TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
26/17
07.02.17
1.
Akinci’s interview to Cumhuriyet
2.
Eide exchanged views with Cavusoglu on developments in the Cyprus
talks
3.
Akinci inspected the crossing point in Deryneia
4.
Akinci will inform the “assembly” on the progress of the Cyprus
negotiations
5.
Erhurman alleges that President Anastasiades “has not come to the point that it
is needed on the political equality”
6.
Saner to attend the OIC’s Ministerial Conference in
Jeddah
7.
The Council of the Turkish Cypriot Unions called on the Turkish Cypriots who
live abroad to apply for the “TRNC citizenship”
8.
Erdin Nami: The Turkish Cypriot side is not economically ready for the
solution
9.
Tatar said that the fall of Turkish lira will decrease shopping of the Turkish
Cypriots to the free areas and this will be good
10.
The stone quarries on occupied Pentadaktylos Mountains cover an area of 2,6
million square meters
11.
The foundations of a new “university” in the occupied part of Nicosia will be
laid
12.
In the occupied area of Cyprus the unemployment rate in 2015 dropped only
0,9%
13.
Turkey to host UN’s Guterres and the Cyprus envoy this
week
14.
MEPs evaluates the timing of the EU-Turkey summit on migration with the Cyprus
talks
15.
Turkey condemns law approving new Israeli settlements in Palestinian
land
16.
Turkey transfers stakes worth billions in major public companies to wealth
fund
1.
Akinci’s interview to Cumhuriyet
Turkish
daily Cumhuriyet newspaper (06.02.17) published the following interview with the
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci under the title “Last Chance for Cyprus”
by paper’s journalist Demet Yalcin:
“Akinci
answered daily newspaper Cumhuriyet's questions about the ongoing crucial
negotiation process. There are about 10 outstanding issues in the negotiations
being held under the chapters of power sharing, the EU, economy, property
ownership, arrangements around land, and security guarantees. Akinci answered
all our questions that are still on our minds regarding the current state of the
negotiations.
Q:
Greek Cypriot side appears reluctant. What is the reason for
this?
To
make a realistic assessment, since 1963 they ascended to the position of being
the sole beneficiary of the republic in which we became partners in 1960. We are
now in the 54th year. They are the only side recognized at the UN. They joined
the EU in 2004 on their own. They went through a crisis during recent years but
their economic situation was in a much better situation than ours. They are
being represented at the Council of Europe, they are being represented at the
European Parliament. A settlement will require them to share all this. They will
need to share with us, this time within a federal framework, a state of which we
were a partner many years ago, and one that they took ownership
of.
Q:
Could you elaborate on this please?
They
will come to terms with the fact that a Turkish Cypriot will become the
president of the federal state within the framework of rotating
presidency.
They will share the government, the assembly, and resources. Therefore, they
have reservations about these issues.
Q:
Is the Turkish side not feeling nervous?
We
settled in north of Cyprus 43 years ago. There are areas that we find difficult
to share. One of these is territory. There is a separate chapter on territory in
the negotiations ongoing since the time of late Rauf Denktas. Even though it is
known that this will be debated, difficulties are being experienced regarding
this issue.
Q:
What sort of difficulties?
Greek
Cypriots have reservations about sharing the state with us as part of a
settlement on the basis of political equality and within a federal framework
which will include the constituent (founding) states of both communities.
They
will also share with us the central federal administration on the basis of
political equality. They will come to terms with this and for our part; we
will come to an agreement on the issue of territory, around 29%, within the
framework of a long-standing understanding. There is a prevalent view that
Greek Cypriots' demands have increased during the recent period. I am not in a
position to say, ''they 100% want a settlement; everything is OK'' because there
are 8-10 issues over which we need to reach an agreement.
Q:
What are the negotiation chapters?
The
negotiations are continuing under six main chapters. They are: 1) Power sharing,
2) Economy, 3) The EU, 4) Property ownership, 5) Arrangements around territory,
6) Security guarantees. Under these six chapters there are 8-10 important issues
over which no agreement has been reached. If an agreement is reached on these,
there will be a referendum and people will cast their vote to show whether they
are prepared to come to terms with this agreement or not.
Q:
Are Greek Cypriots enthusiastic about this referendum?
We
can attribute the fact that Greek Cypriots are now more enthusiastic than they
were in the past to the economic crisis they experienced.
They joined the EU on their own and switched to euro but of course, being in the
EU alone does not solve problems. If people do not do their homework, they may
still have problems regardless of where they are. This is what happened with
Greek Cypriots. More and more people are realizing that it will not help them
to remain forever enemies with an important country like Turkey. Business people
are forming joint platforms with Turkish Cypriots, Greeks, and with people from
Turkey. They began to see more clearly the new opportunities that being on
friendly terms with Turkey can bring.
Q:
How about natural gas?
Natural
gas reserves will either turn eastern Mediterranean region into an area of
cooperation or be a source of tension. Therefore, yes; I agree with your
observation that Greek Cypriots are not as enthusiastic as Turkish Cypriots
about a settlement however, I can say that they, too, appear more enthusiastic
than they previously were about a settlement.
Discourse
of 'Zero Soldier, Zero Guarantee' Unacceptable
Q:
Turkey's guarantorship is one of the major issues over which there is no
agreement. Greek Cypriots will perhaps object to the presences of Turkish
soldiers. As far as you are concerned, Turkey's guarantor role is a major sine
qua non. Can Cyprus become vulnerable in security
terms?
The
issue of security and guarantees does not only concern the two communities.
There are five sides involved: two communities and three guarantor countries.
That was the reason the Cyprus Conference in Geneva had five attendants. If
no agreement is reached, the international agreements will remain in place.
No one can change these agreements unilaterally. These agreements will
not disappear when Greek Cypriot side says, ''I do not like this.'' In Geneva,
an important matter, which we underlined all along, was stressed. What was said
was ''we want both sides to feel safe.'' One side's safety should not be viewed
as a threat by the other side. What is being looked at is a way to achieve
this.
Reasonable
Number of Soldiers
Q:
Are constructive proposals being put forward?
In
Mont Pelerin, the five sides met at a deputy level. We will meet again in March
at a political level and examine the work prepared by the deputies. Greece
and Greek Cypriot side should absolutely leave aside their discourse of ‘zero
soldiers, zero guarantee’.' If we were to say, ‘the 1960 guarantee system or
alliance agreement are the agreements that cannot be changed even in the
slightest sense despite the intervening 57 years. We will not even consider
adapting them to the current circumstances’, this would not form a starting
point. Similarly, Greek Cypriot's discourse of ‘forget guarantees forget
soldiers’ will not form any starting point at all. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos
Kotzias is proposing a ‘friendship pact’ but an empty friendship pact does not
have any meaning. A new alliance, in which Greece, Turkey, and a united federal
Cyprus will become partners, can be created. Within such a framework, there will
be a reasonable number of soldiers in Cyprus.
Q:
What is the number of soldiers?
It
has been said for many years that there are 40,000 soldiers following the 1974
Operation but we are aware that this figure dropped over time. If an agreement
is reached, neither Turkey nor we want so many soldiers to remain. Under the
alliance agreement reached in 1960, there were 650 Turkish soldiers and 950
Greek soldiers. Through agreement, these figures can be different or even
higher. Our counterparts need to understand that, in terms of guarantees,
Turkish Cypriots do not see their safety in other place than with Turkey. We are
told, ‘you will be in the EU, this is enough of a guarantee’. Yet, the EU does
not have such a mechanism.
Q:
Could you give details about the scale of the
guarantees?
The
guarantor agreement was not about the security of people or the communities, it
was about status. Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom guaranteed the
system which was established. These countries were given the right to intervene
to re-establish the status quo if the system was to be interrupted. How can
we adapt this to the new circumstances so that it becomes acceptable to one side
and the other side does not view it as a threat? This will be talked about and
discussed.
Q:
Do you have a plan B as far as soldiers are concerned?
I
believe there will be an environment in which an agreement can be reached on
this plan A. The plan A is a reasonable one.
Q:
What is the plan A?
First
of all, there is an alliance agreement; it can be called friendship pact or
something else however, we believe that the presence of the Turkish soldiers is
important here. Turkey wants this, too. What is important is the content not the
name. As far as we are and Turkey is concerned, the presence of the soldiers
here is also a psychological fact. This needs to be understood well. Apart
from this, the issue of guarantees can be adapted to the present circumstances.
There was a positive atmosphere in the work done at a technical
level.
Not
Much Time Left
Q:
The UN has a crucial role here.
UN
Secretary-General's special adviser Espen Barth Eide will have contact with the
guarantors and decide the date of the conference accordingly. During this
period, the UN will naturally need a shuttle diplomacy. Important thing is that
all the sides have the intention and the will. The Cyprus issue is being
negotiated almost 50 years and everyone had enough, the communities got tired,
the world got tired, too; so did the UN, Turkey, and Greece. I do not want to
see another five, let alone another 50 years added to the current 50 years. If
we can, let us reach an agreement. What I am saying is we are making the final
effort of our generation. Anastasiades and I are from the same generation. We
are really making the final effort of our generation. If this does not work out,
it is highly likely that we are also coming to the end of the attempt at a
federal settlement. For this to happen, there is not much time left apart
from the few months ahead of us. If you want to know why; new tensions can
emerge around natural gas explorations. Greek Cypriots will be holding
presidential elections in 2018 and the preparations for the election will start
in May. Therefore, the months of February, March, and April will be seriously
decisive.
Q:
What is the Plan A?
A
security guarantee system in which Turkish and Greek Cypriots will feel safe, a
system that will be adapted to the circumstances of 2017. We see this under
Turkey's guarantee and with Turkey's involvement. We cannot replace Turkey
with another guarantee. In Turkish Cypriots' security perception, there is
nothing else other than Turkey. The EU does not even have such a mechanism.
That is why we do not accept the Greek Cypriot stance. We cannot accept the
discourse of zero soldier and zero guarantee.
Figure
Around 25% Will Not Happen
Q:
If there is no settlement, will Northern Cyprus (translator’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) be governed
under the current system or will there be a different governance
style?
Since
I believe that a settlement will be better for everyone involved, I am putting
my heart and soul into this. Right messages need to reach the Turkish public.
From time to time, distorted messages are being relayed. One such message is
about the map and territory. The allegation that ‘we started with 29% and will
end up with 25%’ was spread. The figure is 29 plus, it will not be like 25%. The
lowest limit Greek Cypriots can put forward in their proposal is 28.2%. Even
they cannot propose anything lower than that. Even though this is the case,
it is being alleged that we will make do with 25% and it is claimed that ‘Cyprus
is being sold’. Such a thing is out of the question.
Here
Is New System
Rotating
Presidency, Two Assemblies
Q:
Can you tell us a bit about the previous agreements?
We
are holding the Cyprus negotiations within two main frameworks; this needs to be
known. This is not a framework I drew as the current president (translator’s
note: Turkish Cypriot leader). The first framework is the 1977-79 Summit
Agreements; the summit agreements between Denktas and Makarios, and between
Denktas and Kyprianou. A bi-zonal and bi-communal federation; Turkey supported
this since then. From time to time, this is referred to as a confederation or
two separate states; the settlement framework Honourable Denktas agreed and
signed is a federation. Honourable Eroglu, my predecessor, made another
framework agreement on 11 February 2014 with the approval of the government of
Turkey. In that agreement, too, this bi-zonal and bi-communal federal settlement
was confirmed once again.
There
Will 20 Turkish, 20 Greek Cypriot Senators
Q:
How will the system work?
Under
this framework, which was approved by all the political parties in the ‘TRNC
Republican Assembly’ (translator’s note: the assembly of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of Cyprus), namely the UBP [National Unity Party], the DP
[Democratic Party], the CTP [Republican Turkish Party], and the TDP [Social
Democracy Party], the two politically equal constituent (founding) states
will come under a federal roof. A structure will be built in which both
Turkish Cypriot constituent (founding) state and Greek Cypriot constituent
(founding) state will each have its own government, assembly, police force,
judiciary and everything else. In the Federal Republic, there will be two
assemblies. The representation in the lower assembly will be according to
the population ratio whereas in the upper assembly, the representation will be
based on full numerical equality. There will be 36 Greek Cypriot and 12
Turkish Cypriot lawmakers in the lower assembly. In the upper assembly, there
will be 20 Turkish Cypriot and 20 Greek Cypriot senators. Any decision taken
by the lower assembly will have to pass through the senate for it to be
implemented. Decisions by the lower assembly will have no validity if they
are not approved by the senate where we will have numerical equality. In this
system, there will be a rotating presidency even though Greek Cypriots do not
seem to accept this officially yet. A Greek Cypriot will serve as
president for two years while a Turkish Cypriot will serve for one year. In
addition to these, there will be full equality in the judiciary. There will be
eight federal judges, four Turkish Cypriots and four Greek Cypriots, and they
will serve as president in rotation. There will be full equality in the federal
judiciary.
Chance
of Making Agreements with Third Countries
Q:
What are the powers of the constituent (founding)
state?
The
powers of the federal state are confined to areas such as foreign policy,
federal budget, and defence policy. All other powers, notably in the areas of
health, education, culture, and trade will be held by each individual
constituent state.
Constituent states will have wider powers. They will be able to sign cooperation
agreements in certain areas. In areas such as education, culture, sports,
trade, finance, economy, and tourism, they will have powers to sign agreements
not only with Turkey, please note this, but with other third countries and
international organizations. This is very important. For instance, so far,
we have not been able to sign any agreement with UNESCO; when that day comes, we
will be able to do that. Besides, when a Greek Cypriot becomes president a
Turkish Cypriot will serve as foreign minister. Given that a Greek Cypriot will
be the foreign minister when a Turkish Cypriot becomes president, the EU
minister will definitely be a Turkish Cypriot.
Both
Presidents to Decide Together
Q:
Will a presidential system be introduced?
In
the 1960 Republic, there were seven Greek Cypriot ministers and three Turkish
Cypriot ministers. Under the Annan Plan, which the Turkish Cypriot people had
approved, there was supposed to be four Greek Cypriot and two Turkish Cypriot
ministers. Under the current agreement we reached, there will be seven Greek
Cypriot and four Turkish Cypriot ministers. We are in a better position
compared to the two previous formulas. Some argue that in the 1960 Republic,
there was a vice president. There was no rotating presidency at the time.
However, the vice president had a veto power in three areas. Exactly in the same
way it was in 1960, both presidents will now take joint decisions in the areas
of foreign policy, security, and defense. There will be two presidents and they
will serve as president in rotation. The system will be a presidential system.
My view is that a settlement within this framework is in line with our and
Turkey's real interests. A settlement is not merely a romantic wish. This is
a down-to-earth stance that sees the gains a settlement will
provide.”
2.
Eide exchanged views with Cavusoglu on developments in the Cyprus
talks
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 07.02.17) , the UN Secretary General’s
Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, who is currently in Ankara, met with
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu this morning.
“A
very good exchange with Foreign Minister Cavusoglu on developments in the Cyprus
talks and the next steps in the conference on Cyprus” Eide wrote on his official
twitter account after the meeting.
The
UN Envoy will be received by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim at 5pm
today.
He
is expected to continue his contacts in Ankara tomorrow.
The
two Cyprus leaders had demanded from the UN to consult with the guarantor powers
and make preparations for a second Cyprus Summit in Geneva in early
March.
3.
Akinci inspected the crossing point in Deryneia
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (07.02.17) reports that Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci inspected yesterday on the spot the works for
the opening of the crossing point in the occupied part of Deryneia. In a
statement issued by his “office” it is said that Akinci had been briefed on the
progress of the works and that today he would inspect on the spot the works
for the opening of the crossing point in Apliki area.
(I/Ts.)
4.
Akinci will inform the “assembly” on the progress of the Cyprus
negotiations
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (07.02.17) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci will meet tomorrow morning with the “speaker of the
assembly” Sibel Siber and later with the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot Parties
which are represented in the “assembly”.
Akinci
will also inform the “assembly” on the latest developments of the Cyprus
problem.
(CS)
5.
Erhurman alleges that President Anastasiades “has not come to the point that
it is needed on the political equality”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.02.17) reports that Tufan
Erhurman, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has argued that
political equality is one of the UN parameters for the solution of the Cyprus
problem and alleged that until now President Anastasiades “has not come to the
point that is needed on the political equality issue”.
Addressing
a meeting of his party at occupied Trikomo village, Erhurman claimed: “The
rotating presidency has been accepted even though orally. However, this is not
enough. The political equality of the Turkish Cypriots with the Greek Cypriots
should take place in all units of the federal state either numerically or by
giving the opportunity of effective participation, if the number is not equal”.
Erhurman
further alleged that President Anastasiades keeps the rotating presidency as a
“trump card” in his hand and that this is a “big mistake”.
According to Erhurman, some politicians in the government-controlled area of
Cyprus, who “sincerely want a solution”, do not approve this stance of President
Anastasiades.
Furthermore,
Erhurman claimed that it should not be possible for the text of the agreement
which will be approved by the Turkish Cypriots to become invalid by decisions of
international courts and added that the Turkish Cypriots want an agreement which
will be ensured that it is legally final.
Referring
to the territory issue, Erhurman recalled that the percentage of 29,2% had been
decided at the Mont Pelerin and not in Geneva and wondered why the
representatives of the “government” went to Geneva with such large delegations,
since they disagree with this development. Arguing that the maps submitted in
Geneva are the “starting positions”, Erhurman noted that with her speech at the
“assembly” when the minutes of a closed-door session [held in the 1980’s] were
recently revealed, the “speaker” of the “assembly” Sibel Siber verified what
Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci had been saying on the territory.
Erhurman
said that some circles allege that the negotiating process for the solution of
the Cyprus problem has collapsed and they seem to be in a “festive mood”, but
because they know that the process has not collapsed, they continue exerting
every effort to harm it.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Saner to attend the OIC’s Ministerial Conference in
Jeddah
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 07.02.17), self-styled minister of
labour and social security Hamza Ersan Saner will attend the Organization of the
Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministerial Conference on ‘Strengthening Marriage
and Family Institution’ which will be held between the 8th and 9th of February
in Jeddah.
Saner
will return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on Friday, the 10th
of February.
7.
The Council of the Turkish Cypriot Unions called on the Turkish Cypriots who
live abroad to apply for the “TRNC citizenship”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (07.02.17) reports that the Council of the
Turkish Cypriot Unions called on the Turkish Cypriots who live in the UK to
apply for the “TRNC citizenship”.
According
to a statement issued by the Council, only 220,000 Turkish Cypriots will have
the citizenship of the new stated that will emerge after a solution and from
them only 22,000 Turkish Cypriots who live abroad will have the right to apply
for it.
Claiming
that there are currently 300,000 Turkish Cypriots who live in the UK, the
Council says that another reason for applying for the “TRNC citizenship” is that
the Turkish Cypriots will no longer be EU citizens after the Brexit.
It
is also mentioned that the Council met in November with the self-styled minister
of foreign affairs Tahsin Ertugruloglu who made the preparations for ease the
application for the “TRNC documents”.
(CS)
8.
Erdin Nami: The Turkish Cypriot side is not economically ready for the
solution
Turkish
Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (07.02.17) reports that Erdil Nami, former
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce claimed that the Turkish
Cypriot side is not ready from the economic point of view for the solution of
the Cyprus problem.
He
also alleged that in order for the “country” to become member of the European
Union and be harmonized with the European laws, the economic protocols that the
breakaway regime signed with Turkey must be applied.
(CS)
9.
Tatar said that the fall of Turkish lira will decrease shopping of the
Turkish Cypriots to the free areas and this will be
good
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (07.02.17) reports that the “deputy” with the
National Unity Party and former so-called minister of economy Ersin Tatar
commented on the decrease of the value of the Turkish Lira and said that it will
be for the benefit of the “TRNC”.
According
to his claims, this will lead to the decrease of the shopping that Turkish
Cypriots make to the south (meaning the Republic of Cyprus) and this will be
beneficial for the “TRNC”.
(CS)
10.
The stone quarries on occupied Pentadaktylos Mountains cover an area of 2,6
million square meters
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.02.17) reports that Mehmet
Yakup, secretary for the environment of the Equal Rights and Justice Trade
Union (HAK-SEN), has said that the stone quarries on the occupied
Pentadaktylos Mountains cover an area that exceeds 2,6 million square meters
and described it as “one of the biggest environmental tragedies created by
the state”. “The environment is on the top of the problems which urgently
wait for a solution in the country”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)
11.
The foundations of a new “university” in the occupied part of Nicosia will be
laid
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.02.17) reports that
the
foundations of a new “university” in the occupied part of Nicosia named the
“Cosmopolitan University of Nicosia” will be laid soon.
Businessman
Ertan Birinci,
chairman of the “administrative committee” of the “university” said that they
have been intensively working for a long time, they have overcome some obstacles
and soon they will lay the foundations of the “university”. He noted that
they will try to be ready for offering education in this campus as of the next
academic year.
(I/Ts.)
12.
In the occupied area of Cyprus the unemployment rate in 2015 dropped only
0,9%
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (07.02.17) reports that according to the
results of a household labour survey carried out by the “state planning
organization” (“DPO”) on October 2015, the total number of employed persons in
the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus) in 2015 was estimated as 112 thousand 811 persons. The
number of unemployed was 9 thousands 043 persons, and the rate of unemployment
7,4%.
According
to the results for October 2014, there were 103 thousand 149 employed persons in
2014 and 9 thousand 320 unemployed persons, and the unemployment rate is
estimated at 8,3%.
The
unemployment rate was 8,9% for women and 6,5% for men. The highest unemployment
rate was registered in the occupied town of Morphou with 10,9% and the lowest at
the occupied part of Lefkosia with 5,1%.
(DPs)
13.
Turkey to host UN’s Guterres and the Cyprus envoy this
week
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 07.02.17) reports that Turkey will host
the United Nations’ new Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and his special
envoy on Cyprus this week to discuss ongoing efforts to resolve the decades-old
divide on the eastern Mediterranean island and review the refugee problem
stemming from Syria’s civil war.
According
to Turkish officials, Guterres is expected to hold talks with President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Feb. 10 in Ankara. A
former High Commissioner for Refugees, Guterres began his job as U.N. chief on
Jan. 1. Special envoy for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide is expected to be in Ankara
this week as well, officials said, although it is not clear whether or not Eide
will accompany Guterres in Ankara.
The
top issue to be discussed in Ankara is expected to be the ongoing U.N.-led talks
aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-zonal and bi-communal
formula.
Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom met with Turkish and Greek Cypriots in
mid-January, with expectations that a five-way conference will be organized in
early March upon the request of the two negotiating parties.
Guterres
and Eide will listen to the Turkish perspective with regard to the ongoing talks
on the eve of the upcoming conference.
Guterres
will also discuss refugee problems stemming from Syria with Turkey, which is
home to around 3 million Syrians and Iraqis on its soil. Officials will discuss
developments in Syria and preparations for a fresh round of political talks
between the Syrian government and the opposition before a Geneva meeting slated
for Feb. 20.
14.
MEPs evaluates the timing of the EU-Turkey summit on migration with the
Cyprus talks
Under
the title “MEPs call for constructive talks at planned but undated Turkey
summit”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 07.02.17) reports that
despite the European Parliament holding a vote calling for an end to
accession negotiations with Turkey, some MEPs told Daily Sabah that more
constructive approaches to strengthen ties with their ‘key ally' Turkey is
needed.
Amid
rumours that the EU is waiting for the results of the accelerated Cyprus
reunification talks and the upcoming referendum in Turkey regarding the
constitutional amendment package in the country's bid to switch to a
presidential system, EU leaders have praised Turkey for fulfilling its
responsibilities regarding the migrant deal while Ankara argues that the bloc
has only kept a tiny portion of its promises.
MEP
Bogovic: Referendum shows democracy functioning in Turkey
Responding
to questions regarding the significance of the timing of the summit expected in
spring which correlates with the timing of the possible outcome of the Cyprus
reunification talks, Slovenian Member of Parliament Franc Bogovic of the
European People's Party (EPP) said he assumes the timing is "no
coincidence".
Looking on the bright side, Bogovic said in case of reunification "There
would then be a Turkish speaking, Muslim minority inside the EU and this could
be a huge opportunity to mend the soured relationship between these two
important partners: Turkey and the EU". Bogovic said he also believes that
President Tusk wants to wait for the outcome of the referendum in Turkey, as
suggested by the Turkish Parliament. (…) When asked if he thinks Ankara would
end the migrant deal and provide safe passage to refugees if the deal collapses,
Bogovic said "The negative effects on Europe would be immense - especially along
the Balkan route and for my country of Slovenia". (…) Stressing that
the deal with Turkey is right and pleasant at first sight, "but the EU needs to
have a plan B and maybe even a plan C. Unfortunately we cannot rely solely on
Turkey's good will on this important issue".
MP
Kyuchyuk: Time to begin a new chapter in EU-Turkey
relations
İlhan
Kyuchyuk, a Bulgarian-Turkish member of parliament for the Group of the Alliance
of Liberal and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said the main talks to be held
during the Turkey-EU summit will focus on the implementation of the migrant
deal, adding that it is not healthy to integrate the Cyprus talks with the
summit issue.
He said the migrant deal should play a constructive role between the two
"strategic partners" and warned that both sides should refrain from causing it
to collapse. (…) The Bulgarian Member of Parliament also emphasized that he
has recently hosted an event dedicated to energy perspectives in Cyprus. "I
believe that despite hydrocarbon discoveries are not being part of official
negotiations, the relationship between Cyprus and energy cannot be understated
and is deserved to be properly analysed in order to understand its potential in
terms of diplomatic relations in the region, economic gains, and – of course –
unification and stability. In this regard, the general opinion that was
expressed during the event was that the reunification of the island will, on the
one hand, contribute to regional development and strengthen cooperation in the
energy sector on the other," said Kyuchyuk.
MEP
Zdechovsky: EU must do all it can to preserve deal with
Turkey
Czech
Member of the European Parliament Tomas Zdechovsky stressed that in the case of
a negative outcome at the planned EU-Turkey summit, the agreement known as the
"Migrant Deal" may collapse. Defining
the possible incident as a "threat", Zdechovsky said he is convinced that no one
in Europe wants a repeat of the massive waves of migrants seen prior to the
deal. (…) Zdechovsky also added that he does not think the ongoing Cyprus
negotiations have anything to do with the EU's failure to announce a date for
the anticipated summit. On the other hand, responding to questions regarding
the flow of gas through the eastern Mediterranean into Europe via the TANAP
Pipeline - a likely scenario if peace is achieved in the Cyprus talks
-Zdechovsky said, "There is no doubt that decreasing [Europe's] oil dependency
on Russia and Iran would be beneficial for both Turkey and the EU. The details
are, however, a matter of further negotiations among all concerned
states".
15.
Turkey condemns law approving new Israeli settlements in Palestinian
land
According
to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 06.02.17), Turkey’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs condemned the adoption of a law enabling the construction of
4,000 units of settlements on private Palestinian
land.
In
a statement released on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said: "The policy
Israel persistently pursues despite the UN Security Council Resolution dated 23
December 2016, number 2334, which put on record that illegal settlement activity
at the occupied Palestinian territories are destroying the basis for the
two-state solution, is unacceptable".
Turkey
has previously condemned the construction of settlements and has urged Israel to
comply with international law.
16.
Turkey transfers stakes worth billions in major public companies to wealth
fund
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 07.02.17), a new sovereign
wealth fund formed by Turkish authorities will be audited and adhere to
international standards, Finance Minister Naci Agbal has said in response to
criticisms that the new fund will be devoid of any
oversight.
The
fund will be audited in three stages, Agbal said. “There will be an independent
audit. Three audit officials, who will be appointed by the prime minister, will
also be on duty, in addition to an audit mechanism by the parliament. Annual
audit reports and another audit report prepared for the prime minister will be
sent to parliament every year. The Planning and Budget Commission will audit all
companies in the fund on an annual basis”, Agbal said in a televised interview
with CNN Türk on Feb. 7.
There
will also be no change in the management and operational activities of Turkish
companies whose stakes have been transferred to the fund, the Minister added.
“The wealth fund will not be able to decide on the management of these assets
on its own. We have just transferred the stakes of these companies from the
privatization authority to the Turkish Wealth Fund,” Agbal
said.
Turkey
has transferred stakes worth billions of dollars in Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, the
Borsa Istanbul stock exchange, Turkish Airlines and state-owned pipeline
operator BOTAŞ, among others, to the new sovereign wealth fund, in a bid to help
finance giant infrastructure projects.
Agbal
explained that Halkbank and Turkish Airlines had been in the privatization
portfolio and added: “The privatization processes of these assets will again be
decided by the government”.
Meanwhile,
HDN reports that Selin Sayek Böke, the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP)
spokesperson and vice chair responsible for economic policy, said on Twitter on
Feb. 5 that the move would drive the Turkish economy toward a steep cliff
through the creation of a “parallel” treasury.
Turgay
Bozoglu, the economy adviser to CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said the fund’s
audit-free structure would create big risks for the economy.
Bozoglu
also likened the move to the establishment of the Düyun-u Umumiye (Council of
Ottoman Revenues and Debts Administration) in 1874, adding that Turkey’s fiscal
discipline would deteriorate severely.
Columnist
Murat Yetkin,
under the title “Turkey’s Wealth Fund: What’s next?), writes that the move
shows how important it is for the government to woo foreign investors, who have
recently been more reluctant due to political uncertainty. This is
particularly true due to the ongoing state of emergency declared after the
foiled military coup attempt of July 2016, as well as the shadow cast over the
investment environment by the situation of the courts. The Turkish Lira has
depreciated against the U.S. dollar and the euro, while the government has
revised down its growth estimate and the Central Bank has revised up its
inflation estimate for 2017 just a month after the original
estimates.
The
establishment of the wealth fund in Turkey and the way it is to be funded raise
serious questions about what might be the next steps to pumping in fresh
resources to keep the economy going.
------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AM)
