TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
19/17
27.01.17
1.
Akinci: “Everyone needs to assume responsibility as the process is at a point
where it can be concluded successfully”
2.
Turkey’s MFA reiterated that Turkey’s active and effective guarantees in Cyprus
will continue
3.
Denktas argued that the Cyprus talks should be ended, if the current talks
fail
4.
Erhurman argues that political equality includes effective participation of the
Turkish Cypriots in all federal mechanisms
5.
Izcan: Good preparation must be held in order for a new Cyprus summit to be
successful
6.
The settlers’ party wants a “Nakhchivan and Taiwan model” for the occupied area
of Cyprus
7.
Columnist assesses statements by Turkish officials and wonders who is President
Anastasiades negotiating with
8.
Columnist says that Turkes’ statements lead the Cyprus talks into a
deadlock
9.
Columnist says that “early elections” will be held either in October 2017 or in
April 2018
10.
“Citizenship was granted to 12 more persons”
11.
Saner said that in a year there was an increase to the retired persons and those
who pay social insurances
12.
Ataoglu visited the EMITT exhibition in Istanbul
13.
Turkey protests Greek rejection of extradition of 8 army
officers
14.
Merkel will visit Turkey on February 2
15.
Israeli official to visit Turkey on Feb 1 for political
discussions
16.
Survey: Majority expected to support presidential system at
referendum
1.
Akinci: “Everyone needs to assume responsibility as the process is at a point
where it can be concluded successfully”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 27.01.17), the two leaders will meet again
on February 1 to carry on with UN-brokered talks aiming to reach a comprehensive
solution to the Cyprus Problem.
Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades
met yesterday for the first time since a high-level Cyprus conference in Geneva
earlier in January focusing on security and guarantees.
Speaking
to reporters after the meeting, Akinci reminded that the technocrats’
level meeting at Mont Pèlerin had been successful in seeking mechanisms that
could address problems regarding the thorny issue of security and guarantees and
added: “We were expecting the views and positions of the two sides to be
different and they were. However this issue could not be negotiated and
concluded at the technocratic level. This is something which needs to be taken
up at the political level. The other conclusion that came out of the high
level talks in Geneva was to continue negotiating the remaining issues in the 5
chapters. We shall be doing that on the 1st of February. However once this is
done the conference needs to resume at the political level. However it is not
possible to speak of a date”.
Akinci
stressed that the conference on Cyprus is continuing and that it will not be an
open ended process.
Stating
that it was important to maintain the current momentum in the talks, Akinci also
pointed out that this did not mean that the issues should be
rushed.
Drawing
attention to the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side had carried the process to a
point where maps had been presented and the issue of security and guarantees
brought to the table at a 5-party conference, Akıncı said that there is no
need to evaluate the point reached in the talks as negative or unsuccessful.
“We are not at a point where full agreement has been reached on all the
outstanding issues and there are still steps to be taken. However, we as the
Turkish Cypriot side have made important and positive contributions to the
process”, he noted.
Akinci
also pointed out that everyone needs to assume responsibility as the process is
at a point where it can be concluded successfully.
“The
risks associated with 2017 are clear. We need to convene the conference as soon
as possible” he said, adding that Greece needed to do its part in order to
create a ground for progress.
2.
Turkey’s MFA reiterated that Turkey’s active and effective guarantees in
Cyprus will continue
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 27.01.17), the Turkish Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu has said that it is out of the question for Turkey
to abandon its rights as a guarantor power in Cyprus.
Touching
upon the Cyprus negotiations process at a routine press briefing, Muftuoglu said
that the Cyprus talks are important for Turkey.
“The
Cyprus negotiations process is important for us. What is important for us is the
continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantees in Cyprus. This is our
principled position and our principle. Guarantees are indispensable for Turkey”,
he said.
3.
Denktas argued that the Cyprus talks should be ended, if the current talks
fail
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 27.01.17), the self-styled deputy prime
minister and minister of finance Serdar Denktas, who was in Ankara for contacts,
delivered a speech at a conference organized by the Ankara Forum Society titled
“The Cyprus cause and the latest developments in the
negotiations”.
Claiming
that the Turkish Cypriots have spent the last 50 years living in uncertainty due
to the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, Denktas said that no one has the
right to sentence the Turkish Cypriots to live under such conditions. He further
alleged: “If the current talks are to be unsuccessful…and it seems they will
be, this negotiation process must end. The Turkish Cypriots must have a
clearer picture for the future. Turkish Cypriots no longer want to live in
isolation or uncertainty. We have a population of 300 thousand. We are only
80km from a nation of 85 million. Turkey’s commercial market is more than enough
for our population”.
Denktas
also claimed that “protocols to be signed with Turkey on matters of defence and
foreign policy will in time motivate the Greek Cypriots to cooperate with the
Turkish Cypriots”.
Meanwhile,
a scheduled meeting between Denkas and the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in
Charge of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes for yesterday was cancelled due to a
change in Turkes’ program.
4.
Erhurman argues that political equality includes effective participation of
the Turkish Cypriots in all federal mechanisms
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (27.01.17) reports that Tufan
Erhurman, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has argued that
the political equality is one of the UN parameters for the solution of the
Cyprus problem and not a gift to the Turkish Cypriots.
In
statements during a briefing of the members of his party in occupied Famagusta
on his activities since he undertook the leadership of the CTP, Erhurman
argued that even though it has orally been accepted that there will be rotating
presidency for a period of 4 to 2 years, for his party the political equality is
not only this, but it also includes effective participation of the Turkish
Cypriots in all mechanisms of the federal state. He claimed that the
political equality should be accepted without a bargaining because “the
political equality is not only a right demanded by the Turkish Cypriots”, but
also “the sole pre-condition for the federation, which we will establish and
administrate together, being functional”.
Erhurman
said that as chairman of the CTP he had held meetings with Greek Cypriot DISY
and AKEL parties and the UNSG Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide. He
noted that he had also visited Turkey and exchanged views with Turkish
officials, such as the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minster, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and the leader of the main opposition party. He added: “What
I was told in our meetings with officials of the Turkish Republic was that the
effort for finding a comprehensive solution the soonest is supported, if a
result within the UN parameters could be achieved”.
Referring
to his presence in Geneva during the international conference on Cyprus,
Erhurman alleged that Greece was “delaying and slipping away”. He claimed
that if Turkey wanted to postpone the issue, it could have accepted Greece’s
demand for time, but it did not do it saying that the negotiations should
continue the soonest at technical level.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Izcan: Good preparation must be held in order for a new Cyprus summit to be
successful
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (27.01.17) reports that Izzet Izcan,
chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), has said that offering support to the
two community leaders for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem is a
precondition.
In
a written statement issued yesterday, Izcan noted: “A good preparation for a
new summit is a precondition. The success of the summit depends on this
preparation”.
Moreover,
Izcan underlined that “the United Federal Cyprus is the only formula, which
will protect the common interests of all Cypriots and reunify our country”.
(I/Ts.)
6.
The settlers’ party wants a “Nakhchivan and Taiwan model” for the occupied
area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (27.01.17) reports that Erhan Arikli,
chairman of the settlers’ Revival Party (YDP), has alleged that the Turkish
Cypriots are tired of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem which are allegedly
held for 50 years and of the uncertainty they experience.
Arikli
also claimed that in spite of the “concessions made by the two most pro-peace
leaders” in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot demands could not be satisfied. He
alleged: “Turkey should decide now. Either there will be a solution that
means being patched to the Greek Cypriots or a formula which will be a mixture
of the independent Nakhchivan and Taiwan model in the internal policy and
depended on Turkey in the foreign policy and the security”.
(I/Ts.)
7.
Columnist assesses statements by Turkish officials and wonders who is
President Anastasiades negotiating with
Under
the title “I am tired of the Cyprus problem”, Serhat Incirli in Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (27.01.17) refers to statements made by Turkish
political parties or state officials, who either accuse the Justice and
Development Pparty (AKP) government of “selling Cyprus out” or replying to these
allegations say “we took it with blood and we will give it away with blood” or
“no one should reach the conclusion that Turkey will give concessions for peace
and solution in Cyprus”. The columnist reports, inter alia, the following:
“[…]
If concessions are to be given, is Turkey the side which will give them? If
this side is Turkey, then what is the Turkish Cypriot side? Who is Mustafa
Akinci? Whom he represents? Of course ‘consultations with Turkey will be
conducted, of course the solution is not possible without Turkey’. However,
at the point we have come, I think that the biggest problem is the issue of who
the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side is! Akinci is the person who will
make the agreement at the table. And the agreement will be approved or not
approved by the voters who elected Akinci. Who is Akinci negotiating with?
With Anastasiades! Who is Anastasiades negotiating with? Behold, the answer of
this question is not clearly ‘with Akinci’. And the solution becomes more
difficult. The agreement becomes even more difficult. Akinci, for example,
was never at the point of ‘we have taken it with blood and we will give it with
blood’! And he will never be at this point! Who has the authority? The answer
to this question is not difficult. However, those who know the answer of this
question are certain that the solution is impossible! Therefore, everybody knows
clearly why there is no solution. […]”
(I/Ts.)
8.
Columnist says that Turkes’ statements lead the Cyprus talks into a deadlock
Under
the title “The population of the Turkish Cypriots”, Sami Ozuslu in Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (27.01.17) comments on the
statements made yesterday by Tugrul Turkes, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister,
and especially refers to the allegation regarding the “wrong calculation” in
determining the 820,000-220,000 proportion [between Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots] in a possible solution to the Cyprus problem.
According
to the columnist, thanks to such statements Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci has
been turned into “an element without power”. Noting that the “leading
motives” of granting “the citizenship by exception” to groups of 10 or 20
persons in the occupied area of Cyprus may be hidden in this statement,
Ozuslu points out that the opening of the debate on the population now
“serves no other purpose than causing new troubles for us and leading the
negotiating process into a deadlock”.
Finally,
referring to Turkes’ statement that “Turkey would have an issue named Cyprus
even if absolutely no Turk was living in Cyprus and it is not possible to
abandon it”, the columnist agrees that Turkey is in Cyprus for its own
interests and not for the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
9.
Columnist says that “early elections” will be held either in October 2017 or
in April 2018
Columnist
Rasih Resat in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (27.01.17)
reports that “early parliamentary elections” will be held in the occupied
area of Cyprus either in October 2017 or in April 2018. Citing a statement
by “prime minister” and chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin
Ozgurgun to his party’s “deputies”, Resat notes that Ozgurgun told them to
think and decide on holding “early elections” either in October or in April.
According
to Resat, the main reason for this is the completion of the “parliamentary
elections” and the establishment of the “government” before the “municipal
elections”, which with certainty will be held in June 2018.
He
notes that eight parties seem to intend of running in the “elections”, unless
coalitions among them are made. He expresses the view that only four of these
parties will be able to pass the threshold and enter into the “assembly”.
In
spite of the fact that he says he does not want to say which these four parties
are, Resat argues that the Democratic Party (DP) will increase its percentages,
while the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will
suffer loses. He claims that the People’s Party (HP) will also enter into the
“assembly” and that the only possibility of this party being in “power” is to
form a “government” alone, because if it establishes a “coalition” with the
other three parties, its actions will be contrary to its words.
(I/Ts.)
10.
“Citizenship was granted to 12 more persons”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (27.01.17) reports that the following 12 persons
were “granted” the “TRNC citizenship”, according to a “decision by the council
of ministers”, which was published in the “official gazette” on 19-25 January,
2017:
- Bulent Akman, born in Eskisehir, 1959
- Ismail Altindag, born in Ortakaraoren, 1963
- Kazim Kartal, born in Fatsa, 1975
- Emircan Adiguzel, born in Beyoglu, 1991
- Neval Bitmez Senay, born in Istanbul, 1978
- Askim Zenginer, born in Hamburg, 1966
- Subhi Asilturk, born in Gerger Adiyaman, 1978
- Ezel Yildiz Elmas, born in Istanbul, 1977
- Eda Nerkiz, born in Kirikhan, 1992
- Ayfer Hancer, born in the occupied part of Lefkosia, 1994
- Cansu Cicek, born in occoupied Keryneia, 1997
- Rasim Cek, born in Zile, 1968
(DPs)
11.
Saner said that in a year there was an increase to the retired persons and
those who pay social insurances
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.01.17) reports that the self-styled minister
of labour and social insurance Ersan Saner, attending a programme at the Turkish
Cypriot private channel KIBRIS TV, said that “when he “took the office, the
number of the pensioners was 33,363 and those who are paying social insurances
89,462. At the moment, the number of the pensioners increased to 34,707 and
those who pay their social insurances to 92,976”.
12.
Ataoglu visited the EMITT exhibition in
Istanbul
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 27.01.17), the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has been represented at this year’s East
Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (EMITT) held in
Istanbul.
The
self-styled minister of tourism and Culture Fikri Ataoglu attended the opening
of the tourism fair which is hosting representatives and participants from over
50 countries.
Also
present at the opening of the travel and tourism exhibition was the Turkish
Minister for Culture and Tourism Nabi Avci, the Governor of Istanbul Vasip Şahin
and the Mayor of Metropolitan Istanbul Kadir Topbaş and the UN World Tourism
Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai.
Following
the opening ceremony, Ataoğlu and the Turkish Minister Avci came together with
sector representatives at the “TRNC pavilion”.
Speaking
to reporters, Ataoglu said that “the TRNC is offering a wider range of tourism
packages to consumers” and added that “the TRNC had more to offer than beach
tourism. The new tourism areas include sports, health and culture”.
Claiming
that “the TRNC’s tourism sector has become competitive over the past few years”,
Ataoglu said that the high occupancy rate in the “country’s” hotels is proof of
this.
Sector
representatives from the “Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association
(KITSAB)”, the “North Cyprus Hoteliers Association (KITOB)”, the “Cyprus Turkish
Tour Guides Association (KITREB)” and the “North Cyprus Health Tourism Council”
are taking part in the 4 day fair.
Tour
operators and travel agency representatives from over 50 countries including
Germany, Azerbaijan, the UAE, the Philippines, South Africa, India, Spain,
Italy, Kuwait, Macedonia, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Ukraine,
Jordan and Greece are attending this year’s EMITT fair.
13.
Turkey protests Greek rejection of extradition of 8 army
officers
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 26.01.17), Turkey
said it protests Greek rejection of Turkish demand of extradition of eight
fugitive army officers, vowing it will evaluate the impacts of this decision on
different aspects of bilateral ties between the two countries.
“We
protest this verdict that prevents these persons from standing before
independent Turkish justice who have been actively participated in the coup
attempt targeting at the democratic order in Turkey and the life of our
president and that martyred 248 of our citizens and wounding 2193”, read the
written statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Jan 26.
This
decision is another indication of Greece’s reluctance in fighting against terror
organizations like the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the
Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) which target Turkey, the
statement read.
It
also described the verdict as a violation of international legal norms and
principles, accusing Greece of protecting the coup plotters.
“Our
initiatives for the extradition and prosecution of these criminals will continue
through all legal means”, it said, urging that this politically-motivated
decision will lead to a comprehensive evaluation on bilateral ties, cooperation
on fight against terror and other regional and bilateral
issues.
14.
Merkel will visit Turkey on February 2
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.01.17), Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman
Huseyin Muftuoglu, during a routine press briefing in Ankara on Thursday,
announced that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would visit Turkey on Feb. 2.
This comes after tensions have arisen as of late between Ankara and Berlin.
The
Foreign Ministry spokesman explained that Ankara has expressed displeasure over
the German Justice Ministry’s invitation of fugitive suspect Can Dundar to one
of its receptions. “We conveyed our uneasiness to authorities in Berlin over the
invitation of Can Dundar,” he said.
Dundar,
former editor-in-chief of Turkish daily Cumhuriyet, is wanted in Turkey for
disclosing highly confidential state documents.
Ankara
sees the move by the German Ministry as a provocation ahead of the German
leader’s trip to Turkey, he added.
“Turkey
and Germany are experiencing strong relations,” he noted however.
15.
Israeli official to visit Turkey on Feb 1 for political
discussions
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 27.01.17), the Israeli Foreign
Ministry’s undersecretary will meet his Turkish counterpart next week for
political consultations over the two countries’ normalization process, Turkish
Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu said Jan.
26.
The
Israeli official will visit the Turkish capital on Feb. 1, a Turkish diplomat
told the Hurriyet Daily News.
The
two officials will draft a road map for a cooperation agenda as part of the
normalization process. Also, Turkish Tourism Minister Nabi Avcı will pay a
visit to Israel for a tourism fair on Feb. 7-8 in the first high-profile visit
to the country since the 2010 Mavi Marmara crisis, which caused a strain in
bilateral relations that lasted six years.
The
two countries will also step up cooperation on security issues, a Turkish
official told the Daily News, adding that both countries needed to conduct
consultations on regional security issues such as Syria.
16.
Survey: Majority expected to support presidential system at
referendum
Turkish
daily Sabah newspaper (online, 27.01.17) reports that according to a survey
conducted by the Ankara-based Objective Research Centre (ORC), more than 60% of
the participants will likely say yes to the constitutional amendment package
which foresees a presidential system. The amendment package is expected to
gain support from six out of seven regions of Turkey with the vast majority's
support, according to the survey results. The ORC conducted a
computer-assisted telephone interview survey with 2,340 people throughout 36
provinces between Jan. 10 and Jan. 11. The participants were asked about their
preferences in the possible referendum in accordance with the political party
they support.
According
to the survey, more than 95% of the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP) supporters said yes and more than 56% of the opposition Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP)'s supporters also expressed their favour of the
constitutional amendment package.
In
the light of the survey, with 70% of the participants from the northern
provinces of Turkey supporting the amendment and more than 60% of the
participants from the southern and middle Anatolia provinces are expected to say
"yes" in the referendum. Commenting on the referendum process Prime Minister
Binali Yıldırım stated: "Parliament has accepted that the constitutional
amendment will be voted upon by the nation on the day of the referendum and
they, as Deputies, allowed the Turkish nation to make demands for the
changes."
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AM)
