6/12/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW





TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S

No. 231/13                                                                                        06.12.13

1. Davutoglu to visit the occupied area of Cyprus on Dec. 14
2. Three Turkish warships anchored at occupied Famagusta port to allegedly protect Barbaros Hayrettin Pashaship
3. A press release by the self-styled mfaabout the UN controlled buffer zone
4. Bagis: not even a hand span of Varosha will be given for Turkey’s accession to the EU 
5. Cicek wants the EU to end the “isolation” of the Turkish Cypriots
6. US interest on the Cyprus negotiations increased; Eroglu met with the American Ambassador twice in three weeks
7. Denktas claims that improvements are made to the Annan Plan which are not for the Turkish Cypriots’ benefit
8. French ambassador to Lefkosia says that France supports Turkey’s EU bid and the Cyprus problem solution
9. Mungan: We have to implement the economic protocol
10. Opinion poll: 56% of the respondents view positively Turkey's recognition of the Republic of Cyprus
11. Israeli Minister offers olive branch in first visit to Turkey in three years
12. Davutoglu set to visit Armenia on Dec. 12
13. Ruling AKP’s Topbas to re-run for Istanbul Mayor post
14. Socar’s investments in Turkey to reach $20 billion



1. Davutoglu to visit the occupied area of Cyprus on Dec. 14
According to Turkish daily YeniSafak (online, 06.12.13), Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that he would visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on December 14, after his visit to Athens on previous day.

2. Three Turkish warships anchored at occupied Famagusta port to allegedly protect Barbaros Hayrettin Pashaship
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (06.12.13) reports that three Turkish warships have anchored at occupied Famagusta port in order to allegedly protect Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha vessel from being attacked. Barbaros is carrying out seismic explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean. Citing information published by KibrisManset news website, HalkinSesi writes that Goktepe F 494 frigate the P 330 torpedo boat and Inebolu vessel that carries fuel are docked at occupied Famagusta Port.

Reporters of KibrisMenset have reportedly observed “a remarkable activity” at the occupied port. Some army officers told these reporters that their mission in the protection of Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha seismic explorations vessel. A non-commissioned officer has reportedly said that they had been at the occupied port for some time and when they leave, other ships will replace them. “Barbaros Hayrettin is in the Mediterranean now and we in the port are waiting for it to carry out explorations”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)

3. A press release by the self-styled mfaabout the UN controlled buffer zone
According to a statement issued yesterday (05.12.13) by the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, the “foreign ministry” called on the Cyprus government to respect the status of the UN Controlled Buffer Zone and to refrain from policies that will raise tensions.

According to illegal Bayrak television (05.12.13), the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs warned the Greek Cypriot farmers, who are planning to go to their fields at the UN buffer zone that all necessary legal measures will be taken, if such an attempt would be made.

The statement also argued that it attaches great importance to the preservation of the peaceful atmosphere on the island at a time when full-fledged negotiations for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem is expected to commence.

It noted that the rising of tensions in the buffer zone will only serve to harm relations between the two sides and the political atmosphere on the island.

The statement also said that the Turkish Cypriot side supports the view that a basis for good will from both leaders to motivate their peoples for a settlement needed to be created on the island.

Also voicing its expectations from the United Nations, the self-styled foreign ministry said that it expected the UN to take all precautionary measures within its area of control and jurisdiction in the buffer zone to prevent the escalation of tensions.

4. Bagis: not even a hand span of Varosha will be given for Turkey’s accession to the EU 
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (06.12.13) reports that EgemenBagis, Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator, has reiterated that not a hand span of land in the occupied closed city of Varosha will be given away even for Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU). In an interview with Diyalog, Bagis replied to EU’s calls on Turkey to open its air and seaports for Cypriot airplanes and vessels. He said: “If aviation companies of European states start using Tymvou airport, we could also open the ports we have closed to the Greek Cypriots. We had declared this before…” 

Bagis alleged that Turkey has always been the side which “bared its own neck” for a solution in Cyprus and added that they will not give even a single hand span of land in occupied Varosha even for Turkey’s accession to the EU. He alleged that their main target is to reach a comprehensive and lasting solution and added that this new opportunity should not be wasted.

Bagis noted that there was not a concrete plan at the moment in order for being able to talk about a new referendum in Cyprus.

Bagis said that “the natural gas which the Greek Cypriots will extract in Eastern Mediterranean” could be transferred to Europe through Turkey with pipelines only after the solution of the Cyprus problem. He claimed: “We see both the water and the explorations for natural gas as elements which could contribute to the solution in Cyprus, if they are canalized correctly. The energy (resources) of the Mediterranean should be used for uniting Cyprus not dividing it”. 

Bagis claimed also that “Turkey and the Turkish side will pursue until the end the sovereign rights which they have on the island”. He said: “We will not give the opportunity to those who try to create fait accompli on the island without a solution”.
(I/Ts.)

5. Cicek wants the EU to end the “isolation” of the Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.12.13) reports that CemilCicek, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), has argued that the EU’s draft-regulation, which had been adopted by the Commission with the aim of ending the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, should be implemented the soonest and asked from the EU to keep its commitment in this direction.

Addressing the 73th Meeting of the Joint parliamentary Committee between Turkey and the EU at the TGNA, Cicek alleged that the “TRNC” [Translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] and Turkey as guarantor power exert every effort they can for a just and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, “based on bi-zonal equality”. “We want the EU to exert the necessary pressure on the other side on this issue”, he said. 
(I/Ts.)

6. US interest on the Cyprus negotiations increased; Eroglu met with the American Ambassador twice in three weeks
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.12.13) reports that the interest of  USA as regards the Cyprus problem increased and notes that the Ambassador of USA to Lefkosia John Koening met twice in three weeks with the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu. Last meeting was held yesterday.

The paper writes that during yesterday’s meeting held between the two men, no statements were made; however, a journalist asked the US Ambassador if he is working on the common declaration to be issued. “Of Course”, Koening replied.

In addition, citing sources closed to the “presidency”, the paper writes that Eroglu complained to the US diplomat about Greek Cypriot side’s “intransigents stance”. According to the same source, the US Ambassador told Eroglu to continue working towards the issue of the common declaration for a while longer.

7. Denktas claims that improvements are made to the Annan Plan which are not for the Turkish Cypriots’ benefit
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.12.13) reports that the self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of economy, tourism, culture and sport, SerdarDenktas said that a new procedure is launching as regards the Cyprus negotiations and added that they want a solution that will safeguard their “identity, rights, equality and sovereignty”.

Denktas made these statements during a meeting he held with the “Kocaeli Combatant Veterans Society”, which is visiting the breakaway regime.

Denktas claimed that a new improved Annan Plan is prepared these days and alleged that the improvements will not be positive for the Turkish Cypriot side.

He went on and added that the changes made to the Annan Plan aimed to make the Greek Cypriot side, which rejected it before, to accept it this time.

8. French ambassador to Lefkosia says that France supports Turkey’s EU bid and the Cyprus problem solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.12.13) reports that the French Ambassador to Lefkosia Jean-Luc Florent sent a letter to the paper replying to a question by Kibris on questions regarding France’s position to Turkey’s EU bid and the reunification of Cyprus.

Florent stated that following the election of Francois Hollande in 2012, his country’sstance on Turkey’s EU membership changed and noted that France supports Turkey’s EU bid. Therefore a decision for strengthening Turkey-France relations and cooperation was taken and France created a new momentum regarding Turkey’s-EU negotiations.

As regards, the Cyprus problem, Florent said that France’s position did not change and continues to support a comprehensive solution based on UN Security Council’s Resolutions.

9. Mungan: We have to implement the economic protocol
Under the title “Either the protocol or no salaries”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (06.12.13), on its front page, reports that the self-styled minister of finance ZerenMungan announced that they have to implement the economic protocol signed between Turkey and the occupation regime, otherwise, the money will not come from Turkey and they won’t be able to pay the salaries. 

10. Opinion poll: 56% of the respondents view positively Turkey's recognition of the Republic of Cyprus
Under the title “Support for government's foreign policy drops to 25%, survey reveals”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (05.12.13) reported that one of the other striking findings of the poll is that 56% of the respondents positively view Turkey's recognition of Republic of Cyprus, indicating a change of perception among people in Turkey. The finding comes as a surprise as the official Turkish stance is firmly against any move to recognize Cyprus without a viable solution that contains political reunification of the island.

According to the paper, only 25% of Turks currently support the government's foreign policy, compared to 34.7% in 2012, a survey conducted by Kadir Has University indicated on Thursday.

According to the research, conducted by Istanbul Kadir Has University to measure the Turkish people's views on foreign policy issues, 65% of the public consider the Syrian crisis as the most intractable problem Turkey faces.

For the survey, 1,000 people from 26 provinces were interviewed over the telephone.

11. The Israeli Minister offers olive branch in first visit to Turkey in three years
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 06.12.13), Israeli Environment Minister Amir Peretz yesterday offered an olive branch to Turkey during his visit to Istanbul, saying that the people of both nations are expecting “reconciliation” from their governments very soon.

Peretz arrived in Istanbul late on Dec. 4, launching the first visit from an Israeli government official since the Mavi Marmara raid back in May 2010, which badly damaged relations between the former allies.

“I believe that problems between Turkey and Israel will be resolved very soon,” he said while attending a United Nations conference on pollution in the Mediterranean. “The people of Israel and the people of Turkey expect their governments to reconcile as soon as possible.”

Peretz was not expected to meet his Turkish counterpart during the visit, a Foreign Ministry official told AFP, stating that it was not an official visit. His trip follows a visit by an Israeli Foreign Ministry envoy to Istanbul last month for an energy conference.

12. Davutoglu set to visit Armenia on Dec. 12
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 05.12.13), Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on Dec. 5 that he would be visiting Armenia next week, marking a first diplomatic push since the protocols between the two countries signed in 2009 which foresaw the development of relations, including a decision on opening the borders, was shelved.

Davutoglu said he accepted Armenia’s invitation to attend a meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Yerevan on Dec. 12.

13. Ruling AKP’s Topbas to re-run for Istanbul Mayor post
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 05.12.13) with the above title reported that Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan has announced the current Istanbul Mayor KadirTopbas as his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate for Istanbul in the 2014 March local elections. Topbas will run for the post for the third time. He was first elected mayor in 2004.

European Union Minister EgemenBagis was speculated to be the AKP’s candidate. Bagis was quick to congratulate KadirTopbas from his twitter account right after his name was announced.

14. Socar’s investments in Turkey to reach $20 billion
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 06.12.13), the investment portfolio of Socar, Azerbaijan’s state-oil company, for Turkey will reach around $20 billion with the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP), Socar Turkey head KenanYavuz said yesterday, noting that this was the official figure, during a press meeting at the 3rd Caspian Forum in Istanbul.

Socar’s investments in petrochemicals, energy and logistics will also enable Turkey and Azerbaijan to produce oil and natural gas derivative intermediate goods, he added. Yavuz recalled that Socar was currently the biggest foreign direct investor in Turkey. Some $475 million was recently transferred to Turkey from Azerbaijan to finance the forthcoming expenditures in the STAR Refinery, the most important part of integration investments in the Petkim Peninsula.

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