. He argued that
the Turkish Cypriots are prepared for two scenarios which concern reaching
and not reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of 2016.
Ertugruloglu alleged that at this important turning point, the OIC
and the Islamic States should take “concrete and serious steps, which will show
their solidarity with their Turkish Cypriot brothers by implementing the
decisions and declarations of the OIC.
“As Turkish Cypriot government we want to meet with the OIC and
all our sister member counties and work on a road map which will put into effect
the aforementioned decisions and declarations”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)
9. Turkey and Russia in deal over Syrian
airspace
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.09.16) reports that Turkey
and Russia have been discussing the creation of a protocol to coordinate the
flights of their warplanes over Syrian airspace in a bid to prevent unwanted
incidents like the downing of a Russian jet by Turkish Air Forces on November
24, 2015, a senior Turkish military source has said.
While drafting the protocol, the two sides also agreed on a
“gentleman’s agreement” to prevent the two sides’ warplanes from entering into
areas where the other side is conducting military operations.
The decision to work to coordinate military flights over Syria was
taken during a meeting of the respective Russian and Turkish chiefs of General
Staff, General Valery Gerasimov and General Hulusi Akar, on Sept. 15 in Ankara.
The two top soldiers approved the establishment of a hotline between
the two air forces in a bid to prevent accidents or unwanted incidents.
“Work to accomplish the protocol continues at the highest level,” the
senior military source told daily Hürriyet on the condition of anonymity on
September 22. “If signed, the protocol will mark an important step in developing
the military-to-military relationship and coordination between Turkey and Russia
in the Syrian theater”, the source added.
The need to make a protocol to coordinate flights in Syria with
Russia became urgent after the Turkish army launched a massive cross-border
operation into its southern neighbor on Aug. 24 in a bid to remove the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from its border.
“We have carried out 97 sorties against ISIL positions as part of the
Operation Euphrates Shield,” the source said.
(…)
According to the same source, the Russian side is also acting very
carefully to avoid violating Turkish airspace and regularly providing
information about its flights near Turkey, particularly Hatay province.
The closest flight of Russian warplanes to Turkish airspace was four
kilometers around Hatay province, the source said, adding that the Turkish
military had already been informed about the incident.
10. CHP’s Kilicdaroglu met with Yildirim; AKP and CHP in dispute
over state of emergency extension; CHP to appeal to Turkey’s Constitutional Court over post-coup
attempt decree laws
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (22.09.16) reported that the
leaders of Turkey’s ruling and main opposition party disagreed over the
government’s plan to extend the state of emergency for another
term.
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Republican People’s Party (CHP)
head Kemal Kılicdaroglu held a two-hour-long meeting at the ruling party’s
headquarters upon the request of the main opposition
leader.
Kılıcdaroglu wanted to meet Yildirim in order to inform him about
complaints his party had received from more than 37,000 people who claimed to
have been negatively affected by the mass purges from the civil service due to
alleged links to the Gülenist network, which was blamed for the coup
attempt.
The number of people who have suffered from the government’s
“reckless measures” against suspected Gülenists within the civil service has hit
1 million, Kilicdaroglu said previously.
“The Prime Minister signaled that the government can extend the state
of emergency. But our chairman objected to the idea,” sources from the main
opposition party told reporters after the meeting.
The government declared the state of emergency for three months on
July 21 in a bid to efficiently fight against the Gülenist network and its
undercover members within the state. The government is now planning to extend it
for another term on the grounds that the Gülenist clearing process has not been
fully completed yet. The votes of the ruling party are sufficient to extend the
state of emergency.
In an interview with daily Hürriyet just a day before he was
scheduled to meet Kılıçdaroğlu, Yıldırım admitted that there could be mistakes
in this process, as the Gülenist network was not a transparent organization.
“There can be wrong decisions. But we are keeping the way open to correct these
wrong decisions. This is important,” Yıldırım said.
(…)
The two leaders also reportedly discussed ongoing efforts to realize
a small-scale constitutional amendment, the works for which were launched in the
aftermath of the coup attempt. The purpose of the amendment is to restructure
judicial bodies to avoid future coup attempts.
Yıldırım also reportedly informed Kilicdaroglu about ongoing
cross-border operations in Syria.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Yıldırım said that the leaders of
three political parties in Parliament will meet at a summit in the coming days
to finalize weeks-long work on the small-scale constitutional
changes.
He also informed that representatives from the Justice and
Development Party (AKP), CHP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will come
together on September 23 to overview the drafted
amendments.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.09.16) reports that
the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will appeal to the
Constitutional Court for the annulment of all decree laws issued under Turkey’s
ongoing state of emergency, imposed after the failed coup attempt of July
15.
CHP Deputy Chair Levent Gok will submit the appeal to the
Constitutional Court on September 23.
The appeal states that the decree laws issued during the state of
emergency, which was announced on July 22, deviate from their aim and amount to
the executive branch illegitimately practicing the power of the legislative
branch.
The basis of the appeal rests on two rulings by the Constitutional
Court in 1991 and 2003. Those rulings state that if the decree laws issued under
a state of emergency are irrelevant to the necessities of the state of
emergency, they cannot be counted as legitimate decree laws and could be taken
to the Constitutional Court for annulment. Those decree laws are valid only
during the period of the state of emergency and are abolished after the state of
emergency is ended.
The CHP argues that the government is exploiting the state of
emergency decree laws, although these laws should be exceptional because Article
120 of the Turkish Constitution says decree laws can only be issued if required.
The CHP stresses in its appeal that state of emergency practices aim to defeat
an immediate threat for swift return to the regular order, and warn that Turkey
may have to pay huge fines if citizens choose to apply to the European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR) over the decree laws.
According to the CHP’s appeal, decree laws issued during state of
emergencies should be submitted to Parliament and be discussed within 30 days,
according to Articles of 91/7 and 121 of the Constitution, but this procedure
has not been fulfilled as Parliament is currently closed. As the decree laws
have not been discussed at parliament, they are outside the supervision of the
Constitutional Court, the CHP states.
11. Gul: “State of emergency should be ended”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (22.09.16) reported that the
former Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said that the state of emergency in
Turkey and France should be lifted and added that Turkey’s future promises
“strong democracy with reforms and universal standards.”
“I’ve departed from a country which is in a state of emergency, to
another one in the same state,” Gul told journalists in France on Sept. 21, in
which a state of emergency was imposed after deadly attacks by the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
“An end to states of emergency is desired. Efforts should be made in
that direction,” he said.
Turkey was “very polarized, divided and tense” before the failed
seizure of government, Gül said, adding that the government and the opposition
subsequently “presented a solid stance on the side of democracy” – a fact that
should be noticed.
During his speech, Gul said that he never thought a coup attempt
would be conducted because he knew the chain of command.
“We could’ve never guessed that a group of crazy, stupid, treacherous
putschists, who infiltrated into significant positions, would engage in such
foolishness by hiding themselves. The firm stance of the Turkish people,
commanders, the President and the government prevented the coup,” he
said.
Gül also voiced his disappointment with European countries, saying
that they should have stood against the coup in a strong way. “If they’ve done
that, they would have helped Turkey more. It’s a sad thing,” he added.
(…)
12. Erdogan discusses Turkey-Israel relations with Jewish leaders
in New York; He met with American investors
Turkish daily Sabah (22.09.16) reported that President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan discussed Turkey-Israel relations in a meeting with
Jewish-American leaders in New York on Thursday, as part of his visit to the
U.S. to attend the 71st United Nations General
Assembly.
Erdogan highlighted that the normalization of relations between
Turkey and Israel is important to find solutions to economic and humanitarian
problems experienced by Palestinians and told them about Turkey's ongoing
humanitarian aid efforts for Gaza.
Erdogan noted that a two-state solution and a state of Palestine with
East Jerusalem as its capital were necessary to resolve the conflict in the
country.
He also said that Israel must respect the holy status of the Al-Aqsa
Mosque for Muslims and stop violations against its status.
A number of prominent Jewish leaders including Executive Vice
Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Malcolm Hoenlein, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) President
Robert Cohen, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Jonathan Greenblatt and many other prominent Jewish figures attended the
meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak, Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources Berat Albayrak, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United
States Serdar Kılıc, and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioglu
were also present during the meeting.
Erdogan is also scheduled to meet with Turkish non-governmental
organizations and Muslim community leaders in the U.S. before his
departure.
Moreover, Erdogan came together with over 30 American high-level
executives in New York at a business dinner.
During the dinner, organized in coordination with the Prime Ministry
Investment Support and Promotion Agency (ISPAT), Erdogan shared new regulations
and incentives regarding the Turkish investment environment with representatives
of large American corporations.
Among the attendees of the event were high-level executives of
prestigious fund management companies and various corporations operating in
different sectors such as energy, chemistry, health, finance, information and
manufacturing.
In addition to the CEOs of American giants such as 3M, Cargill,
Cisco, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, General Electric, IFC, MasterCard,
MetLife, Nike and Pepsi, high-level executives such as the World Economic Forum
chairman and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President were also in
attendance.
Erdogan said that the July 15 coup attempt could not leave a
permanent impact on the Turkish economy because of Turkey's strong fiscal
structure.
Stating that $20 billion worth of trade volume between Turkey and
U.S. is insufficient, Erdogan said that the advanced political military
relations should be observed in the economic sector as well, and stressed that
Turkey's inclusion in the free trade agreement, which will be signed between the
EU and the U.S., will also be beneficial for the American firms.
Touching on the latest regulations regarding the improvement of the
investment environment, Erdogan said that the new incentive system makes
investing in Turkey more attractive, suggesting that Turkey is an economic power
in its region and also a pioneer with its infrastructural
investments.
(...)
13. Turkey’s Economy Minister described Turkey’s economic
situation after the coup attempt as a “miracle”
Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.09.16) reported that Turkey’s
Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci has described Turkey’s economic situation as
a "miracle" after a failed coup attempt in July.
"The Turkish economy is now at such a stage that it can be called a
miracle after the coup attempt," Zeybekci said on Wednesday at the 8th Turkey
Investment Conference in New York.
Zeybekci said that although massive setbacks were predicted, the
financial and banking system proved resilient on the first business day after
the July 15 overthrow attempt.
The value of the dollar against the Turkish lira climbed to 3.07 from
2.90, between the coup attempt Friday and the following Monday, but fell back
around to its previous level within days.
"Turkish people began to exchange the foreign currency in their
hands. In a single week after the coup attempt, $11.5 billion worth currency was
exchanged to Turkish lira," Zeybekci said.
"Since July 15, more than $600 million flew into Borsa Istanbul,” he
said. “Monday morning after the coup attempt, interest rates jumped to 9.4% from
8.55%, but now they are down at 8.50%.”
The Turkish economy has reached an average annual growth rate of
above 5% since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to Zeybekci, and the
country's government debt ratio to national income is better than 25 countries
of the 28-members of the EU, he added.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK /ECh)
