10/12/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S


No. 235/15                                                                                        10.12.2015
1. Akinci is in Istanbul for a conference on the Cyprus issue
2. Turkey’s Assembly Speaker reiterated Turkey’s support to the “TRNC”
3. Colak carried out contacts in Brussels
4. Eide met with Cavusoglu in Ankara
5. Ozyigit: “Ozgurgun’s statements not in accordance with political severity”
6. Tenders for the Deryneia and Apliki crossing-points are now open
7. Denktas made statements on the “citizenship law”
8. The “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” participated in SIAL Middle East 2015
9. Erdogan’s spokesman: Israeli gas a likely option for Turkey if demands met
10. Turkey urges citizens to leave Iraq, excluding Iraqi Kurdistan


1. Akinci is in Istanbul for a conference on the Cyprus issue
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.12.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci attended a conference in Istanbul on the Cyprus issue.

The conference titled “The Cyprus negotiations process and its future in light of the new international dynamics” is organized by the Kadir Has University. Akinci briefed the participants on the latest developments in the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process. He is accompanied by his aide-de-camp Major Hasan Efendi and his executive secretary CenkGurcag. They will return to the occupied area of Cyprus tonight.

2. Turkey’s Assembly Speaker reiterated Turkey’s support to the “TRNC”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (10.12.15), in its front page under the title “We always support you”, reports that the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ismail Kahraman, who paid an illegal visit yesterday to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus reiterated that Turkey will always stand by the “TRNC” (translator’s note:  the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). He added that he was in the “TRNC” as part of a long standing tradition of Turkish officials to conduct their first “official visit” abroad to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Kahraman, who met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the self-styled assembly speaker SibelSiber and the self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu, expressed his hope that the Cyprus talks will be concluded successfully and that Turkey and the “TRNC” will continue together.

Akinci, for his part, expressed his satisfaction for Kahraman’s visit. He added that a new era has begun for Turkey with the EU and it is agreed that because of this a reform period will be launched. He expressed his hope for democracy, stability, prosperity and peace.

Noting that the new negotiation process which started with Turkey’s support in Cyprus will be concluded in success, Akinci stressed that Cyprus will become an island of peace once a settlement is reached so that they can give a better future for the younger generations.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.12.15) reports that Akinci drew attention to the strong ties and relationship that exist with Turkey.Akinci added that the “TRNC” must be administratively, economically, democratically and socially stronger if it is to exist as an equal partner in the event of a settlement.

Speaking during the visit, Siber said that they always felt Turkey by their side and that they received great support from Ankara in overcoming any difficulties or problems they experience.

Speaking during both visits, Kahraman expressed his country’s readiness to support the “TRNC” in any way possible.
(DPs)

3. Colak carried out contacts in Brussels
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.12.15), self-styled foreign minister EmineColak is continuing with her contacts abroad. After completing her contacts in Istanbul, she moved on to Brussels where she attended the 10th anniversary reception of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) office at the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels.

In the opening speech, KTTO’s Brussels Representative LaleSener said that the KTTO Brussels office was opened 10 years ago with the aim of representing the Cyprus Turkish “people” and Turkish Cypriot businesses in the EU capital as well as to contribute to the integration process of the Turkish Cypriots into the European Union within the framework of the vision for a solution.

Speaking also at the reception, the head of the KTTO FikriToros said that the main purpose behind the establishment of the chamber’s representation office in Brussels was to follow up on Turkish Cypriot business interests and cooperate for the “TRNC’s” economic development and EU integration process.

Pointing to the importance of the implementation of the Direct Trade regulation and picking up the pace of the harmonisation process, Toros said that there is a need to narrow the economic gap between the two sides before a solution is found to the Cyprus problem.

Colak, for her part, pointed to the significance of the KTTO Brussels office and noted that there is a need for further cooperation between the Turkish Cypriots and the European Union.

Within the framework of her contacts in Brussels, Colak met also with high level officials from the European Parliament.

4. Eide met with Cavusoglu in Ankara
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.12.15), the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide who is in Ankara for a series of contacts met with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The Turkish Foreign Minister who issued messages on social media after the meeting said that he had held a good meeting with the UN Special Envoy. “We had a good meeting with the UNSG’s Special Adviser on the current and upcoming period of the negotiations process”, Cavusoglu tweeted through his official account.

As part of his contacts in Ankara, Eide also met with the Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary FeridunSinirlioglu. Earlier Eide had met with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

5. Ozyigit: “Ozgurgun’s statements not in accordance with political severity”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.12.15) reports that the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) CemalOzyigit criticized the statements of the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun who speaking at the “assembly” said that it is the “TRNC parliament” that decides about the negotiator of the Cyprus talks and not the “people”; therefore the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci could be stripped off his negotiation duties, if necessary. Ozgurgun has also accused Akinci of not providing the self-styled deputies with information regarding the negotiation.

Ozyigit stated that Ozgurgun’s statements are not in accordance with political severity and said that Akinci provides the “assembly” with all the necessary information about the negotiation progress every week. He accused Ozgurgun that this kind of statements serves other purposes and said that some circles are worrying because there is a real progress on the negotiations. “The Turkish Cypriots are in favor of a lasting and just solution. The community took a decision, it is in  favor of peace and this is the reason why it elected Mustafa Akinci”, he stated.
(CS)

6. Tenders for the Deryneia and Apliki crossing-points are now open
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (10.12.15) reports that the self-styled foreign ministry of the breakaway regime announced that tenders for the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing-points have been opened as of yesterday.

According to the statement, the tenders were opened by the UN Development Program. The works for the crossing-points opening must be conducted within two months.

According to the self-styled foreign ministry’s information department, work on opening the Deryneia and Apliki crossing-points within the framework of a series of confidence building measures agreed upon by the two leaders on the 28th of May is continuing at a speedy pace.

The statement said that the bi-communal technical working group instructed to carry out work for the opening of the crossing points had carried out the necessary technical inspections and work. It said that the infrastructural work that will allow the opening of the crossing points will be financed by the European Commission.

“The UNDP which will be managing these funds as of today has launched the tender phase for the projects for areas within the TRNC leading to the crossing-points”

The statement also said that the conditions of the tender and applications are available on the UNDP’s website.
(CS)

7. Denktas made statements on the “citizenship law”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.12.15) reports that the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) SerdarDenktas made statements on the new “citizenship law” of the breakaway regime and stated that he is not in favor of the approach to grant “citizenship” to anyone that works in the breakaway regime, however he said the persons who were born in the breakaway regime or arrived while they were babies must not be treated in an unfair way. Denktas made these statements speaking during a television program.

We cannot avoid the rights of those who have lived in Cyprus for 25-30 years, they delivered their children […] embraced the Cypriot culture and received an education here”, he stated adding that the children of the [Turkish] workers are even having the status of the foreign students at universities despite been born and lived in the occupied area of Cyprus. “These children are our children and this issue is a violation of human rights”, he argued.
(CS)

8. The “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” participated in SIAL Middle East 2015
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (10.12.15) reports that the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” (“KTSO”) participated for the first time in the SIAL Middle East 2015 exhibition in Abu Dabi, UAE, with 10 companies.

According to a statement by the press officer of “KTSO” HuseyinEzgin, the 10 companies exhibited their products in the fair, which among them were coffee, halloumi/hellim, lemon juice, eggs, potatoes, poultry and pomegranate.

The chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Trade Ibrahim Caglar expressed his satisfaction that “North Cyprus” can participate in more exhibitions and added that they, as a Chamber, will always support the international expansion of “North Cyprus”.
(DPs)

9. Erdogan’s spokesman: Israeli gas a likely option for Turkey if demands met
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 10.12.15) reports that after positive signs by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on possible improvements in Turkish-Israeli relations and gas trade, Presidential spokesman Kalin at a press conference on Wednesday signalled a possible gas trade and restart of relations between the two countries if Israel fulfilled Ankara's conditions. The statement also rules out a possible gas trade between the two states. Underscoring that Turkey put forth three conditions to restart relations with Israel, Kalin affirmed that Israel has so far fulfilled only one of them when it apologized for the Mavi Marmara incident.

 "Our second and third conditions are yet to be met. And those conditions are compensation for the Mavi Marmara and lifting the embargo on Gaza", Kalin said, adding that there is "no possibility" of bridging relations with Israel unless it meets Turkey's demands.

Opposing the existence of Hezbollah in Syria seems to be another mutual interest for Turkey and Israel.

Kalin went on to reflect on Russian airstrikes that have supposedly targeted DAESH camps and militants. "Only 9% to 10% of Russian airstrikes in Syria targeted DAESH, while the remaining 90% targeted moderate opposition forces", Kalin argued.




10. Turkey urges citizens to leave Iraq, excluding Iraqi Kurdistan
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.12.15), Turkey on Dec. 9 called on its citizens to leave all areas of Iraq, excluding Iraqi Kurdistan, due to increased security risks, the Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry warned against non-essential travel to several provinces in Iraq including Basra, Najaf, Anbar and Kirkuk and said: "We strongly advise those whose stay is not essential to leave those provinces as soon as possible."

"The scope of our travel warning to Iraq has expanded to include all provinces except for Dohuk, Arbil and Sulaymaniyah", all of which are in the northern region of Iraqi Kurdistan, the Ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

The Foreign Ministry also called on citizens living in the Iraqi Kurdish region to stay away from areas where operations are taking place against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and to obey warnings and guidance from the Iraqi Kurdish administration.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that MasoudBarzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq’s north, received a warm welcome in Ankara for key talks as Turkish jets bombed outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in the neighbouring country.

Barzani’s first stop in Ankara was the headquarters of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).  FeridunSinirlioglu, the undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, welcomed the Kurdish leader at Esenboga Airport. A KRG flag was on the table during the meeting, along with the Turkish and the Iraqi flags, a rare implementation in the mutual meetings.

Moreover, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 10.12.15) reports that President RecepTayyip Erdogan met also with Barzani on Wednesday in Ankara to discuss bilateral relations and recent regional developments.

 According to presidential sources, the meeting was mainly focused on the cooperation on combatting terrorism in the region.  Erdogan underscored Turkey's determination in fighting against both Daesh and the PKK terror organizations and the country's cooperation with the international U.S.-led coalition against Daesh. Both leaders elaborated on creating an environment in the region where Kurds, Turkmens and Arabs could peacefully live while pointing out the importance of easing sectarian tensions.

Furthermore, the paper also reports that after a meeting with Erdogan, Barzani also met with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu late Wednesday. After the meeting, the Turkish Premier said in a statement that the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FeridunSinirlioglu and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief HakanFidan will pay an official visit to Baghdad on Thursday.


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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs / AM)