TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 95/16
1. Akinci participated at the last minute in the dinner hosted by
Erdogan
2. Akinci evaluated the Cyprus Parliamentary elections
3. Turkish Cypriot political parties’ reacted against ELAM’s two
seats at the Parliament
4. Ozyigit condemned the decision of the “foreign ministry” to
restrict the religious ceremonies to one per year
5. Yıldırım announces Turkey’s new cabinet
6. Reactions over the price agreed upon the water transferred from
Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus
7. “Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan” visited the breakaway
regime
8. The General Director of the Development Bank of Turkey is visiting
the breakaway regime
9. Erdogan and Merkel agree on joint action at the UN
Summit
10. Kilicdaroglu for AKP’s new leader: “This is now a coup
government”
11. HDP urges UN’s Ban, summit to take position on alarming situation
in Turkey
12. Survey regarding the strength of Turkish parties after Yildirim’s
election
13. The illegal YDU signed an academic “protocol” with 26
universities of the Caucasus Universities Union
14. Illegal GAU signed a cooperation “agreement” with an Indian
College
1. Akinci participated at the last minute in the dinner hosted by
Erdogan
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.05.16), on its front page under the
title “Surprise Istanbul Summit”, reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci went last night to Istanbul after a surprise decision. Akinci
participated in the dinner hosted by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
within the framework of the UN World Humanitarian Summit, in Istanbul.
According to the paper, Akinci, who flew last night to Istanbul
with a private plane sent by Turkey, was received in Istanbul by the EU Minister
and negotiator Volkan Bozkir.
Meanwhile, Akinci also met with the UNSG Ban Ki-moon in Istanbul
at around 10 p.m. They evaluated the latest phase of the Cyprus talks and the
upcoming 7 months. Special Representative Espen Barth Eide also participated in
the meeting.
Furthermore, the paper reports that the participation of Akinci at
the dinner has become the reason for a crisis. Cyprus President Anastasiades
reacted to the participation of Akinci in an official dinner, hosted by Erdogan,
by not attending the dinner.
Meanwhile, sources from the “presidency” refuted allegations that a
decision was taken in order the guarantor countries to attend a five-lateral
summit in Istanbul.
The paper reports that Akinci’s visit to Istanbul was announced at
the last minute through the twitter account of the “presidency” as follows:
“President Akinci went to Istanbul as Erdogan’s guest to participate in the
dinner which Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host within the
framework of the World Humanitarian Summit”. Bozkir published in his twitter
account 3 photos with the statement “I welcome TRNC President esteemed Mustafa
Akinci who came to Istanbul for the World Humanitarian
Summit”.
Akinci was accompanied by his undersecretary Cenk Gurcag. They will
return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
today.
(DPs)
2. Akinci evaluated the Cyprus Parliamentary elections
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.05.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci, in a written statement, evaluating the results of the
Cyprus Parliamentary elections held on Sunday, said that it is the time with
responsibility to create a bi-zonal and bi-communal federal Cyprus where the
Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities will be able to live in peace, freedom,
equality and security. He added that following the conclusion of the
Parliamentary elections, they should all direct their efforts to reach a Cyprus
settlement.
Referring to the new structure of the parliament, Akinci said: “I
wish the results would be beneficial for all Greek Cypriots”.
(DPs)
3. Turkish Cypriot political parties’ reacted against ELAM’s two
seats at the Parliament
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the
Turkish Cypriot political parties commented on the elections’ results held on
Sunday at the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat
stated that the fact that nationalist ELAM party elected two Deputies creates
concern and noted that instead for efforts to be exerted so that ELAM to be
seized, this party increased its strength and managed to be represented in the
Assembly. He also said that the new political situation in the “south” will
definitely affect the Cyprus negotiations.
The general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Dursun Oguz
stated that the results of the elections showed that nationalism has been
increased in the “south”. He also stated that ELAM’s positions as regards the
Turkish Cypriots are very well known and added that the attacks against the
Turkish Cypriots who cross to the “south” have a negative effect on the
relations between the two communities in Cyprus.
The general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP) Mehmet Erol
Aktoprak, stated that the results shows that the elections’ looser are the two
big parties which could accept a federal solution on the Cyprus problem and
notes that the parties that are against a solution based on the UN parameters
have increased their strength.
The leader of the Social Democracy Party Cemal Ozyigit stated that
the entrance of ELAM in the Cyprus Parliament is an indication that racism has
been increased in the “south”. However he noted that together DISY and AKEL
elected 34 Deputies, which will influence positively the efforts for the
solution.
The member of the executive board of the New Cyprus Party, Albay
Durduran, stated that there will be not significant change with ELAM entering
the Parliament, since, as he stated ELAM’s supporters participated in the
Assembly in the past with other parties. He also said that time works against
the efforts for finding the solution.
Finally, the leader of the People’s Party Kudret Ozersay stated that
the elections’ results must be evaluated without exaggeration. He also said that
President Anastasiades should show the political will not to let the political
parties which are against the solution to sabotage the
negotiations.
(CS)
4. Ozyigit condemned the decision of the “foreign ministry” to
restrict the religious ceremonies to one per year
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (24.05.16) reports that that
the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit, in statements
during an event organized yesterday by his party in occupied Varosha, reiterated
once again the need for the opening of the fenced off city of Varosha under the
supervision of the UN and in return to this, the opening of the illegal Tymbou
airport and of the occupied port of Famagusta for direct trade.
Ozyigit expressed the view that this development will be a catalyst
for the solution of the Cyprus problem and will also contribute positively to
the economy of the region.
Ozyigit stated also that that as TDP, they trust and support the
Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and his efforts for reaching a bi-zonal,
bi-communal federal solution on the Cyprus problem based on the political
equality of the two sides.
Referring to the recent decision taken by the so-called foreign
ministry which restricts the religious ceremonies by Greek Cypriots to one
per year to the churches in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Ozyigit
said that this decision is turning against the peace and the solution in Cyprus.
He also pointed out that the decision will damage the positive climate in the
ongoing Cyprus negotiation process and added that it will also blow up the
rapprochement process between the two communities.
“It is clear as daylight Ertugrulloglu’s purposes with this effort to
prevent such events, which create positive synergy to the solution and bring the
two communities closer. However, those who have this mindset, should be aware of
the fact that they will not be able to serve their purposes and that the
community will continue with determination and will its efforts for a solution”.
(AK)
5. Yıldırım announces Turkey’s new
cabinet
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that the ruling in
Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Binali Yıldırım has announced
the new cabinet of Turkey’s 65th government, after he was given the mandate to
form a new government by Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
The new cabinet will hold its first meeting at the presidential
palace in Ankara on May 25.
The Deputy Prime Ministers have been named as Nurettin Canikli,
Mehmet Simsek, Tugrul Turkes, Veysi Kaynak and Numan
Kurtulmus.
Yalcın Akdogan, who held the Deputy Prime Minister’s post in
Davutoglu's cabinet and who was closely involved in the collapsed Kurdish peace
process, is not included in the new list. The economy administration has been
mostly left unchanged, with Simsek expected to resume his duties overseeing the
economy.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak and
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag have all resumed their
posts.
Omer Celik has been appointed as the EU Minister, replacing Volkan
Bozkır.
Nihat Zeybekci has been appointed as the new Economy Minister,
replacing Mustafa Elitas.
Ahmet Arslan has been named as the Transport Minister, replacing the
newly-appointed Prime Minister Yıldırım.
Fatma Betul Sayan has been appointed as the new Family and Social
Policies Minister, replacing Sema Ramazanoglu.
The following are the remaining appointments: Interior Minister Efkan
Ala; Finance Minister Naci Agbal; Defense Minister Fikri Isık; Education
Minister Ismet Yılmaz; Youth and Sports Minister Akif Cagatay Kılıc; Environment
and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki; Forestry and Water Affairs Minister
Veysel Eroglu; Health Minister Recep Akdag; Science, Industry and Technology
Minister Faruk Ozlu; Labor and Social Security Minister Suleyman Soylu; Food,
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Celik; Customs and Trade Minister
Bulent Tufenkci; Development Minister Lutfi Elvan; and Culture and Tourism
Minister Nabi Avcı.
6. Reactions over the price agreed upon the water transferred from
Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper reports that the “mayors” of
the occupied villages of Akanthou, Gioneli, Gerolakkos and Gialousa expressed
their strong reaction over the announcement by the self-styled minister of
agriculture and natural resources Nazım Cavusoglu of the prices of the water
transferred from Turkey.
Cavusoglu announced yesterday that the price agreed upon the water
from Turkey, will be sold to the “municipalities” for 2.30TL (approx. 0.69€) per
tonne.
The so-called mayors expressed their worries over the price agreed,
since as they argue, it is very high and wondered at the same time how they will
explain to the people this development. They also argue that this would create
chaos to the “country”.
The determination of the price of the water became also an issue of
dispute yesterday during the meeting of the so-called assembly.
(AK)
7. “Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan” visited the breakaway
regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the
“Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan” visited the breakaway regime and held contacts
with the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and the “speaker” of the
“assembly”, Sibel Siber.
During the meeting, Dastanbek Artisbekovich Dzhumabekov who is
heading the delegation stated that the cooperation between the breakaway regime
and Kyrgyzstan in the fields of economy and tourism will bear great results and
added that businessmen of the two “countries” will hold meeting by the end of
the week. As he said, a group of 15 Kyrgyz businessmen will be arriving in the
breakaway regime over the weekend to look into possible areas of
investment.
He also said that more than 500 students from Kyrgyzstan study at the
breakaway regime. He also added that it is very important the relations between
the two countries to be further strengthened and invited Ozgurgun and the
“deputies” of the breakaway regime to watch the World Nomad Games which will be
held in Kirgistan next August.
Ozgurgun expressed the hope that relations between the two
“countries” will be further developed.
Meeting with the group, Siber said that the visit was important in
terms of developing relations between the two “countries”. “Friendship,
communication, brotherhood and contact between different cultures will always
take us forward. The fact that we are an unrecognized country is not an obstacle
for our parliaments to develop relations. Your presence here as well as the
presence of students from your country in the TRNC is of great importance for
us” she said.
(CS)
8. The General Director of the Development Bank of Turkey is
visiting the breakaway regime
Illegal Bayrak television (24.05.16) reports that the “minister of
economy and energy” Sunat Atun met with the General Director of the Development
Bank of Turkey Bahattin Sekkin.
Sekkin is in the breakaway regime for the presentation of the Final
Report on the Turkish Development Bank’s Technical Support which will be
provided within the framework of the economic protocol signed between the
breakaway regime and Turkey.
The “general director of the TRNC development bank” Ercan İbrahimoglu
was also present at the meeting.
Speaking during the visit, Sekkin said that the “TRNC development
bank” was a sister institution and that the growing development of the “bank”
was important for them. He also expressed the need for the “government” to
provide more support for development.
Atun highlighted the importance of cooperation between the
development banks of the breakaway regime and Turkey and added that such
collaborations will help “TRNC’s integration with the
world”.
Atun also said that the Development Bank of Turkey was not only
sharing its experiences with the “TRNC development bank” but also contributing
to the “TRNC economy” since it is financing big projects in the breakaway
regime.
9. Erdogan and Merkel agree on joint action at the UN
Summit
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that Turkish President
Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on May 23 that Turkey
needs talks with EU institutions on its sensitivities in the fight against
terrorism as they try to keep a landmark migration deal on track.
Erdogan’s office said in a statement that he and Merkel had also
agreed, during a meeting on the sidelines of a humanitarian summit in Istanbul,
on the need to continue cooperation against illegal migration. Erdogan has said
Turkey cannot change such laws at a time when it is fighting the threat from
both outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL).
Merkel said she had voiced concern in talks with Erdogan over the
Turkish Parliament’s recent decision to strip some lawmakers of immunity.
“I’ve made this clear in the conversation today that I also think we
need an independent judicial system, we need independent media and we need a
strong Parliament,” Merkel said after the meeting. “And of course, the decision
to withdraw immunity from every fourth lawmaker in the Turkish Parliament is
something that causes deep concern. I’ve made this clear to the Turkish
President,” Merkel said.
10. Kilicdaroglu for AKP’s new leader: “This is now a coup
government”
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that the head of
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has slammed the ruling
Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) extraordinary party congress over the
weekend, saying it was merely routine procedure.
Binali Yıldırım, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was
the sole nominee at the AKP congress on May 22 and he is now set to be Turkey’s
new Prime Minister.
“It’s not right to call it a congress. […] It was necessary for one
person, who was chosen by one other person, to be elected at the congress in
order for him to be appointed as Prime Minister. It was a mere procedure,” CHP
head Kemal Kılıcdaroglu told reporters. “This is now a coup government. It’s not
the government that was sent to Parliament by the people’s votes, with the Prime
Minister winning 49.5 % of the vote ... We don’t yet know details of the program
of the coup government, but we’ll all find out together,” said Kılıcdaroglu.
11. HDP urges UN’s Ban, summit to take position on alarming
situation in Turkey
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that the Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) has called on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and
participants of the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to use the
summit to “mobilize international mechanisms to respond to alarming violations
of universal human rights and humanitarian law within and around the borders of
Turkey.”
Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, the co-leaders of the HDP,
sent a letter to Ban on May 20 – the day the Parliament approved a controversial
constitutional amendment to lift the immunity of 139 MPs, particularly ones from
the HDP.
In their letter, the two leaders promoted their policy of democratic
autonomy, which calls for self-governance as a more inclusive and democratic
political system at the national level. “We firmly believe that the primary
homework of the First Humanitarian Summit held by his Excellency in Istanbul is
to reach an appropriate position with regards to the alarming situation in our
home, among others, and contribute to the development of perspectives to resolve
such humanitarian situations. […]” Demirtas and Yuksekdag
said.
12. Survey regarding the strength of Turkish parties after
Yildirim’s election
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (24.05.16) reports that Ankara's
Objective Research Center (ORC) announced on Monday that the first survey
results concerning Binali Yıldırım becoming the new AK Party chairman and Prime
Minister show 53 % support for the AK Party.
According to the survey results as given by ORC head Murat Posteki,
the AK Party leads support with 53 %, followed by the main opposition Republican
People's Party (CHP) with 24 %, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) with 13 %
and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) with 7 %, falling below the
10% threshold in national elections to secure seats in
Parliament.
Considering the possibility of an early election, Posteki said that
the HDP would not be able to get into Parliament while MHP's state depends on
its attitude toward the new government's political agenda. He said the AK Party
would not receive less support than 53 % and that the party could receive more
votes.
Posteki said the survey indicated increased support for a
presidential system has increased: "If the citizens want the governing system to
change, then they might change it by allowing the AK Party to get 400 Deputies
in Parliament in a possible [early] election without introducing a
referendum."
13. The illegal YDU signed an academic “protocol” with 26
universities of the Caucasus Universities Union
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the
illegal Near East University (“YDU”) attended the 6th Ordinary Meeting of the
General Assembly of Caucasus Universities Union held in Bishkek, capital of
Kyrgyzstan.
As the paper writes, within the framework of the meeting, the
illegal YDU signed an academic cooperation protocol with totally 26 universities
coming from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
The protocol was signed by Dr. Suat I. Gunsel, “founding rector” of
the illegal “YDU” and it envisages the development of joint projects between the
universities, conducting research and joint publications, exchange of students
and academic staff e.t.c.
(AK)
14. Illegal GAU signed a cooperation “agreement” with an Indian
College
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the
illegal American University of Keryneia (“GAU”) signed a cooperation “agreement”
with the Bangalore Technological College of India.
According to a statement issue by “GAU”, the “agreement” envisages
the establishment of a seed storage center in the occupied area of
Cyprus.
The “agreement” was signed by the “founding rector” of the illegal
university Serhat Akpinar and the director of the Bangalore College, Subhaskar
Reddy.
(AK)
