TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 109/16
11-13.06.2016
1. Akinci argues that they could overcome the “embargoes” with the
good quality, good standards and fair price of their products
2. Turkish Minister Zeybekci: “TRNC will be Turkey’s vegetable
garden”
3. Zeybekci: “We don’t see TRNC as another
country”
4. Denktas: We should take counter-actions to the property lawsuits
filed by the Greek Cypriots
5. Ozgurgun: “A strong Turkish Cypriot people and a strong Turkish
Cypriot state structure are needed in an agreement”
6. Cavusoglu: The price of the water from Turkey was calculated to
include all investments, including the future ones
7. The agreement for the establishment of the “youth coordination
office” to be approved today by the “assembly”
8. More about the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing
points
9. An application to hold a religious ceremony at St. George Exorinos
was rejected
10. The so-called foreign ministry condemned the employment of new
staff by the Republic of Cyprus’ National Guard
11. Vacant land in occupied Keryneia was given for rent to a firm
activated in hotel industry
12. Erdogan disappointed by Obama, Putin
13. Celik: Visa-free travel to Europe postponed due to EU's failed
promises
14. Turkish daily reveals Turkey’s measures against Germany over the
approval of the Armenian genocide bill
15. The Turkish Army to be granted extra powers
16. Turkey sends key diplomat Sinirlioglu to New York as new Envoy to
UN
1. Akinci argues that they could overcome the “embargoes” with
the good quality, good standards and fair price of their products
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (12.06.16) reports that
addressing the opening ceremony of the 40th “international
fair” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci has said that the solution of the Cyprus problem is needed in
order for this “fair”, at which only products of Turkish Cypriot and Turkish
producers and exporters are exhibited, to be turned into a real international
fair. Admitting that they have not been able to turn it into an
“international fair” during the past 40 years, Akinci said: “The only reason
for this is the Cyprus problem itself. I wish that when we refer to an
international “fair” in the future […] to be able to see and show in this
country a fair in which other countries will also be included […]. We
should behave knowing that for this we have to solve the Cyprus problem
[…]”.
Akinci noted that he needs everyone’s support at the negotiating
table and that he will carry out the negotiations for finding a solution which
will protect the legitimate rights and interests of both communities defending
the equality, the security and the freedom of the Turkish Cypriot “people”.
Akinci argued that strengthening the economy and the democracy of the
“TRNC” is a necessary precondition in order for the Turkish Cypriots to be able
to stand on their own feet and face the conditions of competitiveness in the EU
and in a federal Cyprus.
Akinci said that the important thing is for the Turkish Cypriots
producing products at international standards, good quality and fair
price. “I think that there is no obstacle which we will not be able to
overcome when we do this in the time we live”, he argued and referring to
the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots, he
claimed:
“Yes, there are some unfair situations created by the embargoes. For
example, there are really serious differences between the transport price of a
container in the south going from the one place to the other and our come and go
prices. These are elements which make competition difficult. […] However,
it is now possible during these times to find the way of selling the products
we produce in good quality, good standards and fair price. We are living in a
global village now and there are some advantages which are created by this and
did not exist in the past […]”
Referring to the energy resources in Eastern Mediterranean, Akinci
reiterated the view that Turkey is the shortest, wisest and most rational way
for transferring these resources to the markets and alleged that formulas
outside this [choice] will create bigger costs and last longer. He further
argued that a solution in Cyprus will turn Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots into
“indisputable parts of this energy balance” in Eastern Mediterranean.
Akinci described as an important project the transport of the Israeli
and Cypriot natural gas to Europe through Turkey after the solution in Cyprus
and the approach between Turkey and Israel which he said he hopes to be
announced soon. He added that everybody knows that efforts are exerted for
transferring electricity from Israel to Greece and Europe through Cyprus with
undersea cables and claimed that this would be an “unnecessary spending of
money and time”.
Referring to the water brought from Turkey to the occupied area of
Cyprus, Akinci described it as extremely important and noted that it will be
used both for drinking and agricultural purposes. He further recalled of
statements made by Turkish officials that the Greek Cypriots could also benefit
from this water in the future.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish Minister Zeybekci: “TRNC will be Turkey’s vegetable
garden”
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (11.06.16) reports that the
Turkish Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, addressing the opening of the
“40th international TRNC fair”, said that as much difficult is to
explain the relationship between a mother and a child so much difficult is to
explain the relationship between Turkey and Cyprus (translator’s note: he refers
to the occupied area of Cyprus). He added: “Cyprus is vital, is part of
Turkey. Cyprus for us has the same meaning as anyhow has Trakya, Aegean and
Mediterranean for Turkey. It is indispensable for Turkey; it is an essential
part of Turkey”.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.06.16),
under the title “TRNC will be Turkey’s vegetable garden” reports that Turkish
Minister Zeybekci, at his opening address, said that Turkey will always continue
its support to the “TRNC, adding that the investments in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus are being increased in every passing year and “TRNC” has
reached a good point. Stressing that a decision has been taken in order to
give incentive support to all Turkish businessmen who will make investments in
the “TRNC”, as it happens in Turkey, the Turkish Minister said that they will
convey this issue to the “TRNC officials” and the investors will get subsidies.
He further said: “After this, hand by hand Turkey-TRNC, we will transform
TRNC’s economy in order to stand on its own feet”, adding that they have also
the support of their Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
Zeybekci announced that during the fall, the first “Cyprus fair” will
be organized in Turkey, where the “Cypriot products” and the tourism will be
promoted.
Noting that they will contribute to the solution of the problems
regarding the stockbreeding issue and other issues, the Turkish Minister
referred also to the water issue. He stressed that the water coming from
Turkey may be used as “first class agriculture water” and the “TRNC” as an
“agriculture country” can be transformed into Turkey’s vegetable garden.
Commenting on Zeybekci’s statements, columnist Sami Ozuslu, writing
in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.06.16), said that while Zeybekci was speaking, he also said: “I can’t say it
like this, it is a diplomatic gaff”, but he did not stop doing “gaffs”.
Ozuslu writes that Zeybekci said: “For us, TRNC is not a separate state”,
“Here is Kayseri, is Edirne”.
Ozuslu wonders what the world will say when they will hear these
statements or what the Greek Cypriots will do if they hear these. “These are
some strange questions.. or aren’t they?”
Referring to Zeybekci’s statement regardign the water coming from
Turkey, Ozuslu writes: “He said: ‘Here, it will become Turkey’s vegetable
garden’...The water has arrived but we cannot drink it, of course, we will use
it for agriculture. According to Zeybekci, we must produce a lot. They told us
that we will take these products to Turkey’s market. He even gave us two more
‘good news’: ‘With Allah’s permission a ‘Cyprus fair’ will be held on October
in Turkey!’ and again with ‘Allah’s permission, they will undertake the
promoting and marketing of the TRNC products in the foreign countries!’.
Many thanks esteemed Minister... If you have not told us, we would not have
known anything about it... meaning, that we will be ‘vegetable garden’...
meanng, to trust you for the promoting and marketing our products...Nice
work!”
Commenting also on the Turkish firefighting helicopters that will be
stationed at the occupied area of Cyprus, Ozuslu writes: “Don’t forget... Veysel
Eroglu informed us regarding the helicopter and among the other things he said
regarding the TRNC last week, he said: ‘The production of almonds, olives and
carobs in the TRNC will be incited’.” Ozuslu stressed: “Minister Eroglu should
have known that this country used to produce, almonds, olives, carops and citrus
fruits. However, all has ended. We cut them, we cut land, we dried them, we let
them die. There were factories that used to process these products. We closed them one after
the other. Why? It is not because the Turkish Cypriots are lazy. Turkey told us
‘Don’t produce, we will feed you’… ‘how much population do you have? Don’t
produce.”
(DPs)
3. Zeybekci: “We don’t see TRNC as another
country”
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (11.06.16) reports that during
the meeting with the Turkish Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, who paid an
illegal visit at the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, self-styled prime
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun said that a strong “TRNC” will have more value and
importance as the one side that will sign the agreement. However, he added that
the efforts for an economic development and prosperity will be continued. Noting
that they support an agreement, Ozgurgun said that this will benefit both sides.
Zeybekci, for his part, said that they don’t see “TRNC” as another
country or another economy and added: “Maybe, it is a diplomatic gaff, but we
see the place here as Kayseri, Edirne”. He explained that they feel the same
about their people there and here (translator’s note: the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus), adding that for this reason they will increase the economic
cooperation and the mutual production. The products being produced in “Cyprus”
will be sold in Turkey, he noted.
(DPs)
4. Denktas: We should take counter-actions to the property
lawsuits filed by the Greek Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis newspaper (13.06.16)
reports that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and
“finance minister” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus, has said that they should closely follow that lawsuits filed by
Greek Cypriots as regards their [occupied] properties issue and take action on
the issue of counterclaims on the property issue.
Denktas was speaking at a meeting with the chairman of the “real
estate agents’” union, Hasan Sungur, who alleged that some very
serious impasses and dangers exist in the Cyprus negotiations as regards the
property and claimed that people are concerned especially by an agreement
which will provide for the return of the Greek Cypriots to their occupied
properties.
(I/Ts.)
5. Ozgurgun: “A strong Turkish Cypriot people and a strong
Turkish Cypriot state structure are needed in an agreement”
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (12.06.16) reports that
Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, reiterated the support of his
“government” to the negotiating process for solving the Cyprus problem, which he
said is carried out by Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci together with
Turkey.
In statements during one of his meetings the day before yesterday,
Ozgurgun argued that the Cyprus problem takes an important position in the work
of his “government”. He alleged that there is absolutely no change in the Greek
Cypriot side’s stance and that during Akinci’s recent visit to Istanbul they
faced a “Greek Cypriot mentality which could not digest” Akinci’s meeting with
the UNSG.
Ozgurgun reiterated the known Turkish position that the equality
of the Turkish Cypriot “people” and “motherland” Turkey’s effective and active
guarantees are sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriots. “I hope that the
Greek Cypriot side accepts an agreement under these conditions”, he claimed
alleging that “a strong Turkish Cypriot people and a strong Turkish Cypriot
state structure are needed in an agreement”.
(I/Ts.)
6. Cavusoglu: The price of the water from Turkey was calculated
to include all investments, including the future
ones
Under the title “We will pay all the investments penny by penny in
the ‘water’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.06.16)
reports that Mevlut Cavusoglu, self-styled minister of agriculture and
natural resources of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus, has said that the price of 2.30 Turkish liras (TL) for the water
brought from Turkey to the occupied area of the island had been determined in a
manner that all investments are paid, including the investments which will be
made in the future.
In statements made yesterday, Cavusoglu criticized those who allege
that the “municipalities” will go bankrupt when they pay the price of 2.30 TL
for the water and wondered why they think that the price of 2.30 TL for water
coming from another country is high, when they attempt to sell water coming from
a distance of one kilometer at the price of 4 TL.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis (13.06.16) reports that
referring to the same issue, Bektas Goze, chairman of the “union of
chambers of Turkish Cypriot architects and engineers”, said that the
politicians try to persuade the people that the water is given to the Turkish
Cypriots from Turkey as a “donation”, but this is not corresponding to the
truth. He noted that in the “protocol” signed it is said that the expenses at
all stages of transferring the water will be paid by the Turkish Cypriots “until
the last penny”.
(I/Ts.)
7. The agreement for the establishment of the “youth coordination
office” to be approved today by the “assembly”
Under the title “Critical and tense day”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni
Bakis newspaper (13.06.16) reports that the “assembly” is expected today to
approve the agreement for the establishment of the “youth coordination office”.
A few days ago the agreement, which was signed between the breakaway
regime and Turkey for the establishment and the activities of the “υouth coordination office” was approved by the related “committee of
the assembly”.
The paper notes that demonstrations and actions against the approval
of the agreement have been taking place for the last two days outside the
“parliament’s building”.
(CS)
8. More about the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing
points
Under the title: “Greek Cypriot obstacles for Deryneia and
Apliki”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.06.16), invoking reliable
sources, reported that due to the fact that “south Cyprus”, as the Republic of
Cyprus is called, failed to keep its “expropriate commitments” for totally 38
plots of land, the tender which was scheduled to open on June 3 for the
construction of the road concerning the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing
points in occupied Famagusta and Lefka respectively, came to a standstill.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (12.06.16) under
the title: “Open this gate”, reported that the Turkish Cypriot teachers’
trade union (KTOS), the “Famagusta Initiative” and the New Cyprus Party (YKP)
organized an activity on Saturday at the entrance of the within the walls area
of occupied Famagusta, demanding from the politicians to keep their promises and
contribute for the opening of the Deryneia crossing point.
In statements during the event, Sener Elcil on behalf of KTOS,
stated, inter alia, that the opening of Deryneia crossing point will contribute
not only to the economy of this place but also will constitute the beginning of
the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Also Yilmaz Parlan, shopkeeper in occupied Famagusta and one of
the organizers of the activity, noted that the Cyprus problem exists for 43
years and that they have been exerting efforts during the past 13 years to open
the Deryneia crossing point.
Stating that the EU has sent 2,1 million euro for the opening of this
crossing point, Parlan said that “not even a nail has been driven to the place”
and argued that the money were spend and that they are asking from the EU to
send another 2,5 million euro for this purpose.
Moreover, Murat Kanatli, general secretary of YKP, said inter
alia, that his party struggles for the opening of Deryneia crossing point for
years and added that it will continue to do so.
Supporting that they consider the demilitarization of occupied
Famagusta possible to take place, Kanatli called for overcoming the problems for
the opening of Deryneia crossing point the soonest possible.
(…)
(AK)
9. An application to hold a religious ceremony at St. George
Exorinos was rejected
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.06.16) reports that the
application by Greek Cypriots to grant them a permission to hold a religious
service on June 19 at the church of St. George Exorinos within the occupied
walled city of Famagusta was rejected by the so-called ministry of foreign
affairs, although at the application, it was ensured that no icons will be
transferred from the government controlled area of the Republic of
Cyprus.
According to the paper’s information from the “ministry of foreign
affairs”, the application was rejected because the day was not coincident with
an “important” religious day according to them.
Meanwhile, the paper reports that permission was given to hold a
religious ceremony on the 12th of June at the church of Analypseos at
the occupied village of Acheritou.
(DPs)
10. The so-called foreign ministry condemned the employment of new
staff by the Republic of Cyprus’ National Guard
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (11.06.16) reported that the
so-called foreign ministry of the breakaway regime, in a written statement,
evaluated the decision of the Republic of Cyprus’ National Guard to hire 3
thousand expert staff to the Army and expressed its concerns over this
development.
According to paper, the so-called ministry underlined in the
statement that they follow with concern this development, especially in a period
where the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process aiming to find a solution to the
Cyprus problem has been intensified. “We have difficulty to understand this
approach by the Greek Cypriot administration to strengthen its forces and we
consider this as an effort to create tension”, the statement alleged.
The statement further claimed that this decision by the “Greek
Cypriot administration” is not in accord with the leaders’ statement towards
finding a solution by the end of 2016 and also it does not serve anything else
but the approach that the “Greek Cypriot side” is not sincere towards the
solution.
The “ministry” called through the statement the Greek Cypriot side to
avoid these kinds of actions that may affect the solution process.
(AK)
11. Vacant land in occupied Keryneia was given for rent to a a
firm activated in hotel industry
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.06.16) reports that vacant
land of more than 11 donum in occupied Ayios Georgios in Keryneia, was rented
for 49 years to the “Kaya Turistik Tesisleri Titreyengol”, a firm activated in
hotel industry, after a decision taken by the “council of ministers” of the
National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) “collation government”.
The paper notes that this issue had created a crisis in the past
between the previous “government” of UBP and the Republican Turkish Party.
It also reports that a stadium under the name “Mete Adanir” which is
located next to the above mentioned vacant land was also given to a contractor
who is member of DP for 1,3 trillion Turkish Lira.
(CS)
12. Erdogan disappointed by Obama, Putin
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.06.16) reports that Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey has been left disappointed by economic
and political ties with the United States during the waning days of President
Barack Obama’s term. Erdogan expressed similar feelings about his Russian
counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
“We were very hopeful when Obama picked Turkey as the first country
to visit when he took the seat,” Erdogan said, responding to journalists’
questions on mutual ties on a plane as he returned early from the United States,
where he attended part of boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s funeral.
Erdogan also recalled that the two countries also hoped to build a
“model partnership.” “Unfortunately our expectations did not come true. For
example, in the economic fields, the ties declined instead of improving. Our
expectations in foreign politics were also not fulfilled,” he
said.
The President said the U.S. withdrew from Iraq as Obama had promised
but moved from there to Afghanistan. Obama could not solve the Guantanamo prison
issue, he added.
“We could not show a strong presence together on Syria and Iraq,” he
said. One of the most prominent problems is the U.S. support for the Kurdish
People’s Protection Unit (YPG), the armed wing of the Syria’s Democratic Union
Party (PYD), in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIL), Erdogan
said.
But while commenting of the deadlock in Syria, Erdogan said it was
not right to blame Obama for everything. “But of course I would expect a much
stronger stance from Obama and I still do,” he said. “Your NATO ally faces a
threat at its Syrian border. It disappoints Turkey when those who have assumed a
role in this threat receive power from you.”
Another issue of discomfort is Russia’s outlook on Syria, the
Πresident said.
“Our friendship with Putin carried the mutual relations to a very
advanced level,” Erdogan said, adding that this totally changed after the
downing of a Russian plane by a Turkish jet for allegedly violating the Turkish
airspace in November 2015.
The Turkish President said τηατ
Turkish trade volume with Russia was even higher than trade
with the U.S. and that the goal was to reach $100 billion annually. “I hope
that the relations will recover soon and we will return to those old days even
more strongly,” Erdogan said.
13. Celik: Visa-free travel to Europe postponed due to EU's failed
promises
Turkish daily Sabah (12.06.16) reports that in a televised broadcast
in the Netherlands after his visit with the term chairman of the EU on Friday,
Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator, Omer Celik, said that visa-free travel
for Turkish citizens to the EU's Schengen zone will not be enacted by July 1 as
previously planned.
Celik evaluated the European Commission's requirement that Ankara
reflectσ a narrowed definition of terrorism in its anti-terror law in return
for visa-free travel as "unacceptable."
Celik emphasized that Turkey will not consider softening its
anti-terror laws as doing so would "weaken Turkey in its fight against terror."
"Put yourself in our shoes, what would the Netherlands, France or Spain do if
they were neighbors with Syria? What would they do in the face of such an
authority gap and uncontrollable borders?" he asked.
Asserting that it is not possible for Turkey and the EU to strike a
bargain within the next three weeks, Celik said that he remains hopefully for
effective negotiations in the near future, as the EU term-presidency will be
transferred from the Netherlands to Slovakia on July 1.
14. Turkish daily reveals Turkey’s measures against Germany over
the approval of the Armenian genocide bill
Under the title: “There will be a slowdown but no boycott”,
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (11.06.16) reports that the Turkish Council of
Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, met and discussed the
measures that Turkey will take against Germany after the approval by the
German Parliament of the Resolution declaring that the mass killing of Armenians
by Ottoman Turks during the World War I was a "genocide".
According to the paper, the Council of Ministers decided to take
diplomatic and political measures against Germany.
As a first step in the diplomatic field, Turkey has decided to recall
some of its Consulate Generals in several cities in Germany and to downgrade the
level of their ties at the lowest level. At the same time, no meetings will take
place between the Ministers of the two countries. The two countries will be
meeting on the level of Undersecretaries of General Directors. Also, the works
of the joint delegations of the two countries will be suspended, writes the
paper.
Invoking reliable sources, the paper adds that the Council of
Ministers has decided not to take any measures that may affect exports to
Germany, since Germany has got an important place in Turkey’s exports and it is
its biggest trade partner. Instead of this, Turkey has decided not to boycott
the German products but to slowdown their entrance distribution in Turkey.
(AK)
15. The Turkish Army to be granted extra
powers
Turkish HaberDiyarbakir newspaper (08.06.16) reported that under the
bill drafted by the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government, the
Council of Ministers will be able to declare a state of emergency (OHAL) without
the Assembly's approval, military commanders will be given powers to conduct
house search, and the military will be shielded from judicial
scrutiny.
It appears that the new bill drafted by the AKP will be hotly
debated. The most striking aspect of the bill, which gives the Council of
Ministers the power to declare state of emergency without the Assembly's
approval, is the powers accorded to the military. The powers of the military,
''clipped'' during the AKP rule, are now being reinstated and
expanded.
According to a news report in daily Cumhuriyet, the power to declare
OHAL, which currently requires the Assembly's approval, is now entirely being
handed over to the Council of Ministers. Under the bill, upon the Ministry of
Interior's proposal, the Council of Ministers will commission the TSK [Turkish
Armed Forces] and determine ''the content, duration, and scope of the task and
powers involving intelligence gathering as well as limitations regarding the use
of auxiliary weapons.'' The military details such as the size of units and
locations will be decided by the General Staff.
16. Turkey sends key diplomat Sinirlioglu to New York as new Envoy
to UN
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.06.16) reports that a long-awaited
governmental decree, involving a significant reshuffle of key ambassadorial
posts, is finally set to go into force.
Accordingly, Feridun Sinirlioglu, the undersecretary of the Foreign
Ministry at the headquarters in Ankara since August 2009 who has been involved
in several key international and regional affairs, has become Turkey’s new
Permanent Representative at the United Nations headquarters in New
York.
Days after recalling its Ambassador to Germany, Huseyin Avni
Karslioglu, upon the Bundestag’s approval of a bill describing the mass killings
of Anatolian Armenians during the World War I as “genocide,” Ankara decided to
make outgoing Deputy Undersecretary Ali Kemal Aydin its new Envoy in Berlin,
according to diplomatic sources.
Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru, an architect of the EU-Turkey
readmission agreement, has been appointed as the chief of the Permanent Mission
of Turkey to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international
organizations in Switzerland.
Ambassador Huseyin Dirioz, who has in the past served at key posts
such as the chief foreign policy adviser to the Turkish president and as NATO
Assistant Secretary General for defense policy and planning, has been posted as
Turkey’s new Envoy to Moscow.
Turkey’s current Ambassador in Baghdad, Faruk Kaymakci, is set to
take over from Ambassador Selim Yenel as the head of the Permanent Delegation of
Turkey to the EU in Brussels.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry at the
headquarters, Tanju Bilgic, has for the first time been appointed as an
Ambassador. Bilgic will serve as Turkey’s Envoy to
Belgrade.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
