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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-02-11Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 29/17 10.02.17[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS[01] Statement by Akinci after yesterday's meeting with President AnastasiadesAccording to illegal Bayrak television (10.02.17) Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? made statements to the press following his meeting with President Nicos Anastasiades yesterday.Speaking at the so-called presidential palace, Ak?nc? stated that during the meeting they were briefed by the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on his recent contacts in Ankara and Athens. He also said that the Cyprus summit could continue as of the 13th of March, he, however, added that the exact date will be set in the coming days. "There is a consensus for the continuation of the Cyprus summit in Geneva in March. Eide conveyed his contacts in Ankara and Athens. The guarantors are okay with the second half of March. It seems like we can agree on the week which starts on the 13th. The date is not certain yet. We will set it in the coming days" said Akinci. Explaining that during the meeting he shared with Anastasiades his inspections at the Derinya and Apliki crossing points, Akinci stated that the works for the Apl?ki crossing point are continuing fast in the "north". However, he noted that even though there was a long road to be constructed, works had not yet started in the "south". "I conveyed this to Anastasiades and he assured me that the necessary works will be carried out", Ak?nc? added. Touching upon the recent vandalisms against Turkish Cypriot number plated cars in the Troodos Mountains, Akinci stated: "It is important to find and punish the perpetrators of these attacks. It is also important for the Turkish Cypriot people to see these people are punished". Stating that there are around 8-10 important subjects which needed to be agreed on, Ak?nc? said that during the meeting they exchanged views on the unresolved disagreements as well as on the issues of the active participation of the Turkish Cypriots to the decisions and the equal treatment of the Turkish and Greek nationals. Explaining that they will continue to discuss these issues next week, Ak?nc? said that other chapters will also be taken up when necessary. He added that another two meetings will be held in February and that they could also set new meeting dates for March. Responding to a question regarding the four freedoms, Ak?nc? said he had conveyed his views on this issue during the meeting, adding that more efficient discussions will be held on the issue next week. Claiming that Turkey has rights derived from the Customs Union, Ak?nc? said: "There is a Customs Union agreement signed between Turkey and the EU. There is an effort to broaden this agreement. However, Turkey is not a member of the EU and it is not known when it will be. Although the conditions for Turkey to be treated as a full member could not be realized 100%, it is possible to find a balanced solution with Greece." "During my contacts with the EU officials in Geneva I observed that they can make contributions to this. A reasonable frame could be formed. There is a need to slowly prepare the two peoples for the realities. This is what we are trying to do. 'This is not possible' is not a helping statement" Akinci also argued. Ak?nc? further evaluated the Deputy Secretary General of the Turkish Presidency Ibrahim Kal?n's statements. "Mr. Kal?n's statements are true. We actually made very important contributions to the negotiations process. What Kal?n meant with the negotiations is the point we have reached. The Greek Cypriot side, in return to the steps we have taken, should act more willing, realistic and reasonable and should be more careful with its statements and make more contributions to the process" he claimed. Responding to another question regarding the issue of rotating presidency, he said that the Greek Cypriot side will accept this when the negotiations process reaches a certain point. "Those who do not want to be seen accepting this today should at least indirectly prepare their people in order not to experience difficulties tomorrow when they will come to the point to accept it. It is clearly known by all related sides and the two sides that a solution which will not involve the rotating presidency, one of the most important elements for our political equality, will not happen or even be taken to a referendum" Ak?nc? said. Stressing the importance of a healthy dialogue between all "institutions" in the "country'", especially the "parliament", the "government" and the opposition parties, he announced that he will also brief other political parties and "civil society organizations" on the course of the negotiations process next week. "I was chosen to this duty by the people. I assumed and have been continuing this duty since April 2015. The Cyprus issue and the negotiations are the two most important factors. The 'do not negotiate or leave the table' approaches contradict with the duty given to me by the people" Ak?nc? said. Pointing out that the negotiations had been conducted within the framework of the 11 February 2014 agreement; he reminded that all political parties had given approval to this agreement. [02] Guterres to discuss the Cyprus problem on his first visit to Turkey as UN chiefTurkish daily Sabah (09.02.17) reported that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will pay a visit to Turkey on Friday, his first after assuming the post in January, to discuss the ongoing Cyprus issue.Guterres' talks with Turkish officials during his two-day visit are expected to include the latest developments in the Middle East, Syrian refugees and cooperation between the UN and Turkey. While Guterres visits Ankara, top diplomats from Turkey, Britain, and Greece are foreseeing the next round of Cyprus reunification talks will be organized next month and diplomatic preparations related to the talks aiming to reunify long-divided Cyprus are expected to be assessed. [03] Cavusoglu: "We cannot talk about failure yet on the Cyprus negotiation talks"Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (10.02.17) under the title: "We cannot speak about failure yet on the Cyprus negotiation talks", reports that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in statements in Madrid, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem and stated that we cannot talk about failure on the Cyprus negotiation talks yet. "It is important that the experts of the sides continue their mutual work. We still have hopes", Cavusoglu said.Pointing out the need for the chance not to be missed in Cyprus, Cavusoglu alleged further the following: "The TRNC has shown a clear stance for a fair and viable solution and became the side which [behaves] positively. Referring to Turkey's EU bid, Cavusoglu said: "Turkey's demand for becoming an EU member state is not a personal but a strategic choice. We are very clear we want to be full members." "If the EU doesn't want to respect the agreement, then they have to make a decision and be honest with us," he added. [04] The breakaway regime participated as "TRNC" in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's meeting in Saudi ArabiaUnder the title "The name of TRNC was used for the first time", Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis newspaper (10.02.17) reports that the so-called minister of labour and social security, Hasan Esras Saner participated in a meeting for family values and marriage which was organized by the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) with the participation of 57 countries in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Speaking during the meeting, Saner stated: "It is important that our country, which participated in the meetings of the OIC with the status of observer before, is called for the first time Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". The paper also publishes a photo of Saner in which is seen to be presented in the meeting as "the representative of the TRNC". (CS) [05] "First occupy and then explore"Under the above title, columnist Mehmet Levent comments in Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.02.17), on an event jointly organized recently in the occupied area of Cyprus by Turkey's Travel Agents' Union and Turkish Hurriyet newspaper under the title "Explore northern Cyprus". Levent writes, inter alia, the following:"[ ] Turkey's Travel Agents' Union and Hurriyet newspaper have jointly organized an activity on our island. They called it 'Exploring Northern Cyprus'! As if a hand span of land remained on which their feet did not step, which has not been explored in northern Cyprus. All the money for the activity was paid by Emrullah Turanli, the boss of Tasyapi [Company] which owns Tymbou [airport]. They started 'exploring' with a glittering and noisy ceremony! When they started they stated that the place they would explore was Turkey's 82nd province and its name was 'Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus'! The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which, until today, they called an independent and sovereign state, was declared Turkey's 82nd province as Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus' with this rollicking ceremony! It came to light what way will be followed, if there is no solution [to the Cyprus problem]. The newspapers which are mouthpiece of the UBP and DP presented this disgrace with headlines saying 'great contribution to the country's promotion'! [ ] Some newspapers described what was said as 'gaffe'! However, it is not possible to explain what had happened as 'gaffe'. [ ] It is a disgrace disclosed deliberately and with a great longing. Those who have been boasting saying 'we will make the TRNC live eternally', those who were making a retching sound saying 'neither a state of the Greek Cypriots nor a province of Turkey' are praising this disgrace now. 'This is a great contribution to the promotion of the country', they say! This 'contribution' is the reward for the permits given as present to Emrullah! [ ] Behold, this is how Tayyip's magnificent journalists explored Turkeys 82nd province, Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus! [ ] Everything happened in front of the eyes of the UBP-DP government! TRNC's politicians were there! The prime minister was there! The ministers were there! Huseyin Ozgurgun, for example, could have warned timely and in a justified manner by saying: 'Just a moment brother. There is not state named Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus here. There is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The ministers you see here are its ministers. And I am the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' prime minister. Let us use the correct expressions please'. He did not say it! [ ] He listened to what was said reaching ear to ear and laughing. [ ] All TRNC ministers and deputies listened to it being overjoyed. [ ] 'Explore northern Cyprus' has only one meaning. There is no solution and similar things behind the door! There is Turkey's 82nd province, Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus!" (I/Ts.) [06] Columnist comments on Siber's statement regarding the attack against Turkish Cypriot vehicles on Troodos MountainsColumnist Serhat Incirli comments in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.02.17), on statements made by Sibel Siber, "speaker" of the "assembly", regarding the attacks carried out recently on Troodos Mountains against Turkish Cypriot vehicles. Incirli writes, inter alia, the following:"[ ] During the weekend, I think it was on the night before Monday, the tires of five vehicles with TRNC's plates and one vehicle with Greek Cypriot plates were destroyed! Who did it? Dr. Sibel Siber knows! She is certain, sure! The speaker of the assembly is at the same time carrying out the duty of the director of a private investigator's office in the south and has acquaintances within the Greek Cypriot police and intelligence service. She is certain, sure. Greek Cypriots did it! The speaker of the assembly is not saying 'Greek Cypriots did it' and she might warn that 'such incidents are creating mistrust'. And let us accept that this is so! However, her statement is also inciting, increasing the same mistrust. Should she not make them? If these statements are made by Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Zorlu Tore, the TMT Fighters' Association etc, this is very normal, because their demand, wish and expectation are these in any case. However, it does not seem right to me, when it is as if a politician from the CTP increases the hatred between the two communities with an extra judicial execution (I am not saying 'she increases' because of my curtesy). [ ] Now, whoever did this destruction of the tires, he did not do any good. This is a reality. And the nationalist Turkish Cypriots lead this [action] to the point of 'all Greek Cypriots are the same, they do not want us'. However, that night a Turkish Cypriot might have been drank and destroyed these tires. A Turk might have done these for provoking. Any disturbed person who got angry with the way the vehicles had been parked might have done this without looking at the plates. A citizen of a third country might have done this totally very far from our traditional hatred. It is extremely wrong to think that this was definitely done by ELAM or by Greek Cypriot fascists. The fact that Mrs Sibel made this comment is even more wrong! The fact that this comment was made by a CTP deputy is eternally wrong!" (I/Ts.) [07] Foundation of National Education of Turkey believes that Gulen schools operate in the breakaway regimeTurkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.02.17) reports that the breakaway regime is included in the list of the "17 countries" that the Foundation of National Education of Turkey is holding talks with because it believes that there are schools or dormitories of the Gulen organization (FETO).Among these "countries" are Pakistan, Somalia, Senegal and others. According to Ankara Anatolia news agency there are 688 Gulen Schools in 113 countries worldwide. The Foundation of National Education of Turkey made a deal with 11 of these countries in order to take the Gulen schools under its own administration. (CS) [08] Scholarships to 23,000 students who study in the breakaway regime by TurkeyTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.02.17) reports that the Foundation of Trusts and Dorms of the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports has granted scholarships or loans to around 23,000 students who study at the illegal universities of the breakaway regime.According to the paper, the scholarships and the loans are given also to students of "universities", high schools and lyceums. (CS) [09] Russian warplane accidentally kills three Turkish soldiers in Syria's al-Bab: Turkish militaryTurkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.02.17) reported that a Russian warplane accidentally hit a building, housing Turkish Armed Forces units, during air operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in Syria's al-Bab on February 9, killing three soldiers and wounding another 11, the Turkish Armed Forces have announced.The military said that the incident occurred at around 8:40 a.m. in the region where the Euphrates Shield Operation has been continuing. The wounded soldiers were immediately taken to hospitals, the military said. It also stated that Russian officials called the incident an accident, as they expressed their sadness and condolences. The military also said that an investigation into the incident had begun by both sides. According to the military, the Russian President also called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the incident and extended his condolences. The Russian Chief of General Staff Valeriy Gerasimov also called his Turkish counterpart, General Hulusi Akar, regarding the incident to extend his condolences. Before the phone talk between the two leaders, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu talked with Sergei Lavrov, his Russian counterpart. ( ) [10] Turkey, US agreed to boost bilateral cooperationAccording to Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.17) the U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim agreed over the phone on Thursday to increase cooperation between the two countries, according to a Prime Ministry source.During the call, Pence described Turkish-U.S. relations as entering a "new day", the source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media said. The two leaders also agreed to increase bilateral cooperation on the basis of the countries' alliance and partnership, especially in the areas of military, security and counter-terrorism. Pence also expressed condolences for the death of Turkish soldiers who were accidentally martyred Thursday during Russian airstrikes against ISIL in northern Syria's Al-Bab region. [11] Turkey's EU Minister: "EU's approach is similar to Trump's"Turkish daily Sabah (09.02.17) reported that Turkey's Minister of European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Omer Celik harshly criticized the EU countries for their condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders that prevent Muslims from entering the U.S., as the EU's position on visa liberalization for Turkey bears similar separatist thoughts.Speaking to news channel A Haber on Thursday during his visit to France to meet with French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, the President of the Senate Gerard Larcher and his counterpart Harlem Desir in Paris, Celik pointed out that EU's approach is no different to Trump's. "The EU made a decision in an effort to exclude Turkey from the EU by preventing visa liberalization over religious preferences, which are viewed as inappropriate with the EU's essential principles," Celik stated. He also highlighted that the EU countries do not build a bridge for immigrants and instead close the gates of borders while referring to Trump's xenophobic political decision. He indicated that when considering the resettlement of refugees in Europe, France hosted 2,000 people only, while some countries are not allowing refugees to cross into Europe. Touching on the Gulenist Terrorist Group (FETO) during his speech, Celik said: "Evidence is not necessary for FETO where everything is clear and Britain understood Turkey's position to combat FETO, whereas other European countries do not demonstrate any supportive reaction toward the officially elected Turkish government". Accusing the EU countries of not determining their position against FETO, he emphasized the mistaken perception of EU countries on the so-called hierarchy between terrorist groups including the PKK, Daesh and FETO. Furthermore, Minister Celik said that by fighting Daesh and with Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkey provided security to Europe and that by clearing the borders of Daesh in a matter of days, Turkey achieved remarkable success. "By securing its borders, Turkey also secured NATO's borders as well as the EU's security from Daesh," he added. Additionally, Celik also drew attention to possible political changes which are expected across the globe in 2017. Regarding the altering political polarization, Celik said that the likelihood of a war between the U.S. and China and the abolishment of the nuclear energy agreement with Iran were discussed for the first time. He also touched on the important elections in Europe which will likely shape the future of Europe. In reference to Trump's speech saying he supports Brexit, Celik said that he believes it also has political influence, thus, 2017 is expected to be an important year for politics. [12] Bozdag: "April 16 'certain' for Turkish constitution referendumAnkara Anatolia news agency (09.02.17) reported that Turkey's Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Thursday that a referendum on constitutional reform in Turkey is now expected to be held on April 16.The vote had been expected to be earlier after the Parliament sent an 18-article bill on the changes to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for approval on February 2. "If [the bill] is approved today, tomorrow or the next day, the date is April 16," Bozdag said in an interview with state broadcaster TRT, adding that "April 16 looks like it is certain." Erdogan has 15 days to consider the changes. If he approves them, a referendum will be held on the first Sunday following a 60-day period. The constitutional changes have been discussed since Erdogan was voted President in August 2014. The bill was passed by Parliament in January, with 339 votes in favor -- nine more than needed to put the proposal to a referendum. ( ) Bozdag said that the governing Justice and Development (AK) Party would present its plans for the referendum campaign at the end of February. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.pio.gov.cy (AK / AM) Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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