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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-01-23
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 23.01.19
Contents
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[01] The Turkish Foreign Minister to pay an illegal visit to the breakaway
regime tomorrow
[02] Akansoy hopes that the Cyprus negotiations will resume in autumn
[03] Cakici and Sahin criticize Ozersay's recent statements on the
Cyprus issue
[04] Durduran calls for the development of a proposal for a "state model
with no guarantees"
[05] The "council of ministers" granted "three exceptional TRNC
citizenships"
[06] The occupation regime has become able to cover its own expenses,
claims Sahali
[07] Self-styled chairperson of the "high court" was invited to Pakistan
[08] An event for expressing support towards Afrika on the anniversary of
the attack against it was organized in front of the paper's headquarters
[09] A protocol between Turkey and "TRNC" for the "mutual recognition
of driving licenses"
[B] Turkish Press
[01] Erdogan and Putin to meet today in Moscow
[02] Turkish Navy stopped seven ships in the Eastern Mediterranean
[03] More than 57 million Turks to vote for local elections on March 31
[04] CHP and IYI Party resolve disputes on alliance for March elections
[05] Journalist Nazl? Il?cak serving life sentence gets another six
years in prison
[06] European bank to invest about ?1B in Turkey in 2019
[01] The Turkish Foreign Minister to pay an illegal visit to the breakaway
regime tomorrow
According to the internet edition of
the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (23.01.19
http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRISHABERLERI/n274523-turkiye-disisleri-bakani-cavusoglu-kktcye-geliyor-23012019)
the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is paying tomorrow Thursday
an illegal visit to the breakaway regime.
The schedule of Cavusoglu is not clear yet; neither with whom hewill
have contacts nor what will be discussed during his visit. However,
the paper notes that an exchange of views is expected to take place on
the Cyprus problem and the research regrading natural gas.
(CS)
[02] Akansoy hopes that the Cyprus negotiations will resume in autumn
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (23.01.19) reports that a
representation by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) visited yesterday
occupied Vatili village and briefed members of the party on the Cyprus
problem and the work of the "coalition government".
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Asim Akansoy, self-styled deputy,
said that the problem continued to be a "live matter" and became more
important especially after the discovery of natural gas reserves in the
Eastern Mediterranean. Akansoy argued that the Cyprus problem and the
way of extracting and distributing the natural gas were intertwined and
claimed that there was great tension in the area and no one knew how
this would end. He alleged that there were two ways for this to end:
the one was for the weak side to be crashed and cluttered and the other
to head towards a fair solution with two equal founding states and fairly
share the natural gas. He added the following:
"We are passing through such a sensitive process. The UN is at the table
with the special representative whom it appointed. As CTP we say that
the work done until today should not be wasted and the sides should
come to the table to end this issue. This issue should be focused on
the solution. The natural gas which will be found should be transferred
to Europe through Cyprus and Turkey. We do not expect many developments
until June, but we hope the negotiations to resume in autumn".
(I/Ts.)
[03] Cakici and Sahin criticize Ozersay's recent statements on the
Cyprus issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberator (23.01.19) reports that Mehmet Cakici,
leader of the Communal Liberation Party ? New Forces (TKP-YG), said that
his party supported the policies of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci, which aim for a federal solution on the Cyprus issue.
In a written statement, Cakici said that some developments recently on the
Cyprus issue are disturbing, adding that the future of the Cyprus problem
is still uncertain. He further said that there is an effort to create
a picture that they have moved away from the federal solution. Cakici
also said that he considers Ozersay's statements on the rejection of the
federal solution as wrong and dangerous, adding that Ozersay's stance
doesn't benefit anything else than the non-solution.
Meanwhile, the movement "the Independence Road" said that either they
will protect their future in a united federal Cyprus or they will not
have a future. It further argued that the circles, which are benefitting
from the division in the country, are trying to deepen the division by
benefiting from the current situation at a time when the Cyprus talks
have been halted for a long time.
Ali Sahin, secretary of the "Independence Road", criticized Ozersay,
who has proposed recently a "cooperation model" on the Cyprus issue,
adding that this model has the meaning of two separate states. He further
said that the "permanent division of Cyprus" is not in the interest of
the Turkish Cypriots.
(DPs)
[04] Durduran calls for the development of a proposal for a "state model
with no guarantees"
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Detay (23.01.19) reports that Alpay
Durduran, member of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), has stated that they
consider that the development of a proposal for a state model in
Cyprus where the guarantor countries will not be necessary will find
international support.
Stating that the guarantees in Cyprus are not necessary, Durduran made
a call to develop this proposal, supporting that the United Nations
Secretary General Antonio Gutterres still waits from the two sides to
submit such a proposal.
Evaluating in a written statement the latest developments on the Cyprus
problem, Durduran expressed the view that the difference of opinion
between Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the so-called foreign
minister Kudret Ozerday may harm the solution process.
(AK)
[05] The "council of ministers" granted "three exceptional TRNC
citizenships"
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (23.01.19) reports that the "council of
ministers" convened yesterday and decided to grant "three exceptional
TRNC citizenships".
Speaking after the meeting, the "council's" spokesman, "foreign minister"
Kudret Ozersay, stated that the citizenships were given to the three
persons for humanitarian reasons.
(CS)
[06] The occupation regime has become able to cover its own expenses,
claims Sahali
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (23.01.19) reports that Erkut
Sahali, self-styled minister of agriculture of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has claimed that the occupation
regime had become able to cover its own expenses. In statements yesterday
during a visit of a representation by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
to occupied Vatili village, Sahali said that the restructure of the state
continued in Turkey because of the system change and therefore the money
which Turkey should send to the occupied area of Cyprus did not come.
According to Sahali, 400 million Turkish liras should have been sent in
2018 but only 100 million TL were released from this sum. He noted that
35 million TL (out of this money) were related to projects financed
by Turkey and realized in the occupied area but the tenders for them
had been invited in Ankara. He further said that 200 million TL from
the money which had not been given were related to the salaries in the
so-called security forces command (GKK) and the rest 100 million TL were
small projects realized with Turkey's contribution.
He argued: "Do you know what this shows? The TRNC has become able to cover
its own expenses in case population is not increased in the country,
in case the Turkish lira is not devaluated or as long as there are no
natural disasters".
Noting that "Turkey's aid is of course needed", Sahali said that, because
of the increasing population, they need to increase investments in the
fields of health, education and infrastructure.
(I/Ts.)
[07] Self-styled chairperson of the "high court" was invited to Pakistan
Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s (23.01.19) reports that Narin Ferdi
Sefik, self-styled chairperson of the "high court" of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has visited Pakistan upon
an invitation by the Pakistani President Arif Alvi to attend the oath
taking ceremony of the country's newly appointed High Court chairman
Asif Saeed Khan Khosa. According to a statement issued by the regime's
"high court", Sefik's visit to Pakistan took place between 17 and 19
January 2019.
During her stay in Pakistan, Sefik also attended the dinner in honor of
the outgoing chairman of the Pakistani High Court, Mian Saqib Nisar, who
had participated in the opening of the "judicial year" in the occupied
area of Cyprus in 2015. She further visited the breakaway regime's
"representation office" in Islamabad.
(I/Ts.)
[08] An event for expressing support towards Afrika on the anniversary of
the attack against it was organized in front of the paper's headquarters
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (23.01.19) reports that an event for
expressing support towards Afrika on the anniversary of the attack against
it on January 22, 2018, was organized by the Turkish Cypriot Workers of
the Press (Basin-Sen) in front of the paper's headquarters yesterday.
"Our community proved one more time yesterday that fascism will not
pass", the paper notes in its first page, adding that during the event,
a protest was also organized against the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan
who according to Afrika was the instigator of the attack against the
paper. In the event it was also stressed that freedom of speech cannot
be prevented.
In a written statement read during the protest, Basin-Sen noted that
the attack against the paper took place after instructions given by the
Turkish President Erdogan and that January 22, was written as a black
day in history.
The general secretary of teacher's Trade Union (KTOS) Senel Elcil who
also participated in the event saluted the paper's stance and noted that
Ankara is the side that prevents solution and peace in Cyprus.
On his part, the paper's editor-in-chief Sener Levent reiterated that the
"police" was just standing there watching the attack against the paper
and added that the "police chief" who gave an order to the "police"
not to interfere during the attack against the paper, is still in post.
Various trade unions and organizations expressed their solidarity and
support towards the action to support Afrika, among them the Turkish
Cypriots Journalists' Union, Cag-Sen Trade Union, KTOS and KTOEOS,
the New Cyprus Party, the Left Movement and others.
Referring on the same issue, Yeni Bak?s daily (23.01.19) publishes
statements of the general secretaries of the Communal Liberation Party
(??? ? YG) Mehmet Davutoglu and the United Cyprus Party (???) Salih
Sonustun who expressed their support towards the paper. Under the title
"the stain has not been cleaned yet", the paper writes that Sonustun
said that the nine persons wanted for the attack against the paper have
not been arrested yet. "This is a shame for the state. These people are
protected; they are known but are not arrested. Nothing has changed in
the country within the past year because the Turkish Cypriots lost the
power they used to have", he said.
(CS)
[09] A protocol between Turkey and "TRNC" for the "mutual recognition
of driving licenses"
According to illegal Bayrak (23.01.19,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=atakan-signs-protocol-in-ankara),
a protocol with Turkey has been signed today for the "mutual recognition
of driving licenses".
"TRNC citizens" will now be able to change their "TRNC driving licenses"
to Turkish driving licenses with the protocol coming into force.
The protocol was signed between the "minister of public works and
communications" Tolga Atakan and the Turkish Minister of Interior Suleyman
Soylu in Ankara.
Turkish citizens working or studying in the occupied area of Cyprus
will also be able to change their existing driving licenses with "TRNC
licenses".
Speaking before signing the protocol, Soylu expressed his happiness and
pleasure, pointing out that "a big obstacle for citizens residing in
both countries had been removed with the signing of the protocol".
Atakan, for his part, said that "an important step had been taken between
their respective countries". He added that "the signing of the protocol
will allow the changing of driving licenses in both countries and will
contribute to further strengthening relations between the two countries".
Atakan presented the Turkish Interior Minister with a "TRNC driving
license" at the end of the protocol signing ceremony.
[B] Turkish Press
[01] Erdogan and Putin to meet today in Moscow
Ankara Anatolia news agency
(22.01.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkish-russian-leaders-set-for-moscow-meet-wednesday/1371479)
reported that theTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin are set to have their first face-to-face
meeting of 2019 on Wednesday.
During Erdogan's one-day working visit to the Russian capital Moscow, the
two leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues,
particularly Syria, as well as bilateral relations between Turkey
and Russia.
25 contacts with Putin in 2018
Erdogan and Putin had seven one-on-one meetings in 2018 and 18 phone
calls to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments,
especially Syria.
The leaders first met in the Turkish capital Ankara, where they chaired
the Turkey-Russia High Level Cooperation Council meeting on April 3,
a day before a trilateral summit on Syria between the leaders of Turkey,
Russia and Iran.
During the trilateral summit on April 4, Erdogan, Putin and Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani stressed their joint resolve to oppose separatism
as well as the use of terrorism as an excuse for changing Syria.
Erdogan, Putin and Rouhani are expected to meet in the upcoming months
to discuss the situation in Syria.
Erdogan, Putin meet at 6 summits
A total of six summits saw the meeting of Erdogan and Putin in 2018.
Erdogan, Putin and Rouhani first met on April 4 in Ankara and on Sept. 7
in the Iranian capital Tehran for the trilateral meetings on Syria.
On July 26, Erdogan had a one-on-one meeting with Putin in Johannesburg
on the sidelines of the annual summit of BRICS countries -- Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa.
On Sept. 17, the leaders met in the Russian coastal city of Sochi,
where they agreed to turn Syria's northwestern Idlib province into a
demilitarized zone.
On Oct. 27, Erdogan and Putin also met on the four-nation summit on
Syria between Turkey, Russia, Germany and France in Istanbul, where
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron
were also present.
On Dec. 1, Erdogan had talks with Putin on the sidelines of the G20
summit in Argentina.
Turkish-Russian cooperation on energy
On April 3, Erdogan and Putin attended the groundbreaking ceremony
of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant via a video conference call from the
Presidential Complex in Ankara.
Akkuyu is set for construction by Russia in the Turkish southern province
of Mersin.
The plant, comprising of four units, each with a capacity of 1,200
megawatts, will meet about 10% of Turkey's electricity needs.
(?)
[02] Turkish Navy stopped seven ships in the Eastern Mediterranean
Under the title "The Navy stopped seven
ships", Turkish daily Yeni Safak (23.01.19,
https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/donanma-7-gemiyi-durdurdu-3442611), on
its front page, reports: "Naval Forces Command does not give permission
for occupation in the Eastern Mediterranean energy fields. It was revealed
that seven ships with the flags of Italy, France, Britain, Germany and
Malta, who had an agreement with the Greek Cypriot administration and
were searching for natural gas in the West of Cyprus, were repelled by
Turkish warships".
The paper further claims: "The Turkish Navy did not give permission to
the occupation movements of the Greek Cypriot administration in the
Eastern Mediterranean energy fields with its unilateral tenders. In
the scope of protecting Turkey's natural rights and interests deriving
from international law, Turkish Naval Forces Command carried out its
extraordinary duties in the Eastern Mediterranean sea, which has become
the stage for the occupation plans of Greece and the Greek Cypriot
administration. The research and drilling activities of the Greek
Cypriots, which started with procurement notices in the EU newspapers
for the energy parcels of the Exclusive Economic Zone, which was declared
unilaterally, ignoring the TRNC, were blocked by the Turkish Navy."
The paper also reports that the first blockade of a ship occurred
last February. "For the first time in the history of the Republic,
the unauthorized activities of a drilling platform in Turkey's maritime
jurisdiction areas were prevented. The Italian Saipem 12000 drill ship
of ENI Company was stopped by Turkish military ships at the border of
parcel 3. The Italians, who resisted first Turkey against this incident
which created crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean, had later to address
themselves to the TRNC and Turkey", the paper argues.
The paper further reports: "It was revealed that the Italian drilling
ship was not the only ship blocked by the Turkish Navy in the Eastern
Mediterranean. According to information obtained, a total of six research
ships with flags of Italy, Germany, France, Britain and Malta were not
allowed to enter our maritime jurisdiction."
The paper reports that "the following ships were prevented to enter
Turkey's maritime jurisdiction west of the island of Cyprus": Italian
Odin Finder in December 2017, German Maria S Merian in March 2018,
French Thetys II in June 2018, British Song of Whale in August 2018,
French L'Atalante in October 2018 and Maltese Nautical Geo in December
2018. "These duties, which were performed by the Turkish Naval Forces
with the power and authority deriving from international law, surprised
the European countries and especially Greece and the Greek Cypriot
administration in their effort to create a de facto situation", the
paper reports.
"The Turkish Navy, which rebels to the fait accompli efforts in the
eastern Mediterranean, supports and escorts Turkey's platforms which have
accelerated their research and drilling activities in their maritime
jurisdiction zones. Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic research vessel,
which was harassed by the Greek Navy in the open sea of Morphou, continues
its scientific research under the supervision of Barbaros Frigate of the
Naval Forces. The Turkish Navy shows its presence in the region with a
strong way for nullifying the planning foremost by Greece and the Greek
Cypriot administration on the sharing the maritime zone in the Eastern
Mediterranean and gives the necessary reactions in the international
legal framework against these unauthorized activities in their maritime
jurisdiction whoever is the interlocutor", the paper concludes.
(DPs)
[03] More than 57 million Turks to vote for local elections on March 31
Ankara Anatolia news agency
(22.01.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-57m-to-vote-for-local-polls-on-march-31/1371483)
reported that more than 57 million Turkish citizens are registered
to vote at the local elections slated for March 31, the head of the
country's electoral authority said Tuesday.
The preliminary preparations for the local elections are almost complete
and the current number of voters in Turkey is 57,970,985, Sadi Guven,
head of the Supreme Election Council, told Anadolu Agency.
In response to claims that Syrians in Turkey will vote in the polls,
Guven said that it is not possible for those who are not Turkish citizens
to cast a vote.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Sunday that a total
of 53,099 Syrians who have acquired Turkish citizenship will be able to
vote in local elections.
A day after, Soylu said 553,000 security staff -- including the coast
guard -- will be on duty to ensure safety during the election. Turkey
had assigned 6,680 additional security personnel in 11 provinces and 12
districts to guard against any threats by the terrorist PKK to people's
right to vote.
"Nearly 56,495 voter registrations were frozen due to wrong declaration
of permanent residence", Guven further said, adding that a total of 6,000
registered voters were removed from the voter list due to death, he added.
Local elections in Turkey
A total of 13 political parties will compete in the local elections.
Turkish local polls are held every five years to elect mayors of 30
metropolitan municipalities and 51 provincial municipalities.
Turkish local polls are held every five years to elect mayors of 1,398
municipalities across the country. Among them are municipalities in 81
provinces, including 30 metropolitan municipalities and 921 districts.
Voters will also elect municipal council members in cities and -- in
rural areas -- muhtars and members of elder councils.
The official election process kicked off in Jan. 1, with campaigning to
begin on March 21.
Election campaigning will end on the evening of March 30, a day before
the election.
The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) agreed to support each other's candidates in some
districts and provinces, while the main opposition Republican People's
Party (CHP) and the Good (IYI) Party made the same arrangement.
The last local elections were held on March 30, 2014, which saw the AK
Party clinch more than 45.5% of the vote.
The last elections in Turkey were Presidential and Parliamentary elections
which were held on June 24, 2018.
Electoral calendar
Jan. 27: Order of political parties' names on ballot papers will be
determined by lots drawn by the Supreme Election Council.
Feb. 22: Temporary lists of candidates for provincial and district mayors
will be announced. Lists will be subject to appeal until March 3.
Feb. 28: Voter notification cards will begin being distributed (until
March 24).
March 21: Campaigning period officially begins.
March 30: Campaigning period ends.
March 31: Election Day
[04] CHP and IYI Party resolve disputes on alliance for March elections
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(22.01.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-iyi-party-resolve-disputes-on-alliance-for-polls-140690)
reported that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP)
leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu and IYI (Good) Party leader Meral Aksener
have resolved issues both parties have been at odds over in the upcoming
local elections.
The two leaders discussed on Jan. 21 over dinner their alliance in
several polling districts and have come to a resolution, sources told
private broadcaster CNN Turk.
The two leaders discussed the modalities of their alliance in certain
districts including the capital Ankara's Etimesgut district, the Aegean
provinces of Mugla's Bodrum district and Denizli's Pamukkale district,
the northwestern province of Kocaeli's Cay?rova district and Bursa's
Osmangazi district.
The two parties have already agreed on presenting joint candidates in
many metropolises and cities under the "Nation Alliance" they had formed
before the June 24, 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Evaluations have been made on some districts of the metropolis Istanbul
and some critical polling districts such as the southeastern province
of Gaziantep in terms of mayoral candidates.
Upon the briefings of party leaders, the CHP and IYI Party will update
their alliance protocol and are expected to make statements in the
coming days.
The CHP and IYI Party have been in talks of alliance for the local
elections since November 2018.
The parties in December agreed to cooperate in 21 metropolitan
municipalities for the upcoming local elections.
[05] Journalist Nazl? Il?cak serving life sentence gets another six
years in prison
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(22.01.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/journalist-nazli-ilicak-serving-life-gets-another-six-years-in-prison-140700)
reported that an Istanbul court on January 22 sentenced journalist
Nazl? Il?cak serving a life sentence to almost six additional years
in prison for leaking information deemed secret by the government,
state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.
Il?cak was sentenced to life in prison along with five others, including
journalists Mehmet Altan and his older brother Ahmet Altan, last February
for aiding plotters of a 2016 failed coup attempt.
On Jan. 22, the court sentenced Il?cak to five years and 10 months in
prison in a separate case where she was charged with "sharing information
that needed to remain secret for the security of the state," Anadolu
Agency has said.
The case involves Il?cak's publishing the relevant information on her
column published on daily Bugun in 2015.
Il?cak, who attended the fifth hearing of the case via the voice and
video informatics system (SEGBIS), said that the lawsuit was filed three
years after her article was published, whereas the press law stipulates
a four-month time period to press charges. "The press prosecutor had
dismissed the suit before, and rendered a verdict that I should not be
on trial for national security and secrecy," she said.
Il?cak's lawyer requested her acquittal while underlining that his client
was just fulfilling her journalistic duties.
Il?cak had also been sentenced to 14 months in prison last year for
insulting the president, a crime punishable by up to four years in prison
in Turkey.
[06] European bank to invest about ?1B in Turkey in 2019
Turkish daily Yeni Safak
(23.01.19-https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/european-bank-to-invest-about-1b-in-turkey-in-2019-3472624)
reports that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD) plans to invest ?1 billion ($1.14 billion) in Turkey in 2019,
a top official said.
In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Arvid Tuerkner, managing
director of EBRD in Turkey, said: "2018 has been a challenging year,
a year of geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, dramatic currency
depreciation, waning investor sentiment, but the EBRD maintained a strong
commitment to the Turkish economy".
"The Bank invested ?1 billion in 34 projects in Turkey in 2018....as for
2019 we aim to maintain the same level of investment...about a billion
euros", Tuerkner said.
He added that the bank had also increased its support for local currency
financing in Turkey to a third of its total investment in the country. "In
a significant increase from ?228.8 million in 2017, we extended the
Turkish lira equivalent of ?331 million in 13 transactions with Turkish
companies last year," he added.
Tuerkner said further that EBRD this year will particularly focus on
export-driven industries and agriculture in Turkey.
He also praised Turkey's strong economic fundamentals and young
demographics. "Despite the turbulence, Turkey's strong fundamentals are
still there. Its strategic geographical location is not only a boon for
trade -- the country's great climate and culture also makes Turkey a
wonderful tourist destination. I think the country has high expectations
for tourism revival this year."
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/EH)
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