TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 224/13 27.11.13
1. Eroglu: we understood each other better
2.
Ertug and Mavroyiannis: we will continue the efforts to reach a joint
declaration
3. Sibel continues her contacts in Ankara
4. Davutoglu hopes that the breakaway regime will soon
participate in the ECO Parliamentary Assembly Committee
5. Nami’s contacts in the side-lines of the Economic
Cooperation Organization meeting
6. The final decisions of the “3rd World
Turkish Cypriot Congress”: The breakaway regime is a legitimate state
7. Denktas continues his campaign against the Cyprus
Turkish Football Association - Cyprus Football Association agreement
8. The breakaway regime organized a photograph exhibition
in Kuwait
9.
Turkey, Iran to become backbone of regional stability: Davutoglu
10.
AKP announced 10 mayoral candidates
1. Eroglu: We understood each other better
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (27.11.13) under the above title reports that Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu remarked that he cannot say results were produced at the
meeting with Cyprus President Anastasiades in the buffer zone, but that the
meeting went well from the point of view that they understood each other.
Evaluating the
meeting with Anastasiades during a visit with Turkish Cypriot Businessmen
Association (ISAD), Eroglu, referred to statements made after the United
Nations hosted dinner on May 30th that they two men were engaged in a process
so that fully-fledged negotiations can begin in the first half of October.
However, he argued, two and a half months ago, the Greek Cypriot side suggested
a joint declaration. The Turkish Cypriot side accepted the first text of the
joint declaration prepared by the UN committee, but it was rejected by the
Greek Cypriot side, so the papers have continued to be passed back and forth
over the last two and a half months, Eroglu said.
Eroglu went on:
“My proposal is to resume the negotiations without a joint declaration.
Besides, all our requests are within the Government and Power Sharing chapter.
We will discuss this. It is an issue that will be solved through the process of
give and take at the negotiation table. If we accept the things that the Greek
Cypriot side wants before sitting at the negotiation table, what will we do at
the negotiation table?”
Eroglu said that
during the meeting with Anastasiades on Monday night, he proposed to him to
resume the negotiations without preconditions, adding that he gave the Cypriot
President two comprehensive proposals.
Eroglu noted
that he reiterated his proposal for a joint visit with President Anastasiades
to the occupied Apostolos (Saint) Andreas Monastery, but he added that he has
not received any answer yet.
Referring to the
issue of occupied Varosha, Eroglu claimed that the issue of occupied Varosha
was discussed before, adding that their proposals were rejected by them (Greek
Cypriots).
Commenting on
the proposal by the Cyprus government to return the fenced town of occupied
Varosha to its lawful inhabitants under UN control, in exchange for opening
Famagusta port to international trade and unfreezing a number of chapters in
Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, Eroglu said that it seems impossible to go
anywhere on this matter. He argued that they will carry on in good faith and
that the issue can be solved at the negotiation table through a give-and-take
process, but they cannot bring President Anastasiades at the negotiation table.
Eroglu concluded
by wishing that the Greek Cypriot side also accepts an invitation by them in
the future, as they have accepted theirs.
On his part,
ISAD Chairman MetinSadi said that they give their full support to Eroglu on the
Cyprus talks.
Meanwhile, the
paper also reports that Eroglu met yesterday with U.S Ambassador to Cyprus John
Koenig at his office. No statement was released regarding the meeting. The
press was only allowed to take photographs.
Furthermore,
according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 26.11.13), Eroglu touched upon
his social visit with the Cyprus President on Monday night by saying that the
necessary agreements were not reached and therefore patience was needed.
“Patience is not the only thing that is needed, our people must see the
realities and take steps accordingly”, said Eroglu, during a meeting with a
delegation from the “TRNC Grey Wolves Association” led by AdemYurdagul.
Speaking during
the visit, Yurdagul said that their mission for the “TRNC” [editor’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus], as the Grey
Wolves, was to unite with the “TRNC people” and better serve the people.
Eroglu said that
young people must show solidarity, unite under one roof and stand by their
state. “The youth must unite and cooperate on the national cause, this is what
we are looking for in the youth”, said Eroglu and called for everyone to unite
on the national cause.
“Those who will
benefit the most from a weakness between motherland Turkey and the TRNC are
countries and peoples who cannot bear the existence of the TRNC and the Turkish
people”, said Eroglu and added that as long as there is unity on the national
cause both Turkey and the “TRNC” will reach a better position.
2. Ertug and Mavroyiannis: we will continue the
efforts to reach a joint declaration
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (27.11.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu’s
special representative Osman Ertug and Greek Cypriot Negotiator Andreas
Mavroyiannis, speaking to paper’s journalist Osman Kalfaoglu, said that
although the gap in their views is deep regarding the joint declaration, they
will continue the efforts in order to reach a result.
Ertug said that
it is not possible to say anything positive regarding the meeting on Monday
night apart that it helped to know each other. Claiming that he does not want
to create empty hopes, Ertug said that during the meeting the Greek Cypriot
side repeated its position. Noting that all the core issues are under the
chapter of Government and Power sharing, Ertug argued that the Turkish Cypriot
side is the side, who wants solution, who will put constructive proposals at
the table and who will continue to remain at the table.
Mavroyiannis, in
a written statement to the paper, said that without the agreed basis as defined
by UN Security Council Resolutions and without an understanding on the
methodology in order to have a result oriented we cannot have a meaningful
negotiation, adding: “We hope that Mr Eroglu will understand this and move from
his intransigent position”.
Mavroyiannis
also said: “We want Cyprus to be reunified as a European country, fully
respecting democracy, human rights of all citizens and the EU principles, one
country with single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship, of
course upholding the bicomunal, bizonal character of the federation and
political equality of the two communities.”
The paper
reports that the Greek Cypriot negotiator also said that this is the only way
to build the future and they will remain fully committed to that goal. He also
said that the negotiators will continue the talks in order to reach a joint
declaration and concluded by saying: “We want to be together with our Turkish
Cypriot compatriots and we will not give up the effort”.
3. Sibel continues her contacts in Ankara
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.11.13) reports about the visiting of the
self-styled parliament speaker SibelSiber to Turkey. Sibel, who is heading a
delegation, is invited to Turkey by the Speaker of the Grant National Assembly,
CemilCicek.
Sibel held a
meeting with the Turkish deputy Prime Minister BesirAtalay in Ankara who stated
that Turkey, as the guarantor country, is aware of its responsibilities in
protecting Turkish Cypriots’ rights.
Atalay said they
wished everything is better in the breakaway regime and because Turkey’s
experience in economy was shared, no economic crisis hit occupied Cyprus in
2012–2013, while a great financial crisis was experienced in the Republic of
Cyprus.
Atalay also
alleged that Turkey is in favour of negotiations with Greek Cypriots and for
this reason both President Abdullah Gul and PM RecepTayyip Erdogan met UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu came
together with his Greek counterpart.
Siber for her
part said that they are working on restarting talks in Cyprus. She also claimed
that Turkish supports this with its peaceful stance.
Atalay also
stated that he will visit occupied Cyprus together with the Turkish Ministry of
Forest and Water Affairs VeyselEroglu and with the Turkish Ministry of Energy
TanerYildiz in order to discuss issues on energy and water.
4. Davutoglu hopes that the breakaway regime will
soon participate in the ECO Parliamentary Assembly Committee
Turkish
Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (27.11.13) reports that the Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu expressed his pleasure for the fact that the
breakaway regime participated with the observer status at the meeting of the 21st
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Tehran, Iran. The breakaway regime
was represented by the so-called foreign minister OzdilNami.
Davutoglu stated
that the presence of the breakaway regime enriched the ECO meeting and
expressed the hope that very soon will participate in the ECO Parliamentary
Assembly Committee.
5. Nami’s contacts in the side-lines of the
Economic Cooperation Organization meeting
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (27.11.13) reports about the contacts of
so-called foreign minister OzdilNami who “represented” the breakaway regime at
the meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Tehran, Iran.
Nami met with
the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Ibrahim Rahim and they exchanged views on
various issues. He also met with the deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan Sertac
Aziz and with the Turkish foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
The breakaway
regime participated in the meeting with the observer status.
6. The final decisions of the “3rd World
Turkish Cypriot Congress”: The breakaway regime is a legitimate state
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (27.11.13) reports that the 3rd World
Turkish Cypriot Congress” which took place in occupied Cyprus between 21-23 of
November at Acapoulco Hotel in occupied Keryneia came to an end and the final
decisions of the Congress were made published.
According to the
final decisions of the Congress, the breakaway regime is a “legitimate state
according to the international criteria”. It is also stated that in case the
negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem will not come to a positive
results this time, a contractual division must come into the agenda for the
establishment of two independent states. It is also stated that the efforts for
the recognition of the breakaway regime must continue.
7. Denktas continues his campaign against the
Cyprus Turkish Football Association - Cyprus Football Association agreement
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (27.11.13) writes that the scolding has
started by self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of sport
SerdarDenktas as regards the agreement signed between the Cyprus Turkish
Football Association (KTFF) and the Cyprus Football Association (KOP) of the
provisional football unification agreement.
According to the
paper, Denktas who is against the agreement, called to his “office” the
chairman of the Football Clubs Association YurdaerGarip and the chairman of
Football Players AssocuationSalihIsik to whom he expressed his views on the
issue. According to the paper, Serdar stated that the agreement cannot be
accepted and that it weakens the hands of the Turkish Cypriots.
In addition,
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (27.11.13) reports that the chairman of
the Cyprus Turkish Football Association HasanSertoglu stated that the
federation will meet on Friday November 29 to discuss the issue and to give
information about the agreement. On Denktas’ disagreement over the agreement,
Sertoglu said that they expect from politicians to show the same respect to
their opinion as the federation does.
8. The breakaway regime organized a photograph exhibition in Kuwait
Turkish
Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (27.11.13) reports that the breakaway regime
organized a photograph exhibition in Kuwait in order to present the “beauties
of occupied Cyprus” to the country.
Works
of photographer HuseyinSayil were exhibited. The opening ceremony took place on
November 17 and the following persons participated: The so-called
representative of the breakaway regime in Kuwait OktayOzturk, the Turkish
ambassador to Kuwait Murat Tamer, the ambassador of Azerbaijan TuralRizayev and
the counselor of the Ukrainian embassy AdriiMelcychenco.
In
addition Abdul Rasoul Salman the Chairman of the Kuwait Art Association, who cooperates
with the representation of the breakaway regime in Kuwait for the exhibition,
was also presented in the event.
9. Turkey, Iran to become backbone of regional
stability: Davutoglu
According to
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 27.11.13), a growing partnership
between Turkey and Iran will enhance the region’s stability, Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in Tehran, where he is attending the Economic
Cooperation Organization 21st ministers’ meeting, on Nov. 26.
“In my point of
view, when Turkey and Iran join hands, this will not only benefit both
countries, but also become the backbone of regional stability,” Davutoglu said,
pointing to the potential of further cooperation in energy.
“Turkey’s annual
energy demand is $60 billion. Turkey is a corridor country, Iran is a producer
country. If we fuse both potentials, Turkey could become the corridor of energy
provider Iran,” Davutoglu said. He also added that closer ties would also have
a major impact on the sectarian divide in the Middle East.
“At a place and
time where some try to instigate sectarian conflicts, the dialogue between Iran
and Turkey is the most important dialogue in the region,” Davutoglu said.
“It’s now time for cooperation. The dialogue
between two regional powers such as Turkey and Iran who share an historic
relationship will not only enable our region to gain stability, but also
prevent the negative effects of conflicts.”
Davutoglu also
praised Iran for the agreement with Western powers in the nuclear talks. “I
still remember the 15-hour non-stop meetings that we had on May 17, 2010, here
in Tehran. It lasted from six o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock at night, we
couldn’t even eat. That’s why I know how hard negotiations on this issue were,”
Davutoglu said.
Moreover, Ankara
Anatolia news agency (26.11.13) reported that Davutoglu met also with Iranian
First Vice-President EshaqJahangiri. Talks touched on bilateral economic
relations, energy and transportation, said diplomatic sources.
“Turkey is
determined to increase trade volume between the two countries to over $30
billion and it aims to increase this figure to $100 billion by 2020,” Davutoglu
said.
Noting that
Turkish companies face some problems in Iran, Davutoglu said “solving these
problems will enhance the trade volume and Turkey is ready to cooperate to
solve these problems.”
Meanwhile,
Jahangiri said removing obstacles before Turkish companies is Iran's one of the
most important priorities.
10. AKP announced 10 mayoral candidates
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 26.11.13), under the title “Turkish PM unveils 10
candidates for local elections, Gokcek to run for fifth term”, reported that
MelihGokcek will run for the Ankara mayor’s office for a fifth successive term,
as Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan announced the Justice and
Development Party’s (AKP) local election candidates for 10 provinces.
Gokcek, who has
been running the Turkish capital city’s municipality since 1994, will run in
the March 30, 2014, local elections.
Erdogan
announced 10 of the party’s 81 provincial candidates, five of them running in
metropolitan municipalities, at the end of his weekly Parliamentary group
address.
The AKP will try
to dethrone Eskisehir’s three-time incumbent mayor, YilmazBuyukersen of the
Republican People’s Party (CHP), with its candidate, HarunKaracan.
Four-time Mayor
Mehmet Ozhaseki will try to extend his term in the Central Anatolian province
of Kayseri.
TahirAkyurek,
who has administered Konya Metropolitan Municipality for two terms, will also
run in the next elections.
Fatih Mehmet
Erkoc will run for the seat in Kahramanmaras, which will become one of Turkey’s
newest metropolitan municipalities next year.
ErcanCimen will
run for the AKP in the northern province of Gumushane, SeyfettinKalay will look
to win the western Black Sea province of Bartin, YasarBahceci will be the
candidate in the Central Anatolian province of Kirsehir. Elsewhere, Mayor
CaferOzdemir will try to keep his post in the northern province of Amasya, as
will Mayor BurhanettinCoban in the inner Aegean province of province of Afyon.
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